Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Images from Carowinds New Slides

Carowinds shared some more images of their new slides. (See the press release from last week.)


Surfer’s Swell will travel a total of 263 feet; riders will plunge downward through a tunnel then swoop up onto an angled wall that mimics the sensation of catching an ocean wave.  Guests then gracefully enter a final tunnel for a fun ‘splash landing’ into a pool at the bottom of this 45 foot tall experience.  
Dorsal Fin Drop offers 351 feet of slide and takes riders on the whirl of a lifetime as they gain speed in a curved-tunnel that blasts them into a bowl.  Like a shark circling its prey, guests spin and swirl before sliding into the corkscrew exit.   





Are you going to try out the new water slides at Carowinds on your next visit?

Monday, June 23, 2014

New Disney Book: Once Upon a Dream by Charles Solomon


Over the past few years, we've seen some great books come from D23, the Walt Disney Family Museum and Disney Publishing Worldwide. I just received a review copy of Once Upon a Dream: From Perrault's Sleeping Beauty to Disney's Maleficent by Charles Solomon.

Solomon is a biggie in Disney history circles and has written quite a few titles on animation history and Disney animated films.

I'm only about half-way through the book and it's already quite spectacular. The book is large and Solomon takes advantage of the larger format to present art across both pages for some breathtaking shots.

A full review will be coming to Mice Chat and Communicore Weekly, soon!

Friday, June 20, 2014

Press Release: Carowinds Opens New Water Slides


Have you had a chance to visit Carowinds, lately? It looks like they're about to add a large number of attractions over the next few years.

New waterslides to open at Carowinds June 20!
Dorsal Fin Drop, Surfer’s Swell bring new sliding thrills to Boomerang Bay!


Charlotte, NC- June --, 2014    Carowinds, Thrill Capital of the Southeast, is excited to open two new water slides in their waterpark Boomerang Bay Friday June 20.  The new slides will stand over 4 stories high and add 600+ feet of sliding fun, bringing new thrills and splashes to the popular water park.  

They’ll offer two distinctively different rides unique to Boomerang Bay.

Surfer’s Swell will travel a total of 263 feet; riders will plunge downward through a tunnel then swoop up onto an angled wall that mimics the sensation of catching an ocean wave.  Guests then gracefully enter a final tunnel for a fun ‘splash landing’ into a pool at the bottom of this 45 foot tall experience.  

Dorsal Fin Drop offers 351 feet of slide and takes riders on the whirl of a lifetime as they gain speed in a curved-tunnel that blasts them into a bowl.  Like a shark circling its prey, guests spin and swirl before sliding into the corkscrew exit.  

The slides open just in time for the first official day of summer and are the first phase of a multi-year, multi-million dollar, capital investment plan at the park initiated by its parent company Cedar Fair.  “Cedar Fair noted the growth in Charlotte and across the Carolinas, and saw an opportunity to grow our park as well” says Bart Kinzel Carowinds VP and General Manager adding “there are a lot of plans in the works to better serve our guests across all areas from infrastructure to new rides, it’s an exciting time.”  


The new slides will be the premier experience inside Boomerang Bay, the waterpark will now have 2 wave pools, 13 waterslides, and 2 kiddie splash pools with over 2 million gallons of water to help visitors have fun during the areas hot Carolina summers.  Riders will need to be 48” in bare feet in order to slide down, each rider will slide down on a single rider inner tube.   

First Riders
A group of special kids from the University City YMCA, a branch of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, are eagerly anticipating opening day.   When the slides were announced in September 2013 they didn’t know how to swim, and never could have imagined themselves swooshing down the exciting twists and curves of Carowinds new slides.  Now after 9 months of weekly lessons sponsored by Carowinds the kids will become the honorary first riders down Dorsal Fin Drop and Surfer’s Swell.

“We are so grateful to Carowinds for providing the opportunity for these 15 children to learn to swim,” says Matt Fitzwater, University City YMCA Executive Director. “This is not just a fun activity but a life-saving skill. This group represents the confidence and safety that comes with swim lessons.”

Check out all the summer events, and new sliding fun on the parks social media channels http://www.facebook.com/carowindspark  , http://www.youtube.com/user/CarowindsPR, on  twitter and Instagram find them  @carowindspark .  For information on park schedule, prices and attractions head to www.carowinds.com .  

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Disney Book Giveaway!


We're giving away a copy of The Art of Disney Princesses over at The Disney Review at Mice Chat.

There a few ways to enter the contest which will run from Tuesday, June 10 to Friday, June 20, 2014.

a Rafflecopter giveaway





Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Press Release: Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D – The Complete First Season

So, the first season of Agent's of S.H.I.E.L.D. totally surprised me and my family. Once the characters and the storyline got settled, the action was extremely well done for a television series and the line was blurred between a theatrical release and what you typically see on a television show. It took about half a season to become fully vested in the characters and that's when everything changed. With a direct tie-in to Captain America: Winter Soldier and the next Thor film, there are a lot of great moments on the series.

I can't wait for Season 2 and the further development of the Marvel Universe.



The Mind-Blowing Saga That Began in Marvel’s The Avengers Continues in
ABC’s Action-Packed Series


Relive All 22 Thrilling Episodes, Plus Get Level 7 Access with Newly De-Classified Bonus Features Available On Blu-ray and DVD.  In Stores September 9, 2014


Synopsis:   
The mind-blowing saga that began in Marvel’s The Avengers continues in ABC’s action-packed series, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. — The Complete First Season.

In the wake of The Battle of New York, the world has changed forever. An extraordinary landscape of wonders has been revealed! In response, mysteriously resurrected Agent Phil Coulson assembles an elite team of skilled agents and operatives: Melinda May, Grant Ward, Leo Fitz, Jemma Simmons and new recruit/computer hacker Skye. Together, they investigate the new, the strange, and the unknown across the globe, protecting the ordinary from the extraordinary. But every answer unearths even more tantalizing questions that reverberate across the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe: Who is "The Clairvoyant”? What is Hydra’s sinister master plan; what dark secret lies behind Skye’s puzzling origins, and most importantly of all, who can be trusted?



Cast: “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”  stars Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson, Chloe Bennet as Skye, Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda MayBrett Dalton as Agent Grand Ward, Iain De Caestecker as Agent Leo Fitz and Elizabeth Henstridge as Agent Jemma Simmons.

Bonus Features:            Journey Into S.D.C.C. – Hop on the bus and share the thrill of a lifetime as the series makes its first ever appearance at San Diego Comic-Con, where the cast is welcomed with open arms by a sea of enthusiastic fans
                               Marvel Studios:  Assembling A Universe TV Special                                                                                   
5 Behind-The-Scenes Field Reports – Get exclusive access to the show’s classified sets for the making of some of your favorite episodes
·       “The Malibu Jump”
·       “The Bridge”
·       “Asgardian Bar Fight”
·       “Classified”
·       “Cello Duet”                                                            
VFX Breakdowns – Explore the layers of effects in sequences with split-frame comparisons to the final version
Audio Commentaries with Filmmakers & Cast    
Gag Reel 
Deleted Scenes
  
Writers:                                   Varies by Episodes

Executive Producers:      Joss Whedon (“Marvel’s The Avengers”, “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”), Maurissa                                                                                        Tancharoen (“Dollhouse”, “Spartacus”, “Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog”), Jed Whedon                                                                 (“Dollhouse”, Spartacus”, “Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog”), Jeffrey Bell (“Angel”, “X-                                                                       Files”, “Alias”) and Jeph Loeb (“Heroes”, “Lost”, “Smallville”)

Release Date:                       September 9, 2014

Rating:                                      TV PG
Run Time:                               Approx. 946 minutes; 22 episodes
Aspect Ratio:                        1.78:1, 16x9 Widescreen
Audio:                                       Blu-ray:  5.1 DTS-HDMA, DVD:  5.1 Dolby Digital
Languages:                             English Audio
Subtitles:                                English SDH, Spanish, French



Wednesday, May 7, 2014

D23 Hits The Road, Bringing Beloved Memories To Life With The Disney Fanniversary Celebration


I haven't had the chance to visit one of the Fanniversary events that D23 has held over the past few years. My partner on Communicore Weekly, Jeff Heimbuch, attended one in 2012 and walked away with mixed feelings. This one sounds like it might be a little more extravagant and worth the trip.

Are you going to attend one of the events if it's close to you?

We recorded a Trip Report for the podcast. Check it out!



D23 HITS THE ROAD, BRINGING BELOVED MEMORIES TO LIFE WITH THE DISNEY FANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Rarely Seen Film Clips, Photos, and Art Highlight the Roadshow Event, Which Will Tour the U.S. this Fall.

BURBANK, Calif. – May 7, 2014 – For the third year in a row, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will hit the road with D23 Disney Fanniversary Celebration presented by Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection. The live event will visit 11 cities across the U.S. to commemorate dozens of magical Disney milestones celebrating landmark anniversaries this year.

Hosted by Disney archivists and the D23 Team, Fanniversary 2014 will revisit beloved theme park attractions, animated and live-action films, characters, TV series, and more than 90 years of Disney history including Donald Duck, the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair, Sleeping Beauty, Haunted Mansion, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Little Mermaid, and many more. The event, which runs approximately 105 minutes, will also feature the never-before-heard track “Evil Evil” from Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection Sleeping Beauty and a demo recording from Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection The Little MermaidFanniversary events will be open to the public, with special admission prices for D23 Members.

In addition, following each show, two rare items from the Walt Disney Archives will be on display for guests to see and photograph: a hat worn by Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins and a “Duckster” award. Created in 1952, this bronze-colored award in the image of Donald Duck honored those who made significant contributions to Disney over the years. Both Walt Disney and Donald Duck himself were among the recipients of this unique prize.

D23 Gold and Silver Members will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets on May 21 for $23 each. Tickets will be available to D23 Free Members on June 11 for $33 each, and remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public on July 9 for $40 each. Tickets will be available at D23.com/Events. The touring schedule is as follows:
·         August 9: Burbank, Calif.
·         August 10: San Diego
·         August 16 & 17: San Francisco
·         September 6: Chicago
·         September 13: Seattle
·         September 20: Atlanta
·         September 21: Philadelphia
·         September 26: Washington, D.C.
·         September 28: New York City
·         October 4: Boston
·         October 25: Orlando

For times and locations, please visit D23.com.

Fanniversaries that guests can look forward to celebrating at each stop include:
·         Donald Duck (80th anniversary)
·         Disneyland TV show (60)
·         Sleeping Beauty (55)
·         Darby O’Gill and the Little People (55)
·         Disneyland’s Monorail, Matterhorn Bobsleds and Submarine Voyage (50)
·         Disney’s contributions to the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair (50)
·         Mary Poppins (50)
·         Haunted Mansion (45)
·         The Love Bug (45)
·         Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (35)
·         Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios) (25)
·         Splash Mountain (25)
·         The Little Mermaid (25)
·         Pleasure Island (25)
·         The Lion King (20)
·         The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (20)
…and many more!

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Vintage and Rare Disneyland Poster at Auction


This spectacular Golden Horseshoe Revue attraction poster is being auctioned on April 24, 2014 at Swann Auction Galleries.

Information About the Attraction Poster
Lot 142
BJORN ARONSON (DATES UNKNOWN) GOLDEN HORSESHOE REVUE / DISNEYLAND. 1955. 
53 3/4x35 3/4 inches, 136 1/2x90 3/4 cm. Walt Disney Productions. 
Condition A: minor creases at edges. Silkscreen. 
Little biographical information exists about Aronson, but he was one of the major designers of Disney posters throughout the 1950s and 60s. This poster, depicting "Slue Foot Sue's dance hall girls," is one of two variations; the other says "Frontierland" across the bottom. It is one of the few early Disney posters with a prominent cross marketing pitch. Pepsi was an official sponsor of Disneyland from the opening day in 1955 through 1990. Disney Parks p. 58 (var). 
Estimate $700 - 1,000 
Regarding bidding: If you cannot attend the sale in-person, you may place bids in advance via telephone, fax, mail, or e-mail, and Swann’s staff will bid on your behalf. You may also make advance arrangements to bid live by telephone during the auction. To make bidding arrangements, contact Swann Galleries at: 212-254-4710. Live online bidding is available via Invaluable. Click on the Invaluable link on the www.swanngalleries.com homepage.
This is a wonderful poster that is sure to draw a lot of attention.


Did you ever pick up a copy of the Poster Art of the Disney Parks?



The full press release for the auction is reprinted below.



RUSSIAN CONTRUCTIVIST IMAGES, ART DECO DESIGNS, INNOVATIVE EXAMPLES OF TYPOGRAPHY FEATURED IN SWANN GALLERIES’ AUCTION OF
MODERNIST POSTERS ON APRIL 24


New York—Swann Galleries’ April 24 auction of Modernist Posters is filled with eye-grabbing examples of cutting-edge design, including a strong selection of Russian constructivist works, which includes seminal pieces by the great artists of the genre.
Among the best examples of these are Alexander Rodchenko’s 1923 design for Dobrolet, the Russian Society of Volunteer Air Fleet, with a message that translates to, “Golden ruble makes everyone a shareholder” (estimate: $20,000 to $30,000); Gustav Klutsis’s photomontageBuilding Socialism Under the Banner of Lenin, 1930, his first poster depicting Stalin, and In the Storm of the Third Year of the Five-Year Plan, 1930 ($10,000 to $15,000 each); and Valentina Kulagina’s—who was also Klutsis’s wife—International Working Women's Day / Is the Fighting Day of the Proletariat, 1931 ($3,000 to $4,000).
There are envelope-pushing images from around the world including one by Dutch painter, architect and graphic designer Bart Van der Leck, De Ruiter, a poster for an exhibition of his work, in his signature minimalist and fragmented style, 1919 ($7,000 to $10,000); a group of 10 rare propaganda posters from Mexico, circa 1938, designed by artists from the print collective Taller Grafica Popular for a series of anti-Nazi lectures held in Mexico City ($3,000 to $4,000); and Xanti Schawinsky’s Illy Caffe, 1934, with a bold, post-Cubist face of a woman in shades of blue and pink drinking coffee ($12,000 to $18,000).
Classic Art Deco design is seen in Robert Bonfils’s poster for the exhibition that created the very term, Exposition Internationale Des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes, which comes with a proof before lettering, 1925 ($4,000 to $6,000); Jean Dupas’s elegant department store advertisement for Arnold Constable, Paris, 1928 ($3,000 to $4,000); Paul Colin’s dynamic Le Bal Fleuri. which captured the spirit of the roaring 20s via two dancers, 1927 ($15,000 to $20,000); and Noel Fontanet’s 7me. Salon International De L'automobile Et Du Cycle / Geneve, which evokes Mercury's winged helmet emerging from the front end of a speeding car, 1930 (each $4,000 to $6,000).
Additional Machine Age-inspired transportation images are A.M. Cassandre’s Chemin de Fer du Nord, with a stylized compass needle, 1929; and Sam Hyde Harris’s scarce Southern Pacific's New Daylight, 1937 ($3,000 to $4,000).
Typography highlights range from Bertold Löffler’s Kunstschau Wien, an exhibition poster that displays the intersection of the heavy, abstract ornamentation of the Vienna Secession and the cleaner, linear designs of the Wiener Werkstätte, 1908 ($20,000 to $30,000); to a collage maquette attributed to Walter Dexel, Neue Wege der Photographie. 1928 ($4,000 to $6,000); Walter Ballmer’s Basel school-inspired Stile Olivetti, 1961 ($800 to $1,200); and Paul Rand’s memorably playful reimagining of the IBM logo, 1991 ($3,000 to $4,000).
A selection of elusive ephemera related to Andy Warhol—Andy Warhol-iana if you will—includes mid-1960s New York film broadsides announcing his films and appearances with The Velvet Underground ($1,500 to $2,000 each) and his celebrated design for the 1967 Lincoln Center Film Festival (also $1,500 to $2,000).
There are three early and important works by renowned Japanese designer Tadanori Yokoo: The City and Design, The Wonders of Life on Earth, 1966, promoting a book by Isamu Kurita, for which Yokoo also did the illustrations ($8,000 to $12,000); Word & Image, the famous poster for his 1968 exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art and a film poster for Diary of a Shinjuku Burglar, 1968, which employs a symmetrical layout using cartouches and vignettes, reminiscent of old musical posters ($3,000 to $4,000 each).
The sale offers music posters as well, mostly from the psychedelic era, with examples by Martin Sharp and other prominent artists of the 1960s.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Pixar Easter Egg Hunt!

Disney released the following video to tease us with their new Disney Movie Anywhere service. It's a cute clip that offers quite a few Easter Eggs from Pixar films. As Lee Unkrich mentions, there are even nods to films before they're released.
The clip below is from the Pixar Easter Egg Hunt found exclusively in the Discover section on Disney Movies Anywhere. Disney Movies Anywhere is Disney's all-new, cloud-based digital movie service.




Wednesday, April 9, 2014

The Art of the Wind Rises by Hayao Miyazaki


If you're a fan of Hayao Miyazaki and films by Studio Ghibli, then you'll be very interested in picking up The Art of the Wind Rises.

The film saw limited release in the United States and dues to the timing, there wasn't a lot of attention heaped onto the film. The film is gorgeous and I urge you to seek it out when it's released on Blu-ray. The book is a great addition to your library and if full of pre-production art and text about the creation of the film.

Films from Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki are particularly stunning and true modern masterpieces. Disney owned the United States theatrical and home video release rights and spent a lot of time, money and effort to provide an amazing English translation and overdub work. My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away and Ponyo are usually regarded as the most spectacular, although you can't go wrong with any of the other Blu-ray and DVD releases that Disney had a hand in.

Monday, March 31, 2014

Press Release: Carowinds In Bloom

Carowinds has some pretty cool stuff planned for this spring and summer. The Carowinds In Bloom is a new week-long festival set to debut on April 11. It looks like it's a not to be missed event!



Charlotte, NC- Carowinds debuts a new festival this year featuring food, thousands of flowers, bluegrass, and special activities for kids. “Carowinds In Bloom” takes place in the Carolina Showplace area of the park from April 11-20. Admission to the festival is included with park admission.

“It’s been a cold winter we‘re ready to celebrate Spring and what better way to do that than with the music, flowers, food, wine and craft beer of the Carolinas. All that plus our coasters and other attractions our guests will have so much to enjoy, “said Bart Kinzel, Carowinds general manager, adding “we look forward to making “In Bloom” an annual event.”

Carowinds In Bloom Special Events 

  • Topiary Tasting Garden - A Taste of the Carolinas- Sample some of the areas finest craft brews, in the topiary tasting garden. Sunshine, open air, and a beverage handcrafted in the Carolinas, there’s no better way to enjoy Spring. 
  • Johnson and Wales Cooking Demonstrations- Culinary masters from Charlotte's own Johnson and Wales University impress and educate during daily cooking demonstrations. 
  • West End String Band- What's a Spring festival without some good, toe-tapping' bluegrass? The West End String Band is sure to capture your heart, put a smile on your face, and get you moving with just a little bit more of a spring in your step! 
  • Kids Flower Planting Zone- Sponsored by Home Depot, The Kids Flower Planting Zone captures the essence of Spring getting your hands into the dirt to help make the world a little prettier. The Planting Zone will also feature a Kids Scavenger Hunt with great prizes from The Home Depot. Come on kids let’s get to work and have some Spring fun! 
  • A Never-ending Shower of Spring Celebrations- With a steady stream of springtime celebrities - like the Easter Bunny and Snoopy, the Easter Beagle - along with jugglers, acrobats, magicians and more, the fun will never stop. Kids can also create Spring magic at the Easter Coloring Wall and the Easter Basket Creation Station. 

There's a little something for everyone this year at Carowinds In Bloom!

https://www.carowinds.com/

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Press Release: Disney Legends And Luminaries Celebrate Theme Park Favorites Of Yesteryear At D23 Destination D: Attraction Rewind

Now that we have more details about the event in November, I'm pretty excited! This looks like the type of event that Walt Disney World fans have been clamoring for and won't be disappointed. I'm very excited about the Archives presentation and getting to see and hear Bill Cotter discuss the New York World's Fair!

Are you planning on attending?



DISNEY LEGENDS AND LUMINARIES CELEBRATE THEME PARK FAVORITES OF YESTERYEAR AT D23 DESTINATION D: ATTRACTION REWIND

FROM AMERICA SINGS AND IF YOU HAD WINGS TO DISNEY’S GROUNDBREAKING PARTICIPATION IN THE 1964–65 WORLD’S FAIR, GUESTS WILL ENJOY PRESENTATIONS, SCREENINGS, UNIQUE SHOPPING, AND MUCH MORE, NOVEMBER 22 AND 23 AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

BURBANK, Calif. – March 26, 2014 – Walt Disney once said, “We keep moving forward—opening up new doors and doing new things—because we’re curious. And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” It’s in that spirit that guests this fall will have the opportunity to visit—or revisit—some of the most beloved Disney attractions of yesteryear. D23 Destination D: Attraction Rewind presented by H2O Pluswill take place November 22 and 23 at Walt Disney World Resort. D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will bring Disney archivists, Imagineers, Legends, and luminaries together to celebrate fan favorites such as Adventure Thru Inner Space, If You Had Wings, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with rarely seen concept art and images; vintage video clips; and hours of revealing stories. In addition, there will be a full day of presentations dedicated to the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair, which debuted beloved attractions like it’s a small world andCarousel of Progress.

Presenters and panelists include Disney Legends Marty Sklar, Bob Gurr, and Alice Davis; Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline; Disney and World’s Fair historians Bill Cotter, Stacia Martin, and Michael Kelley—and more to be announced.

During the weekend, guests will be able to explore a special exhibit designed by the Walt Disney Archives in honor of the event.

The weekend will end with an exciting evening event—Pleasure Island: Rewind. This celebration of the Downtown Disney nightlife district will include areas dedicated to the Adventurers Club, Comedy Warehouse, Mannequins, and 8 Trax. And of course there will be a “New Year’s Eve” celebration to cap the night.

Plus, for the first time, Mickey’s of Glendale, the famed Walt Disney Imagineering store, will set up a pop-up shop at the event for attendees, featuring a selection of exclusive Imagineering merchandise as well as limited-edition pins, T-shirts, and collectibles themed to the event. The shop will also carry a special line from H2O Plus, whose products are featured at Disney Resort Hotels. 

Highlights of D23 DESTINATION D: ATTRACTION REWIND presented by H2O Plus will include*:
  • Disney Goes to the World’s Fair: A look at how Disney became a part of the landmark event
  • Lost on the Way to the Fair: Pavilion concepts for the World’s Fair that never came to be
  • Retro Rewind References: Nods to favorites of the past in current Disney Parks attractions
  • That Was Entertainment: Revisiting beloved theme park parades, shows, and spectacles

The weekend event will take place in the convention center at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Tickets, availableWednesday, April 16, are $190 each and available exclusively to D23 Gold and Silver Members for a limited time. Any remaining tickets will be made available to D23 Free Members on May 28 for $250 per ticket. All guests will receive a special gift in honor of Disney’s contributions to the 50th anniversary of the 1964–65 World’s Fair in New York City. A limited number of “Top of the World” tickets will be available featuring reserved seating, early shopping on November 21, an exclusive dinner reception, special collectibles, gifts from H2O Plus and Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, and more.

More details about the program and tickets for D23 DESTINATION D: ATTRACTION REWIND presented by H2O Plus, as well as a special offer just for members of D23, can be found at D23.com/Events. Additional schedule announcements will be made in the coming months.