Check out a quick snippet for the new Star Wars: Rogue One full trailer to be released on Good Morning America.
ENJOY BREAKFAST, FLY WITH PETER PAN, EXPLORE THE SEVEN DWARFS MINE AND MORE DURING DISNEY EARLY MORNING MAGIC
Fantasyland looks even more magical in the golden light of morning, and now Disney Early Morning Magic presents a new option perfect for guets who want to get an early start at Magic Kingdom® Park.
Breakfast at Pinocchio Village Haus will feature seasonal fruits, fresh-baked pastries, scrambled eggs, veggie frittatas, smoked bacon, pork and turkey sausages, waffles and much more. And during their special time in the park, guests will also have quick access to Peter Pan’s Flight, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
Disney Early Morning Magic requires a separate ticket – $69 for adults and $59 for children ages 3-9 (plus tax) – in addition to regular theme park admission. Disney Early Morning Magic will take place on select dates from 7:45-10 a.m., beginning April 26, 2016.
Please note Disney Early Morning Magic will be offered on different dates than Extra Magic Hours.
Water Animation and Fireworks Combine For Fantasmic! Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
In a word, it’s Fantasmic!
Another dream comes true at Walt Disney World Resort, only this time it’s Mickey Mouse’s dream that comes to life in a brilliant display of lights, lasers, fireworks and water animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The 25-minute spectacular “Fantasmic!” features 50 performers and combines dazzling special effects, colorful pyrotechnic explosions, beloved Disney characters, animation and dancing waters synchronized to the melodies of timeless Disney classics. The presentation lights up the sky on select nights above the 6,900-seat amphitheater behind The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror off Sunset Boulevard. The specially designed amphitheater also can accommodate 3,000 standing guests.
The show takes guests inside the dreams of Mickey Mouse — where his magic creates dancing waters, shooting comets, animated fountains, swirling stars, balls of fire and other amazing wonders. When Disney villains intrude on Mickey’s fantasy and turn his dreams into nightmares, he uses the powers of good to triumph over evil.
The opening scene takes place on a darkened island surrounded by a 1.9-million-gallon moat. A faint musical note pierces the air as a brilliant cone of light reveals the star of the show, Mickey Mouse. Mickey’s imagination brings the waters surrounding the island to life as he conducts the “Fantasmic!” musical score.
The music builds as animated comets soar across three giant water screens, sprinkling the night with twinkling stars. At the direction of Sorcerer Mickey, the stars dance in unison to the melody of “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” while pyrotechnic comets soar across the water.
To the sounds of African drums and the chatter of wild animals, vividly costumed animal characters emerge from behind the water screens. They perform a wild, upbeat version of “I Just Can’t Wait to be King” from “The Lion King” while animated characters Simba and Nala splash playfully in the water.
A cascade of bubbles fills the water screens as Disney characters dance to a medley of Disney favorites including “Under the Sea” and “Be Our Guest.” More bubbles rise and guests discover Jiminy Cricket trapped inside a large rising bubble. Jiminy escapes the bubble only to find Monstro the whale in pursuit. Monstro’s tremendous body sends waves crashing against the rocks and water onto guests seated in the front rows.
With the waters again calm, the silence is broken by the thunder of a cannon. The island transforms into the “New World” as scenes and music from Disney’s “Pocahontas” fill the island. The action reaches a climax when Pocahontas abruptly stops a battle and appears face-to-face with John Smith as colored leaves whirl across water screens to the tune of “Colors of the Wind.”
The leaves transform into puffy white clouds as the mood turns to love and romance. Disney character-couples Cinderella and Prince Charming, Belle and Beast, Aladdin and Jasmine, Ariel and Eric, and Snow White and her Prince float above the water in a magical dream-like setting filled with twinkling lights and Disney love songs.
The merriment fades and the music becomes haunting as the Evil Queen from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” brews a magical spell to defeat Mickey Mouse amidst lightning, flares and smoke effects. She calls on villains including Ursula, Cruella, Scar, Frollo, Jafar, Maleficent and Hades to harness the positive energy Mickey possesses and make it evil. Mickey is terrified when Maleficent unexpectedly transforms into a ferocious 40-foot-tall dragon whose breath ignites the waterway with a sea of flames that overtakes the island.
Mickey pulls a magical sword out of the mountain and summons the waters, creating a giant curtain which surrounds the island. The fountains begin to dance again, smothering the fierce flames while Mickey defeats the dragon.
The mood brightens in the festive finale of fireworks, sparkling effects and a full orchestral score as favorite Disney characters sail past the audience aboard the Steamboat Willie River Boat in a celebration of Mickey’s triumph over evil.
“Fantasmic!” premiered at Disneyland in California in 1992. The Disney’s Hollywood Studios production features many new show elements and incorporates scenes from animated releases such as “The Lion King,” “Pocahontas,” “Hercules” and “Mulan.”
“Fantasmic!” is presented on select nights with performance times varying based on park hours.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios immerses guests in the glamour of show business 365 days a year with thrilling attractions, incredible Broadway-style shows, world-class atmosphere entertainment and interactive film, television and radio production facilities. The theme park and working production facility is part of the 25,000-acre Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.
For more information, call 407/824-4321 or visit www.disneyworld.com.
Sara Bareilles And Rebel Wilson Lead All-Star Cast In Disney’s The Little Mermaid Live In Concert at Hollywood Bowl
Disney’s animated classic, DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID will be given new life for a special evening at the Hollywood Bowl on Saturday, June 4th where SARA BAREILLES and REBEL WILSON headline an all-star cast of performers singing the songs from the Oscar® and Grammy®-winning score as the film plays on the Bowl’s movie screen accompanied by a full, live orchestra. Tickets go on sale at ticketmaster.com at 10:00am Pacific on Saturday, April 9.
In addition to Grammy®-nominated artist SARA BAREILLES (“Brave” and “Waitress”) singing the songs of Ariel and REBEL WILSON (“Pitch Perfect 1 & 2” and “How To Be Single”) as Ursula, the singing cast includes JOHN STAMOS (“Grandfathered”) as Chef Louis, TITUSS BURGESS (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”) as Sebastian, NORM LEWIS (“Porgy and Bess”) as King Triton,DARREN CRISS (“Glee”) as Prince Eric and JOSHUA COLLEY (Broadway’s “A Bronx Tale: The Musical”) as Flounder.
This will be a special family event at the Hollywood Bowl filled with an ocean of treats including a fireworks spectacular, costume contest, and other surprises.
“I suppose this is the part where I say ‘dreams do come true,'” said Sara Bareilles. “I am truly honored and excited beyond words to be a part of a performance of one of my favorite scores and stories of all time. I’ve been pretending I was Ariel in swimming pools since I was a little girl, and now I get to pretend on a bigger stage. This is just fantastic.”
“I’m so excited to be singing live at the Hollywood Bowl with an amazing cast of singers,” said Rebel Wilson. “I’ve never been to the Hollywood Bowl so for my first time there, to actually be invited to sing, is such an incredible honor. THE LITTLE MERMAID is one of my absolute favorite movies. Alan Menken is a complete genius and I am really looking forward to meeting him at rehearsals. I am beyond a fan-girl. I hope to do the amazing Pat Carroll [the original animated singing voice] proud performing Ursula’s song. It’s just such a delicious role that I’ve always wanted to play. This will be such a great event for the whole family to attend.”
Opening the show will be eight-time Oscar-winning composer ALAN MENKEN singing a medley at the piano of his beloved hits including songs from BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN, POCAHONTAS, NEWSIES, ENCHANTED, and TANGLED. Menken composed THE LITTLE MERMAID’s songs with lyricist Howard Ashman. As THE LITTLE MERMAID plays on the Hollywood Bowl’s movie screen, conductor MICHAEL KOSARIN will lead a 71-piece orchestra and 12-person choir performing the film’s Oscar-winning score live to film.
Alan Menken said, “It is such an unbelievable abundance of riches to have my score for The Little Mermaid performed by a live orchestra, with incredible guest artists at the Hollywood Bowl. The only people who ever got to hear it that way were the artists at the Todd-AO Recording Stage almost 30 years ago. From the animated film to our Broadway production to events like this one, it is just incredible to realize the emotional investment people continue to have with this musical.”
Beloved musical numbers from THE LITTLE MERMAID, including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls” and “Part of Your World” will be performed live on stage by the all-star cast, accompanied by orchestra. Also in store will be performances of a few of the songs from the Tony®-nominated Broadway adaptation of THE LITTLE MERMAID with music byAlan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater. Music Supervisors for the show are Grammy-nominees JULIA MICHELS & JULIANNE JORDAN (“Pitch Perfect”).
The concept of performing an animated musical live to film was embraced enthusiastically last Halloween to sold-out crowds with DISNEY’S TIM BURTON’S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS LIVE IN CONCERT AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL. The producing team have reunited to present DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID LIVE IN CONCERT AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL. Producers are Andrew Hewitt & Bill Silva Presents, Laura Engel & Richard Kraft and Tim Fox & Alison Ahart Williams, in association with Disney Concerts. Concert creative direction is by Richard Kraft.
DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID LIVE IN CONCERT is produced under license by Disney Concerts, a division of ABC Inc. Disney Concerts currently licenses 14 different concert packages including, Fantasia, Pixar In Concert, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Alice In Wonderland, Frozen, Ratatouille, The Pirates of the Caribbean series (episodes I-IV), and Silly Symphonies, which last year accounted for approximately 325 performances in some of the world’s top venues, including, Lincoln Center,Royal Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Tokyo Forum and the Hollywood Bowl.
Doors will open at 6:30PM with a costume contest to follow, and the concert beginning at 8:00PM.
Review: 2016 Wizard World Comic Con St. Louis by Sean Pollock
This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the 2016 Wizard World Comic Convention in St. Louis with my girlfriend, the famous cosplay-loving daughter of WDW Daily News’ creator. It would be an understatement to say that this convention was a smorgasbord of fandoms ranging from comics to movies, games, television and everything in between. Housed in America’s Center (the stadium of the former St. Louis Rams), the convention showcases gaming, vendors, artist booths, and panels with the weekend’s special guests.
Upon first entering the convention floor, we were immersed in a dojo of competitive electronic gaming. The gaming area was cluttered with arcade consoles and PCs each playing a different yet equally immersive game. The big ticket items being promoted were the new installments of the Tekken and Dark Souls franchises. Street Fighter and Marvel vs. Capcom were just a few of the games that pitted competitors against each other in fiery combat. One of the highlights of my experience was looking onto the giant screen on stage and seeing Lou Ferrigno test his might on Marvel vs. Capcom with the very same green brute he originated so many years ago.
Next, we were off to the Exhibitor floor and Artist’s Alley. There, I witnessed countless pieces of merchandise that I had no clue I wanted until I first saw them. I will admit, I hovered at the booth where buyers could design their own combat-grade lightsaber for what seemed like a millennia before I finally decided I had to move on. Each booth had its own crowd to cater to and variety of products to offer. One aspect that surprised me the most was the popularity of the mystery boxed items, guaranteeing at least a certain price equivalent in assorted convention goodies. On the other side of the dome was where artists showcased their crafts for sale. Most artists specialized in art prints of the fandoms they belonged to in their own unique artistic style. Although I was a bit skeptical at first, I eventually caved and purchased a few pieces of art that suited my particular tastes.
Celebrity guest headliners of this weekend in St. Louis included Doctor Who cast members, Wizard World veterans, and crowd favorites David Tennant, Matt Smith and Billie Piper. Representing Netflix’s new hit shows based on Marvel comics were Charlie Cox and Elden Henson of Daredevil, and Mike Colter of Jessica Jones and the upcoming Luke Cage. Other guests such as William Shatner, Lou Ferrigno, James Marsters and many other icons of television and comics graced the convention with their presence. We decided to attend and thoroughly enjoyed the Daredevil panel, as I had recently become a fan of the show. The celebrity panels are a great way to see some of your favorite actors and artists outside of the world you know them, and in some cases can give you a whole new appreciation for their work.
But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the reason why many of us go to these conventions. The fan-made costumes were phenomenal. I even got in on the action on Saturday and it was mind-blowing. Of course, that tends to happen when Deadpool asks to take a picture with you and your girlfriend in costume. And even if the costumes don’t get you, some of the clever t-shirts that others wear might do the trick. Truly the best part of the weekend was the costume contest, where contestants were paraded across a stage to display their hard work for the adoring masses. Whether or not you dress up, watching peoples’ faces light up as they recognize a character and ask for their picture is a treat all its own.
I recommend a Wizard World Convention to anyone wanting to satisfy their inner geek. There are still 13 more Wizard World conventions scheduled across the country for the rest of 2016, with the next coming to Madison, Wisconsin from April 8-10. No matter where you are, there is a Wizard World coming to a city near you. Go online to www.wizardworld.com for more information on events and how to purchase tickets. Hope to see you at the next one!
Photos – ‘The Jungle Book’ Sand Sculpture at Disney’s Animal Kingdom & Epcot
Take a look at some photos of the creation of ‘The Jungle Book’ Sand Sculpture at Disney’s Animal Kingdom & Epcot.
ANIMAL KINGDOM ENTRANCE
EPCOT WORLD SHOWCASE
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