Located in Future World West, “The Land” is among the most popular pavilions at Epcot. A large part of its current popularity can be attributed to the fact that it the home of “Soarin,” which is currently closed for a major refurbishment…
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The 1 Thing You Forgot to Plan For Your Trip to Disney
As most moms know, these days, a trip to Disney takes some serious planning, and mama, you’re all over it.
Record 90 days of Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Fun to Showcase New Outdoor Kitchens, Gardens and Topiaries
Two new spring-inspired Outdoor Kitchens, three mischievous Disney topiary characters and an innovative musical play garden will debut during the 23rd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 2-May 30, 2016. The popular spring festival at Walt Disney World Resort, known for its tasty edibles, sweeping floral displays and dazzling topiary creations, expands from 75 days to 90 days in 2016.
The new La Isla Fresca and Cider House Outdoor Kitchens will introduce fresh variety and flavor to the culinary offerings at a record 13 festival kiosks surrounding the World Showcase Promenade. Donald Duck’s mischievous nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, make their topiary debut with Donald and Daisy in the park’s signature front-entrance garden. Xylophones, drums and chimes will take child’s play to tuneful levels at the new Harmony Gardens play area featuring “leader-of-the-band” Mickey Mouse topiary.
Live Garden Rocks concerts will set the beat with familiar pop tunes each festival weekend. And special “Fun Fresh Weekends” add new adventures to the seasonal event.
Guests of the 2016 festival can celebrate spring with gardens-full of Epcot options:
- New culinary creations at the festival’s Outdoor Kitchens will take guests on a Caribbean tour at La Isla Fresca with flavors like Jamaican Braised Beef with Pigeon-Pea Rice and Jerk-Spiced Grouper or Chicken with Mango Salsa. At the new Cider House, a Field Greens salad with greens harvested from The Land pavilion, heirloom apples, Stilton cheese and dried blueberries will pair well with a blueberry hard cider from Plant City, Fla. Dozens of new food and beverage flavors will debut, as well, at the festival’s 11 other Outdoor Kitchens: Urban Farm Eats, Pineapple Promenade, Fleur de Lys, Florida Fresh, Taste of Marrakesh, Hanami, THE SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecue and Brews, Primavera Kitchen, Lotus House, Bauernmarkt and Jardin de Fiestas.
- The first-ever Huey, Dewey and Louie topiaries will feature floral interpretations of Donald’s nephews inspired by a 1943 Donald Duck comic book called “The Victory Garden” at the Epcot front-entrance garden display with Donald and Daisy.
- A new hands-on Harmony Gardens musical playground will debut featuring Disney’s Fab Five topiaries of “band leader” Mickey Mouse plus Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck topiaries. With the playground’s interactive drums, chimes and xylophones, children can create their own musical sounds when they’re not scampering across innovative outdoor climbing systems with safe, but challenging, net-based structures. Watch for music-themed plants that add harmony to this inspired play area. The popular Cactus Road Rally play garden returns with Disney-Pixar topiary pals Mater and Lightning McQueen from the hit film, “Cars.”
- Fun Fresh Weekends add novel dimension to daily festival fun: April 1-3 — Art in the Garden Weekend spotlights nature through the works of plein air artists; April 8-10 – The new Family Fun Weekend presents outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy and a Festival Center focus on bugs with Disney’s Animal Kingdom specialists; April 22-24 – Earth Day Weekend celebrates our planet with special appearances and activities; and April 29-May 1—Florida Fresh Weekend features the state’s edible bounty from Apalachicola to Zellwood.
- On the south side of Spaceship Earth, Disney gardeners will paint the landscape with a Floral Sun garden and yellow “sunbursts” will sprout in a new Future World topiary garden featuring Minnie Mouse and Pluto.
- The Ranger Mickey topiary garden in Future World will offer a guest selfie and family photo opportunity featuring a Spaceship Earth backdrop to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Parks Service launched in 1916 to conserve the country’s natural scenic treasures.
- Anna and Elsa topiaries will travel to the Norway pavilion festival landscape following their 2015 debut along World Showcase Plaza in a scene from the blockbuster Oscar-winning animated film, “Frozen.” Nearly 100 topiary characters, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Lady and the Tramp, Simba and Peter Pan, will animate the Epcot landscape surrounded by themed gardens featuring herbs, peppers, orchids and more.
- By night, twinkling lights will shine across festival gardens and topiaries.
- The Garden Rocks concert series will present pop bands with music spanning four decades. This year’s lineup kicks off March 4-6 with The Orchestra starring former members of ELO and will also include new-to-the-festival acts like Bad Company.
- A new edible flower garden by The Land pavilion will showcase petals with flavor.
- The Butterflies on the Go garden will return with the story of the Monarch’s epic journey across the continent and featuring butterflies emerging from their chrysalises.
- Each weekend at the Festival Center, guests can dig in for a complimentary hands-on Gardening Seminar experience and create a take-home souvenir or grab a seat to hear tips from experts on a broad range of topics. The center also offers signature festival merchandise, food and beverages.
Forty 8-to-9-foot-tall Disney-crafted “flower towers” and sweeping beds of multi-colored blooms will add to the floral splendor of the park’s landscape. At least 70,000 bedding plants will surround the Future World east and west lakes alone; on the water, more than 200 mini-gardens will be set afloat.
For more information about the 23rd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, call 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639). Watch for details at EpcotInSpring.com as they become available. The festival, including all gardening programs and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.
Gazillion’s “Marvel Heroes 2016” Initiative Begins Today
Gazillion, Inc., announced that its first wave of the Marvel Heroes 2016 initiative – the biggest update to its super-powered action-RPG in nearly two years – is available today for free download at MarvelHeroes.comand on Steam®. Today’s update includes a number of highly requested improvements for PC and Mac gamers, highlighted by the following:
- “Secret Invasion” Story Chapter: Battle shape-shifting Skrull invaders, including the Super-Skrull and alien versions of Super Heroes, in this adaptation of 2008’s Secret Invasion comic book event. Who do you trust? (A Fortune Card themed to the new chapter is also available.)
- Controller Support: For the first time ever, play with the likes of Xbox One® and Xbox 360® controllers, the Steam Controller, Logitech® controllers, and more on PC.
- Revamped Deadpool: The Merc with a Mouth has been part of the Marvel Heroes lineup since the beginning – and now with new animations, effects and nine new moves added to his power set, he’s even better! (A new Zen Deadpool costume is also available.)
- Playable Black Cat: Voiced by Jennifer Hale, just as she was in the 1990s Spider-Man animated series, Felicia Hardy crosses our path as the game’s 55th playable character.
- Agent Venom Team-Up: Once Peter Parker’s high school bully, war hero Lt. Flash Thompson now hosts the Venom symbiote, ready to serve beside you.
- Steam Achievements: More than 50 achievements for those who play via Steam.
- Visual Updates: Starting with Captain America, Black Widow and Jean Grey, characters introduced with the initial launch ofMarvel Heroes will be brought up to the more realistic visual standards of newer characters. Visual Updates for older character models will continue moving forward.
- Leaderboards: The most dedicated players will be recognized, as new Leaderboards begin to be continually added. Tournaments and Seasons will grow out of this eventually, as well.
- Mac Out of Beta: Just like it sounds.
Walt Disney Records Set To Release “The Finest Hours” Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
A heroic action-thriller, “The Finest Hours” is based on the remarkable true story of the most daring rescue mission in the history of the Coast Guard. Presented in Digital 3D™, Real D 3D and IMAX® 3D, the film transports audiences to the heart of the action, creating a fully immersive cinematic experience on an epic scale. “The Finest Hours” original motion picture soundtrack features score by award-winning composer Carter Burwell and will be available digitally on January 29, 2016. “The Finest Hours” storms into U.S. theaters on January 29, 2016.
Carter Burwell has scored over 80 films, including “Blood Simple,” “Raising Arizona,” “Miller’s Crossing,” “Barton Fink,” “The Hudsucker Proxy,” “Rob Roy,” “Fargo,” “The Spanish Prisoner,” “Gods and Monsters,” “Velvet Goldmine,” “The General’s Daughter,” “Three Kings,” “Being John Malkovich,” “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (BAFTA Nominee for Film Music), “Before Night Falls,” “A Knight’s Tale,” “The Rookie,” “Adaptation.”, “Intolerable Cruelty,” “The Ladykillers,” “No Country for Old Men,” “In Bruges,” “Burn After Reading,” “Twilight,” “Where the Wild Things Are” (Golden Globe Nominee for Best Original Score), “A Serious Man,” “The Blind Side,” “The Kids Are All Right,” “True Grit,” “Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 & 2,” and “The Fifth Estate,” “Mr. Holmes” and “Legend.” Burwell received his first Oscar nomination for Best Original Score for “Carol.” He was also nominated for a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Movie Award for “Carol.” He received an Annie nomination for Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated Feature Production for “Anomalisa.” In addition, Burwell received The Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Music Score for “Carol” and “Anomalisa.”
The end credit track is a cover of the sea shanty “Haul Away Joe” performed by Kodaline. Made up of childhood friends — Steve Garrigan (lead vocals) Mark Prendergast (guitar), Jason Boland (bass) and Vinny May (drums), Kodaline have released two studio albums In A Perfect World and Coming Up For Air. The group has sold out numerous tours in both North America and Europe. The group’s songs have been featured in several television, film and ad placements including Google, ESPN, The Voice (NBC), Chicago PD (NBC), Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), Modern Family (ABC), So You Think You Can Dance (FOX), American Idol (ABC) and many more. Their music videos have garnered over 105 million views and are continuing to grow.
Disney’s “The Finest Hours” is based on the unforgettable story of the Coast Guard’s courageous mission, which is directed by Craig Gillespie and stars: Chris Pine; Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominee Casey Affleck; Ben Foster; Holliday Grainger; John Ortiz; and Eric Bana. Produced by Jim Whitaker and Dorothy Aufiero, the screenplay is by Oscar® nominee Scott Silver and Oscar nominees Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson based on the acclaimed non-fiction book of the same name by Casey Sherman and Michael J. Tougias. Doug Merrifield serves as executive producer.
“The Finest Hours” original motion picture soundtrack will be available digitally on January 29. For more information on “The Finest Hours” please visit http://movies.disney.com/the-finest-hours. For more information on Walt Disney Records’ releases, like us on Facebook.com/disneymusic or follow us at Twitter.com/disneymusic.
Photos – Stormtrooper Helmets on Display at Star Wars Launch Bay
Take a look at the Stormtrooper helmets that are on display at Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Mattel And Disney Consumer Products Announce Renewed Agreement For Disney*Pixar’s Cars Franchise
Global toy leader Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT) today announced a renewed relationship with Disney Consumer Products for the Cars franchise, and the upcoming Disney*Pixar film Cars 3. The agreement gives Mattel continued worldwide rights to manufacture, market and distribute toys and products based on the award-winning Cars franchise across multiple categories, including vehicles and playsets.
“We are very pleased that Disney Consumer Products has once again chosen Mattel to help bring its iconic Cars franchise and characters to life for children around the world,” said Christopher Sinclair, chairman and CEO of Mattel. “Disney and Mattel have enjoyed an outstanding partnership for nearly 60 years, and we are thrilled to see the relationship continue in such a meaningful way.”
Cars is among the most beloved Disney*Pixar properties, and continues to generate strong toy demand globally. Since its blockbuster theatrical release in 2006, Cars and the iconic characters of Radiator Springs have delighted children and inspired imaginative play around the world.
“For almost a decade, Pixar’s Cars has thrilled audiences and connected with families through its story of friendship and the excitement of the open road,” said Leslie Ferraro, co-chair, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media, and president, Disney Consumer Products. “We’re delighted to continue working with Mattel on this important franchise. They are the perfect partner to extend Pixar’s storytelling with an innovative and engaging toy line for Cars 3.”
Since 2006, Mattel has shipped millions of Cars toys across a variety of categories, including more than 300 million Cars die-cast vehicles sold. Mattel’s lengthy creative collaboration with Disney*Pixar has also generated hundreds of unique Cars vehicle designs celebrating the individual characters from the franchise.
Harrison Ford Reveals Star Wars-Themed Lands Coming to Disney Parks on “The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60”
Acclaimed actor Harrison Ford, who portrays Han Solo in the “Star Wars” film franchise, gives viewers an exclusive preview of Star Wars-themed lands being developed at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. New details of the ambitious plans to bring Star Wars to life at both resorts will be revealed during “The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60,” with Master of Ceremonies Derek Hough, airing SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by music and artistic director Gustavo Dudamel, will join the celebration performing “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” from Walt Disney’s acclaimed animated film “Fantasia.”
Previously announced “Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60” participants include Elton John, Josh Gad and Witney Carson.
Walt Disney’s legacy lives on through the Disneyland Resort, but even he might not have been able to imagine how big his idea would become at Disneyland and at Disney parks that span the globe. He launched an entirely new concept for family entertainment that remains as relevant today as the day it opened on July 17, 1955 for guests of all ages.
The Disneyland Resort will continue its 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration through Summer 2016, extending the three spectacular after-dark shows created for the special anniversary – the “Paint the Night” parade, the immersive “Disneyland Forever” fireworks show and the all-new “World of Color–Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney.” The exciting celebration, which also features sparkling décor, themed food and merchandise, will conclude on Labor Day, Monday, September 5, 2016.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under the vibrant leadership of music director and artistic director Gustavo Dudamel, presents an inspiring array of music from all genres – orchestral, chamber and Baroque music, organ and celebrity recitals, new music, jazz, world music and pop – at two of L.A.’s iconic venues: Walt Disney Concert Hall (www.laphil.com) and the Hollywood Bowl (http://www.HollywoodBowl.com). The LA Phil’s season extends from September through June at Walt Disney Concert Hall and throughout the summer at the Hollywood Bowl. With the preeminent Los Angeles Philharmonic at the foundation of its offerings, the LA Phil aims to enrich and transform lives through music, with a robust mix of artistic, education and community programs.
“The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60” is a production of Den of Thieves (MTV Video Music Awards, American Idol, MTV Movie Awards, Critics Choice Movie Awards, the Radio Disney Music Awards). Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager are the executive producers. “The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 stereo surround sound.
First Look: DVC 25th Anniversary Magic Bands
What better way to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Disney Vacation Club than with all-new Member merchandise? Members can look forward to a wide variety of exciting items coming throughout the year such as 25th anniversary apparel, Dooney and Bourke collection with an all-new pattern and MagicBands designed exclusively for the celebration!
How to make the most of your Disney trip– be it land, sea or air
Southern California’s Disneyland is planning a new 14-acre Star Wars themed land, although it may open until 2017 (Disney hasn’t released the official date yet).
