Saturday, March 9, 2019

Disneyland Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge : First Video Showing the Inside of the Land !




We have the first "real" video showing some inside shots of Disneyland Star Wars Galaxy's Edge! and it's a REAL video - not a video made with the digital stills released recently.  Posted on ABC7 it shows during 1.30 minutes the sets as they are now, apparently finished. Check it out!





For more details about what are the different sets shown in the video, jump to the Laughing Place article HERE.

Picture and video : copyright Disney - ABC

Awaited "Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure" Coaster Will Open on June 13 at Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure, Ride Details Revealed on March 12 !



Universal Orlando has confirmed the opening date of the highly awaited "Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure" coaster which will open on June 13 at Islands of Adventure Harry Potter Wizarding World!

Universal Orlando will also revealed on March 12 all details about the coaster ride. The announcement will happen live at UniversalOrlando.com at 8:30am EST.

Picture: copyright Universal Orlando

Friday, March 8, 2019

Captain Marvel Review



I've watched in theatre two days ago "Captain Marvel" and, although Brie Larson is better than i expected, the film is far to be perfect. I suggest that you read the review from the BBC here which is very close to what i think about the movie.

In short, about Brie Larson / Captain Marvel: "Playing an insecure, self-doubting, slightly lost superhero is not an easy trick to pull off: vulnerability and invincibility don't generally go hand-in-hand. The fact that Larson convincingly portrays both, simultaneously, is testament to her talent and those with whom she interacts."

And: "The interior life of Carol Danvers, which ranges from self-discovery to a philosophical questioning about the nature of female empowerment, overshadows all else and makes the action sequences appear as afterthoughts.
Maybe that is the trajectory of Marvel movies: more introspection, less action. We'll find out soon enough when Avengers returns next month featuring Brie Larson as Captain Marvel. Has she done for the MeToo movement what Black Panther did for African American cinema? Is Captain Marvel as culturally significant as that first ever Oscar-winning MCU film? No, in short.
It is not as good a film.
I very much doubt it will follow in Black Panther's award-wining footsteps. But it is not as far behind in terms of reflecting a shifting attitude in Hollywood as some would have you believe.
This is an incarnation of a thoughtful superhero who operates on her own terms, or, seeing as we are in the mid-'90s, knows how to assert her girl power."

I add that i always have a problem when i see Aliens speaking or behaving like Earthlings like it is the case with some scenes with Jude Law and a Krulls family later in the movie. A special note for the incredible "de-aging" effect that was done on Samuel Jackson, returning as a younger and "gentler" Nick Fury, the result is pretty amazing.

Even if Captain Marvel had a very strong "first day" start, i doubt that it will make as much money as Black Panther, i'm not even sure it will reach the $Billion at the box-office although Disney's marketing campaign and the fact that it is a woman super-hero could help it.

Stan Lee fans will be happy to hear that Stan is having one last cameo in Captain Marvel as well as a special tribute to him in the short Marvel opening logo. And yes, there is a post-credits scene, so make sure to stay to see it. Captain Marvel will also be part of Avengers : End Game released next month. The BBC review gives three "stars" only to Captain Marvel, and so do i.

Picture: copyright Disney - Marvel

Thursday, March 7, 2019

BREAKING: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Open May 31 at Disneyland Resort, August 29 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, New Concept-Arts Released!



It's official: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will Open May 31 at Disneyland Resort, August 29 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Sounds great but there is a big "but" as at Disneyland the land will open in two phases and the highly awaited big E-Ticket ride "Rise of the Resistance" won't be open and you'll have to wait at least 2 or 3 months for its opening. ( read below ) What may sounds like a good idea to reduce the expected crowds at opening day might end by being an extremely bad idea as i bet you that it won't stop the fans to come right from the opening day. With Galaxy's Edge having only the Falcon ride and without the major ride it will create even longer lines/waiting time as only one ride will be operational. And it’s also extremely greedy as it will force people to come twice at Disneyland Galaxy’s Edge to ride the big E- ticket some months later …no comments. Below, the new commercial for Star Wars Galaxy's Edge announcing the opening on May 31 at Disneyland





Full article from the Disney Parks Blog: "Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is opening ahead of schedule on May 31 at Disneyland Resort in Southern California and August 29 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida.

That’s right – it’s debuting early because of high guest interest in experiencing this new, immersive land. On opening day for phase one, you’ll be able to live your own Star Wars story and take the controls of the most famous ship in the galaxy aboard Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, sample amazing galactic food and beverages, explore an intriguing collection of merchant shops and more.

And for phase two, opening later this year, will be Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the most ambitious, immersive and advanced attraction ever imagined that will put guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance and will blur the lines between fantasy and reality. In light of tremendous demand, Disney made the decision to open the land in phases to allow guests to sooner enjoy the one-of-a-kind experiences that make Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge so spectacular.

Guests planning to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland park in California between May 31 and June 23, 2019 will need valid theme park admission and will be required to make a no-cost reservation, subject to availability, to access the land. Information on how to make a reservation will be available at a later date on Disneyland.com and the Disney Parks Blog. Guests staying at one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels during these dates will receive a designated reservation to access Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during their stay (one reservation per registered guest); valid theme park admission is required.

A reservation will not be offered or required to experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Walt Disney World Resort at this time. And you should know that valid theme park admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is required to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge after its opening on August 29, 2019. Capacity is limited. Additionally, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be available during Extra Magic Hours. During Extra Magic Hours guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can spend extra time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios enjoying select attractions. Details will also be available at a later date on Disneyworld.com and the Disney Parks Blog.

Capacity for the parks, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and its experiences is limited. Access to the park, land and experiences may be restricted or unavailable depending on guest demand and other factors."

Disney also released the new concept-arts below showing: Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, a restaurant housed in a working hangar bay in the old marketplace where guests will choose from a variety of dishes prepared with ingredients from across the galaxy, prepared by Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs.



The Milk Stand where guests will be able to order and enjoy a cup of Batuu’s legendary frozen blue or green milk, like Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope or in Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi. Thirsty visitors will be able to try both these exotic galactic delicacies for themselves—as they live their own Star Wars adventures.


Creature Stall, an exotic shop where you’ll be free to explore as you peek into cages and crates filled with hard-to-find species from across the galaxy. Bina, the stall’s proprieter, scours star systems to keep this storefront stocked with unique companions for her customers. Marvel at a large collection of cackling Kowakian monkey-lizards, the rambunctious pets popular with shadowy underworld figures—including Hutts. Most of the creatures here are available for purchase—restrictions may apply to rathtars.



Also, i remind you to don't miss Jeff Kober "Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: A Complete Guide" which puts all together in one piece everything that awaits you in the new land, and it's a FREE guide! Jump to Disney at work HERE to get it. 

Picture: copyright Disney

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Islands of Adventure : The Jurassic Park Jeep Safari Ride That Never Was



When Islands of Adventure opened some rides envisioned for the Jurassic Park land were unfortunately cancelled. One of them was the Jeep Safari ride which would have been great as you will see on the renderings below from artist and former WDI Imagineer Scott Scherman.

The first artwork above shows a concept for the jeep vehicle of the ride. The next one below shows the jeeps entering a Jurassic Park camp before they move inside the land where the AA dinosaurs are.



On the next artwork things are becoming serious as the jeeps would have gone right under a giant Brontosaur. These artworks are unfortunately in low-res but if you enlarge them you can see that others animals would have appear like a long Apatosaur neck, from the lagoon. Before moving under the Brontosaur the jeep would have enter the land through the famous Jurassic Park gates and moving under a kind of giant net where probably others effects or animals would have awaited the guests.



On this last artwork - which was not the last part of the ride - you can see clearly a jeep being attacked by what seems to be Velociraptors. The arrows on the drawing indicate for sure other kind of effects and i wish i could tell which one, if i only knew... What i know is that others renderings exist and that in another scene a T-Rex would have "stepped on" the guests jeep and spin it in a way similar to the scene in the movie!



Apparently this ride was planned for the area behind Thunder Falls and was scrapped for its similarity to the River Adventure raft ride. Universal obviously favored the water based ride but who knows, may be they will build it one day - let's hope so!

Artwork by Scott Scherman : copyright Universal Studios

Monday, March 4, 2019

"Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: A Complete Guide" Is the Guide You Were Waiting For to Know Everything About the Most Awaited Land in The Galaxy!



The least we can say is that there is a lot of interest in the upcoming Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge land that will open this Summer at Disneyland and in the Fall at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The challenge is that Disney has only released small insights at any given moment, though a bit more last week. So, Jeff Kober had the good idea to create "Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: A Complete Guide" which puts it all together in one piece. It’s your one-stop place to go to see what is going on and what you'll find in the world of Batuu. There is lots of details and this guide will constantly stay up-to-date to make sure you can know all of the amazing details.


Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: A Complete Guide includes the following:

- A unique, interactive map detailing where everything is in this new land
- Over 100 photos, artworks and videos showcasing this newest Disney experience
- Details showcasing food & beverage, shopping experiences, and entertainment
- A thorough look at Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
- A queue to exit outline of the new Rise of the Resistance attraction
- Insights to navigating your experience when you visit at either Disneyland or Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Overview of the new Star Wars Hotel coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

And the good news is that "Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: A Complete Guide" is FREE! When you subscribe to Disney at Work - Jeff's website - you will receive complimentary access to this online compendium.

You may not be familiar with Disney at Work. The website offers ideas on life and work from “the Happiest Place on Earth”. Disney at Work is hosted by J. Jeff Kober, who is a former leader with the Disney Institute. He has brought leadership, employee improvement and customer service improvements to organizations as diverse as Volkswagen, MetLife, Siemens and Starwood. He continues to consult with organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors as he brings these best practices to others.

Over the years he has written several books about best-in-business practices at Disney to include The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney, Disney’s Hollywood Studios: From Show Biz to Your Biz, and the recently released Disney, Leadership and You. He has studied the Walt Disney Company for decades, and his website brings insights you can’t find anywhere else. When he’s not working to help improve organizations, he spends time visiting Disney’s parks around the world. He and his family live in Orlando, Florida.

So, jump to Disney at Work right HERE to get access to this great guide to Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and learn everything about the highly awaited land opening this June at Disneyland and this fall at WDW DHS!

Pictures: copyright Disney