D&M Updates are back !

Editor's Note : I'm pleased to announce that i've found a way to post new articles from my iPad, so finally you won't have to wait for the return of my laptop... So far it's short posts but i might be able to post long ones with plenty of pics, we'll see on Monday if it works...

New Maleficent Clip " In the Clouds "

       

Another Maleficent clip has been released, and this one is called " In the Clouds ". The islands rocks covered by vegetation reminds me a bit the ones in "Avatar" - and definitely like those you can find in south-east Asia - but, hey, why not?




Picture and video: copyright Disney

New Teaser Trailer for Marvel Guardian of the Galaxy

        

A new full trailer for Marvel's Guardian of the Galaxy will be released on Monday, but in the meantime they've released this teaser for the trailer ( if i can say ) and i have to admit that it might be better than i thought... Have a look!




Picture and video: copyright Marvel

Augmented Reality Comes to DHS Star Wars Weekends !

If you plan on attending Star Wars Weekends 2014, be sure to try out some of the new technology designed to bring the event to life in new ways. For the first time, Star Wars Weekends is utilizing augmented reality to provide guests "virtual" character experiences, added information in the guide maps and even interaction with the event logo itself!




Video: copyright Disney

New Phineas and Ferb : Star Wars Episode Unveiled Today at DHS StarWars Weekends

                                            

Guess what, a Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars crossover episode is coming soon and Disney released today the poster above. The story for this episode is parallel to the original 1977 film, A New Hope, and here's the synopsis: 

The episode's story begins a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away -- in summer. Phineas and Ferb are living happily on Tatooine, just one moisture farm over from Luke Skywalker. They love simply hanging out and creating new adventures under the twin suns, however, they find themselves thrust into a global rebellion when the plans for blowing up the Death Star accidentally fall into their hands.

Now that fate has suddenly pulled them into the fight for freedom, they must go in search of a pilot who can take them to the Rebels so they can hand over the plans. Complicating matters, Candace -- the boys' sister -- has a Stormtrooper-like intent on "busting rebels" who chase Phineas and Ferb across the galaxy in hopes of retrieving the Death Star plans.

Meanwhile, back on the Death Star, Dr. Darth Enshmirtz, a low level Darth, has created a Force-powered "Sith-inator" that he plans to use against the Rebel Alliance. Agent P, working undercover for the Rebellion, is dispatched to stop him, but quickly gets trapped in carbonite. Then, things take a startling turn when Ferb is accidentally hit by the full blast of Dr. Darth Enschmirtz's "inator" and becomes...an evil Sith.

Series creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh, added this:

"Our story all takes place as if you had a slightly wider shot, you could see our characters. Or if you just waited around five minutes after this Star Wars storyline, our characters would pass through, which was really really fun to do."

Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars, will be unveiled for the first time at DHS Star Wars Weekends today!

Picture: copyright Disney

A Tribute to Rocketeer

Who is not a Rocketeer fan? So, here is a cool short animated done in tribute to Rocketeer and his creator Dave Stevens. It was released for The Rocketeer 20th Anniversary, a few months ago.

News from the Front...

All-right, now i think i found the answer about what's going wrong with my Mac Book Pro and it seems that i'm not alone with the same problem... In fact quite a lot of early 2011 MBP owners have huge problems with the graphic card. Just like me they had to change it, and again months later, and again. And each time they had to change the mother board for 500€/$. 

The graphic card in itself would cost $150 but as it is sticked on the mother board, the full mother board must be changed... A lot of owners of this 2011 MBP complained to Apple who until now still refuse to consider this graphic card problem as a "factory" problem. The result? It seems that a class action against Apple is in the plans and i'll be pleased to join it as, as much as i can love Apple sometime too much is too much... 

Anyway, knowing the answer to the problem is fine, but it won't bring me back sooner my MBP which is still expected in 7 - 10 days or so, so thanks again for your patience.

Editor's Note: This big problem with my Mac - see post below - is apparently going to take 7 or 10 days... As it's really difficult to create new posts on Blogger from an iPad i probably will mainly post on the D&M Facebook page - that you can normally access EVEN if you don't have a Facebook account. Please jump to it HERE as cool posts awaits you each day, and thank you for your patience and understanding!

Murphy's Law Strikes Back!

I suppose that you know what Murphy's law is. If not, it means basically that "everything that can go wrong WILL go wrong". And that's exactly what happened to me yesterday and why you don't have new posts today. Less than one year after my Mac Book Pro mother board crashed it happened again and i spent several hours today at an Apple repair shop to understand "what the hell was going on".

To speak frankly, i was literally furious ( you've never seen me furious, but believe me, you don't want to ). It's a very, very, VERY bad joke and considering the price of these bloody mother boards i expected it would work more than ten months. But it didn't, and the only good thing is that this time i had the time to save my most important files when i saw that something was going wrong, before my Mac crashed with no way to restart it again. 

According to Apple it will take ten days like last time and it means that during that time i won't be able to post "long" posts with plenty of pictures like i do generally. Mainly because all i have left now to communicate is my iPad and the Blogger App is very badly designed. But i promise you that i will do my best to post each day or so. The Facebook App is not really better than the Blogger one but it's a bit easier to post so you can follow me on the D&M Facebook page until i get my Mac back.

That said, if it's the same problem it's the same price too - 500€ - and i don't even dare to ask for your generous help like i did last time - thanks again to all of you who've been greatly helpful last year. But to tell the truth if some of you want to do a kind donation it will be very welcome. You can send it through Paypal at: lawrence55@wanadoo.fr.  Another way to help can be to order a copy of the DLP book or to offer one to a friend, see link at the top of the right column. 

Frankly, the situation is ridiculous and i think that the walls of the Apple repair shop are probably still shaking from my anger this afternoon (!)  Anyway, i thank you by advance for your help, and i'll do my best, as always, to provide you in the days to come the most interesting news.

Michael is Back, at His Best !

I don't know if you have listen to Xscape, the new album of Michael Jackson, but you should, as it is really really good, probably the best one i've heard since a looong time, and reviews are excellent. Xscape include eight never-released-before-songs and new arrangements by Timbaland, John McClain, Stargate, and Rodney Jerkins. 

There is two versions available on iTunes, one at $6.99 and the other at $16.99 which i recommend as it also include the original versions of each songs, without the new ( and excellent ) arrangements, and others special features. Listen particularly to "Love never felt so good", "Xscape", "Loving you", etc... 

"Love never felt so good" produced by Timbaland is gonna be a huge hit, believe me, and the Deluxe version include two versions of it, and even three as you'll find the original version, the new one with Timbaland arrangements and one in duet with Justin Timberlake  - see video below.

To release a new album after you've passed away is already not given to anyone, but to release an excellent one is almost a miracle.




Picture and video: copyright Sony Records

Universal Studios Release More Details About Harry Potter Diagon Alley "Escape from Gringotts" Ride !

As announced, Universal Studios Orlando released today a new preview video as well as new infos for the highly awaited E-ticket ride "Escape from Gringotts":

"At the far end of Diagon Alley guests will find Gringotts bank, with a larger-than-life dragon towering over it that breathes real fire. The bank is home to the signature attraction, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

In “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2,” there’s a pivotal scene where Harry, Ron and Hermione break into Gringotts bank to steal a powerful Horcrux that (spoiler alert!) will help them defeat Lord Voldemort. On Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, you’ll encounter the trio during this quest – but expect to meet some dangerous creatures and malicious villains as well!

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts has everything you could possibly imagine and more – it’s a mind-blowing next generation thrill ride through the Gringotts vaults. It combines 4K high-definition ride animation and 3-D technology with live special effects to propel you into the action of the Harry Potter books and films.

For a sneak peek at the action, check out this video featuring some of the creative minds that are bringing this attraction to life. We’ve also captured some photos inside Gringotts bank and taken screen grabs from the HD ride animation to give you a first look.

Get ready for the ride of your life."

All these new infos sounds good, isn't it? In a few lines we've learned that the 60 foot tall Dragon located outside, at the top of the bank, will indeed breath real fire, that the ride will have - for its projection scenes - 4K definition as well as 3D and live special effects, that guests will encounter Harry Potter, Ron and Hermione, as well as "dangerous creatures and malicious villains". But who exactly will be these malicious villains, that's what i will tell you know.

But first let's have a look at the ride vehicle thanks to this new picture showing it from the front, and 12 riders will be able to board inside the ride vehicle. The minimum height for the ride will be 42" - 6" less than for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride - as one goal for the Escape from Gringotts ride was to allow "the whole family to be able to experience this," said Thierry Coup, senior vice president of Universal Creative Studios.

Before they arrive to the boarding room guests will have been through Gringotts bank - the goblin-owned bank for wizards, discover its vaults and the famous marble lobby with Goblins Audio-Animatronics who apparently will interact with guests to propose to open an account at the bank...

But the bank security has been penetrated, and "guests will find themselves transported smack in the middle of the action when Ron, Harry and Hermoine break into the bank" said Thierry Coup. The storyline for the ride itself is set just after this famous action scene that you've seen in the movie "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" adapted from the seventh book in the series written by J.K. Rowling.

Then, it will be time to board in the steampunk designed ride vehicles...

"Fans have clamored for a Gringotts ride for years, and it's definitely something that we knew that everybody wanted," Coup said. "The second we started sketching ideas it was definitely going to be Diagon Alley and Gringotts Bank". "We wanted the level of thrills that Forbidden Journey has but maybe make it more visual than physical in some ways, trying to strike the right balance," Thierry Coup said. "New projector technology and a nearly 360-degree screen will help immerse riders in the story at one point".

"The guests journey will go many miles below London toward the institution's vaults..." said Thierry Coup, and at the start of this journey they will meet Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange, played by Helena Bonham Carter.

For sure, the lightning bolts sent by Bellatrix will be impressive in 3D...

... and she will send us down deeper inside Gringotts bank where will await security trolls...

...and surviving that, we'll go even deeper where the Dragon is.

...But Guests will also eventually come face to face with Lord Voldemort!

"The time you'll spend in each scene with the characters is greater than we've been able to achieve in any ride," Coup said. "It's really going to give you the sense of being there with your favorite characters."

That said, Universal isn't calling the Escape from Gringotts ride a roller coaster: "We've created an entirely new type of ride that propels guests into the story like never before," said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative.

So far, the opening date for the new Wizarding World has not yet been announced, may be later today or this week and i will let you know. In the meantime, it's time to watch the new behind the scenes video released today by Universal Creative!




Pictures and video: copyright Universal Studios

Disney California Adventure Little Mermaid Ride Upgraded With New Black Light Lighting for "Under the Sea" Scene !

The Little Mermaid ride at Disney California Adventure had an upgrade and the whole "Under the Sea" scene has been given the awaited black light lighting treatment. The previous lighting that was in place since the opening has now been darkened, and a few more fish characters were added here and there along the ride. I, personally, think that the black light lighting is much better to give to the guests the feeling they're "under the sea".  You can check by yourself the differences thanks to the two videos below.

This first one shot a few days ago by SoCal Attractions 360 will show you the new lighting as well as a few additions here and there.




And if you want to see how the lighting was before in the "Under the Sea" scene, here is a video filmed in May 2012 by SoCal theme Parks 360.




Picture: copyright Disney

Disneyland Paris Update - Part Two - Walt Disney Studios Ratatouille Ride

Here is the part two of my Disneyland Paris update and today we'll go at the Walt Disney Studios with great pictures of Max Fan, D&M contributor and DLPWelcome webmaster.

As you know WDS guests can now meet Spiderman at the Backlot and banners are now in place at the entrance on the Studio 1 to make sure they don't miss him.

Same all along Backlot and near the Blockbuster Cafe where is the Spidey meet and greet.

Spiderman merchandise products are also in place in Backlot with action figures and Spidey LEGO on sale between Armaggedon and the Moteurs... Action! stunt show.

Okay, let's move to the Ratatouille construction site as there is plenty of things to see. Let's start with aerial views shot by Max from Toy Story Playland Parachute Drop.

And now, pictures shot from the ground. The big news is that the fountain in the center of the plaza is now ready, but when Max shot the panoramic picture below - click to enlarge it - it was not yet the case.

But on these next pictures shot a few days later you'll see it almost fully finished!

Note the sculpture of Remy on the base...

And new pictures shot last Thursday...

Next is about the big Ratatouille sign at the entrance of the attraction. Almost everyone thought that the sign is too big and pretty ugly. Good news, as thanks God, last tuesday the sign was dismantled as it seems that even DLP execs understood that it was a big mistake. It is supposed to be replaced by a sign less big and hopefully without the very ugly huge and flat cooking pot.

Before:

Now, with the sign removed, waiting for a new one:

They did the same over the Fast Pass sign as the text "L'Aventure Totalement Toquée de Remy" was not clearly visible because of the choice of colors. My advice: get rid of this unbelievably long title!

On the other hand, the "toilets" sign is now in place...

And on these warning signs below is written: "Join Remy in a 3D cooking adventure for all the family in the world of Ratatouille and be prepared to whirl forward or even backward! Children must be watched at all time".

Good news, there will be an access for single riders!

Lampposts are now all in place and workers have finished to put the cobblestones on the ground.

But on these new pictures shot one week later, you'll note that two new lampposts appeared near the ride entrance.

Behind, the covered market facade decor - which will hide the previous Costuming building behind - is still in the works.

On the facades curtains are now all in place behind almost each window...

Works are also still going on on the future merchandise shop...

The street going from the entrance of Toy Story Playland to the Ratatouille area is now almost completely finished, here too including curtains behind some of the windows.

And below, others pictures shot last thursday.

I have to say that i'm extremely impressed by the quality of the theming. Being a parisian myself i can tell you that they did an amazing work to recreate a Paris quarter and for sure WDS guests will be amazed, whether they will be french or foreigners. So, congrats to all workers and DLP imagineers, really!

See you soon for a new DLP update and in the meantime i remind you that, to celebrate Disneyland Paris 22nd Anniversary, i'm doing a special offer price on the great Disneyland Paris "From Sketch to Reality" book - for both ENGLISH or FRENCH editions - and in addition to the special price valid until May 31 it also include a "surprise gift" that everyone who will order the book will receive, and believe me you will love it!  Thanks to this special offer you will save $50 on the normal price, so if you don't own the book yet i'm sure you don't want to miss it! Paypal and credit card payment are accepted, so make sure you to place your order now! 

You can use the Paypal button below for the english edition, and for orders of the french edition or for credit card payment please send me an email at: neverlandeditions@gmail.com

Disneyland Paris From Sketch to Reality - Include shipping

1 Copy English NORMAL Edition Disneyland Paris book inc shipping €75.00 EUR 1 Copy English COLLECTOR Ed Disneyland Paris book inc shipping €115.00 EUR 1 Ex Signé Collector Français Livre Disneyland Paris + envoi €100.00 EUR 1 Ex Collector Français Livre Disneyland Paris + envoi €75.00 EUR

 

Don't know yet the Disneyland Paris book? Have a look at the video below or on the book website HERE.

Pictures: copyright Max Fan - DLPWelcome