A very special new shop opening soon at Disneyland park! It’s an all-new holiday store called Plaza Point, coming to the corner of Main Street, U.S.A., and East Plaza Street.
Dawn Keehne, Resort Enhancement Manager shares some of the store details and providing you with a sneak peek of the skilled artistry that’s underway in preparation for opening day.
This Victorian-era space will envelop you in the warmth of the holidays as soon as you step into the wood-paneled space decorated with garlands, nutcrackers, and festive décor! Careful observers will notice displays that reflect seasonal holidays around the world and our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Once the store opens, you’ll see a variety of holiday goods available to purchase for yourself or as gifts for family and friends including ornaments, housewares, linens and accessories. And you’ll want to visit throughout the year because other holidays like Hanukkah, Lunar New Year, Spring and Easter, and Fall and Halloween will be reflected in merchandise and store decor at appropriate times, along with Christmas-themed merchandise year-round.
Here’s also the first look at some of the inspirational pieces and décor you may see during the year:
More Info coming soon. Info in this post is from the Disney Parks Blog.
Located at the base of the Topatopa Mountains in Santa Paula, California, the campground is clean, well maintained, and offers nature, wildlife, gorgeous views, and clear, star-lit nights. It also boasts camping accommodations for all outdoor types. There are plenty of sites for RVs, tents, teepees, covered wagons, safari tents, and cabins. For our recent visit, we opted for a rustic cabin overlooking the mountains.
The campground is located at the base of the Topatopa Mountains (photo by Greg Aragon)
When we got to the KOA campground, the first thing we wanted was to get to our room, rest, and freshen up. But the plan quickly changed when we saw a giant, yellow jumping pillow in the middle of the camp beckoning us.
After getting our thrills on the bouncy pillow, we checked into a charming Camping Cabin, overlooking Santa Paula. The cabin was covered in pinewood and featured everything we needed for two days of fun and adventure. There was a queen bed, a large loft for sleeping up to four people, a bathroom with a shower, microwave, fridge, kitchen sink, coffee maker.
Cabins are cozy and efficient (photo by Greg Aragon)
The cabin also featured wireless Internet, a dining table and chairs, a porch perched above the wilderness, and a private yard with a fire pit.
A giant bouncy pillow is one of many fun activities at the campground (photo by Greg Aragon)
When not in the cabin we explored the 76-acre, adventure-filled campground. A short walk from our cabin was the bouncy pillow, a large pool area, a zip line rope course, and a creek where kids and their families can pan for gemstones and ancient artifacts.
To search for the gems, we started at the camp’s office / general store, where we checked out panning equipment and purchased a bag of gems. We then walked to the camp’s gold mining station, where there is an old wooden flume and a sign detailing the kinds of precious rocks we might find. We then walked to the stream and hid the gems in the mud, so our toddler could sift them out like a real gold miner.
Mining for gems is a great way for the family to spend the morning (photo by Greg Aragon)It’s fun to explore the stream that runs through the campground (photo by Greg Aragon)
Near the stream are the park’s teepees and covered wagons, which make for memorable family accommodations. The teepees are recreations of Sioux Indian dwellings. They are about 20 ft tall and feature a queen and twin bed and a couple of tables. They don’t come with electricity but offer lots of natural light.
The covered wagons are also authentic and fun and provide the feeling of what it was like for the earlier settlers – but with a little bit more comfort. Sleeping up to six people, they come with two sets of bunk beds and a king or queen bed. There is no horse team to pull them through the prairie, and they don’t come with a bathroom or electricity, but they do have a battery-powered light inside.
Covered wagons and teepees are a fun way to camp (photo by Greg Aragon)
The campground also features RV sites with full and partial hook-ups, tent sites with no electricity, and safari tents with no electricity.
After checking out some beautiful RVs, we met a few colorful KOA campsite locals. Standing about 3 feet tall, they were covered in feathers of bright iridescent blue, copper, and brown and shades of green and yellow. They were friendly peacocks and they seem to coexist nicely with campers.
Back at the cabin, I played guitar on the porch, against a backdrop reminiscent of North Carolina’s the Blue Ridge Mountains. I then took a nap and began preparing for a barbecue salmon dinner.
There’s nothing like barbecuing in the great outdoors (photo by Greg Aragon)
Our cabin came with a propane grill on the porch and a fire pit/bbq in the small yard. Since we brought our own charcoal, we used the fire pit to cook up the fish, along with turkey burgers, potatoes, jalapeños, garlic, and some tortillas.
With dinner, we sipped sparkling water and watched the sun fall behind the Topatopa Mountains. We also discussed fall and what a wonderful season it is for camping. In fact, a recent report by KOA projects that this fall, 25 million camping households plan to go “leaf-peeping.” Across the United States, KOA says that 54% of campers indicate that they are planning a camping trip to explore the changing colors of fall foliage.
Fall is a perfect time for camping (photo by Greg Aragon)
“Over the last few years we’ve seen a marked increase in the number of fall campers,” says Toby O’Rourke, president and CEO of Kampgrounds of America. “Between the scenery and the weather, it’s a wonderful time to get out and explore. Last year, as COVID restrictions loosened in many areas, we saw a dramatic increase in campers – between early September and the end of the year registration revenues were up more than 25%.”
The next morning we made oatmeal and coffee in the cabin and walked to the campsite’s Rock Labyrinth. This Stonehenge-type feature looks like it was made thousands of years ago. It is made up of hundreds of giant rocks placed in circles to create a one-of-a-kind maze for KOA campers.
The World Labyrinth is a mesmerizing maze of rocks (photo by Greg Aragon)
Ventura Ranch KOA is located at 7400 Pine Grove Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060. For reservations, call 877-779-8080. For more information, call 805-933-3200 or visit: https://koa.com/campgrounds/ventura-ranch/
Jeff Skowron, Ted Barton, Harrison White, John Shartzer (Back row); Sarah Hollis, Heather Ayers and Mary Birdsong (seated) star in the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts/McCoy Rigby Entertainment West Coast Premiere production of “CLUE,” written by Sandy Rustin, directed by Casey Hushion and now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jason Niedle
Let the game begin. CLUE marks not only the West Coast premiere of the madcap murder mystery but also the 2021-2022 season debut of La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. A splendid start of a suspense comedy based on the 1985 Paramount Pictures film which is also based on the Hasbro board game of the same name.
The production boasts a stellar cast and crew that includes Broadway director Casey Hushion (Mean Girls, Aladdin, The Prom, Eld, In the Heights, and CLUE at Paper Mill Playhouse), playwright Sandy Rustin (Disney Theatricals and stage adaptation of the hit film Mystic Pizza), and Jeff Skowron (How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder) as Wadsworth the butler.
CLUE for the most part follows the story layout of the 1985 film version that starred Tim Curry and Christopher Lloyd. With some tweaks to accommodate a live staged performance. The stunning design team placed the Boddy Manor lobby as the main set piece that anchors the smaller scenes together to create the illusion of a large mansion on stage. The dining hall, kitchen, library, and billiard room make their appearances just as important as living characters themselves. This includes lightning flashes thru the windows and hanging chandeliers.
Sarah Hollis, John Shartzer, Mary Birdsong, Heather Ayers, Ted Barton and Harrison White star in the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts/McCoy Rigby Entertainment West Coast Premiere production of “CLUE,” written by Sandy Rustin, directed by Casey Hushion and now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. PHOTO CREDIT: Jason Niedle
Each cast member is no stranger to the stage as all bring out their top professionalism to the audience. Everyone pulls their weight in bringing their game characters to life. Jeff Skowron as Wadsworth the butler shines after playing another servant-type character of Zazu from The Lion King with the class of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Heather Ayers as “Mrs. White”, Mary Birdsong as “Mrs. Peacock”, Sarah Hollis as “Miss Scarlet”, and Cassie Simone as “Yvette” felt familiar and individually recognizable as their movie character counterparts.
But still able to place their own unique stamp. John Shartzer steals the show near the end full of energy as “Mr. Green”. There’s a delightful moment when the characters split up in teams of two to search the manor that evokes an appropriate and fun Scooby-Doo style choreography whilst opening and closing doors and navigating the hallways. At times feeling like a musical number is just about to burst at the seams. You also couldn’t ask for a better way to end the show, but playwright Sandy Rustin did just that.
Cassie Simone, Sarah Hollis, Harrison White, Ted Barton, Mary Birdsong, Heather Ayers, John Shartzer and Jeff Skowron star in the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts/McCoy Rigby Entertainment West Coast Premiere production of “CLUE,” written by Sandy Rustin, directed by Casey Hushion and now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. PHOTO CREDIT: Jason Niedle
With the praise of the engaging acting, staging, and set design, there was something noticeable about the ensemble cast that didn’t quite feel like everything gelled together. Harrison White as “Colonel Mustard” played off more like a performance fit for a musical rather than comedy mystery. But more importantly due to current health restrictions, not sure how well everyone played off each other. There was a sense of a slow pace and delivery that may be detected within the first few minutes. But you get used to this style.
A wild guess to assume rehearsals may have been socially distant to keep everyone as safe as possible. It’s like when a voice actor is in a sound booth recording their lines separately from other actors. And then later the different performances are edited together. Slightly distracting, but still enjoyable. Any theater lover of murder mystery and suspense comedy with the likes of Arsenic and Old Lace, then you won’t want to miss CLUE – A New Comedy.
Performances now performing thru October 17, 2021, on Thursdays at 7:30 pm; Fridays at 8 pm; Saturdays at 2 pm and 8 pm; and Sundays at 1:30 pm and 6:30 pm. A question and answer session with the cast and creative team will be Thursday, September 30, and Thursday, October 14, 2021. For tickets contact LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada or call (714) 994-6310.
Southwest Airlines Co. joins Walt Disney World Resort with a special co-branded commemorative aircraft honoring 50 years of connecting people with memories and magic, as each company celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2021. The Boeing 737-700 features 50th-anniversary logos of both Southwest Airlines and Walt Disney World Resort and is emblazoned with a unique EARidescent treatment created by Walt Disney World Resort, especially for its milestone celebration.
“For 50 years, Southwest has connected our Customers to the people and places that matter most. Whether a Customer is flying to visit relatives in another state, close a business deal with a client, or experience a family vacation, we are honored to be a part of those moments,” said Brandy King, Director of Public Relations at Southwest Airlines. “Celebrating 50 years of making memories during our shared milestone anniversary is at the heart of this magical collaboration with the Walt Disney World Resort.”
“As Walt Disney World Resort kicks off The World’s Most Magical Celebration commemorating our 50th anniversary, we are thrilled to bring even more magic to guests’ vacations and to the sky with the help of our friends at Southwest,” said Claire Bilby, Senior Vice President of Disney Destinations. “Both Walt Disney World Resort and Southwest Airlines share an incredible 50-year legacy of creating exceptional vacation experiences and treasured memories for guests.”
The unveiling of the co-branded aircraft at the Southwest Airlines Technical Operations Hangar at William P. Hobby International Airport in Houston featured Cast Members from Walt Disney World Resort performing iconic songs that celebrate the treasured history, as well as “The Magic is Calling,” an anthem to the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse joined the event to celebrate the collaboration and send the aircraft into service with its first stop at Orlando International Airport.
This special promotional aircraft also brings Walt Disney World Resort magic into the interior, as overhead bins and window shades sparkle with beloved Disney characters in the EARidescent treatment. The aircraft will fly around the Southwest system through March 2022. Fans can track the aircraft (tail number N954WN) and share photos using #Southwest50 and #DisneyWorld50.
Southwest Airlines Giveaway
The magic continues with a Southwest50 Days of Giveaways sweepstakes*, which will award a winner and up to three guests with a Southwest and Walt Disney World Resort prize package each day from Sept. 28 through Nov. 16, 2021. You can visit Southwest.com/50days to enter each day for a chance to win a vacation package that includes lodging, Walt Disney World Resort Theme Park tickets, a Disney Gift Card with a value of $200, and round trip air travel to Orlando, Florida, on Southwest.
Southwest Customers can enjoy a sneak peek at some of the magic of the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary celebration with exclusive video on the carrier’s Inflight Entertainment Portal and the Walt Disney World on-demand TV series channel. The video highlights some of the special moments at the resort to come throughout the 18-month anniversary celebration and will be available onboard beginning Oct. 1, 2021, when The World’s Most Magical Celebration begins.
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C. (excluding Alaska) age 19 or older at time of entry. Ends Nov. 16,21 at 11:59 p.m. CT. To enter and for official rules, including odds, and prize descriptions, visit https://Southwest.com/50days. Void where prohibited.
Amazon introduced Echo Show 15, a new addition to the Echo Show family that is designed to be the digital heart of your home. With a 15.6-inch, 1080p Full HD display, Echo Show 15 can be mounted on a wall or placed on a counter—either in portrait or landscape orientation—and is designed to help you stay organized, connected, and entertained. Echo Show 15 is built with the next-generation Amazon AZ2 Neural Edge processor, a redesigned home screen with more customization options, new personalization features with visual ID, and all-new Alexa experiences.
“Today, families juggle multiple competing priorities—what time to drop the kids off at soccer practice, what to make for dinner, orwhen to schedule the next appointment—the list goes on and on. With Echo Show 15, Alexa can help,” said Tom Taylor, senior vice president, Amazon Alexa. “Echo Show 15 brings everything that makes your household tick into one place.
With a redesigned home screen and Alexa widgets, you can customize Echo Show 15 to see your shared family calendar, manage to-do lists and reminders, find meal inspiration, and keep track of your incoming packages. Plus, Echo Show 15 can adapt to your home environment with full-screen photos or art, so it’s always there when you need it, but fades beautifully into the background when you don’t.”
With customizable Alexa widgets, Echo Show 15 brings together everything families need on its beautiful 15.6-inch Full HD screen. To complement the ambient rotating content, you can customize your device home screen using a new widgets gallery, which lets you choose and add the information most useful to you and your family. Alexa widgets continually refresh to stay up to date, so you always have the latest information, and you can easily rearrange them to suit your needs and preferences.
Personalize Your Experience with Visual ID
With the new visual ID feature, Alexa can recognize you and personalize the on-screen information on Echo Show 15. After enrolling in visual ID, if you walk in front of Echo Show 15, Alexa will recognize you and the screen will automatically update to show you a custom greeting, your personal reminders, calendar events, recently played music or personal notes from others in your home. If you enroll your child in visual ID for kids, the home screen of Echo Show 15 will shift to only show age-appropriate content when your child is recognized.
Organize Your Household
With Echo Show 15, you can quickly view and update your household’s shared calendar, add or remove items from your shopping list, reorder favorite items, check your to-do list, and more. And now, with Echo Show 15 in your kitchen, it’s easy to decide what to eat at the moment, or plan your meals for the week.
You can get delivery options from restaurants like Domino’s; recipe recommendations from Allrecipes, Tasty, Epicurious, and more; or order Blue Apron meal kits to create meals with easy, step-by-step instructions. You can also create a personalized taste profile with your family’s dietary preferences so that Alexa will show recipes and restaurant recommendations tailored to you.
Stay Connected to Your Home and Others
Staying connected means seamlessly managing the devices and services that power your home. A smart home favorites widget lets you view and controls your most-used compatible smart home devices with just a tap. The large screen means you can use picture-in-picture viewing to follow a recipe, while also keeping an eye on the nursery camera. You can also keep track of personal devices and things like Echo Buds and Tile trackers, or monitor how close delivery is to your house on a dynamically updating map widget.
Echo Show 15 also helps you stay connected with loved ones inside and outside the home. With the sticky notes widget, you can leave a note about dinner time for family members, or a reminder to take the dog for a walk. Plus, with the visual ID you can send a note directly to a specific family member, which will only show up when Alexa recognizes them in front of the device. With its 15.6-inch screen and 5-megapixel camera, Echo Show 15 is also great for video calls, or to Drop-In on a loved one inside or outside of your house.
Enjoy the Entertainment You Love
With its large screen and support for 1080p video streaming, Echo Show 15 can also double your kitchen TV. Just ask Alexa to watch movies and TV shows from Prime Video, Netflix, or Hulu, or soon, enjoy support for SLING TV. You can also watch your favorite TikTok videos soon; catch up on the news from ABC, NBC News NOW, and CBS News; ask Alexa to play music or read your Audible book, or even catch a segment of The Daily Show to start your morning. Echo Show 15 can also seamlessly blend into your décor by displaying full-screen pictures from Amazon Photos or alternating visuals from pre-loaded art, nature, seasonal, or travel galleries.
Powered By the All-New, Next-Gen AZ2 Processor
Echo Show 15 is powered by the next-generation Amazon AZ2 Neural Edge processor, a machine learning (ML) inference engine with a quad-core scalable architecture and 22x more TOPS (trillions of operations per second) than the previous generation. Like AZ1, it’s capable of processing speech recognition on devices and can also process computer vision (CV) workloads in parallel.
The AZ2 architecture is custom designed by Amazon and runs ML-based speech models significantly faster than its predecessor—enabling CV algorithms that once required the immense computing power of the cloud to be processed entirely on the edge. What this means is that Echo Show 15 is able to recognize a person enrolled in visual ID and will be able to process their voice right on the device.
Privacy and Accessibility
Echo Show 15 is designed with privacy in mind; it has microphone and camera controls, the ability to view and delete your voice recordings, and a built-in shutter to cover the camera. Visual ID is optional and requires explicit enrollment, and you can delete your visual ID profile at any time through the on-device settings or the Alexa app.
To learn more about the features providing transparency and control over your Alexa experience, visit the Alexa Privacy Hub: http://www.amazon.com/alexaprivacy. In addition, Echo Show 15 offers accessibility features that benefit all customers, including the ability to interact with Alexa using touch instead of voice, to see captions for Alexa’s responses on the device screen, and more. For more information, visit http://www.amazon.com/alexaaccessibility.
Amazon Echo Show 15 Pricing and Availability
Echo Show 15 will be available for $249.99. To learn more, visit www.amazon.com/EchoShow15. Countertop stands and under-cabinet mount accessories are sold separately. Echo Show 15 has the Climate Pledge Friendly badge on Amazon.com—a distinction to help customers discover and shop for more sustainable products.
Amazon and Disney announced ‘Hey, Disney!’, an entirely new kind of voice assistant that will work alongside Alexa at home and across Walt Disney World Resort hotel rooms. Expected next year, ‘Hey, Disney!’ will let fans and guests interact with some of their most beloved Disney characters, simply by saying “Hey, Disney!” on supported Echo devices at home and at Disney Resort hotels.
“We’re bringing the worlds of Disney directly to Echo devices with ‘Hey, Disney!’,” said Dave Limp, Senior Vice President, Amazon Devices and Services. “By combining the strength of Alexa’s technology, with Disney’s unmatched storytelling expertise, we’re creating the next generation of immersive experiences to make guests’ vacations more memorable and giving our customers a way to make their homes a bit more magical too.”
“Our focus is to bring Disney storytelling to our guests wherever they are,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “Through Alexa technology, ‘Hey, Disney!’ will unlock new ways for guests to engage with our iconic characters and stories both at home as well as at our Walt Disney World Resort hotels.”
Introducing Amazon ‘Hey, Disney!’
With ‘Hey, Disney!’, you’ll get access to interactive Disney storytelling experiences and entertainment, as well as fun and delightful content like jokes, fun facts, and special surprises featuring Disney characters. Go on interactive adventures with Mickey, Dory, and Olaf, or sit back and listen to your favorite Disney stories. Transport yourself to the worlds of your favorite characters with unique Soundscapes or test your Disney knowledge with trivia. ‘Hey, Disney!’ will even make everyday tasks more magical, such as setting timers and alarms, and checking the weather or time of day.
Making Your Disney Resort Stay More Magical
In addition to delighting customers at home, ‘Hey, Disney!’ and Alexa will also be available in Walt Disney World Resort hotel rooms as part of an upcoming integration using Amazon’s Alexa for Hospitality service. ‘Hey, Disney!’ and Alexa will work side-by-side to simplify your stay and make it a bit more delightful by answering questions, fulfilling special requests, and more.
You can ask ‘Hey, Disney!’ for more blankets and towels, the fastest way to get to the park in the morning, and where to get your favorite food. With Alexa, you can hear the news, ask for sports scores, play music, and more. Alexa for Hospitality makes it easier for hotel and hospitality properties to deploy Amazon Echo devices at scale, as well as create unique voice experiences and features such as customized screens on Echo devices tailored to their property and customer needs.
A ‘First-of-its-kind’ Voice Assistant, Developed by Disney, Built on Alexa Technology
The ‘Hey, Disney!’ voice assistant was developed from the ground up by Disney, featuring original character voice recordings and audio, with over 1,000 magical interactions to discover, as well as a brand-new character created as a guide—the Disney Magical Companion. ‘Hey, Disney!’ will mark the first time an Alexa Custom Assistant will be available on Echo devices.
Alexa Custom Assistant is a comprehensive solution that made it easy for Disney to create their own custom voice assistant tailored to Disney’s personality and customer needs, built on Alexa technology. Alexa Custom Assistants have unique wake words, voices, personalities, and capabilities, and can coexist and cooperate with Alexa.
Pricing and Availability
‘Hey, Disney!’ is expected to be available for purchase in the U.S. in the Alexa Skills Store for use on all supported Echo devices beginning in 2022. To learn more and be notified when ‘Hey, Disney!’ launches, visit amazon.com/HeyDisney to sign up.
‘Hey, Disney!’ will work alongside Alexa and can be accessed complimentary on Amazon Echo devices in Disney Resort hotel rooms at Walt Disney World Resort.
Customers in the U.S. can bring even more Disney magic to their homes with a new Mickey-inspired OtterBox Den Series stand for Echo Show 5, available for pre-order today for $24.99 by visiting amazon.com/MickeyMouseStand.
Nintendo Switch owners are in for quite the year ahead! In the latest Nintendo Direct video presentation, Nintendo detailed a wide variety of games coming to the system this year and into 2022 – with some games that have already been launched.
The video outlined something for everyone, including:
… a new membership plan for Nintendo Switch Online that includes access to a growing library of classic Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis games, as well as all the current benefits of the service, such as NES and Super NES games, exclusives like Tetris® 99 and PAC-MAN 99, and more.
“Heading into its sixth year, Nintendo Switch and its wide variety of games continue to offer experiences for various types of players,” said Nick Chavez, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Communications. “In this latest Nintendo Direct, we are looking ahead to a year packed with new games in well-known franchises, as well as unique and exciting titles from our development and publishing partners.”
Nintendo Direct Highlights
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack: A new membership plan is coming to Nintendo Switch Online in late October with classic Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis games. In addition to all the benefits of a Nintendo Switch Online membership such as online play, access to a growing library of NES and Super NES games, and more, members can play select titles like Mario Kart 64 online with up to four players for the first time ever (additional accessories required; sold separately)! The full list of classic games launching for the expanded service, with more Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis titles coming in the future, is as follows:
Launch Lineup of Nintendo 64 Games
Super Mario 64
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Mario Kart 64
Star Fox 64
Sin and Punishment
Dr. Mario 64
Mario Tennis 64
WinBack
Yoshi’s Story
Upcoming Nintendo 64 Games (With More To Come!)
Banjo-Kazooie
Pokémon Snap
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Mario Golf
Paper Mario
F-Zero X
Launch Lineup of SEGA Genesis Games
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Streets of Rage 2
Ecco the Dolphin
Castlevania: Bloodlines
Contra: Hard Corps
Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
Golden Axe
Gunstar Heroes
M.U.S.H.A.
Phantasy Star IV
Ristar
Shining Force
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
Strider
Nintendo Switch Online members will also be able to pre-order two new controllers that resemble the original Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis controllers at a later date.
These wireless controllers can be used to play these classic games on Nintendo Switch Online. More details about Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, including release timing and price, will be revealed at a later date.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land: The next Kirby adventure on the Nintendo Switch system is going 3D! In this new 3D platforming game, players can freely navigate areas using familiar Kirby copy abilities. What lies in store for Kirby as he explores a mysterious setting filled with abandoned structures from a past civilization? Find out when Kirby and the Forgotten Land launches for Nintendo Switch in spring 2022.
Bayonetta 3: A new trailer for this stylish, action-filled sequel showed off gameplay for the first time, revealing a new look for Bayonetta and new mechanics, including the ability for Bayonetta to directly control demons. Bayonetta 3 will launch for Nintendo Switch in 2022. More information about the game will be released at a later date.
MONSTER HUNTER RISE: SUNBREAK: Capcom is currently working on a massive, paid DLC expansion for the hit Nintendo Switch game MONSTER HUNTER RISE. The expansion will include newly added stories, locales and monsters, as well as newly added hunting actions and quest rank. MONSTER HUNTER RISE: SUNBREAK is scheduled to be released in summer 2022. More information about this massive expansion will be revealed in the future. In the meantime, soar into MONSTER HUNTER RISE during the game’s first sale – happening now through 11:59 p.m. PT on Oct. 3.
Splatoon 3: The next game in this INK-redible series features new and returning stages in 4-v-4 battles, as well as new weapons never before seen in the Splatoon games. In the game’s single-player campaign, mammals might be returning … but what does this mean? Find out more when additional details about Splatoon 3, which is scheduled to release in 2022, are revealed in the future.
Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars: A spellbinding experience from the creative minds of YOKO TARO and Yosuke Saito is about to unfold. In Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars from SQUARE ENIX, players will square off in experiences that reveal themselves through cards, including turn-based battles, where their skills – and a little bit of luck – will determine the victor. This fresh take on tabletop RPGs launches for Nintendo Switch on Oct. 28. Players can try out the free demo and pre-order Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars later today!
Chocobo GP: Get ready for a new racing experience! Race as familiar FINAL FANTASY characters like Chocobo and Gilgamesh using special character abilities and Magicites to speed past the competition. Engine customization options will also be available, as well as local* and online** multiplayer. Up to 64 players can compete in a bracket-style tournament to determine the racing champion! Chocobo GP launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch in 2022.
TRIANGLE STRATEGY: In February, SQUARE ENIX sent out a survey for the demo version of TRIANGLE STRATEGY. Since then, the developers have been updating the game, with a focus on adjustments to the difficulty, as well as improvements to on-screen visuals, camera controls and the ability to view past conversations. The stunning HD-2D strategy RPG TRIANGLE STRATEGY launches for Nintendo Switch on March 4, 2022.
Actraiser Renaissance: The classic Super NES game Actraiser returns on the Nintendo Switch system, now remastered in HD! In Actraiser Renaissance, strike down monsters in the side-scrolling action phase, Realm Acts, and cultivate lands in the world-building creation phase, Realm Management. Enjoy the much-loved original score and a rearranged soundtrack featuring new music. New stages and boss battles also await. Actraiser Renaissance launches for Nintendo Switch … later today!
Dying Light 2 Stay Human – Cloud Version: In Dying Light 2 Stay Human – Cloud Version, master both parkour and tactical combat to survive in this brutal open-world action RPG. Explore alone or with up to three others in online co-op.** Unravel the dark secrets of those in power during the day, then plunder the lairs of the infected at night. Choose sides and decide the fate of the City. Dying Light 2 Stay Human – Cloud Version launches for Nintendo Switch on Feb. 4, 2022. A free demo for the game will also be available on the same day. But that’s not all: The prequel, Dying Light: Platinum Edition, is also coming to Nintendo Switch on Oct. 19. Pre-orders for the prequel start today!
DELTARUNE Chapter 2: The new expansion to DELTARUNE Chapter 1 has arrived! Enter DELTARUNE Chapter 2 and once again experience a hilarious and emotional story in the mysterious Dark World. Players will dodge everything, from balls of yarn to ambulances and missiles, in creative attacks that appeal to beginners and not-so-beginners alike. DELTARUNE Chapter 2 will be available as a free update for owners of DELTARUNE Chapter 1 later today!
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Update: A new free update is coming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons this November! More details will be revealed in Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct airing in October. Follow Isabelle on Twitter for more information!
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Expansion Pass DLC: On Oct. 29, the second wave of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Expansion Pass content arrives with a newly playable character duo, additional stages and emotional new story sequences. Defend Hyrule as the quirky duo character, Purah & Robbie, and their array of ancient technology. See how places like the Coliseum and Kakariko Village looked 100 years in the past in new story stages. Learn more about the Champions and the mysterious Guardian in emotional new story sequences as the fight for Hyrule’s future continues! Players who purchase the Expansion Pass will also gain access to Wave 1 of the DLC, which is already available.
The Final DLC Fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is…: …going to be revealed soon! Masahiro Sakurai, the director of the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate game, will host a final “Mr. Sakurai Presents” video on Oct. 5 revealing the final DLC fighter. This will be the last presentation about Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC, so make sure to tune in!
Mario Party Superstars: It’s almost time for Mario Party Superstars, which launches for Nintendo Switch on Oct. 29! In addition to the main Mario Party mode, which will see the return of several classic boards from the Nintendo 64 era, including Woody Woods, Yoshi’s Tropical Island and Horror Land, Mario Party Superstars will also feature the minigame mode Mt. Minigames, which includes the competitive Survival course and the cooperative multiplayer course Tag Match, among other courses.
Mario Golf: Super Rush DLC: FORE! More free content is coming to Mario Golf: Super Rush. Later today, two new playable characters will be added to the game: Koopa Troopa and Ninji! In addition to these characters, two new courses will be added – the snowy Blustery Basin and the desert-set Spiky Palms – as well as the ability to change the difficulty level of the CPU opponents. Download all this new content in Mario Golf: Super Rush starting later today!
Disco Elysium – The Final Cut: In this groundbreaking role-playing adventure, interrogate people and uncover clues with the help of 24 inner skills. The player’s behaviors and available choices will change depending on how they develop these skills, directly impacting how the story progresses. Disco Elysium – The Final Cut launches digitally on Nintendo Switch on Oct. 12. The physical version of the game launches in early 2022. Pre-orders for the digital version start today!
STAR WARS: Knights of the Old Republic: A beloved Star Wars game is coming to Nintendo Switch! Blast off to captivating planets and join forces with Jedi, droids and outcasts in this blend of action, role-playing and adventure. STAR WARS: Knights of the Old Republic launches for Nintendo Switch on Nov. 11. Pre-orders for the game start later today!
Castlevania Advance Collection: Castlevania Advance Collection brings together four classic Castlevania games – Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Castlevania: Dracula X – with deathly beautiful graphics and hauntingly epic music. Rewind, Quick Save and Button Mapping features will also ramp up the fight against evil. All regional versions of each game, as well as a gallery mode with never-before-seen artwork, are included. Castlevania Advance Collection launches for Nintendo Switch … later today!
Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition: Players are invited to live in a magical world with Mickey Mouse and dozens of Disney characters! Spend time with Disney friends, craft whimsical costumes and furniture, and explore delightful Disney-themed worlds. All downloadable content from the original Nintendo 3DS version will also be included when Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition launches for Nintendo Switch this holiday season.
Shadowrun Trilogy: Cyberpunk meets fantasy in this three-game collection of cult classic RPGs. As a Shadowrunner mercenary, players will explore a dystopian future where magic has reawakened and fantasy creatures have come back to life. Immersive branching narratives, skill-based character growth and gripping turn-based tactical combat await in Shadowrun Trilogy, launching for Nintendo Switch in 2022.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Players excited to dive into this next title in the acclaimed Shin Megami Tensei series can pre-order the game starting today! Shin Megami Tensei V launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch on Nov. 12.
Rune Factory 5: In Rune Factory 5, players can grow crops, tame monsters and team up with townsfolk to explore a massive world. But when they aren’t off on adventures, they can also find friendship and love among a colorful cast of characters. Rune Factory 5 launches for Nintendo Switch on Mar. 22, 2022.
Arcade Archives PAC-MAN / Arcade Archives XEVIOUS: Two classic NAMCO games are coming to Nintendo Switch as part of the Arcade Archives series. Play arcade hits PAC-MAN and XEVIOUS at home or on the go when they both launch for Nintendo Switch … later today!
The Nintendo Direct presentation also featured a montage of upcoming Nintendo Switch games, including HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED, a high-speed racer launching on Sept. 30 that lets players collect the best vehicles in the Hot Wheels universe, build spectacular tracks and dive into high-octane races; Surviving the Aftermath, a procedurally generated world-building game set in a post-apocalyptic future, launching this winter; and Wreckfest, a demolition derby-themed racing game with soft-body damage modeling, sophisticated driving dynamics and in-depth vehicle upgrading, launching for the Nintendo Switch system this fall.
Remember that Nintendo Switch features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about other features, visit https://www.nintendo.com/switch/.
* Additional games and systems required. Sold separately.
** Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online features. Not available in all countries. Internet access is required for online features. Terms apply. nintendo.com/switch-online
On Friday, November 12, The Walt Disney Company will host Disney+ Day, a global celebration that will come to life across all dimensions of the Company. Subscribers to Disney+ will be treated to new content releases across the service’s iconic brands, Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and Star in international markets, along with a special presentation on Disney+ for fans with sneak peeks into what’s to come. Additionally, the service will continue to engage new audiences around the world, as Disney+ expands into new Asia-Pacific markets on November 12.
In honor of the second anniversary of Disney+, subscribers will have access to promotions and experiences across the Company. Disney Parks and Resorts around the world and Disney Cruise Line will roll out the blue carpet for Disney+ fans with some surprise and delight moments including photo opportunities, character moments, and more; shopDisney.com will have special offers; popular network shows and syndicated series will join in the celebration along with talent and series across ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN and ESPN+, Freeform, FX, Hulu, National Geographic in the U.S., and on owned channels abroad.
“The inaugural Disney+ Day will be a grand-scale celebration of our subscribers across the entire company,” said Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “This day of appreciation brings to life our mission to entertain, inform, and inspire fans and families around the globe through the power of unparalleled storytelling, and will become an annual tentpole event to be amplified across our global businesses.”
Disney+ Day Content
Premieres from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic
Disney+ Day will feature content premieres from all of the marquee brands on service, including:
The streaming premiere of Marvel Studios’ “Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings”
The beloved Disney family-friendly adventure film “Jungle Cruise,” available to all subscribers
The new Disney+ Original movie “Home Sweet Home Alone,” a reimagining of the popular holiday franchise
An all-new original series of shorts from Walt Disney Animation Studios called “Olaf Presents,” which sees Frozen’s beloved snowman retelling several classic Disney tales as only he can
The domestic Disney+ streaming debut of fan-favorite shorts from Walt Disney Animation Studios including “Frozen Fever,” Oscar®-winning shorts “Feast” and ”Paperman,” Oscar-nominated Mickey Mouse short, “Get A Horse!” and more
An animated short film “Ciao Alberto” from Pixar, featuring characters from this summer’s animated hit breakout film “Luca”
A new short from The Simpsons that pays tribute to Disney+’s marquee brands
The first five episodes from season 2 of “The World According to Jeff Goldblum” from National Geographic
A special celebrating the origins and legacy of Star Wars’ legendary bounty hunter, Boba Fett
A special celebrating the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Disney+ with an exciting look towards the future
“Dopesick,” an original series starring Michael Keaton, which will be released in international markets as part of the Star general entertainment content offering
Subscribers to the service will be entertained with an inaugural Disney+ Day fan celebration on Disney+, which will include breaking news, first looks, new trailers, exclusive clips, and appearances from Disney+ creators and stars.
Global Launches in South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong
In honor of Disney+ Day, Disney+ will make its debut in South Korea and Taiwan on November 12, and in Hong Kong on November 16, bringing Disney’s iconic characters and stories into the homes of new audiences around the globe.
More exciting content premieres, consumer offers, and news will be announced leading up to Disney+ Day.
Hollywood’s legendary El Capitan Theatre presents Disney/Pixar’s “Coco”September 24 -September 27, 2021, shown in brilliant Dolby VisionTM Laser Projection & Dolby Atmos® Audio Technology. Before every show, El Capitan guests can enjoy “The Fiesta of Lights” featuring music from the film.
Daily showtimes for Disney/Pixar’s“Coco” starting Friday, September 24 – September 26 are 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and Monday, September 27 at 10:00 AM. Showtimes and dates are subject to change.
The El Capitan Theatre has taken enhanced health and safety measures for its guests and cast members. All guests must follow posted instructions while visiting the El Capitan Theatre. For health and safety information including theatre policies and procedures visit https://elcapitantheatre.com/safetyinformation/
Disney+ and Marvel Studios invite you on an unexpected holiday getaway, unwrapping the official trailer and teaser poster for “Hawkeye,” a new series set in post-blip New York City. Former Avenger Clint Barton has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. Possible?
Maybe with the help of Kate Bishop, a 22-year-old archer with dreams of becoming a Super Hero. The two are forced to work together when a presence from Barton’s past threatens to derail far more than the festive spirit.
About Hawkeye
Starring Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye and Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop, “Hawkeye” also features Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian d’Arcy James and newcomer Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez. Helmed by Rhys Thomas and directing duo Bert and Bertie, “Hawkeye” debuts exclusively on Disney+ on November 24, 2021.
Disney+ has revealed its newest original series “Among the Stars,” launching all episodes of the six-part series exclusively on Disney+ on Monday, October 6. As seen in the newly released official trailer, the docuseries, produced by Fulwell 73, embeds viewers with NASA astronaut Captain Chris Cassidy as he embarks on one last mission. Through intimate footage, personal video diaries, and live stream footage — stationed both on Earth and in space — viewers are given a first look at the critically important team of engineers, flight controllers, and specialists who take on these dangerous and awe-inspiring missions for the greater good.
Following the teams’ successes and failures over the course of two years, “Among the Stars” provides behind-the-scenes access to the critically important NASA mission of repairing a $2 billion science experiment, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), which aims to reveal the origins of the universe. To repair the AMS, former Navy Seal Captain Cassidy and his team must undertake a series of complex spacewalks, but the story quickly becomes a tale about the broader team at NASA, their roles on this daring mission, and the collective quest to succeed.
Filmed with different space agencies across the globe — from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to the European Space Agency in Cologne to the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency outside of Tokyo and the Russian Space Agency in Star City — viewers are transported around the world as they follow Captain Cassidy in his training to depart to the International Space Station. With his team on the ground and under immense pressure to finalize everything, his last mission quickly becomes uncertain as the world goes into lockdown from COVID-19.
The series goes beyond the spacesuit, introducing viewers to astronauts and engineers from around the world, including Captain Cassidy’s partner astronaut, Luca Parmitano from the European Space Agency; Drew Morgan, a rookie NASA astronaut who gets the chance of a lifetime to repair the AMS; Emily Nelson, AMS flight director and the 10th female flight director at NASA; Heather Bergman, AMS spacewalk tools manager at NASA who leads a team dedicated to creating spacewalk tools; professor Samuel Ting, Nobel Prize winner for discovering the subatomic particle and AMS Inventor; and Ken Bollweg, AMS project manager who has worked hand-in-hand with professor Ting on the AMS experiment from its inception 25 years ago.
“Among The Stars” captures the last bastion of the previous era of space travel through shuttle astronauts, traverses into what the future holds with NASA’s plans to return to the moon, and its new commercial partnerships pushing the agencies further into space.
“Among the Stars” is produced by Fulwell 73 Productions for Disney+. Ben Turner directs and executive produces for Fulwell 73. Executive producers on this series include Gabe Turner, Leo Pearlman, Will Gluck, and Richard Schwartz.
Blessed be our New Founding Fathers for bringing back Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood. Eager to return after missing out last season, our terrors of the night frightfully scream loud enough to wake the dead.
The 2021 season resurrects a few classics in new locations and new experiences. Michael Myers, Leatherface, The Exorcist, The Walking Dead, and Bride of Frankenstein come together with Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House for scary fun. Parents should be aware this special ticket event is not recommended for children as this will be a much bloodier experience than the daytime operation.
The Universal Plaza has been transformed into a Day of the Dead Celebration. The wide-open space is ready with specialty snacks, drinks, games, and colorful backdrops.
The scare maze located nearest the park entrance is Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers. Despite having a Halloween-themed maze in previous years, 2021 offers a new take on an old favorite.
Taking over the previous location of Universal Monsters comes a semi-follow-up found in Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein LIVES. Enter inside an oversized illustrated storybook that outlines the plot of the scenes guests will partake in. It appears not only does the Bride want to resurrect a lover, but must do battle with vampires to volunteer in her experiments.
The one other scare zone in the park beside the entrance is at the exit of this Universal Monsters maze.
A new path has revealed itself past the gates of The Wizarding World leading to a new and welcomed backstage location for two mazes. The Curse of Pandora’s Box returns from 2019. This original maze transport guests from a dusty curios shop to a backlit supernatural realm.
The neighboring attraction is Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House. Not being familiar with the series myself, this was still a dark and moody walk through the creepy hallways. Many of the walls reveal ghostly encounters. This is a very accessible maze to be scared in for those concerned about not understanding any references to the series it’s based on.
Jabbawockeez returns with their hip-hop dance performances. Nothing anything special if you want anything Halloween. But for those that need a 20-minute break from horror, this is a sufficient high-energy show that focuses on music and dance.
With two mazes in their new location behind the Wizarding World, this allows the Terror Tram to return for The Ultimate Purge. Trams drive guests to a Purge Party that supposedly provides and fun and safe place until the annual Purge concludes. But that is not the case as it would seem. After its debut in 2015, the Purge is back for more. Not as many chain link fences and utilizing wide open show scenes. And good news, Norman Bates is waiting for a picture with you at the Psycho house. Bringing back the Terror Tram makes a lot of sense as it is essentially a long outdoor scare zone.
The Lower Lot sizzles up returning mazes, new refreshments, and extra seating. A Leatherface-themed BBQ smokes up the smells of a tasty dinner. Isla Nu-bar mixes up specialty drinks which can also be found at an outdoor lounge following a green-lit stairway upstairs. No scare zones here perhaps as to not clog up the congested walkway.
Approaching either side of the Transformer Ride entrance are the maze entrances for The Exorcist and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Although reworking most of what was seen from its 2016 debut, the black hallways had scares laid out that didn’t feel lackluster. It was here that we noticed most of the scare mazes didn’t use a lot of curtains and hanging corpses that guests would normally bypass. It was actually less annoying and let us enjoy the mazes more.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has made a number of appearances to Halloween Horror Nights, the maze design still serves up a fresh plate. Just being able to have the Halloween season back just puts everyone in a good mood.
While the Jurassic Park: The Ride queue was used for scare mazes before, the popularity of Jurassic World: The Ride naturally prevents a maze from being built here for the time being.
The Walking Dead scare maze attraction arises with no noticeable changes inside. The entrance outside was redesigned with The Secret Life of Pets nearing completion.
Horror Nights seasonal merchandise is available to remember the scariest moments from your terror-filled evening.
Universal Studios Hollywood brings to life one of Southern California’s most immersive Halloween events. Halloween Horror Nights 2021 is open on select nights now until Oct 31. Tickets are available for purchase by clicking here.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. during a special panel at San Diego Comic-Con unveiled an all-new dynamic lineup inspired by iconic franchises including Super Mario, The...
