Jurassic Dino fans! Universal Studios Hollywood has unveiled a first look for “Jurassic World—The Ride,” the eagerly awaited mega attraction opening there this summer. I don't know about ya'll but my dino loving family is SO ready!




This ambitious ride is being reimagined under the direction of the award-winning and inspired minds at Universal Creative, the Academy Award®-winning special-effects visionaries at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), a division of Lucasfilm, Ltd., the brand stewards at Universal Pictures and acclaimed filmmakers Steven Spielberg, Colin Trevorrow and Frank Marshall.

Leaping from the silver screen to the theme park, “Jurassic World—The Ride” will immerse guests into newly themed environments and breathe new life into dimensional animatronic dinosaurs, including some all-new fan favorites featured in the Jurassic World films from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.

Can you hear me screaming right now?!

Life finds a way in 2019 with New Jurassic World Ride | Universal Studios Hollywood


The state-of-the-art attraction will debut an original storyline that takes place within the theme park as depicted in Jurassic World. It will feature additional new dinosaurs from the film, lush scenic design, and ground-breaking technology that has yet to be experienced within a theme park.

The aesthetics of “Jurassic World—The Ride” will be dramatically enhanced, welcoming guests to a reimagined space reflective of the Jurassic World films. A fresh, new entry statement, stonework landscaping and a contemporary redesign of the iconic pillars illuminated with billowing flames will support a prominent “Jurassic World” marquee logo.

It all sounds good to me/us! And oh look, it's also educational!

Engaging queue-line videos featuring facts and information about the dinosaurs within the ride set the tone for the adventure ahead, as guests learn more about these imposing prehistoric inhabitants that first roamed the earth more than 65 million years ago.

And the daring expedition begins.

Once aboard specially designed rafts, guests will navigate the lush environs of dense vegetation, traversing new areas besieged with towering dinosaurs meandering just an arm’s length away from visitors. Encounters with such docile creatures as the Stegosaurus and Parasaurolophus will quickly turn awry as predatory Velociraptors and Dilophosaurus begin to wreak havoc, turning guests from spectators to prey. When the Tyrannosaurus rex begins to battle one of the attraction’s new behemoth dinosaurs, the rafts will spill down a treacherous 84-foot waterfall as the sole means of escape.

Located adjacent to the ride will be a new elaborately themed “Raptor Encounter” where Blue, the most beloved and deadly Velociraptor from the Jurassic World franchise, and her beta Raptors will engage guests in daring face-to-face encounters.

But wait, there's more educational "stuff"

In addition, a new interactive “Dino Play” area will incorporate educational components within an inspired space where children of all ages can partake in excavations and investigate giant dinosaur fossils.

With so much to see and do at Universal Studios Hollywood, the all-new 2019 Season Pass invites guests to experience the fun throughout the year for $149 when purchased online. Blackout dates and restrictions apply.

Are you ready to experience Jurassic Dino fun?

For more details, visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/universalstudioshollywood
Twitter - www.twitter.com/UniStudios
Instagram - www.instagram.com/UniStudios

Jurassic Dino fans! Universal Studios Hollywood has unveiled a first look for “Jurassic World—The Ride,” the eagerly awaited mega attraction...

Just before the release of THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING film, we attended a knights-in-training session at Xavier High School to help my son learn more about "The Knights Code".


Note: I was invited as media to the movie screening and knight-in-training event. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.


During the training my son would learn Swordsmanship, Magic Lessons and other skills important for a knight. You can imagine how excited my son was to start his lessons.




My son joined other tween boys and girls to learn how to hold and use a sword, then to take the "The Knights Code"

• Honor Those You Love – A knight shows gratitude and admiration for the people in their community.

• Refrain From Wanton Offense – A knight must only use his/her strength for good through acts of chivalry and kindness.

• Speak the Truth At All Times – A Knight never tells a lie and is a trustworthy and reliable member of the community.

• Persevere In Any Enterprise Until The End – A Knight never quits. Even when it’s tough, they follow through until the end.

Once my son was Knighted, then it was time to learn magic! There was water tricks, card tricks and fire! While it was all cool to learn, I firmly insisted to the magician that the fire trick remain a secret till my son was older. The magician understood. HA!


Now that my son had some skills under his belt, it was time to see if he was worthy. So we made a special journey to FAO Schwarz, where there was a special THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING display.



Along with other kids (and adults), my son tried to see if he was worthy of pulling the sword from the stone. Watch the video to see him in action.


After training all day, my son was found worthy and I became mom to a young knight ready for action. By Merlin's beard!

We enjoyed both a day of knight training and the story-line of "The Kid Who Would Be King" so we can't wait for it to release on 4K Ultra-HD, Blu-ray and DVD on April 16.


SYNOPSIS

Old school magic meets the modern world in the epic family-friendly adventure, The Kid Who Would Be King. Alex thinks he’s just another nobody, getting bullied at school and told what to do by his teachers, until he stumbles upon the mythical Sword in the Stone, Excalibur.

Now, with the help of the legendary wizard Merlin, he must unite his friends and school yard enemies into an allied band of knights to defeat the wicked enchantress Morgana. With the future at stake, Alex must become the great leader he never dreamed he could be and save the world.

Stars Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Tom Taylor, with Rebecca Ferguson and Patrick Stewart. The film also stars Dean Chaumoo, Rhianna Dorris and Angus Imrie.

The Kid Who Would Be King | Look For It on Digital, Blu-ray & DVD | Fox Family Entertainment



Special Features

• Deleted Scenes
• Origins of a King
• Young Knights
• Hair, Makeup & Costume Tests
• Merlin’s Magic (x4)
• *Knight School
• *The Two Merlins
• *Meet Morgana
• *Movie Magic
• *“Be the King”, Lay Lay Music Video

*Available on Blu-ray and select digital accounts only

Written and directed by Joe Cornish, the film was produced by Nira Park, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, with James Biddle and Rachael Prior serving as executive producers.


To learn more, visit - www.TheKidWhoWouldBeKing.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KidWhoWouldBeKing
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KidWouldBeKing
Instagram: www.instagram.com/KidWhoWouldBeKing

Just before the release of THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING film, we attended a knights-in-training session at Xavier High School to help my son le...

For Star Wars loving families, all the fun of a galaxy far far away has been brought closer with the early opening for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland Park in California on May 31 and at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida on Aug. 29.



Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will open in two stages. Why? In light of tremendous demand, Disney made the decision to open the land sooner in phases so guests can enjoy the one-of-a-kind experiences that make Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge so spectacular.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Open May 31 at Disneyland Resort, Aug. 29 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• On opening day for phase one: Guests will be transported to the remote planet of Batuu, full of unique sights, sounds, smells and tastes. Guests can become part of the story as they sample galactic food and beverages, explore an intriguing collection of merchant shops and take the controls of the most famous ship in the galaxy aboard Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.

• Opening later this year for phase two: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, will be the most ambitious, immersive and advanced attraction ever imagined, which will place guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance and will blur the lines between fantasy and reality.

Play Disney Parks Mobile App Interaction

Once guests step foot on Batuu, they will be part of the action as it unfolds around them, and their interactions with the Play Disney Parks mobile app* will deepen their engagement with the land. They may choose to aid a smuggler, join the Resistance or pledge their loyalty to the First Order.

When guests use the app, it will provide new opportunities for them to engage with the land, such as translating a galactic language, learning what's hidden inside crates and containers, or accomplishing certain tasks by participating in missions.

Guests also can use the Play Disney Parks app to interact with a variety of elements in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, such as droids, ships, media screens, door panels and antenna arrays.

This depth of storytelling is part of the total immersion that will distinguish the two, 14-acre lands – the largest and most technologically advanced single-themed land expansions ever in a Disney park – from any other themed land in history.

But really, what kind of specific activities does this experience have to offer for families?

• At Savi's Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers, guests can customize and craft their very own lightsabers. In this mystical experience, guests will feel the Force as they build these elegant weapons from a more civilized age.

• The Droid Depot will invite guests to construct their own astromech droids. Pick pieces and parts off a conveyor belt to build one of two core models (R-series or BB-series) and customize your droids with various parts and colors. These droids will be capable of interacting with elements in the land. Additional programming chips and accessories can be added to further customize these new friends. In addition, the Droid Depot will offer pre-built droids, droid-inspired products and more.

• Set to open at Disneyland Resort on May 31 and at Walt Disney World Resort on Aug. 29, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, will take guests into the cockpit of "the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy." They will take the controls of the Falcon in one of three unique and critical roles as the ship hurtles through space. Some will be pilots, some gunners and some flight engineers, creating multiple ways for guests to experience the attraction

• Set to open later this year, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance places guests right in the middle of the Rebellion and gives them an active role in the fight against the First Order, including a faceoff with Kylo Ren. Their journey takes them inside a full-size starship and aboard a nearby Star Destroyer.

• In addition to these special experiences, the Black Spire Outpost market will feature the Creature Stall dedicated to the plethora of rare and fascinating creatures that populate the galaxy, as well as Black Spire Outfitters, showcasing the latest in accessories. Guests will also find the Toydarian Toymaker, a stall full of toys crafted by a Toydarian (the flying alien species first seen in "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace").

What about FOOD?! Families have to eat!

A Diverse Menu of Food and Beverages Await

What does Blue Milk actually taste like? That question and more will be answered when guests visit Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and experience the new land's expansive array of food and beverages.

Guests will walk through a bustling street market, where vendors offer various local delicacies, including an Outpost Mix of uniquely flavored popped grains from Kat Saka's Kettle, a unique popcorn snack with a combination of sweet, savory and spicy flavors.

• At Oga's Cantina, even the blaster-bolt scorches on the walls tell a story. Here, guests will gather to share their tales from around the galaxy as they enjoy exotic beverages served in unique vessels and listen to spirited musical entertainment provided by DJ R-3X, otherwise known as Rex, the former Starspeeder 3000 pilot droid from the original Star Tours. Rex re-invents himself as the cantina's DJ, and he's as quirky and talkative as ever.

• A multi-purpose transport shuttle docked on top of a large hangar will beckon guests into Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, a designated location for traveling food shuttles. Chef Strono "Cookie" Tuggs is in much demand for his culinary skills, so he moves from site to site in a modified Sienar-Chall Utilipede-Transport that becomes a mobile kitchen and restaurant.  He is proud to present Tuggs' Grub, a "traveling diner for diners traveling," inspired by dishes he created during his time working for Maz Kanata on Takodana.

• In the Black Spire Outpost market, Ronto Roasters will draw attention from passersby with its large podracing engine firing up a barbecue pit for mouth-watering Ronto Wraps. When hungry customers queue up to order, they will encounter a former smelter droid, carefully turning the spit of meats. Guests will also be able to choose from a variety of exotic non-alcoholic drinks like the Sour Sarlacc or Tatooine Sunset.

• Elsewhere in the market, the Milk Stand will offer two local favorites – Blue Milk and Green Milk. Blue Milk was first seen in "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope" when Luke Skywalker sat down for a family meal. Green Milk was introduced in "Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi."

How to plan your visit

Guests planning to visit Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland Park between May 31 and June 23, 2019, will need valid theme park admission and will be required to make a no-cost reservation, subject to availability, to access the land.

Guests staying at one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels during these dates will receive a designated reservation to access Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge during their stay (one reservation per registered guest); valid theme park admission is required.

Information on how to make a reservation will be available at a later date on Disney Parks Blog and www.Disneyland.com.

More details about Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will be released in the coming months. For the most up-to-date information, visit www.DisneyParksBlog.com and www.StarWars.com

For Star Wars loving families, all the fun of a galaxy far far away has been brought closer with the early opening for Star Wars: Galaxy'...

THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL, musical adaption of the New York Times best-selling novel written by Rick Riordan, will play the Beacon Theatre March 28 – 31.


As a son of Poseidon, Percy has newly discovered powers he can’t control, monsters on his trail, and is on an epic quest to find Zeus’s lightning bolt to prevent a war between the gods. THE LIGHTNING THIEF is an action-packed theatrical adventure.

I've partnered with MSG to share this special discount code: BLOG to Save up to 25% on tickets!*

To purchase: www.msg.com


*Offer valid on select seats and performances. Offer may be revoked or modified at any time without notice and is subject to availability. Other restrictions may apply. Accessible and companion seats are available via the Disabled Services Department at 212- 465-6034. ©2019 MSG Sports & Entertainment Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved


The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical | March 28-31 | Beacon Theatre



THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL has a Drama Desk nominated book by Joe Tracz, music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki, and is directed by Stephen Brackett, with choreography by Patrick McCollum, with set design by Lee Savage, costume design by Sydney Maresca, lighting design by David Lander, Obie award winning sound design by Ryan Rumery, fight direction by Rod Kinter and orchestrations by Wiley DeWeese and Rob Rokicki. The production is being presented by special arrangement with Rick Riordan and the Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency.

THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL is produced by TheaterWorksUSA, Martian Entertainment, Greg Schaffert, Lang Entertainment Group, Lisa Chanel, Jennifer Doyle and Roy Lennox, Glass Half Full Productions, Hummel/Greene and in partnership with The Road Company.

To learn more, visit - www.msg.com/beacon-theatre

Facebook - www.facebook.com/beacontheatre
Twitter - www.twitter.com/beacontheatre
Instagram - www.instagram.com/beacontheatre

THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL, musical adaption of the New York Times best-selling novel written by Rick Riordan, will play...

Nintendo is entering the virtual reality world with their upcoming Nintendo Labo: VR Kit (available April 12), which combines physical and digital gameplay with basic VR technology that works with the Nintendo Switch system. Now families can create shareable experiences together – including everything from an alien invasion to in-game ocean photography and much more.


Nintendo Labo: VR Kit encourages passing around the different Toy-Con creations among a group of people to create a shared virtual experience. Players can simply slip the Nintendo Switch system into the Toy-Con VR Goggles and hold it up to their eyes to explore numerous games and experiences.

The Nintendo Labo: VR Kit will be available in two configurations with optional expansion packs available for purchase.

• Nintendo Labo: VR Kit – Starter Set + Blaster (SRP $39.99): Includes the Nintendo Switch software, plus all the components to build the Toy-Con VR Goggles and Toy-Con Blaster, as well as the Screen Holder and Safety Cap. The Starter Set is a great entry point into the world of Nintendo Labo VR.

• Nintendo Labo: VR Kit (SRP $79.99): Includes the Nintendo Switch software and materials to build all six Toy-Con projects – the Toy-Con VR Goggles, Toy-Con Blaster, Toy-Con Camera, Toy-Con Bird, Toy-Con Wind Pedal and Toy-Con Elephant – as well as a Screen Holder and Safety Cap. It’s a good option for kids and families who want to dive in to the full experience.

Players that own the Starter Set can purchase the following optional expansion sets to expand their experience:

• Nintendo Labo: VR Kit – Expansion Set 1**(SRP $19.99): Includes the Toy-Con Elephant and Toy-Con Camera. *Users can easily turn off the VR feature and use the included Screen Holder instead of the VR Goggles to enjoy any of the included games and experiences in 2D.

• Nintendo Labo: VR Kit – Expansion Set 2**(SRP $19.99): Includes the Toy-Con Wind Pedal and Toy-Con Bird. **The two expansion sets do not include the Toy-Con VR Goggles or Nintendo Labo: VR Kit software

The inventive Toy-Con Garage mode – included as part of all Nintendo Labo software – returns with Nintendo Labo: VR Kit, offering basic programming tools for players to experiment with. More information about the experiences offered by Nintendo Labo: VR Kit will be revealed in the future.

The Nintendo Labo: VR Kit – Starter Set + Blaster and complete Nintendo Labo: VR Kit will be in stores on April 12. The two expansion sets will be available exclusively online at www.store.nintendo.com

Nintendo Switch features parental controls that manages the content children can access. For more information about other features, visit www.nintendo.com/switch

For more information about Nintendo Labo: VR Kit, visit www.labo.nintendo.com/kits/vr-kit

Nintendo is entering the virtual reality world with their upcoming Nintendo Labo: VR Kit (available April 12), which combines physical and ...

La MaMa Kids is an affordable and wildly popular family series, which features a line-up of interactive productions to teach theatre crafts through workshops, that encourage imaginative play and hands-on learning.


Held monthly, La MaMa Kids is fun for the whole family, and a complete list of details on the season can be found below:

While You Are Out

Saturday, March 23 at 2pm and Sunday, March 24 at Noon
By Sova Theater Rod and shadow puppets by Justin Perlman & Adelka Polak

While You Are Out lands audiences in the heart of Shakespeare’s imagination as woven into Midsummer Night’s Dream where the fairies and sprites along with their king & queen play tricks on each other or anyone else who may find themselves wandering through the forest past dark.

This performance invites audiences to come both ready to dance and dressed as fairies, sprites and woodland creatures. Crystal Cymbalogy will create magical rhythms for our feet and wings. Come help to bring the forest to life at La MaMa as we dive into our dreams here among the trees, winged creatures and tricksters.


The Three Dolls

A modern American musical folktale
Sunday, March 31 at 1pm
Saturday, April 6 at Noon
Sunday, April 7 at 1pm

By Jane Catherine Shaw
Music by Clayton Daniel Briggs
Lyrics by Molly Reisman

Performers: Clayton Daniel Briggs, Jennie Egerdie, and Jane Catherine Shaw

Ziv, Hermione and Pippa are three dolls living in the dark. The sun should be up by now, but for some reason, it’s still pitch black. Through friendship, puppetry, songs and musical riddles, join us in an adventure to help the three dolls on their quest to turn darkness into light, and to make the world a brighter place for all of us to live.


La MaMa Kids: La MaMa Moves! Dance Workshop

Saturday, May 18 at Noon
Directed by: Dan Safer

In this workshop, participants will explore the basics of contact improvisation and dancing with a partner: moving up and down from the floor, rolling around, and even choreographed lifts. Sharing weight, balancing, connecting to other people, connecting to the floor. Making sure what we do is focused, fun, and surprising.

Dan Safer is a director, choreographer, performer, and teacher. He is the Artistic Director of Witness Relocation, an internationally recognized dance/theater company known in NYC as one of the “ensembles who now lead the city’s progressive theater scene” (Village Voice), and the recipients of three New York Innovative Theater Awards.


Family Play Date

Sunday, June 9, at Noon

Hosted by Richard Ebihara & Perry Yung, of Slant Performance Group, Family Play Date is a fun-filled magical and humorous cabaret performance embracing dance, music, and theatre, that is a unique event for the whole family.

Richard Ebihara & Perry Yung, founders of Slant Performance Group, ingeniously fuses puppetry, guitars, percussion, voice, and bamboo flutes into dynamic, engaging storytelling. Performances are an exciting tapestry of original live music interwoven with social satire.


BOX OFFICE:

Curated by Denise Greber, La MaMa Kids will conduct the workshops and performances at La MaMa’s The Downstairs Theatre (66 East 4th Street) in Manhattan.

Workshops: $10 per child (Free tickets for adult chaperones); Performances: $10 to $15 per person.

To purchase tickets, call OvationTix at: 212-352-3101; or to buy online visit: www.lamama.org/buy-tickets

Facebook - www.facebook.com/LaMaMaNYC
Twitter - www.twitter.com/LaMaMaETC

La MaMa Kids is an affordable and wildly popular family series, which features a line-up of interactive productions to teach theatre crafts ...

When I wrote my review for Ralph Breaks the Internet, one of the points I highlighted was "Ralph and Vanellope have completely different points of view when it came to the internet". I can say the same for parents and children. I know it is for me and my son.


Note: This post is in partnership with Walt Disney Animation Studios and Google’s Be Internet Awesome program. Views expressed are always 100% my own.

While my son is like Vanellope and has a "do all the things" type of view while being online, I tend to be Ralph-like and more "selective" with my internet usage. Why? Because while the internet of things is wonderful, if not used responsibly, it can quickly become an unsafe environment.

As a parent who's trying to manage how my son uses the internet, the news that Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Ralph Breaks the Internet is collaborating with Google’s Be Internet Awesome program to encourage the fundamentals of digital citizenship and online safety for kids is exciting.

Ralph Breaks the Internet | "We Are In The Internet" Clip



Like Ralph and Vanellope in Ralph Breaks the Internet, kids can find themselves in tricky situations when navigating the Web. So parents needs ways to help their children learn how to explore the online world with confidence....and safety.


To help me open a "internet safety" conversation with my son, I downloaded and printed the "Be Internet Brave and Strong" activity sheets. Being a tween, he's starting to use the internet as a social tool, so these two printable will guide him to keep his info safe and know what to do when something online is "inappropriate"

While I used these with my son, you can use any of these "Be Internet Awesome and Ralph Breaks the Internet" themed resources, including internet safety tips, downloadable activity sheets, and more.

To learn more, visit - www.beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/families



About Be Internet Awesome

Be Internet Awesome is Google’s multifaceted program designed to teach kids the fundamentals of digital citizenship and safety so they can explore the online world with confidence. The free program is available in English and Spanish and consists of an ISTE standards aligned curriculum, ready-made Pear Decks for each lesson, Interland - an adventure-packed online game about digital safety and citizenship, and a family guide for families to continue the conversation at home.



About Ralph Breaks The Internet

From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes the 2019 Oscar®-nominated, action-packed adventure Ralph Breaks the Internet.

In the hilarious, high speed sequel to Wreck-It Ralph, besties Ralph and fellow misfit Vanellope risk it all by traveling to the expansive, fast-paced world of the internet in an attempt to save Vanellope’s game Sugar Rush. They’re in way over their heads, so they must rely on the citizens of the internet—including Yesss, the head algorithm and heart and soul of the trend-making site BuzzzTube, and Shank, a tough-as-nails driver from the gritty online auto-racing game, Slaughter Race—to help them navigate their way.

Ralph Breaks the Internet is now available instantly on Digital 4K Ultra HD/HD/SD and Movies Anywhere and physically on Blu-ray and DVD.

See more from Wreck-It Ralph:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WreckItRalph
Twitter: www.twitter.com/wreckitralph
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wreckitralph

When I wrote my review for Ralph Breaks the Internet , one of the points I highlighted was "Ralph and Vanellope have completely differe...