Author: Nate

New Specimens Join the Collection at Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! at California Adventure

Taneleer Tivan is expanding his collection of rare items from across the galaxy with three new acquisitions. These Vyloos, native to the planet Berhert, may look familiar to Terrans who have seen the film, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.”

Guests visiting The Collector’s Fortress at Disney California Adventure park will find these little birds to be very responsive, friendly and outgoing – responding to noises and movement – but they can also suddenly become extremely shy and introverted.

They may look adorable, but beware! These little birds have been known to defend themselves when threatened, so the Tivan Group has assured us that they will be kept fully enclosed in their glass display case at all times. As long as the fortress power source remains operational, they will be safely contained.

The Collector invites you to come see these new acquisitions for yourself, on display beginning this week at Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! at Disney California Adventure park!

January 22, 2018
Tokyo Disneyland Reveals Plans For 35th Anniversary Celebration

It’s hard to imagine but, Tokyo Disneyland has been open now for 35 years. What’s easy to imagine is the over the top magical celebration Disney is going to have to commemorate the occasion. The special anniversary event, “Tokyo Disney Resort 35th ‘Happiest Celebration!’” will take place from April 15, 2018 through March 25, 2019.

The celebration marks the 35th anniversary of the Grand Opening of Tokyo Disneyland Park and will including an all-new daytime parade and much more. Guests visiting the Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea Parks will be able to experience the happiest time ever with the Disney Friends and Cast Members during this milestone year. Tokyo Disneyland Park opened its gates on April 15, 1983 and grew from a single theme park into a resort that now includes Tokyo DisneySea Park, four Disney hotels and more.

The celebration kicks off at Tokyo Disneyland Park with the premiere of “Dreaming Up!,” a brand new daytime parade which takes Guests to a world of fantasy and imagination. Also at Tokyo Disneyland will be the reopening of the newly enhanced attraction “it’s a small world” with the addition of almost 40 new figures based on characters from Disney films, and Main Street in World Bazaar will be transformed into Celebration Street for the duration of the event. At Tokyo DisneySea the celebration begins with a new show, “Happiest Celebration on the Sea,” where the Disney Characters dressed in new costumes welcome Guests to celebrate the anniversary.

From July 10, the new nighttime spectacular, “Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland” will
premiere at Cinderella Castle. This performance incorporates projection mapping, music, lasers, water cannons and more for a show on a grander scale than ever before experienced in the Park.

Also at Tokyo Disneyland, a new show titled “Let’s Party Gras” will open at Theatre Orleans,
while Tokyo DisneySea will present “Hello, New York!” a new show at Dockside Stage.
Both Parks will be decked out in an array of colors for the anniversary year, and Guests
will discover Happiest Mickey Spots throughout the Parks. In addition to special merchandise and special menu items for the 35th anniversary, there will be a shop specializing in the classic Tokyo Disney Resort souvenir, Chocolate Crunch, opening at Tokyo Disneyland for a limited period only.

The Disney hotels will feature decorations and special room amenities themed to the 35th
anniversary, and Guests can enjoy special programs, menus and merchandise during this period. The Disney Resort Line monorail trains will also be decorated to commemorate the 35th anniversary, adding to the excitement around Tokyo Disney Resort.

Tokyo Disney Resort has continued to be a place filled with happy moments where people of all ages can have magical experiences, a place “where dreams come true.” In 2018, Tokyo Disney Resort will create even more happiness and even brighter dreams as it celebrates 35 years of fun and joy with the “Happiest Celebration!”

January 21, 2018
Freeform Releases New Footage Of ‘Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger’

Marvel’s debut offering on the Freeform network, Cloak & Dagger, has given us a sneak peek at some fresh video and has finally been given us a premiere date. Fan-favorite heroes Cloak and Dagger are set to begin their highly anticipated, two-hour premiere, live-action adventure on June 7! The teenage superhero saga is an adaptation of the popular ’80s comic book title Cloak & Dagger.

Ahead of the first ever Freeform Summit on Thursday, Marvel and Freeform revealed new footage of Tandy Bowen and Tyrone Johnson from “Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger” above. The series will premiere on Freeform on Thursday, June 7, 8:00 – 10:00 pm ET/PT.

“Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger” is the story of Tandy Bowen (Olivia Holt) and Tyrone Johnson (Aubrey Joseph) – two teenagers from very different backgrounds, who find themselves burdened and awakened to newly acquired superpowers which are mysteriously linked to one another. Tandy can emit light daggers and Tyrone has the ability to control the power of darkness. They quickly learn they are better together than apart. “Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger” stars Olivia Holt, Aubrey Joseph, Andrea Roth, Gloria Reuben, Miles Mussenden, Carl Lundstedt, and J.D. Evermore. Also joining the cast, who have not yet been announced are Emma Lahana and Jaime Zevallos.

The series is co-produced by Marvel Television and ABC Signature Studios. Joe Pokaski (“Underground,” “Heroes”) serves as showrunner and executive producer; Jeph Loeb (“Marvel’s The Punisher,” “Marvel’s The Defenders”), Marvel’s head of Television, and Jim Chory (“Marvel’s The Punisher,” “Marvel’s The Defenders”) also serve as executive producers. Gina Prince-Bythewood (“Love & Basketball”) directed the first episode.

January 21, 2018
Combine an Adventures by Disney and Disney Cruise Line Vacation With Disneyland

Adventures by Disney with Disney Cruise Line launch new Disneyland Resort and Southern California Adventure starting in 2019. This is the Disney vacation of your dreams!

Adventures by Disney will offer a new 4-day, 3-night Disneyland Resort and Southern California Short Escape land tour that can be booked as a stand-alone vacation, or in conjunction with Disney Cruise Line sailings departing from the port of San Diego.

This guided group vacation allows your guests to revel in a behind-the-scenes look at places where Disney magic is made, including rare private tours of The Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, VIP experiences at Disneyland Resort, an exclusive visit to Walt Disney’s Disneyland apartment, a sneak peek at props and costumes from beloved Disney films at the Disney Archives, and more.

This new Southern California Short Escape package is available on select dates in Spring and Fall 2018, making it an ideal pre-cruise option for Disney Cruise Line Guests sailing during this time period.

Bookings for this new adventure open on Jan. 25, 2018.

If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Travel Time with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

January 21, 2018
Experience the Chinese New Year Night Market at Hong Kong Disneyland

When the sun goes down and the stars come out at Hong Kong Disneyland, Main Street, U.S.A. transforms into a bustling Night Market in celebration of the Chinese New Year.

Discover stalls filled with festive delicacies and specialties will line the walkway, while Mickey and his friends visit to wish everyone prosperity in 2018. There will even be atmosphere entertainment to drum up the festive spirit.

All day long, guests can also enjoy Pluto-themed decorations honoring the Year of the Dog and dine on holiday menu items across the resort. Wishing Fish at the Market House Bakery are a festive start to the year – you can also find them at outdoor vending carts around the park.

Dozens of new seasonal merchandise items are on sale as well, such as StellaLou in her first traditional Chinese outfit.

The first five days of the Lunar New Year will bring a newly designed Year of the Dog-themed Lai See Packet for guests, which contain a chocolate gold coin and a merchandise coupon for even more good fortune. And to top things off, God of Fortune Goofy will share blessings guests at The Annex on Main Street, U.S.A.

Disney friends will appear in different festive outfits day and night to offer their best wishes, including StellaLou, who will be celebrating her first Chinese New Year at Hong Kong Disneyland.

Chinese New Year is only the beginning of a very exciting year at Hong Kong Disneyland! The seasonal favorite Disney Friends Springtime Carnival and the new “We Love Mickey!” Main Street Projection Show both start in March, while “Moana: A Homecoming Celebration” debuts in May as the first attraction of the ongoing multi-year expansion plan.

January 21, 2018
Disney’s ‘Sword in the Stone’ Live-Action Remake Finds Director

Continuing their strategy of reimagining animated classics into live-action movies, Disney is developing a Sword in the Stone movie and it looks like they may have found their director. Juan Carlos Fresnadillo is in talks with Disney to helm its live-action reimagining of the 1963 animated movie.

The filmmakers credits include, directing 2002’s “Intacto” as his first full-length feature and the 2011 horror movie “Intruders”, but the native of Spain is perhaps best known for directing the zombie thriller “28 Weeks Later”.

The Sword in the Stone remake has been in development since 2015. Game of Thrones writer Bryan Cogman has been attached to write the script and Brigham Taylor will produce.

The original animated version was based loosely on T.H. White’s novel of the same name, eventually becoming became part of the author’s multi-book King Arthur fantasy, “The Once and Future King.”

The 1963 animated flic followed Arthur, a 12-year-old orphan, who became king after removing a sword from an anvil in London. The movie was a box office success and brought in $22 million after being made on a $3 million budget. This was the last animated Disney film to be released prior to Walt Disney’s death in 1966.

Live-action remakes have been hugely successful for Disney. They’ve created live-action versions of its animated titles, including “Alice in Wonderland,” “Maleficent,” “Cinderella,” “The Jungle Book,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Disney is also set a live-action version of “Mulan” for November and has three live-action reimaginings set for 2019 with “Dumbo,” “Aladdin,” and “The Lion King.”

January 20, 2018
Teens Across America Chosen for Prestigious Disney Dreamers Academy

Five high school students were surprised live on “Good Morning America’’ on Monday with the announcement that they were selected to be part of the exclusive Disney Dreamers Academy.

They are the 100 high school students selected to participate in this year’s Disney Dreamers Academy, an immersive and transformational program at Walt Disney World Resort. In fact, the magical ride started early this morning for five of the teens, who were flown to New York and surprised live on “Good Morning America” with the news of their selection to the program.

Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney World Resort executive Tracey D. Powell joined the “Good Morning America’’ hosts and the studio audience for the surprise moment. National TV personality Steve Harvey also congratulated the teens on their accomplishment with a video message.

Surprised live on-air were Ayanna Adams from Los Angeles, Christiana Okafor from Houston, Marquis Thomas from Virginia Beach, Va., Ava Marie Easter from Los Angeles and Sean Smith from Basking Ridge, N.J.

The students, who sported T-shirts featuring the program’s new logo during the surprise moment, are among 100 extraordinary youths from across the nation announced by Disney today to participate in its immersive, transformational four-day program, March 8-11, at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

The program, which is entering its 11^th year with a new “Be100’’ campaign, highlights Walt Disney World Resort’s continued commitment to the next generation of teens by inspiring them at a critical time in their development to make a difference in their lives and to relentlessly pursue and realize their dreams.

“Each of these 100 girls and boys has proven themselves to be exceptional as students and as human beings, so it’s an honor to have them join us at Walt Disney World Resort,’’ said Tracey D. Powell, Walt Disney World Resort vice president of commercial management – resorts and Disney Dreamers Academy executive champion. “It is our hope that this potentially life-changing program will help create the next generation of great dreamers and achievers.’’

Participating students, known as “Disney Dreamers,” embark on a journey throughout the Disney theme parks and behind the scenes, turning the vacation destination into a vibrant classroom for students to discover new careers, pursue their dreams and interact with Harvey and other motivational speakers and celebrities. Among the celebrities who have participated in the past are singers Patti LaBelle and Mary J. Blige, NBA legend and business mogul Magic Johnson, gospel music star Yolanda Adams, NFL superstar Cam Newton, plus TV personalities such as “The Chew’’ co-host Carla Hall, “Good Morning America’’ co-anchor Michael Strahan and ABC correspondent T.J. Holmes.

Additionally, students participate in hands-on, immersive career-oriented workshops, ranging from animation to zoology. Each student is given important tools such as effective communication techniques, leadership skills and networking strategies.

“Inspiring our youth to dream big and chase those dreams is a personal mission,” said Harvey. “Having a dream is one of the most important things in life. That is why engaging with these students is an annual highlight for me, and the 2018 Disney Dreamers Academy will be no exception.”

Since 2008, Walt Disney World Resort has provided all-expenses-paid trips to more than 1,000 students, plus a parent or guardian, to participate in the annual Disney Dreamers Academy. The students are selected from thousands of applicants who answered a series of essay questions about their personal stories and dreams for the future.

“At ESSENCE, we are committed to impacting the leaders of tomorrow,” said Michelle Ebanks, president of ESSENCE Communications. “Every year, we continue to be impressed by the exceptional students selected for Disney Dreamers Academy, and it is our privilege to play a role in encouraging them to achieve their goals.’’

January 20, 2018
“It’s A Small World” Getting A Makeover at Disneyland

The holidays are over and Disneyland’s “it’s a small world” is about to start transitioning from the Holiday version back to the classic version, but the work doesn’t stop there.

Work will continue in the promenade in front of the attraction. The queue location is being moved – along with other enhancements, including a new parade route entrance and stroller area – allowing guests to travel through “it’s a small world” Mall with greater ease.

“it’s a small world” Mall is a popular area of Disneyland park. In addition to accessing “it’s a small world,” guests use the promenade in front of the attraction to get to Mickey’s Toontown and Fantasyland Theatre, among other offerings. The slightly adjusted parade route will make room for the attraction’s new queue, creating more space in the area.

“it’s a small world” Holiday will close on Jan. 22 and “it’s a small world” will reopen on Feb. 2. The aforementioned changes are expected to complete in spring, when “Pixar Play Parade” will step off the new parade route entrance during Pixar Fest, beginning April 13.

January 20, 2018
‘Toy Story 4’ Finds Its New Writer

Toy Story 4 has a new writer! Pixar has tapped Stephany Folsom to pen the next instalment of the franchise that put them on the map. She will now be tasked with bringing the adventures of Woody and Buzz to life for the upcoming sequel for the company’s most popular property.

Toy Story 4 will be Folsom’s first major credit. In 2013 she made the Black List for her original screenplay 1969: A Space Odyssey, or How Kubrick Learned to Stop Worrying and Land on the Moon. She was also brought on late to do some work on Thor: Ragnarok although it’s not clear what exactly her role was. She recently she had a little tiff with Marvel that made news after she wasn’t given a “Story by” credit on the film. It seems that is in the rearview mirror for her, now that she is responsible for the future story of Disney Pixar’s most popular franchise.

Originally the film was going to be written by Rashida Jones and her writing partner Will McCormack, but last year she parted ways with the company. Reports claimed that Jones left the project early on after an unwanted advance from Pixar head John Lasseter.

Lasseter recently took a leave of absence following claims of sexual harassment and misconduct, but Jones issued a statement to The New York Times, saying, “We did not leave Pixar because of unwanted advances.” She continued, “We parted ways because of creative and, more importantly, philosophical differences.”

With the last sequel topping over $1 billion in global box office this film has a lot to live up to. The sequel is dated for release June 21, 2019, although with Lasseter leaving and a new writer just coming on board you can expect there ay be a delay for the release.

January 19, 2018
Former Apple Exec Hired To Head Disney’s Streaming Service

Disney has been looking for the right person to head up their forthcoming online streaming endeavor and it looks like the search is complete. Former Apple and Samsung executive Kevin Swint has been hired, by Disney’s BAMTech Media, to build and run Disney’s Streaming Service.

Swint is being brought as senior vice president and general manager in hopes that the experienced tech execs leadership can help the service truly rival Netflix. His resume includes leading the movie group at Apple iTunes, and most recently as VP of Samsungs product/content & services.

With the massive amount of titles Disney has acquired in recent years, including Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and now 20th Century Fox’s catalog, it seems Swint has a large toy box to play in, but he still has a lot of work to do on the still unnamed streaming service.

It’s widely known that with Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox gave them controlling interest in Hulu, but Disney has already been laying the groundwork for their streaming dreams when last year Disney also acquired a large stake in the streaming solutions provider BAMTech for $1.58 billion. Though Disney already owned stake in BAMTech, but Disney now holds majority ownership with in this company as well.

Any new service likely won’t see any Fox content for quite some time as regulators are expected to take as long as 18 months to approve the deal. What exactly Disney’s Streaming Service will finally look like is still taking shape, but Disney is confident they found the right man for the job. The streaming service is set to launch in 2019.

January 19, 2018