Florence Henderson Recieves "Who-Manita​rian Award" to Kick Off GRINCHMAS

By D.Z. "Theme Park Specialist"

Earlier today, Florence Henderson (actress and talk show host) was crowned the ‘Who-Manitarian of the Year'. She got this award because of all her good deeds with the City of Hope. This special ceremony kicked off the start of Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood, a month long event, celebrating the holiday season.

 

 

Grinchmas is once again returning to Universal Studios Hollywood, with more surprises than ever. The event will start tomorrow (Thanksgiving Day), and will continue weekends though December 15. After that, its daily from December 20-31.

 

Grinchmas includes:

-A 60 foot Grinchmas tree.

-Grinch & Max "Meet and Greets"

-Trip to the Who-ville set on the Studio Tour with special reenactments from the movie.

 

Grinchmas is included in theme park admission!

 

 

Because we are transitioning into 2014, its a great time to purchase a "Buy A Day, Get 2014 Free" pass. It allows you nonstop entertainment through the year!

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Originally, the ceremony was planned for yesterday, as we were going to attend the event. Sadly, there was a last minute change and the ceremony was pushed back a day. Even though the event was postponed, we still did visit Universal Studios Hollywood yesterday. Stay tuned for videos and photos of our trip! #grinchGCB

 

Photos by Universal Studios Hollywood

Catching Fire: Movie Review

By Beemerboyz803

After a much-anticipated year and a half wait, I finally saw Catching Fire this morning. Catching Fire centers around Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, two victors who won in the same year, by almost committing suicide to save each other. Since their victory, an uprising has started and the districts are fighting back. The next Hunger Games marks the 75th anniversary, or a Quarter Quell, where two tributes were to be pulled from the existing victor's ballot. Katniss and Peeta were chosen again, since the Capitol wants her image to be destroyed in the right way.

Overall, Catching Fire was great. It was fast-paced and kept the audience on the edge of their seat. Finnick's part was played amazingly, with the energy that had fans heart's stolen. Mags' bravery took my heart as she walked into the fog. Her smile and laugh had kept the audience smiling. Wiress and Beetee had the most tech-savvy minds a human being could ever have. Their cunning and graceful skills had the audience biting their teeth. Brutus and Enobaria were gladiators the entire movie. Their strong skills had built the foundation for the most suspenseful parts of the entire movie. Last but not least, Johanna Mason had the attitude that took the laughter out of the movie. She even stripped down in front of a 40 year old!.

I must say, the movie was paced meticulously, and the acting was better. I think that Mags, Brutus, and Enobaria should've at least talked once, since we never heard them talk. On top of that, I rate Catching Fire a 10. At the ending, the mockingjay from the front cover of the first book turns into the mockingjay from the second one, and then turns  into a mockingjay from the last book. Judging from this, the sequels will be more exciting and more suspenseful. Hunger Games fans, we wait once more for Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2, in November 2014, and November 2015.

 

"Muppets Most Wanted" Trailer Released

By D.Z. "Theme Park Specialist"

Just today, the trailer for "Muppets Most Wanted" was released. In this film, the Muppets are faced against the most evil criminal. The film will be released April 10, 2014!

Diane Disney Miller Dies at Age 79

Photo by the Walt Disney Family Museum

BREAKING NEWS!
By D.Z. "Theme Park Specialist"

We have just received word that Diane Disney Miller, daughter of Walt Disney, has just passed away.

Diane Disney has been a big help to the Walt Disney Company and preserving her fathers legacy. She was one of the main organizers of the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.

CEO of the Walt Disney Company Bob Iger has already released his thoughts:

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Diane Disney Miller. She is remembered by Disney fans around the world as the beloved daughter of Walt Disney, and one who graciously shared her family history and personal memories of her father.
Diane was a fierce guardian of her father’s legacy who never hesitated to set the record straight, opening The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco to bring her father’s fascinating story to life. In our many conversations over the years, Diane’s unique and special perspective about her father only deepened my considerable appreciation for him. Diane was incredibly generous in that regard, freely sharing her personal insights and providing details that deepened our knowledge, and we remain grateful for her many valuable contributions to our efforts to preserve Disney history. She and her sister, Sharon, have long been recognized as Walt’s inspiration for Disneyland, a place he created for families to have fun together. For that reason and many others, Diane will always have a special place in our company’s legacy and in the hearts of fans."- Bob Iger
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Last August, I was able to visit the Walt Disney Museum and experience it.  This museum is tucked away, but very close to the Golden Gate Bridge. In the museum, you get to learn about Walt Disney's life, all the way up to his passing. Along the way, they have some fun games to play. For the theme park fans, they have a big area, with a model of Disneyland. Now, this museum is not really about the theme parks. It is about his movies, his life, his magic. This museum is very large. Each room is almost like a show. They have lights going, music playing and a audience watching. I am a big Disney fan, and I learned a lot about him that I never knew. They have lots of areas where you can listen to audio of Walt talking and even his friends. You could spend more than a day at this museum for sure. After you enter the last tour room, you find yourself at a gift shop. This gift shop has pins, books, shirts, and much more. Even if you are not that big of a Disney fan, you could walk out as one. For more information, visit http://waltdisney.com/

"Saving Mr. Banks" Special Screenings at The Walt Disney Studios

DISNEY’S “SAVING MR. BANKS” COMES TO THE PLACE THAT STARTED IT ALL —THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS IN BURBANK, CALIFORNIA—

FOR A SPECIAL LIMITED ENGAGEMENT DECEMBER 13 – 19

 

BURBANK, CALIF. (November 18, 2013)—Disney announced today that for one week only, guests will have the opportunity to see Disney’s upcoming “Saving Mr. Banks,” starring Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks, in a state-of-the-art movie theater on the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California, and then walk in Walt Disney’s footsteps on a special tour of the famous lot. This limited engagement features one show daily at 7 p.m. from December 13th through December 19th.

 

Tickets are $50 each and include a reserved seat to watch “Saving Mr. Banks” in the Studio Main Theatre as well as the “Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” tour immediately following the screening, which showcases key locations that were featured in the film. On the tour guests will have photo opportunities with Mickey Mouse as well as Mary Poppins and Bert the Chimney Sweep characters from “Mary Poppins” and will get a chance to see sets from the film, such as Walt Disney’s office and “Mary Poppins” author P.L. Travers’ home. Guests will also visit the Walt Disney Animation building, where they will get a sense of the art of animation and the history of the Walt Disney Company. Included in the tour is a visit to the Legends Plaza to see the statue of Walt Disney and view the many historical plaques, including Dick Van Dyke, Julie Andrews, and more. Guests will also receive a commemorative 50^th Anniversary “Mary Poppins” DVD, a value of $17.99.

 

To purchase tickets to this limited and exclusive engagement, call 1 (800)DISNEY6 or go to http://movies.disney.com/saving-mr-banks and click on the link on the homepage. 

 

Two-time Academy Award®–winner Emma Thompson and fellow double Oscar®-winner Tom Hanks topline Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks,” inspired by the extraordinary, untold backstory of how Disney’s classic “Mary Poppins” made it to the screen.

 

When Walt Disney’s daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers’ “Mary Poppins,” he made them a promise—one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the adaptation.

 

For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman brothers, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn’t budge.  He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp.

 

It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.

 

Disney presents “Saving Mr. Banks,” directed by John Lee Hancock, produced by Alison Owen, Ian Collie and Philip Steuer, and written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith. Executive producers are Paul Trijbits, Christine Langan, Andrew Mason and Troy Lum. The film will release in U.S. theaters on December 13, 2013, limited, and open wide on December 20, 2013.

 

 

This is a press release released by Disney, not written by the Geek Central Blog.  

Diary of a Wimpy Kid "Hard Luck" Review

Photo courtesy Wikipedia.

By Beemerboyz803

I have just finished Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck, by Jeff Kinney. The book follows Greg Heffley, who has to deals with his obnoxious brothers, his cruel parents, middle school, and the fact that Rowley Jefferson, his life-long friend, has abandoned him for a girl named Abigail. Greg is challenged with finding a new friend, which is very hard for him. He becomes friends with different people, from his teachers to Fregley, but nothing seems to work. But Greg's luck has been heard out, once a Magic 8 Ball finds its way into the picture. Greg constantly asks the ball to make some of the hardest and simplest decisions possible. In the end, Abigail ditches Rowley for her old boyfriend, Michael Sampson, and Rowley becomes Greg's best friend again.  (highlight over the black for a spoiler of the book!)

This book was very interesting, and very funny, at most occasions. There are several parts I wish were never written, but besides that, the book is amazingly funny and well-written. It will be appealing and a very good book for any reader any age. I rate this book a 10/10 because of its humorous jokes, the clever plot, and the  series itself. I recommend this book hugely for anyone wanting a funny book. Read it yourself!

Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Comes to the Disneyland Resort

Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

By Beemerboyz803

Disneyland Resort announced on the Disney Parks Blog about the huge project the Creative Environment team had been working on, and they said it is sure to be fantástico. It is called Disney ¡Viva Navidad! 

 

It will take over California Adventure's Paradise Gardens area, with daily performances by the Three Caballeros, Mariachi and Samba musicians, folklórico, carnaval dancers, mojiganga puppets ranging up to 12 feet in height, Mickey, Minnie, and Santa and Mrs. Claus! There will also be papel picado banners and fresh flowers decorating the area. Special food will be served at the nearby restaurants. Get ready to celebrate the Latino culture at Disneyland, with !Viva Navidad! 

For more info, go to the Disneyland website or 

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/10/disney-viva-navidad-brings-a-festive-celebration-to-disney-california-adventure-park/