Nick Carr recently moved from NYC to LA, and he’s brought with him his wildly popular Scouting NY site, now Scouting LA. He’s sharing some of his posts on LAist, too, and below you can enjoy his latest, where he figures out what hotels around L.A. make up the Hollywood Tower of Terror ride at Disney.
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Life-Size X-Wing Fighter Lands in Singapore’s Changi Airport
A life-size replica of an X-Wing from the “Star Wars” series has flown into terminal 3 of Changi Airport in Singapore.
The Definitive Ranking of the Best and Worst Disney Castles to Live In
If you say you’ve never wanted to live in a castle, you’re lying. Come on, even Flynn Rider gushes about his dream of one day owning a palace to die for.
The Force Awakens with New and Enhanced Star Wars Experiences at Walt Disney World Resort
The Force is growing stronger at Walt Disney World Resort with the addition of new Star Wars-inspired entertainment arriving in December at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The Star Wars themed entertainment will include new experiences as well as reimagined elements of popular Star Wars attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, starting Dec. 1 – just ahead of the Dec.18 movie premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. These new experiences involve the creation of Star Wars Launch Bay, a central locale for fans to celebrate all things Star Wars; Star Wars: Path of the Jedi, a cinematic overview of the Star Wars saga; and cool, new enhancements for Star Tours – The Adventures Continue and Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple.
Additional Star Wars elements enter the galaxy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting Jan. 5, 2016, such as First Order stormtroopers patrolling the park, Star Wars-inspired food and beverage offerings, plus a fireworks show called the “Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular.’’
These new experiences celebrate the Star Wars saga at Walt Disney World Resort like never before, allowing guests, as well as Star Wars fans, the opportunity to transport themselves every day to a galaxy far, far away:
Star Wars Launch Bay
Located in Animation Courtyard, Star Wars Launch Bay will be a primary location within the park for fans to celebrate all things Star Wars. In this multi-sensory space with an outdoor queue area lined with special concept artwork, guests can interact with beloved Star Wars characters, tour galleries featuring treasured memorabilia and replicas of large-scale Star Wars artifacts, including ones from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and play the latest Star Wars interactive video games, plus have access to special Star Wars merchandise.
- Special Character Encounters: After entering a themed atrium complete with replicas of Star Wars props, guests can journey to the dark side and encounter Star Wars characters such as Darth Vader in a 360-degree immersive area themed around the Star Destroyer, or they may choose the light side by stepping into a makeshift Rebel base and coming face to face with Star Wars characters such as the most famous co-pilot in the galaxy, Chewbacca.
- Launch Bay Theater – Guests hear directly from the creative minds behind the Star Wars saga in a short video that includes exclusive interviews with the directors, writers, producers and other key movie crew members who bring the saga to life.
- The Cantina – This setting, inspired by the unsavory “hives of scum and villainy” in the Star Wars galaxy, is a fun place to explore and take photos near elements of the cantina, such as a holochess table. Holochess is a game seen in Star Wars
- Star Wars Game Center – Guests can play current and upcoming video games, including new Disney Infinity 3.0 content created exclusively for this location.
- Themed Galleries – Special immersive galleries will be located throughout Star Wars Launch Bay.
- Celebration Gallery will feature iconic ships from throughout the Star Wars saga, such as memorable ones of the Rebel Alliance and the Imperial Navy fleet.
- Celebration Hallway will display large-scale replicas of Star Wars props amid scenic murals.
- Preview Gallery will offer guests exclusive looks at replicas of props, artifacts and memorabilia from the latest movie in the saga, starting with Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Among the items that will be on display are costumes, ship models, droids and artwork.
- Launch Bay Cargo – A unique shopping area where guests may bring home a variety of Star Wars merchandise, including original artwork and collector’s items.
Star Wars: Path of The Jedi
Guests looking to relive the stories from the Star Wars saga or be introduced to the iconic characters, including ones from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, can watch an abridged, cinematic reel celebrating the Star Wars saga (episodes I-VII) in a theater setting near Echo Lake.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Fans of this popular attraction will experience journeys involving new characters and adventures from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Based on the Star Wars films, Star Tours takes guests to multiple Star Wars destinations where they interact with characters from throughout the saga. With an eye-popping digital presentation leveraging Dolby 3D to deliver a vivid and realistic experience, a dramatic musical score and motion simulator-based technology, guests are immersed in the Star Wars galaxy like never before on a theme park attraction.
Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
This popular entertainment offering is being reimagined with new characters and a new villain to battle from Star Wars Rebels. Younglings will be guided to the site of a secret and ancient Jedi temple where they will face villains such as Darth Vader and the Seventh Sister Inquisitor from the popular Disney XD series Star Wars Rebels, and discover if they have the makings of a true Jedi.
Stormtrooper Patrols
As guests enjoy the sights and attractions of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, they may come face to face with First Order Stormtroopers who will patrol various areas of the park, interacting with guests during their mission to find members of the Resistance.
“Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular’’
Starting Jan. 5, 2016, guests will be treated to a spectacular finish to their visit to the park involving a dazzling Star Wars-themed fireworks show set to memorable Star Wars music from throughout the saga.
Galactic Food
Guests can experience Star Wars through their palates. Various novelty items and specialty foods inspired by a galaxy far, far away, such as Blue Milk Panna Cotta, Padawan Limeade, BB-8 Lemon and Butter Cream cupcake and a Han Solo Souvenir Kid’s Meal served in a Han Solo-themed bucket, will be available at various locations inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests will soon be able to purchase admission to a dessert party during the fireworks show featuring themed desserts, specialty drinks and a souvenir Chewbacca stein.
The new Star Wars entertainment coming to Walt Disney World Resort along with new Star Wars elements that recently debuted at Disneyland Resort, further expand the Star Wars presence at both resorts ahead of the new Star Wars-themed lands coming to Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.
Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection Box Set Available Now
One of this year’s most acclaimed series of special edition albums, the long-awaited, 12-album, 28-disc collectors’ box gift set Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection is now available. The individual albums celebrate the anniversaries of Disney’s most cherished and classic films that have been enchanting audiences for generations.
This CD series combines great songs, background scores and rare recordings from over a half-century of animation classics–plus music from Disneyland® Park. In addition to remastered tracks, each album in Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection Box Set comes in its own hardcover book, filled with art treasures, exclusive essays, and new illustrations by Lorelay Bove, a visual development artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios (“Tangled”, “Winnie the Pooh”, “Wreck-It Ralph”). Bove was recently named one of ’10 Animators to Watch’ by Variety (March 3, 2015) and her art can be seen in the hardcover book, Lovely: Ladies of Animation: The Art of Lorelay Bove, Brittney Lee, Claire Keane, Lisa Keene, Victoria Ying and Helen Chen.
Designed for display, all 12 albums are presented in a specially fitted collectors’ slipcase. The 28-disc Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection Box Set contains over 130 songs; 270 instrumentals; 75 “Lost Chords” deleted songs and demos; and much more–totaling over 25 hours of matchless entertainment for all ages.
The 12 albums in the new box set are as follows:
The Lion King
The Oscar® and Grammy®-winning songs by Elton John and score by Hans Zimmer plus 30 minutes of expanded underscore andLost Chords demos not used in the film.
Mary Poppins
Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke in an artistic triumph of Walt Disney and the Sherman Brothers, including the debut new recording of the lost song, “The Eyes of Love.” Album includes the Sherman Brothers’ demos of the film’s songs and is the largest collection ofLost Chords original demos and new versions in the entire series.
Sleeping Beauty
The magnificent music of Tchaikovsky is transformed into one of Disney’s most dramatic and memorable scores, plus special versions from vinyl record master tracks.
The Little Mermaid
Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s multi-award-winning music and songs with the original demo recordings and previously unreleased background score.
Fantasia
Leopold Stokowski’s complete FantaSound score from the innovative film, the complete digital score conducted by Irwin Kostal plus bonus tracks by Sterling Holloway.
Pinocchio
One of the most brilliant scores in movie history—it introduced “When You Wish Upon a Star”—plus six new-to-CD Mickey Mouse Club songs sung by Jiminy Cricket (Cliff Edwards).
Cinderella
The Oscar®-nominated score and all the songs from the animated classic, plus The Lost Chords, featuring 7 original demos and new versions.
Toy Story
Randy Newman’s hit songs and score from the Disney/Pixar’s landmark animated feature, as well as bonus tracks and three never-before-released background tracks.
Pocahontas
Majestic music of Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked”) plus songs that were deleted from the finished score and original demos sung by Menken himself.
Lady and the Tramp
An eagerly requested soundtrack in the series showcasing the vocal and songwriting genius of Peggy Lee, plus bonus track and rare demos.
The Aristocats
From the Disney film favorite comes the famous score, including songs by the Sherman Brothers, the voices of Phil Harris andMaurice Chevallier. This is the first time the original soundtrack has been available in its entirety.
Disneyland
Beginning with the recordings from the opening day of Disneyland in 1955, the collection guides the listener down Main Street U.S.A., through the greatest attractions, shows and lands that exist today and those that are a happy memory.
The release of Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection Box Set marks the first time such a massive body of musical and visual masterworks have been contained in a single package.
Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection Box Set 12-album, 28-disc set is now available at disneymusicemporium.com. For more information on the Disney Music Emporium, please visit disneymusicemporium.com, become a fan at Facebook.com/disneymusicemporium or follow us at Twitter.com/DisneyMusicEmp.
The Force Is Strong With Dolby Cinema
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) and The Walt Disney Studios today announced that Star Wars: The Force Awakens, in theatres December 18, will be available as a Dolby Cinema™ experience. Dolby Cinema, featuring Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos®, is a premium cinema offering for exhibitors and moviegoers that combines spectacular image and sound technologies with inspired design to make every visit a completely captivating cinematic event.
Dolby Cinema begins with the filmmaker’s vision—using the full storytelling capabilities that Dolby offers in image and sound production to transform the way movies are made and presented. Combined with state-of-the-art image, sound, and acoustic capabilities, the movie comes alive to deliver cinema in its purest form.
“Dolby Cinema technology is an epic, premium way to go to the movies,” said J.J. Abrams, the writer, producer, and director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. “I am honored to be a part of the continuation of the Star Wars saga, and can’t wait for people to see The Force Awakens through the power of the Dolby experience.”
“Dolby has been deeply involved with Star Wars since the release of Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977,” said Kevin Yeaman, President and CEO, Dolby Laboratories. “Star Wars:The Force Awakens is one of the most highly anticipated movies ever, and we are excited to continue our legacy of delivering the most advanced filmmaking and playback capabilities to bring Star Wars audiences an experience that only Dolby Cinema can offer.”
Dolby Cinema features the Dolby Vision projection system, which uses state-of-the-art optics and image processing to deliver high dynamic range with enhanced color technology and a contrast ratio that far exceeds that of any other image technology on the market today. The result is a richer, more detailed viewing experience that delivers strikingly vivid and realistic images that make viewers feel like they are in the movie’s world.
Dolby Cinema also includes the award-winning Dolby® sound technology Dolby Atmos, which moves audio around the theatre, even overhead, with amazing richness and depth. The lifelike sounds of music, people, and ambience flow all around the theatre in sync with the action to create a more immersive and moving experience.
Marvel’s ‘Ant-Man’ Bonus Clips
In advance of the DMA release on 11/17 check out these bonus clips.
Ant Man: Macroverse
A behind the scenes look at the specialized filming and digital effects used to create the incredibly small world of Ant Man.
Ant Man: Looping in the Avengers
Ant Man’s first encounter with one the Avengers.
Photos – 2015 Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon at Disneyland Resort
Cheered on by Avenger characters, an estimated 14,000 runners participated in this year’s Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon exerted superhero strength as they raced the 13.1-mile course that took them through Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Park Angel Stadium and four Orange County cities, with the final stretch going past Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel for an exciting finish.
SEASON OF THE FORCE BEGINS NOVEMBER 16 AT DISNEYLAND PARK
At Disneyland® Park in Southern California, we’re preparing to celebrate the excitement around all things Star Wars with brand-new themed experiences in Tomorrowland beginning Nov. 16, 2015. Season of the Force will take your Clients to a galaxy far, far away with special experiences:
This new area will offer opportunities to visit with favorite Star Wars characters, special exhibits, peeks at the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens and much more.
Choose Your Destiny with Special Character Experiences
- Dark Side – Encounter one of the most iconic villains from Star Wars, Darth Vader
- Light Side – Fly casual at this makeshift Rebel base, and meet the most famous co-pilot in the galaxy, Chewbacca.
Explore the Dark and the Light in Themed Galleries
- Dark Side Gallery – Get a look at authentic pieces of stormtrooper armor as well as famous Sith lightsabers once wielded by masters of the dark side.
- Light Side Gallery – Explore a gallery filled with Rebel flight helmets and lightsabers once wielded by Jedi Knights.
- Preview Gallery – See items built exclusively for Star Wars Launch Bay by the same prop makers who worked on the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Starship Gallery – Discover models of famous starships from throughout the Star Wars saga.
Join the Battle in the Star Wars Game Center – Play the latest games from the Star Wars galaxy, including Disney Infinity 3.0 – featuring park-exclusive Toy Box levels.
Hyperspace Mountain
Guests will launch into a galaxy far, far away aboard Hyperspace Mountain, finding themselves in an action-packed battle between Rebel X-wings and Imperial TIE fighters.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
This popular attraction will feature a new scene inspired by the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Galactic Grill
Choose the dark side or the light at this new themed food and beverage location. In the space that currently hosts Tomorrowland Terrace, the Galactic Grill will serve up specialty menu items inspired by both sides of the Force. Here is a look at some of the menu options:
Breakfast
- Darth Tamale – Blue corn tamale with scrambled eggs and chorizo, red chili sauce and tomatillo
Lunch and Dinner
- First Order Specialty Burger – Angus beef and chorizo patty topped with fried cherry peppers, spicy-lime aioli on dark bun
Desserts
- The Pastry Menace – Éclair with milk chocolate filling and a hint of cayenne pepper
Collectibles
- BB-8 sipper
- TIE Fighter premium popcorn bucket
Star Wars: Path of the Jedi
Relive Luke Skywalker’s path to becoming a Jedi in a film that recaptures favorite
Star Wars moments on the big screen. The Tomorrowland Theater presents Star Wars: Path of the Jedi, an exclusive cinematic event.
Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
Opening Dec. 8, 2015, Guests will experience a twist on the Jedi Training experience when they encounter new characters and a new villain from the popular Disney XD series, Star Wars Rebels.
Mexico Runners Take Top Place at runDisney Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon at Disneyland
Pedro Manuel Lemus Reyes of Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico, won this year’s Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon on Sunday, blazing through a field of more than 13,500 registered runners. Manuel smashed last year’s half marathon time by over three minutes.
Manuel led the Avengers pack from the start and never looked back. His time of (1:11:09) was three minutes faster than last year’s Avengers half marathon winning time, second-place finisher Nicholas Bowerman of Arlington Heights finished with a time of (1:11:48). Chris Trebilcock of Tampa Florida was third at (1:14.45).
“It was a very nice race,” said Manuel. “I really enjoyed all the support from the crowds of children, families and Disney cast cheering all along the course.”
Top women finisher Alex de la Huerta of Mexico City, wins back-to-back Avengers half marathons beating her time last year by fifteen seconds with (1:22:27). Kellie Nickerson of Albuquerque, NM, repeated with a 2nd place finish at (1:28:29) and Jenessa Rose of Carlsbad, CA, finished close behind to take third place at (1:28.58)
“I could not be happier with winning again this year,’’ said Huerta, returning to defend her title. “I always enjoy the great atmosphere of running in this race, the cheer of the fans all along the way makes me feel as if I am not even in a competition and I can just have fun, which is incredible.”
Cheered on by Avenger characters at the starting line, over 6,000 out of an estimated registered field of 13,500 runners in this year’s Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon exerted superhero strength as they ran in both the 10k and half marathons over the weekend for the honors of completing the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge. New to this year’s runDisney Avengers Marathon weekend, is the Captain America 10k race – runners completing both races over the weekend, receive a special Infinity Gauntlet Challenge medal in addition to receiving their 10k and half marathon medals.
The 13.1-mile course took runners through Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Park Angel Stadium and four Orange County cities, with the final stretch going past Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel for an exciting finish. All along the route, they were greeted by cheering fans, music and live entertainment.
Sunday’s half marathon race was the finale of the three-day race weekend that continues to build in its popularity from last year’s inaugural debut. The new 10k Captain America race – part of the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge – sold out in just over 40 minutes.
In addition to the half marathon, other weekend events included the Avengers Super Heroes 5K, Captain America 10k and the runDisney Kids Races. In all, the race weekend included runners from ages 14 to 79 and all 50 states, plus over 25 countries!
