Year of 2012 Podcast

Yesterday, we recorded our Year of 2012 Podcast! The podcast had to be split into three parts. Here they are!
 



 Part One

 

Part Two

 

 

Part Three

 

 

Next week, we will be back with our normal seven-ten minute show!

Legoland Hotel Update 12/28/12

By D.Z.

America's first Legoland Hotel is really coming along. This hotel is located next to the Legoland California Resort in Carlsbad! Our last update was in October! The hotel has really taken shape since

From the paint to the LEGO figures, it all looks great. The only figure you can see now is a huge dragon! The outside alone deserves five stars.

 

 

The hotel includes three different themed rooms. If your kids enjoy sailing and battling for treasure, be sure to book the pirate room. Maybe you have always wanted to stay in a kingdom. Now you can in the kingdom themed room. Possibly, exploring is your thing. Stay in the adventure room.

 

 

The Legoland Hotel opens April 5, 2013! For information, visit legolandcalifornia.com/hotel!

Top 5 Best Parts of 2012

2012 was filled with so many great and magical events. Here is our top 5!
 

 

5- Based on the book, the Hunger Game hit the theaters in March! http://geekjlz.blogspot.com/2012/04/hunger-games-review.html

 

 

4- A day of openings! In May, three attractions opened in southern California! Pirate Reef at Legoland took guests on a 25 foot plunge! Sea World's Manta took allowed guests to ride the wave. Transformers the Ride 3D took guests beyond the screen into a world in 3D.

 

 

Legoland- http://geekjlz.blogspot.com/2012/05/pirate-reef-now-open.html

Universal Studios Hollywood- http://geekjlz.blogspot.com/2012/05/transfomers-ride-in-3d-now-open.html

Sea World- http://geekjlz.blogspot.com/2012/05/sea-world-san-diegos-manta-opening.html

 

 

3- Over four years in the making, New Fantasyland opened at the Magic Kingdom earlier this month. This expansion included a Little Mermaid ride, the Beuty and the Beast themed restaurant, and even an expanded Dumbo attraction.  http://geekjlz.blogspot.com/2012/12/history-of-new-fantasyland.html

 

 

2- A few days before Halloween, the Walt Disney Company purchased Lucasfilm for 4 billion dollars. This includes the rights to the Star Wars trilogy. Disney plans to keep the Star Wars journey going by making new episodes. In development now Star Wars Episode 7 will be released in 2015, later fallowed by episodes 8 and 9.  http://geekjlz.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-walt-disney-company-buys-lucasfilm.html

 

 

1- On June 15, Disney's California Adventures was re-opened. Over five years in the making, this expansion included World of Color, Little Mermaid Ariel's Undersea Adventure, Buena Vista Street and even Cars Land! On June 13, Cars Land was open for the media, later following the official opening two days later.

 

 

 

 

Be sure to tune into the Year of 2012 Podcast on December 29, where we talk about everything that happened this year.

 

 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Geek Central Blog!

Universal Studios Movies Filmed

By D.Z.

When you go on the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood, you get to see lots of cool sets. Here are some!

Bates Motel used in the movie "Psycho!"

 

Court of Miracles was used in the 1931 film "Frankenstein!"

 

The Who's set was used in the movie "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" starring Jim Carrey!

 

Amity was used in the classic "Jaws!"

Used in "Desperate Housewives."

 

Used in "War of the Worlds!"

Deck the Halls Podcast

Not to long ago, we announced that on December 29, we will be recording our "Year of 2012 Podcast!" We have another announcement. On December 23, we will be recording our "Deck the Halls Podcast!" In this podcast, we will talk all about the holidays!

Color Run New Video

Just yesterday, the Color Run released a new video! The video was filmed during the San Diego run!

 

 

 

Balboa Park- December Nights Review

Over the weekend, Balboa Park in San Diego hosted December Nights. This event includes rides, music, exhibitors, and much more! This event welcomed thousands of people over the two day period. Also, all the museums were open!

The Dragon Mystery is Solved

 

By D.Z. Theme Park Specialist

Just on December 5, Gary from the Disney Parks Blog finally saw the dragon! He saw it along with lots of other guests, as it was flying over New Fantasyland.

History of New Fantasyland

By D.Z. Theme Park Specialist

Back in 2009, rumors about a Magic Kingdom Fantasyland Expansion were buzzing around! Finally on Sep 12, 2009 at the first D23 Expo, Chairman of the Parks and Resorts Jay Rasulo confirmed it was all true. This expansion would feature a Little Mermaid attraction, a Beauty and the Beast themed restaurant, and even a whole new expanded Dumbo attraction.

Two years later at the D23 Expo 2011, the Parks and Resorts Presentation once again talked about New Fantasyland! Bruce Vaughn came out to give guests an update. Bruce went over each attraction! Then, he talked about a ride that most didn't even know about! The Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train! Bruce next showed us a virtual ride through. (For video see bottem) It was not the whole thing.. Just bits and pieces.
 

For the past three years, Disney has kept their promise. New Fantasyland opened its attractions one by one! First was Dumbo the Flying Elephant! That was in March of 2012!



Next to open was Enchanted Tales with Belle! That opened in September 2012!!

Finally more attractions began to open in October!
 

The Little Mermaid attraction is just like the one in California, except the front and queue.  

 

 

 

Here is the California version. Not too many differences in the ride.
 (This video shows only half the attraction)

 

 

Here is a full tour of the Be Our Guest Restaurant in New Fantasyland! Great place to eat.

 

In Belle's village, you can meet Gaston!

 

Fantasyland just opened on December 6, 2012! A dragon was even flying around New Fantasyland!

 

Here is the video of the opening event!

This video includes Chairman of the Parks and Resorts Tom Staggs, Jordan Sparks, Geniffer Goodwin, and Mickey Mouse!!




As you can tell, New Fantasyland is really something special. After all these years, its still not completed! Coming in 2014 is the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train!!! This video is a virtual ride through that was shown at the D23 Expo!

Just a few days ago, Disney released another virtual ride through, that has more in it. Disney has been working on this project a lot!
 

YEAR OF 2012 PODCAST

 

On December 29, we will be recording our Year of 2012 Podcast! In this podcast, we will be talking about the highlights of theme parks and movie news over the year! Here is what we are going to talk about!

·         Hunger Games

·         Color Run

·         Pirate Reef Legoland

·         Sea World Manta

·         Transformers the Ride USF and USH

·         California Adventure Re-Opening (Glow with the Show, Cars Land, Buena Vista Street, Mad T. Party)

·         Disney’s Art of Animation

·         Wicked

·         New Universal Orlando Hotel

·         Comic Con San Diego 2012

·         TMZ Hollywood Tour

·         Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights

·         San Francisco

·         Frankinweenie

·         Halloween Time at Disneyland

·         Walt Disney Company buys Lucasfilm

·         Haunted Mansion House for Sale

·         Legoland Brick or Treat

·         Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan

·         Wreck it Ralph

·         Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade

·         Saving Mr. Banks Filming

·         Dragon Sightings? New Fantasyland?

Happy 111th Birthday Walt Disney

By D.Z.

Today, exactly 111 years ago, Walt Disney was born! Years later, Walt and his brother Roy went on big adventures in Hollywood Land! Then in 1955, Walt opened up Disneyland! If you are a fan of Disney, be sure to check out the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco! 

Grinchmas 2008



By D.Z.

Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood is always a blast. Here are some photos we took four years ago.

The Grinch and Max photo opportunity.

While on the Studio Tour, you get to see a quick show starring the Who's, the Grinch, and his dog Max!

This year Grinchmas is on December 8/9 and through the 15-31!

Maritime Museum of San Diego Nighttime Photos

During the early nightime, the Maritime Museum of San Diego is lit up. It looks really cool at night. I have seen it many times by day, but not by night. CLICK HERE for our review on the Maritime Museum of San Diego!

 

Dragon Sightings? New Fantasyland?

By D.Z. Theme Park Specialist

For weeks, Disney Parks Blog's Gary has been trying to unlock the mysterys of a dragon. This dragon has been sighted many times. Here writes about his on the Disney Parks Blog and on his Disney Dragons Tumblr page!

Here is two videos released on November 30th!

For part two of this video, see below!



Here are some videos of the sightings that have been going on!

 
12/4/12; 2 DAYS BEFORE FANTASYLAND OPENING!

 (11/30/12)


 

(11/27/12)

 

 

(11/20/12)

 

 

NEW FANTASYLAND AT WALT DISNEY WORLD OPENS DECEMBER 6, 2012!

Sea World San Diego Holiday Lights

By D.Z.

If you are close to Sea World San Diego, you may see an attraction high up in the sky.  It is called 'Sky Tower', where you get to go up high in the sky looking over the park! During the holiday season, the tower is decorated with lights. It looks really cool, especially late at night!

Whaley House San Diego

 

       If you are in downtown San Diego, just a few miles away is Old Town San Diego. Here you can find shops, restaurants, and a haunted house. The Whaley House has been around since the 1800's! It belonged to the Whaley's! Today, the house is a museum. For more information, visit http://whaleyhouse.org/

Happy Thanksgiving

 

Happy Thanksgiving! Today we give thanks to our friends and family. Also we eat lots of food like turkey! Possibly you could even be camping out for Black Friday! We are thankful for all of our readers and followers!

 Everyone from the Geek Central Blog wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Wreck it Ralph Review

By D.Z.

If you are in need to get your game on, go see Wreck it Ralph. The movie is about Wreck it Ralph (John C. Reilly) getting tired of being the bad guy. In an arcade game, he tries to wreck a tower filled with people. Then Fix it Felix (Jack McBrayer) comes to the rescue and fixes the building with his magical hammer. This movie has a great lesson! I have never seen a movie like this before. This movie deserves two thumbs up! Out of 10 stars, I would give it an 8!

Sea World Aquatica San Diego

Art by Sea World

Just today, Sea World San Diego announced that they bought Knott's Soak City! The water park is will become Sea World Aquatica Water Park. The park will open in Summer 2013!

Missing in the Mansion

By D.Z.

A few days before Halloween, a video called Missing in the Mansion was put on youtube. This video is really good. It is about a proposal that happens at Disneyland. All goes bad once they visit the Haunted Mansion!

 

If you would like to see a behind the scenes video of the film, check it out below!
 

Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan Review

By D.Z.

If you are in need for a high flying adventure, check out Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan! The flying in this performance is outstanding. The show has great sets and special effects. The music is outstanding.  Your kids will love this show, as they get to join the journey of Peter Pan. This show is actually for all ages! The ending is really great with some surprises. For more information, visit www.cathyrigbyispeterpan.com!

 

Here is the commercial for the show!

Disney Toy Soldier

By D.Z.

A few days ago on the Disney Parks youtube, they released a video of a toy solider working hard, training himself for the parade. This video is really great. At the end is a link to purchase tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. This event is on select nights at the Magic Kingdom from November 9- December 21!  At the bottom is the tag #DisneyToySoldier. You can use that on twitter!

Mr. Popper's Penguins

Back in summer of 2011, the Geek Central Blog was Hollywood on the same day when the Mr. Popper's Penguins Premiere was held at the Chinese Theater! We saw lots of stars. Here are some photos.

 

Dick Van Dyke

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey

SNOW

The penguins

Sea World Orlando's New Ride

Video by www.insidethemagic.net

By D.Z.

Just a few days ago at the IAAPA Expo in Orlando, Sea World revealed the ride vehicle for a new ride. The attraction is called "Empire of the Penguin." It has been announced for some time, but for the first time guests got to see what it will be like. The ride vehicle is blue and white, and looks really cool. This new experience will open in 2013. For more information, visit www.seaworldparks.com/seaworld-orlando/Antarctica

 

 

VOTE for USF Addicts for Best Fansite of the Year

 

A theme park website called Behind the Thrills is once again hosting their annual "Best Fansite of the Year" poll. Our friends at USF Addicts are one of the runner up nominees. Please vote for them.

USF Addicts is a website all about Universal Orlando. Actually a few months ago, we interviewed the founder and owner of USF Addicts.

 

 You can cast your vote by going to http://behindthethrills.com/2012/11/thrill-weekly-poll-fansite-of-the-year-2012/!

 

Legoland Florida Opens Star Wars Miniland!

Just yesterday, Star Wars Miniland opened at Legoland Florida. This is the second Star Wars Miniland. Legoland California got it last year.
Photos of the California version.

"Saving Mr. Banks"

This photo was tweeted by twitter.com/MelFarleyActor! That is Tom Hanks dressed up as Walt Disney.

 

For two days, (November 6-7) you might of seen a bunch of camera crew at Disneyland. Along with that a lot of people dressed up in 50's style clothing, and possibly even Tom Hanks dressed up as Walt Disney. This is all for a new movie called "Saving Mr. Banks." This movie is planned to release December 20, 2013.

Election 2012: The Winner for President

Last night was a very big night for America. For a while Mitt Romney and President Obama have been battling it out in the debates. Mitt Romney ran with Paul Ryan who is going to be Vice President if they win. Barack Obama still stood with Vice President Joe Biden. As they polls closed, the two were very close. Later was announced that Barack Obama would stay President of the United States for four more years.