As BroadwayWorld reported earlier today, actress Emma Watson has been cast as Belle in Disney’s upcoming live-action interpretation of Beauty and the Beast. The film is directed by Bill Condon and produced by Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman. Production is anticipated to begin later this year.
If a recent casting call is anything to go by, supervillain Baron Zemo will be appearing in Captain America: Civil War, and what’s more, he’ll be played by Inglorious Basterds’ Daniel Brühl.
Emma Watson confirmed via Facebook that she will play Belle in the live-action production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
I’m sure with the new year starting a lot of people having been hearing a lot of “new year, new me” goals, and resolutions being made; which I personally think is pretty awesome. Last year was a HUGE year of firsts for me in many ways, but it also marked a good few Disney Firsts for me! I’ve been visiting Walt Disney World since I was a little kid and while I’ve had my fair share of epic experiences 2014 marked: my first Not So Scary Halloween Party, My first Very Merry Christmas Party, my first Disney Cruise and a host of other amazing Disney events and experiences! It was amazing to finally get to have these experiences in my home Disney park! I have never experienced Halloween at Disney and getting to see all the decorations was awesome and lets not forget Hallo-wishes, and stuffing my face with as much candy as possible. And Christmas at Walt Disney World is the most magical experience ever. I shed more than one tear seeing Cinderella’s Castle lit in its Dream lights and while I wasn’t overly fond of Anna and Elsa taking over the show…the castle itself was still breathtaking! And my Disney Cruise…I won’t bore you with more details about it (my previous article was all about it check it out 😉 ) but it was absolutely amazing, I mean literally the most amazing trip I’ve ever taken with Disney!
“Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future”
So with so many Disney firsts behind me in 2014, you might think I’ll be taking 2015 easy….WRONG! This year brings even more Disney firsts for me and more challenging at that! This year I’ll be experiencing my first RunDisney event! I’ll be running the Princess Half Marathon this coming February! Not only is it my first attempt at a marathon of any kind but it will be my first time running with Disney. I’m super nervous, but I’m so excited for the experience and most importantly that shiny finishers medal. I’ve heard amazing things about runDisney so I’m very excited to be able to see for myself just how awesome it is! In addition to Princess, I’ll also be going for my coast to coast medal and I’ll be running Tinkerbell Half marathon, which means…I’LL BE MAKING MY FIRST TRIP TO DISNEYLAND!!! This is a very big deal, not only because this is the park that started it all, but I will be getting to visit during the 60th anniversary celebrations! I can’t think of a better way to mark my first visit to Disneyland and I am incredibly excited about the amazing experiences I know I am going to have!
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
This year is going to be a year of seeing some big dreams come true for me. I’m super excited about all my adventures and I hope you guys are going on some pretty epic dream chasing adventures too!
On a recent visit to Walt Disney World, I was reminded of another favorite thing of mine. I am always telling you about the details, those little things that make Disney magical. But this time I was reminded that the Parks sit in Florida and sometimes fellow Guests are of the wild variety. I have seen many different wild animals while visiting WDW. Walt Disney once said, “I have learned from the animal world and what everyone will learn who studies it, is a renewed sense of kinship with the Earth and all its inhabitants”. The Walt Disney World complex encompasses over 40 square miles; an area about the same size as San Francisco. Conservation and preservation are important aspects of the Walt Disney World project.
Approximately 25% of the land is set aside permanently for wilderness preserve. A conservation area was established in 1970 to ensure the land would not be developed.
The most recent animal I encountered was a bird of prey, probably a hawk. It flew down and landed on the bushes in the Luna Park Pool area of the Boardwalk Hotel. It was the second time on two different trips that I saw this bird. Both times the hawk spent about 10 minutes going in and out of the bushes, preening itself and scoping out the area before it flew off. The first time it came by was on a rainy afternoon; the second the sun was out. The bartenders told us it visits a couple times a week. Later we saw it perched on the swan icon of the Swan Hotel.
Florida is home to many diverse Birds of Prey in various colors, sizes, and shapes. I cannot say exactly what species the bird was but we guessed some type of hawk. Florida Birds of Prey could be anything from a Kite to a Bald Eagle. The bird we saw appeared to be somewhere in between more the size of a hawk. It was quite interesting to watch and try to figure out what it was.
These encounters add to the magic that is Walt Disney Word. While visiting, you can see animatronic animals and observe animals in their habitat at Animal Kingdom. You might even see animals native to Florida since these animals are allowed to visit the Parks and surrounding areas just like Guests! Observing and sharing the magic with these animals can enhance your visit so keep your eyes open!
Among the stable of American cultural touchstones, they stand emblematic as a cross-generational binder of a people and a product. More a symbol of America in its minted-by-Wall-Street and cemented-on-Main-Street role as a global ambassador than Lady Liberty herself, the Walt Disney Company has risen from a cartoon maker of its eponymous animator to a warehouse of media brands unrivaled in its sheer breadth.
Founded in 1923, The Walt Disney Company is by far one of the largest and most popular diversified entertainment companies in the world. From its iconic animated feature films to its multiple world-renown theme parks, Disney has certainly made a name for itself, growing to an over $150 billion company.
Interactive queues already help turn wait time into play time for your Clients at several Walt Disney World® Theme Park attractions – including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Haunted Mansion, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Dumbo the Flying Elephant®.
A new interactive queue will debut at Peter Pan’s Flight® at Magic Kingdom® Park. Guests will be able to watch Tinker Bell fly around and interact with Wendy, John and Michael’s toys. They’ll also see their own shadows come alive on the wall in the children’s nursery and get a sprinkle of pixie dust before heading off to Never Land with Peter Pan. Take a look at the photos below for a sneak peek.
Did you know that there is more to Liberty Square than just the Haunted Mansion? Think really hard. . . Can you name another attraction? Well, if you are left speechless, then continue reading so that you can learn of another often overlooked attraction in the Magic Kingdom. Of course, the hallmark attraction of Liberty Square is the Hall of the Presidents. This experience is educational in that it is filled with many different historical figures, and it tells the story of the presidency when it began with George Washington. The Hall of the Presidents was an opening day attraction on October 1, 1971 when the Magic Kingdom first opened its doors. When the park first opened and for several more years, tickets were required to enter attractions. A through E tickets existed, and E tickets were reserved for the most exciting and thrilling attractions. The Hall of the Presidents was actually an E ticket attraction. There was even an extended queue for this attraction where the food market sits currently under the awning in the center of Liberty Square directly across from the Liberty Belle Steamboat. The use of audio animatronics in this attraction is truly breathtaking considering all of the technical magic that must occur for each of these figures to speak, stand up, sit down, and behave in a real-life way during the show.
Speaking of audio animatronics, this show originated with Walt Disney’s desire to have a Liberty Street in Disneyland. As you know, this did not become a reality, but Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln was created. This attraction was a marvel when it was fashioned for the World’s Fair in 1964-1965 in New York. Finally, after this figure made its debut, the technology was starting to catch up with the creativity at WED (Walt Disney Imagineering). When Disney World opened in 1971, the Hall of the Presidents would be a testament to all of the knowledge and technical know-how that was gained from Disney’s showing at the World’s Fair.
The show has changed over the years as new presidents have been elected; however, the message that celebrates freedom and the importance of our Constitution is never lost through these alterations in narrators or in films that introduce the real show. Let’s take a tour of the building that houses this attraction and then take a look at the attraction itself. When you first approach the building, look for little details in the windows. You will see some lanterns and a doll in one of the windows. All of these little details have significant meanings. For example, see if you can figure out what the lanterns mean in American history. Hint: Think Paul Revere. Anyway, as you enter the building, be sure to take notice of the detailed and beautiful works of art that line the corridors of the halls in the building. After you take some time to explore, don’t forget to check out the Great Seal that is present in the center of the atrium. This seal was constructed with special permission because it is one of three that exist in the world. If you look at the Eagle, you will see that it will always be clutching an olive branch, which is a sign of peace in the country. However, the Great Seal in Washington actually has a removable piece of carpet that can represent the country being at war as well. I doubt the Disney Eagle will ever change to represent war.
Once it is time for you to enter in to the theater, you need to move toward the left of the building toward the curtains which will raise once the castmember has given you a little history lesson about America and about the Hall of the Presidents itself. When you enter the theater, you will notice its huge scope and size. Any seat will afford you a wonderful view of the stage. Personally, though, I always like to sit in the front row. I don’t want to ruin too much of the magic for you, but the show begins with a film about America that is narrated by Morgan Freeman. During this film, you will learn many interesting facts about some of the early leaders of America. When it is time for Abraham Lincoln to speak, the curtain rises on the most stunning audio animatronics figure that you will see until you see the Barack Obama figure and the George Washington figure. All of these figures are so life-like that it is hard to believe that they are not real people. All of the AA’s in this attraction are very well done. Each figure has his own introduction during the presidential roll call, and each president will nod or fidget in some way during the show. These little details add to the suspension of reality that occurs once you enter the show building.
Now, in order to fully enjoy this experience, you need to take a trip to Liberty Square and spend time in this attraction. Do not be tempted to take a nap as you sit soaking up the air conditioning that is such a respite from the unforgiving Florida sun. I know that it is tempting, but spend some time taking in the history as you experience a show dedicated to all nations, but mostly America. Oops, I think I stepped off on the wrong ride there! Anyway, try to make time for this attraction; you will not be disappointed, and maybe you will learn something along the way! Until next time, have a magical day, and keep moving forward!
