Actor Owen Wilson, the voice of the animated character Lightning McQueen in Disney•Pixar’s upcoming movie “Cars 3,” will serve as Grand Marshal for the 59th annual DAYTONA 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Feb. 26 at Daytona International Speedway.
The DAYTONA 500, the season-opening race for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, will begin at 2 p.m. (TV – FOX, FOX Deportes; Radio – MRN Radio, SiriusXM) following Wilson delivering the famous “Drivers, start your engines” command to the 40-car field. In addition to giving the command, Wilson will ride in one of the Grand Marshal cars during pace laps prior to the green flag of the 200-lap, 500-mile race and attend the drivers meeting.
“Cars 3” opens nationwide on June 16. Wilson, who voiced Lightning McQueen in “Cars” (2006) and “Cars 2” (2011), is also known for starring roles in a variety of hit comedy films including “Wedding Crashers,” “Meet the Parents,” ”Zoolander” and “The Royal Tenenbaums.” Wilson stars in the upcoming “Wonder” and the Woody Harrelson-directed live film “Lost in London.”
“Owen Wilson is one of America’s most beloved comedic actors and his voice has brought Lightning McQueen to life for millions of movie-goers over the last 10 years,” said Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile. “His star-power, and of course his personality, are perfect fits for ‘The Great American Race.’”
Five-time GRAMMY® winning and best-selling recording artist Celine Dion will perform an all-new original song, “How Does A Moment Last Forever,” for Disney’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast.” The song will also be included on the film’s soundtrack.
Written by eight-time Oscar®-winning composer Alan Menken (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin”) and veteran lyricist and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice (“The Lion King,” “Evita”), “How Does A Moment Last Forever” is an emotional ballad about holding onto life’s precious moments.Portions of the song are performed throughout the film and interpolated into the underscore before Dion’s full-length version debuts in the film’s custom main-on-end title design.
Says Dion, “Being a part of the original ‘Beauty and the Beast’ was such a magical experience in my life, and I’m truly honored to be a part of this film again.”
President of Music for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Production, Mitchell Leib, approached the artist on behalf of the project with the idea of recording one of the three new songs written for the film. “Celine was the unanimous choice of the filmmakers and studio to perform this song,” says Leib, “And everyone involved with the film is thrilled she agreed to be part of this new live-action adaptation.”
Dionoriginally performed the duet “Beauty and the Beast” – featuring Menken’s haunting melody and two-time Oscar-winner Howard Ashman’s unforgettable lyrics– with Peabo Bryson for the animated film. The song became an instant classic and went on to receive anAcademy Award®, Golden Globe®and three GRAMMY Awards.
Menken also provides the film score along with new recordings of the classic songs from the animated film written by himself and Ashman. The original motion picture soundtrack will be released by Walt Disney Records on March 10, 2017. The pre-order is available now athttp://disneymusic.co/BeautySndtrkP.
Our latest photo report brings us back to the Magic Kingdom as closures and refurbishments begin to takeover for the rather short off-season in Orlando.
Welcome to the Magic Kingdom
I decided to rope drop the park earlier this week to see how the morning now unfolds with the moving of the welcome show and the opening of Main Street a full hour earlier.
The Walt Disney World Railroad was actively being worked on as we walked by.
Only the centralized security checkpoint was in use prior to park opening.
The Walt Disney World Railroad is closed for refurbishment and a large tarp covers the train station currently.
Annual Passholder entry lines are still in place, but sometimes can be longer than the regular entrance lines during this time of year with less tourists and more of the locals and annual visitors coming to the parks.
A number of stores and restaurants are open starting at 7:50AM (with a 9am park opening).
You can even start the day with some popcorn…
The meet and greets are not open, but the PhotoPass area and Curtain Call Collectibles are.
The Emporium is open while work is done to the facade.
If you need hats or pins at 8am, you can certainly buy them…
The Confectionery is also open at this time.
The Art of Disney and Uptown Jewelers do not open until the park does however.
The Emporium is open though.
Crowds were pretty light until about 8:45am.
The Crystal Arts shop opens with the rest of the park.
“When Donuts Are In a Sundae, You Can Have Ice Cream Anytime…”
Of course, the Main Street Bakery Starbucks is open for breakfast.
Lines were not unreasonable inside at around 8:20AM.
The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor is open for breakfast, serving Mickey Waffles, a doughnut sundae, and a variety of other items.
Be sure to check out our in-depth review of the new breakfast items here.
Casey’s Corner is also open for breakfast (and covered in the review linked above).
“Let the Magic Begin”
We walked up to the Castle around 8:50AM and things were still pretty manageable.
Just in-case you can’t find breakfast check-in…
Guests pretty much jam the walkway to the Mad Tea Party in hopes of garnering a short wait for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. If you aren’t near the front of this pack, don’t even bother.
We elected to wait about two people deep on one of the walkways through the Castle.
“Let the Magic Begins” starts at 8:55AM. Once it is over the characters are allowed to vacate the stage, and then guests are walked up the Castle walkways slowly until they merge at the top before going through. I was astonished at the ability of the cast to ensure that one path did not get anywhere faster than another, as once we go through the Castle, we merged seamlessly with those who tried to go around the Castle moat, down the side path between Liberty Square and Fantasyland. We then even were given the opportunity to catch up with some guests on their way to Peter Pan’s Flight (I assume from Be Our Guest breakfast), and we were all then released to go to the ride. I was amazed as the efficiency of the
In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, guest would visit the Disney Store every week for new pin releases. Large lines of guests would show up every week at their local store to see what would be released (before the internet was what it is now, so you never knew quite what the pins would be) and buy them. Well, to celebrate 30 years of the Disney Store, they will be once again be holding Saturday pin releases.
They will also be releasing a backpack that comes with a FREE Jiminy Cricket 30th anniversary pin.
The pins will be available in-store on Saturdays and online the following day.
No further details, such as pricing, are available yet.
Color by Disney is a brand new app for both iPhone and iPad that released today.
Choose from tons of Disney and Pixar favorites like Monsters Inc., Snow White, Frozen, The Lion King, and more. Users can color each picture however they’d like, with tons of templates, style designs, and colors at their disposal.
After creating a perfect drawing, save the picture to your device or share with friends through social media. The app is designed for adult Disney fans looking for a great way to unwind and relax.
Color by Disney does require a subscription to use, though there is a free trial available. After the free seven day trial is up, users can change to a weekly, monthly, or annual subscription for $2.99, $7.99, and $39.99 respectively.
With Main Street U.S.A. now opening earlier for guests with the retirement of the Train Station Welcome Show, guests now find an hour before “Let the Magic Begin” to enjoy shopping and breakfast in the front section of the Magic Kingdom.
In addition to the Main Street Bakery – Starbucks location (and the popcorn cart for some reason), both Plaza Ice Cream Parlor and Casey’s Corner are open for breakfast at 7:50am when guests are first admitted entry to the park. You may be asking what an ice cream parlor and a hot dog shop could possibly serve for breakfast…
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor has a Mickey Waffle Plate, assorted cereals, doughnuts, muffins, fruit, and of course… the doughnut sundae.
Here is what we are here for, the most ridiculous item on the menu.
A closer look at the menu.
An assortment of drinks, cereals, and muffins available for breakfast.
Doughnut Sundae ($5.99)
The doughnut (or donut) sundae includes: a doughnut topped with your flavor choice of hand-scooped Edy’s ice cream, hot fudge, a cinnamon apple topping, whipped cream, peanut butter chips, chocolate chips and of course, a cherry. The cookies pictured in the sign were not available when we bough the sundae. I ordered it with chocolate ice cream.
While ours was not particularly photogenic compared to the “Parks Blog” version (WHY DO THEY LIE TO US SO MUCH), it was delicious. The cinnamon apple topping in the bottom of the bowl gave it more of a breakfast flavor under the doughnut, and of course all of the ice cream and toppings were great as well. Everything mixed together fantastically.
Luckily for guests, this sundae is apparently being made available all day, so you could always elect for a healthier breakfast and save this for later in your visit. Being unhealthy people who eat theme park food all week, we just went for it at 8am.
If you are looking for something healthier, out next stop may not interest you either…
Casey’s Corner
While there isn’t a menu with prices up for breakfast, the board outside is updated to reflect the breakfast items each morning.
A tray with all of the breakfast items on display is located on the counter, including the trio of croissant doughnuts. Yes, corn dog nuggets are available…
While we didn’t order the doughnuts (as I think we had our fill of doughnuts already by this point), the family next to us ordered them and informed us that they were not as good as they had hoped. They had described them overly sweet and containing an undesirable apple-flavored tinge to them.
Hash Brown Hot Dog ($12.29)
So, it seems the hash brown hot dog is actually the 45th anniversary celebration dog that was available on October 1st, 2016. In case you missed it, be sure to check out our video review of it:
It’s still pretty good and more than enough to share between a few guests. They also have a normal sized hot dog version of this available.
This time around it comes with shoestring french fires, which are actually really, really good. I wish these were the standard at all counter service restaurants as they are just much better than the standard fare.
Final Trailer For “Logan” Shows A Lot Of X-23 Being Savage
The final trailer for “Logan” has been released and X-23 really goes to town in this one. Maybe a little too much was revealed in this trailer. Leave your kids home for this one. Well, it’s rated R.
Miles Morales Official Confirmed To Be The “Spider-Man” In Sony’s Theatrical Animated Movie
It turns out that the rumors were true, Miles Morales will be making the leap to the big screen in Sony’s 2018 animated Spider-Man movie. This was confirmed by Sony during a presentation in LA showing Sony’s 2017 film slate.
I for one am really looking forward to seeing Miles Morales make his bog screen debut. We have seen Peter Parker’s origin story so many time in live action and animated form, it’s time for something new. And Miles is a great Spider-Man. And you have to love that suit!
Is Pierce Brosnan Going To Play Cable In Deadpool?
Please no. No one is sure what is going on with this picture showing Pierce Brosnan sitting between Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds. Whatever it is, it can’t be good.
Ryan Reynolds posted this image the other day with the caption, Wolvie. Bond. Wade. I’m really hoping these guys just met up for happy hour because no way would Pierce Brosnan make a good Cable.
NO!
My personal opinion is he hijacked the James Bond series for years giving us the absolute worst version of James Bond ever. The guy is a good looking guy but he can not act to save his life. I would not want to see him play a janitor in Deadpool 2. Got to give credit to Ron D’Anna suggesting Bruce Willis to play Cable. I’d go with Ron Pearlman. Cable has to be a tough guy, down and dirty. That is not Pierce Brosnan. I mean his name is Pierce for crying out loud!
Entertainment Weekly Gives Us Our First Look At “The Defenders”
Whoever put this cover together at Entertainment Weekly should be fired. This looks horrible. Luke Cage looks great but you couldn’t put Daredevil and Iron Fist in their costumes? It’s just a horrible photoshop with ugly comic like fonts.
This is The Defenders!
I am so not looking forward to this series and this picture explains why. This is not The Defenders. I have said this before but The Defenders should be on the big screen, not Netflix. And at some point they should fight The Avengers. The Avengers would wipe the floor with this version of The Defenders. The Defenders were Doctor Strange, The Hulk, Silver Surfer and Namor. OK, Fox owns the Silver Surfer movie rights but they have everyone else, including Namor (according to some Marvel execs). Call the Netflix Marvel Heroes, The Hells Kitchen 4 or whatever you want. Not The Defenders. End of rant.
This is beautiful! The perfect Captain America! Hire this team to make Captain America’s costume for the big screen because they have never gotten it right! Can’t we get this? How hard can it be? Chain link! Big star on the chest! Normal looking red and white stripes! And one version has feathers by the ears!
Back to the statue. Right now this is just a prototype but you know that the final product will look either as good or better. Here is the description from SideShow Collectibles:
Sideshow is proud to present America’s mightiest hero in all of his patriotic glory!
Inspired by the most iconic incarnations of the stalwart champion of justice, this all new 15” statue by Sideshow depicts Cap in his trademark red, white and blue uniform, shield raised, and ready to take down evil-doers with a swift right hook!
Captain America’s costume features blue scale mail armor with a bold white star emblazoned on the chest. Each detail down to the texture has been beautifully rendered, from his contrasting red and white striped undershirt to the rich red leather of his boots and gloves.
His modified army-issue belt with its multiple pouches gives a nod toward his military service, while his helmet/mask protects his head and face as well as his identity!
This Sideshow exclusive version offers an alternate head sculpt inspired by the Silver Age comic books. This variant portrait features Cap’s classic stitched leather cowl with white wings and a bold “A” symbol on the forehead.
This Captain America Statue is available for preorder exclusively at SideShow Collectibles.
The permits show the large, multi-story building that will likely be part of the Disney Vacation Club wing, as well as 6 other new structures, some replacing the existing Barbados Village. There is also a series of roadway and waterway improvements planned as well.
The project is set to begin construction this year and be completed by 2019.
Welcome to a food studio review for the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, taking place in the park Friday-Monday from January 13th through February 20th, 2017. This review will cover the “The Masterpiece Kitchen” kiosk, which is located just outside of the Canada pavilion in World Showcase.
The Masterpiece Kitchen
Food:
Charcuterie Palette with Artisan Cured Meats, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Duck Breast and Cheese – $14.00
Smoked Salmon Tartare, Caviar, Crisp Lavash and Traditional Accompaniments – $12.00
Triple Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Crunch, Dark Chocolate Sauce and Gold Leaf from our Master Pastry Chef – $9.25
White Chocolate Puzzle on an Artist Palette (GF) (V) – $6.50
Mickey and Pluto White Chocolate Painting with Chocolate Easel (GF) (V) – $7.00
Beverages:
Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Brut Champagne – $12.00
Classic Sidecar with a Chocolate Twist – $9.25
The Meeker Vineyard Winemakers’ Handprint Merlot – $9.50
Dasani Bottled Water – $3.00
The first day of the festival was a little rainy, but there was work to be done. If you are interested in the white chocolate puzzles and white chocolate puzzles, you will find them reviewed here.
Charcuterie Palette with Artisan Cured Meats, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Duck Breast and Cheese – $14.00
While a nice and delicious spread, I feel skipping the Charcuterie Palette is probably a good idea, as you can get at least two other festival entrees for this price. There’s nothing terribly exotic about this spread, but it was good if you feel the need to order it.
Smoked Salmon Tartare, Caviar, Crisp Lavash and Traditional Accompaniments – $12.00
The smoked salmon tartare is a solid dish and will certainly appease anyone who enjoys such things. It really has a really amazing flavor palatte and if you have never had caviar or salmon tartare, this is a rather nice dish to try them on.
This is my second favorite dish of the entire Epcot International Festival of the Arts, so much so that I wish I could order a full-sized entree featuring it. The cheese and risotto blend together perfectly, and the mushrooms were very flavorful, proving especially tasty when soaked into the risotto.
Triple Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Crunch, Dark Chocolate Sauce and Gold Leaf from the Master Pastry Chef – $9.25
One of the better desserts of the event, the triple chocolate mousse features distinct flavors stacked on top of each other for a delicious combination. It is also particularly photogenic, if you are into that sort of thing…
Classic Sidecar with a Chocolate Twist – $9.25
If you enjoy a good Sidecar, this won’t disappoint. For those unaware of the ingredients:
The sidecar is a cocktail traditionally made with cognac, orange liqueur (Cointreau, Grand Marnier, Grand Gala or another triple sec), and lemon juice. In its ingredients, the drink is perhaps most closely related to the older brandy crusta, which differs both in presentation and in proportions of its components.
About half of our group liked this and half did not, so your results with it may vary. The chocolate twist is a nice touch.
