Avengers 2: Age of Ultron is currently filming at the UEA Campus Norwich in England, and Cinema Blend has the only video from the set. Watch as Joss Whedon films an entire scene with Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, and Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, right here…
Disney Television Animation has begun production on “The Lion Guard,” an animated television movie and series that continues the story introduced 20 years ago in the acclaimed Disney animated film “The Lion King.” Geared towards kids age 2-7 and their families, “The Lion Guard” television movie will premiere in Fall 2015, and the subsequent series will debut in early 2016 on Disney Junior and Disney Channel.
According to the shows creator Alex Hirsch via twitter:
“The Shack is Back! Gravity Falls Season 2 premieres Aug 1st 9:00 PM on the Disney Channel, fools!”
During my family’s recent trip to Disney World over the Memorial Day weekend, two special events brought even more excitement and energy to the parks than usual. Not only were we able to participate in the Rock Your Disney Side 24-hour event in the Magic Kingdom, we also headed over to Hollywood Studios for Star Wars Weekends. A common denominator in the palpable feeling of excitement at the two parks was the presence of characters.
Characters were everywhere!!
Park goers showed their Disney side by showing their passion for characters in a couple ways. First of all, many, many people dressed up as characters at both events. The Magic Kingdom was full of guests dressed as princesses, fairies, pirates, monsters, and even the fearsome Maleficent. It was great fun to wait in line for our first ever ride on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with a young girl dressed as Tinker Bell, whose wings tried to take flight each time we passed under the thoughtfully mounted fans (it was hot that day!!) above the queue.
In Hollywood Studios, guests were dressed up as their favorite Star Wars characters from both the light and dark sides of the force, and of course there were many Disney cast members perfectly portraying characters such as Anakin Skywalker and Darth Maul. The biggest gathering of characters at the Studios took place during the Legends of the Force Motorcade, which included not only characters such as Disney’s Jedi Mickey and Darth Vader Goofy but also numerous members of the 501st Legion volunteer organization sharing their incredibly authentic-looking Star Wars costumes with the cheering crowd.
Naturally, when all these characters appear, we all want to meet them, and so another way that park goers showed their fervor for characters was by lining up for meet and greets. At the Magic Kingdom, characters appeared throughout the day as usual, but some of the more unusual ones kept guests invigorated into the wee hours. These included the Bowler Hat Guy, Dr. Facillier, Lotso, the Queen of Hearts, and Hades, among others appearing until after 5 a.m.
At Hollywood Studios, we stood in line to meet an incredible variety of Star Wars characters, including Anakin Skywalker, Darth Maul, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, R2-D2, Asajj Ventress, Ahsoka Tano, and Commander Cody. My boys enjoyed trading trinkets with the wandering Jawas and goofing with the wandering Storm Troopers. The rewards of meeting with these characters were huge as they all truly acted their parts. Ventress stared down many a young fan, and Anakin Skywalker chatted with my boys for several minutes by inquiring about the progress of their Jedi training.
By focusing on characters at special events, Disney has hit the jackpot in terms of getting people excited about and involved in the Disney experience. The characters at the Rock Your Disney Side event and Star Wars Weekends prove that characters are a powerful force for uniting park goers in common celebration. It will be no surprise if Disney introduces more events that highlight characters. In fact, the just announced Villains Unleashed event at Hollywood Studios on August 23 is no surprise at all. Get ready for some more character-focused fun!!!
An extended first look at “Star Wars Rebels” will debut immediately following the special. “Star Wars Rebels” is scheduled to premiere in fall 2014 as a one-hour special telecast on Disney Channel, followed by a series on Disney XD channels around the world.
Richard Petty Driving Experience Rolls Out Two New Piston Cup Junior Ride-Along Cars at Walt Disney World Speedway!
Question-and-answer sessions featuring Marvel’s Guardian of the Galaxy standouts Dave Bautista (Drax the Destroyer), Karen Gillan (Nebula) and Michael Rooker (Yondu), “Firefly” headliners Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk,“Doctor Who” stars Matt Smith and Karen Gillan, David Boreanaz (“Bones,” “Angel”), Whoopi Goldberg (“Star Trek: TNG,” Ghost), Christopher Lloyd (Back To The Future, “Taxi”), James Marsters (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “Caprica”), Sean Astin (LOTR, Rudy), John Carpenter (Director, Halloween), Eliza Dushku (“Buffy,” “Angel”) and other celebrities top the robust programming schedule at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, Thursday through Sunday, June 19-22 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Most programming is included as part of the standard event admission.
Some of the highlights of the more than 125 scheduled panels are:
DevianART artist Hyung86 has taken Disney and Pixar characters and reimagined them as college students all attending what is essentially one big Disney University.
Summer is in full swing at the Disneyland® Resort with the Downtown Disney® District Summer Celebration. From music and food to sports and shopping, there’s something for everyone!
The summer fun begins with “Dole Days of Summer” Hawaiian Night. This evening event features Hawaiian-themed entertainment in the Paradise Plaza. Plus, in partnership with Dole, Downtown Disney District dining locations will offer fresh, new menu items – including a Pineapple Mojito at Tortilla Jo’s, Mango Chicken Salad at La Break Bakery and Banana Split Dazzler at Haagen-Dazs. “Dole Days of Summer” Hawaiian Night will take place on Friday evenings now through mid-July, with the exception of July 4, 2014.
Downtown Disney District is the perfect place to celebrate Father’s Day weekend, June 14-15, 2014. Dads and kids can spend quality time together at RIDEMAKERZ where they can build one ride and have extra fun creating a second ride for free with freewheel street chassis, stock rims and stock tires.
From June 12-July 13, 2014, soccer fans can catch all the World Cup action at ESPN Zone where a special breakfast menu is offered during morning games. Plus, fans can stock up on all their World Cup merchandise including team jerseys, vintage soccer t-shirts and ESPN soccer scarves.
As soccer ends, sports fans can turn their attention to a beach volleyball exhibition and tournament hosted at Downtown Disney District, July 16-20, 2014. Pro sand volleyball legends will be on hand for this exciting event.
And, special additions to the Saturday outdoor entertainment at Downtown Disney District round out the summer fun, including:
The Odyssey Restaurant in Epcot will re-open and show FIFA World Cup 2014 games from June 12 to July 13. Inside the Odyssey restaurant there will be multiple televisions broadcasting the games live, along with food, beverages, and merchandise that can be purchased.
Do you like the idea of live sporting events being broadcast inside the Disney theme parks? Let us know your thoughts on twitter.
