Tag Archives: Disney

Immerse Yourself into “Pandora: the World of Avatar” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

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Prepare for an expedition into one of the best examples of themed environment immersion at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (DAK). Journey to the planet Pandora to experience the sights, sounds, and beauty of the world of the Na’vi. Whether you are there for the rides or the sheer spectacle of it all, you will no doubt immensely enjoy your experience at Pandora. For those who may be worried that the extreme separation of time from the first Avatar movie and still a couple years from the next one(s) mitigates the full experience of this world based upon that which was created by director James Cameron, no need to fear. Whether you have seen the movie once or multiples times or even enjoyed the movie or not, the Disney Imagineers who conceived this themed land, based upon the movie, designed it to be equally enjoyed by fans of the franchise and those who may not have even seen the film. In theory, that approach works very well; however, the disconnect from the movie and perceived disconnect from the future films does little to immerse you into the story of Avatar. After previewing the land, I am left wondering if the land would have been more appropriately titled Pandora: World of the Na’vi. Personally, I did not care for the movie–found it to be Dances with Wolves meets Fern Gully meets Pocahontas; but we are here to explore this new land, not the movie. My point is, if you are looking to feel as if you are part of  a story, then you may be a little disappointed in some of the important experiential factors of a themed entertainment land; however, despite the separation between this land and the cinematic franchise, the enjoyment factor is still exceedingly high. For fans of Soarin at Epcot, Pandora’s new attraction Flight of Passage will blow your mind and take flight simulator attractions to a “whole new world.”

Before we get into further details about Pandora, I want to take a moment to point out a little known rock formation that rests just above the river park guests cross over on the journey from Discovery Island to Pandora: the World of Avatar. Those who are familiar with the park’s early (pre-open) days, you may recall that what became Camp Minnie-Mickey, home to Festival of the Lion King (former CM at the Lion King show here), was originally slated to be a mythological creature land. Even more interesting, the Dragon Challenge coaster (formerly Dueling Dragons) at Universal’s Islands of Adventure was originally built and intended for this mythological land at DAK. Anyway. The rock formation I spoke of is in the shape of a dragon’s head. It was built there when the land was going to be home to dragons and other mythological creatures, but of course the theme of the land changed. With Disney’s attention to details and aversion to cross theming between lands (to avoid contamination of the experience), one might have thought that the rock formation would have been removed–not so. All through the days of Camp Minnie-Mickey and even today, the dragon head is still there. In fact, one might say that the land has come full circle, as Pandora is a mythological world and the Banshees appear closely related to dragons.

From the moment that you first enter the land, you will instantly feel transported to a far away world, rich in flora and fauna. Imagineers worked diligently to make sure the outside world–even DAK itself–was completely left behind. Those that live in Florida are no strangers to lush greenery; but for those who come from desert climates, mid-Atlantic, or northern parts of the country that are not green year-round, Pandora will serve as an escape from the dry or cold harsh world to a land flowing with crystal clear water and flowers of all shapes, colors, and varieties. There is little left of Camp Minnie-Mickey, and rightly so. However, if you pay close enough attention to walkways, you might see some of that old world in this new one. Make sure you have plenty of room on your phone or your camera’s SD card because you will want to take dozens of pictures on your first visit. There is so much to see on your first visit to this land. While many are talking about the floating mountains–and those are pretty dope–I am more excited about the exceptional lighting and forced perspective of the mountains off in the distance. Up until this point, Universal Studios always boasted more realistic forced perspective in its parks; but, this new land at DAK proves that Disney can integrate forced perspective just as well–if not better. I also appreciate the layout of the pathways. The pathways are laid out in such a way that the land feels larger than it actually is; furthermore, the different elevations also lend to the realism of the world and providing various perspectives and vantage points form which to gaze upon the exquisite design. Who doesn’t love a great water feature? There is something about moving water that is instantly refreshing, and there is plenty of moving water, water falls, and water creatures in Pandora.

Pandora: the World of Avatar offers two attractions: Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey. Each ride offers a completely different attraction design. Compered to other attractions in the Disney parks, both the new rides at Pandora have entrances that are organically woven into the environment. This adds to the natural beauty of this lush planet and the aversion to the effects of industry on the landscape. Located on opposite sides of the land, the layout will aid in crowd movement and control during the spring break, summer, and holiday seasons when the parks are at their busiest. Pandora’s Flight of Passage is a brilliant flight simulator design in the vein of Soarin and the Na’vi River Journey is a boat ride, a classic Disney design, in the vein of Pirates of the Caribbean and the new Frozen Ever After.

Flight of Passage was epic! The suspension of disbelief was incredibly real. Disney Imagineers have really outdone themselves this time. It’s no secret that Soarin is one of the top draws at Disney World and that Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is still one of the top attractions at Universal Studios. Essentially, Imagineers took the ride platform of Soarin and combined it with the feel of Forbidden Journey and threw in some Spider-Man (Univ/IoA) to create an amazingly innovative ride experience. Only suffering from high demand, low capacity, sluggish turnaround time (hmm, now that I think about it, that’s kind of a lot), this attraction will convince you that you are flying on the back of a banshee (the English name for the ikron in Na’vi language). Matched with an avatar that allows you to move about Pandora as a Na’vi, you then make your way into the flight chamber to board a jetski like device that allows you to maneuver your banshee throughout the skies and caverns of Pandora.

If you allow yourself to breakaway from the 4D simulation (4D because there are aromas, wind, and water effects), you’ll notice that the ride design is similar to Soarin in that there are multiple levels of these ride stations in front of an IMAX screen. The big reveal is done exceptionally well because as the screen is revealed, there are several busts of bright white LED light that conceal the movement of the wall in front of you. Unless you are looking for the mechanisms that create the magic, you’ll not notice the wall ascending or descending. One of, if not the, longest rides at Walt Disney World, this attraction lasts several minutes and each second is filled with high-flying adventure. Honestly, it is the most incredible simulator style attraction that I have ever been on–and I’ve been on a lot. Prepare yourself for a wait time of up to 4hrs standby (standard queue) or 6hrs (extended queue) for this attraction when it opens. If you are in the standby queue, the research facility that you get to walk through is certainly a site to behold as well. And don’t miss one of the most lifelike animatronics in aqua suspension as you make your way through the line to the launch facility.

Perhaps you’re afraid of heights or even the most organic-feeling flight simulators make you not feel the greatest. Then, make your way over to a classic Disney ride design reimagined for Pandora. The Na’vi River Journey is a serene, gently moving boat ride along a tranquil river surrounded by plants and animals bursting with bioluminescence. If you’re lucky, you may even catch rare glimpses of the Na’vi along the way, hidden in the foliage. Featuring some of the technology first debuted on Epcot’s Frozen Ever After, this boat ride offers a time to relax and simply absorb all the gorgeous plant and wildlife of the planet Pandora. While most of the non-plant life is clearly rear mapped projection, there is an impressive animatronic Na’vi shaman chanting as you glide by on your boats. Everything from the smells, to the sights, and sounds of the Na’vi river will convince you that you are in fact traveling down a mystical river. With no height restriction, this attraction is perfect for a family or group with young ones who may not meet the height restriction on Flight of Passage.

Pandora also offers two quick/casual service restaurants with robust menus of food and drinks. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to experience the restaurants because they closed about 15mins before the preview ended. I’ll definitely have to go back and try the food and drinks as they looked absolutely scrumptious.

Over all, I was impressed by DAK’s newest land! Was it worth a nearly five year wait? That is certainly up for debate. But, the end result is beautiful and provides Animal Kingdom with a new draw that will hopefully figure into the next set of movies in Cameron’s Avatar universe to be released in a couple years. Whether you choose to see it as a botanical garden or Rainforest Cafe on steroids, or the most amazing experience you have ever immersed yourself in at a theme park, you are definitely going to enjoy everything that Pandora: the World of Avatar has to offer. I highly recommend booking FastPass+ for the rides as soon as your 30 or 60 day window opens (30 for passholders and 60 for on-site hotel guests) as the lines for both these attractions will be incredibly long. Hopefully the Cast Member and Passholder preview weeks will aid in mitigating the initial flock to the attractions and not force the rides to use the extended quests right out the gate or close the lines before park close. Ordinarily, Disney does not offer previews in the same manner that Universal Studios, SeaWorld, or Busch Gardens do, so this is a welcomed sign of the growth of passholder and Cast Member appreciation.

“Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol.2” movie review

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Par for the course and predictable. This movie review was written by R.L. Terry ReelView contributor and writer/producer Leon Z. Coming to you all the way from Germany where Guardians of the Galaxy Vo.2  was released last week, I thought you would be interested to hear from someone other than me this week–think of it as a fresh perspective. Meanwhile, I will be watching it in Tampa tomorrow evening at 7.

“Set to the backdrop of ‘Awesome Mixtape #2,’ Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand.“
-Marvel Studios

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a bit of a disappointment when compared to the first one. This might be because the novelty factor the first one had for being a funny superhero movie is gone, or because it’s just very predictable and lacks excitement and emotional engagement. Pretty much all of the CGI action extravaganzas fall flat because there is never any real danger for the characters so the viewer does not care about them. There were times in this movie where the action was pretty much all CG, which I didn’t care much about since nowadays pretty much everything can be done with a computer but audiences don’t seem to get enough of it. But fortunately, the filmmakers are not overly reliant on those scenes. The movies strong points are its humor and character development. Although most of the setup and payoff jokes are very predictable, there are still many jokes that hit. Since the movie is primarily about Peter “Starlord” Quill meeting his father, there is actually some character development; and not just for him, but also for the other guardians–well except for Groot, Rocket and Drax so basically just Gamora, but some secondary characters from the first one like Yondu and Gamora’s sister, Nebula an although some of it is clichéd it still works, mostly.

Most of the emotional moments are genuine, but some of them are a little to on the nose.

The movie also introduces new secondary characters like Peters appropriately named father Ego and his companion Mantis, which are moderately interesting, Mantis probably more so than Ego because her interactions with Drax, which cause a lot of laughter.

What drags the movie’s quality down significantly is that it is just so predictable and cliché, which makes you care a lot less because you already know what will happen most of the time.

Overall, I would recommend this movie to Marvel fans and casual moviegoers; but for more hardcore cinephiles, this movie–if at all–is a one time watch.

Written by Leon

“The Circle” movie review

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Tries for a perfect circle, but winds up more like an oval. Full of endless circular logic and irony, director James Ponsoldt’s The Circle depicts the story of a not-so-distant future, or perhaps an alternative present, in which one company dominates digital media, data gathering, and surveillance services. Based upon the four-year-old novel by author Dave Eggers, you’ll notice some stark similarities between this motion picture narrative and the smash hit TV series Black Mirror. The biggest difference between the two is that The Circle is fast-faced and poorly written whereas Black Mirror is a slow-burning but well-written anthology series. In addition to the similarities between the aforementioned, there are certainly elements of The Truman Show in this movie as well. With a powerhouse cast, brilliant composer (Danny Elfman), and excellent editing, The Circle appears to have what a blockbuster needs; however, the hollow characters, poor character development, fractured subplots, and overall diegesis hold the film back from reaching the impact that it could have had. Having taken a digital media and privacy class in graduate school, and published a few articles, this is a film that I was looking forward to in order to analyze how the social commentary or commentary on the human condition regarding reasonable expectations of privacy and big data were integrated into the plot. Sadly, the screenplay was not strong or developed significantly enough to provide big data and privacy discussions.

Mae Holland (Emma Watson) hates her job at the water company, so she is incredibly excited when her friend Annie (Karen Gillan) lands Mae an interview at The Circle, the world’s most powerful technology and social media company. Mae’s fear of unfulfilled potential impresses the recruiters at The Circle and she lands the opportunity of a lifetime. After Mae puts herself into harm’s way but rescued, thanks to The Circle’s newest surveillance and data gathering system, she is encouraged by the company founder Eamon Bailey (Tom Hanks) to take a more active role in technology development by participating in an experiment that puts Mae’s life on display for the world (in the vein of The Truman Show) to see. Once Mae turns on that camera, she has more “friends” than she ever imagined and becomes an instant online celebrity. Unfortunately, this decision will affect those closest to Mae and the negative ramifications will reach far beyond her inner circle and begin to impact humanity at large. Sometimes, people just don’t want to be found or be “social.”

For all The Circle has going for it, the weak screenplay keeps it from being the blockbuster that it so desperately wants to be. A great movie typically begins with solid writing, and that is what’s missing here. After five minutes (or so it seems) of opening title logos, perhaps that is indirect evidence that there were just too many hands in the pot, each trying to take the movie’s narrative in a different direction. Much like Frozen plays off like two different movies crudely sewn together, The Circle appears to be one movie for the first two acts, but takes an unexpected and unfulfilling turn in the third. A couple of conspicuous unanswered questions come after Mae meets TrueYou designer and founder Ty (John Boyega). He designed the platform that launched The Circle. At one point he asks Mae to meet him in a secret tunnel (where all the servers are stored) and tells her that “it’s worse than I thought.” Great opportunity to introduce intrigue, suspense, and more. The problem is that the audience is never told what Ty finds or what happens with what he found. You can remove that whole subplot and the movie remains the same. There are other subplots that are nicely introduced, but never carried out as well. Any or all of them can be removed and the film proceeds the same. Not good. If you can remove several subplots or unfulfilled turning points and the film’s diegesis remain largely untouched, then you have poor writing. The third act in and of itself leaves audiences with a hurried ending that does little to provide closure to the narrative; however, it does support the film’s circular logic and irony. Hardly satisfying.

In terms of the allegory here, The Circle is a Google-like company with Apple’s technology. Eamon Bailey is a Steve Jobs type innovator with characteristics of Mark Zuckerberg and Google’s Eric Schmidt. Thankfully, The Circle does not represent any one company, but rather combines all the most notable innovations and technological achievements of Google, Apple, Facebook, Instagram, and more into one globally dominating company. Antitrust issues are introduced early on, but again, that’s never fully developed. The movie highlights many issues faced by private citizens, governments, and digital data driven companies today; therefore, it sets the foundation for a movie that could have been thought-provoking, but the writing hinders that ability. The irony in the movie is for every digital answer to streamlining services or bolstering conveniences, a little privacy is eroded each time. Pretty soon, if one shares enough information, the idea of privacy is extinct. Privacy was central to the plot, but it just wasn’t handled in the most effective way. Concepts such as “off the grid,” self-proclaimed “celebrity,” and “calls to action” are displayed and discussed in the film, connecting this augmented reality to real-world issues each of us encounter or think about. One particularly interesting theme in the movie is deep friendship. Unfortunately, this was not fully fleshed as is the case with most of the movie; but still, it does get touched upon.

Exploring digital media and privacy is something I have written on within the last couple years. More specifically, I explore how entertainment media companies collect big data, and the privacy issues faced therein. In 2016, I published a short series of articles on the Walt Disney World Magic Bands entitled “Magical Data Collection.” You can read those articles by clicking HERE.

If you were hoping for another film like the brilliant Social Network, then you will undoubtedly be disappointed. Films such as The Circle should be memorable, but unfortunately this one is very much forgettable. Coincidentally, the movie itself is as hollow as the plot and characters.

Written by R.L. Terry

Edited by J.M. Wead

Take Mom to the Parks this Mother’s Day

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With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, you may be thinking of something special to do for her that weekend. For those of you who live in Florida, California, Texas, or the many other places where theme and amusement parks are located, then perhaps consider taking her to one of them for a day of magic, thrills, and enjoyment. I have many fond memories of hanging out with my mother in the theme parks, and thought that I would explore some different theme parks and outline some ideas that you may want to use if you decide to whisk your mom away for a day of excitement and adventure. Even before living in Florida, I grew up going to the parks, and some of my favorite memories are experiencing all the attractions with my family. Even when I go today (which is practically weekly), I often remember the ride and show experiences with my mom. As a little side note, the first time I saw Wishes: a Magical Gathering of Dreams fireworks spectacular at Magic Kingdom was when my mom moved me to Orlando. Perhaps your mom enjoys the familiar characters of Disney, maybe she loves the thrill of being chased by dinosaurs at Universal, the aquatic life of SeaWorld, or the intimate animal encounters of Busch Gardens. Whatever your mom likes, there is a plan for you! For those of you who may have lost your mom, my heart goes out to you; but, maybe there remains a mother-figure in your life that could use a special day. Since you may only be able to visit a theme park for one day, the following articles combine attractions or experiences that can easily be accomplished, even on a moderately busy day. Let’s hit the road and see what endearing adventures lie in waiting for you and your mom this Mother’s Day.

As this is a rather lengthy series articles, you can jump to a particular park by clicking on the one you want below, or simply scroll through browsing the headlines.

Universal Orlando

The first stop on our Mother’s Day theme park day is Universal Orlando Resort! You can start your day by grabbing some delicious pastries or breakfast sandwiches at the Beverly Hills Boulangerie, located near the entrance of Universal Studios. Don’t let the pretentious name deter you; this is a quick-service style restaurant that will provide you with a carb-filled fare and coffee to boost your energy. Next, walk along Hollywood Blvd for some star searching; you may run into Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, or Betty Boop. After sightseeing in Hollywood, your help is needed! E.T. must make it home to the Green Planet to save it. Stop by the E.T. Adventure to pickup a bike and take him home. Not all aliens are good guys. Your mom’s skills are needed by the MIB Agency to clean up the city streets and protect earth’s citizens at MIB: Alien Attack. After this close  encounter of the third kind, head back to Hollywood to learn about Universal’s horror film legacy and perhaps some scares along the way at the Horror Makeup Show.

By now, you and your mom are probably getting a little hungry, and there is no better place within the park to grab lunch than The Leaky Cauldron. After leaving the Horror Makeup Show, head directly across the lagoon to walk though the wall into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley. Here, your mom can be immersed in the nostalgia and magic of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. Located near the entrance, on the left, is the famous Leaky Cauldron. You’ll find a better assortment of British favorites at this quick casual dining restaurant. Now that your energy is back up, make your way to Gringotts Bank because you are needed to help Harry and his friends escape capture by him who shall not be named. Climb aboard a mine cart and race through the bank’s underworld to retrieve a horcrux. If you happen to hear the wickedly talented Celestina Warbeck and her banshees performing when you exit Gringotts, don’t miss her jazz concert! After winding your way through Knockturn Alley, head over to Kings Cross Station to climb aboard the Hogwarts Express, destination Hogsmeade (park-hopper ticket required).

Once in Hogsmeade, head for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry because Harry, Ron, and Hermione require your assistance in defeating some dementors at Forbidden Journey. Before leaving Hogsmeade, be sure to stop by the Butterbeer cart. From flying on park benches to running from dinosaurs, your mom’s next stop should be Jurassic Park! From the time you walk under the iconic gates, become immersed in the epic franchise. Before setting out into the park, stop by the JP Discovery Center located in the replica of the original Visitors Center. There, you can adopt a baby Raptor, learn about genetic sequencing, or pickup some JP merchandise. You can take a memorable picture at the Raptor Encounter, one that the memories will never become extinct. Instead of the Jungle Explorers, hop aboard the river raft for a tour through the prehistoric park. You never know what you’ll encounter on the tour at the River Adventure! Leaving Isla Nublar, you and your mom need to sail over to Skull Island where you will come face to face with the Rein of Kong. Your expedition will take you deep into the heart of Skull Island where bugs are larger than life, giant worm-like creatures exist in the mercy waters, and dinosaurs still roam about. Just don’t forget who’s the king of the jungle.

Following the dark adventures of Skull Island and Jurassic Park, walk through the colorful, fun Toon Lagoon. If you and your mom enjoy water rides, there are two exciting ones right there: Popeye’s Barges and Rip Saw Falls. Rather hang with Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk? Then stop by Marvel Superhero Island for some web-slinging action at the Spider-Man 4D ride or volunteer to be turned into a Hulk at the exhilarating Incredible Hulk Coaster. Passing the Port of Entry at Islands of Adventure, prepare to be transported to the whimsical world of beloved Dr. Seuss. Here you’ll want to experience the nostalgia of The Cat in the Hat, stop by the Lorax to save the Truffula Trees, or take to the skies on the Seuss Train! By this time, you’re day is nearly over, but you’ve still likely got time for a few more attractions. Your next stop is New York City, but you need to make a stop in London at Kings Cross station. Make your may to the Hogsmeade Station on the other side of the Lost Continent. If you have time, though, you don’t want to miss the immersive spectacle of the special effects walk-through show at Poseidon’s Fury located in the heart of The Lost Continent. If time allows, and you want to grab a bite to eat for dinner, then check out Mythos, the highly rated restaurant, located directly across from Poseidon’s temple.

After the Hogwarts Express stops at Kings Cross, journey to the museum of antiquities, housing the treasures from a recent Egyptian excavation. At Revenge of the Mummy, you and you mom will be faced with a daring escape from Imhotep. Along the way, you’ll encounter treasures beyond your wildest imagination and ancient curses as well. What better way to end the night than to surprise your mom with studio audience tickets to an exclusive Universal Orlando taping of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon! No need to hail a cab or take the subway to 30 Rock, just walk a couple blocks from the museum. No conventional queue here, you and your mom will have the freedom to walk about the NBC Studios while waiting for Jimmy Fallon’s studio to open. During your wait, you can enjoy the musical offerings of The Ragtime Gals and even kick back and charge your phone. When Jimmy Fallon challenges you to a race, then you and your mom will Race Through New York in an attempt to beat Fallon for first place! On you way out of the park, you and your mom definitely need to stop by the Universal Studios globe for a photo to remember your world of adventure.

SeaWorld Orlando

Maybe movies just aren’t your mom’s thing. Perhaps she prefers close encounters of another kind. Then head west on the I-4 to SeaWorld Orlando for Mothers Day. With a balanced combination of aquatic animal encounters and some thrilling coasters, SeaWorld Orlando may be just the ticket for mom. Before heading into the park, you may want to grab breakfast outside because the breakfast food selections are rather anemic. Upon entering the park, stop by the giant SeaWorld Anniversary Celebration photo op to start your day out right. Next, want to feel what its like to fly through the waters of the ocean? Then your first stop should be Manta! This inverted coaster will give you the sensation that you are a manta ray smoothly and quickly gliding around the sea. When you exit Manta, spend some time in the aquarium to get up close and personal with hundreds of tropical fish including some stingrays.

After spending time with stingrays, take your mom on down to Key West for some dolphin viewing! For an extra special treat, check out the close encounter times where she can touch a dolphin. On the backside of the dolphin lagoon is the underwear viewing area. Perfect for watching the dolphins frolic in the water; you might even catch one smiling at you. Beyond the dolphin cove lies the Turtle Trek aquarium and 360-degree 3D theatre experience. Become a turtle and journey from your egg to the ocean, back to lay your eggs, and return to the ocean in this suspenseful film. Along the way, you’ll meet some manatees and other oceanlife too. By the time you’ve returned to the surface, it will likely be time to catch the new Dolphin Days show. Watch a trainers give you glimpse into their world of training, educating, and playing with the dolphins–you’ll catch some great tricks too!

Next, Journey to Atlantis in SeaWorld’s water ride that sends you on an adventure to the legendary lost city ending with a plunge into the deep blue sea. If your mom has a slight aversion to wear rides, just make sure you bring ponchos. You’re probably a little hungry at this point, but don’t grab lunch just yet–definitely grab a snack though.  From Atlantis to facing off with a mythological creature, head directly for Kraken. A more traditional coaster, Kraken includes drops loops and cobra rolls. When you’ve defeated the Kraken, head on over to cool off in Antarctica where you can follow a cute little penguin named Puff to meet all his friends and family on a moderately thrilling ride through icy caverns and chilly waters. From cute penguins to cute sea lions, the next part of your Mother’s Day with Mom is visiting with the seals located near Sea Lion and Otter stadium. Be sure not to miss Clyde and Seamore Sea Lion High comedy show.

Finally, time to eat! And you’re not just going to eat anywhere, but you’re going to take mom to Sharks Underwater Grill (make reservations ahead of time). Sharks provides an upscale dining atmosphere complete with Sharkquarium side tables, comprehensive menu including fish, steak, and more. The lobster bisque is incredibly good! Don’t forget to order a signature cocktail to accompany your meal. When you’ve finished dining, swim on down to the walkthrough aquarium. Here, you will be surrounded on three sides by a wide variety of fish and sharks. Upon exiting, you’re in the perfect place to experience SeaWorld’s newest coaster Mako! No inversions here, but the speed, drops, and smooth ride will have you wanting to ride it again. Excellent coaster experience!

With the day coming to a close, you want to head for Shamu Stadium for One Ocean, SeaWorld’s premiere show that is best viewed in the evening. Orcas (or Killer Whales) accompany you on an adventure including beautiful music, breathtaking colors, and outstanding trailed behaviors that highlight the magic of Orcas and even teach you a conservation message. After the show, if you have time, you can checkout the Wild Arctic attraction that puts you right in the middle of the excitement and danger of the the frozen wilderness. On your way out of the park, be sure to stop by the many merchandise shops. A percentage of SeaWorld’s profits go to fund not only theirs, but other conservation organizations and animal rescues around the world.

Walt Disney World

Has your mom ever dreamed of flying on an elephant, cruising through the jungle, or rocketing through space? Then make her “dreams come true” at the Walt Disney World Resort. Wish so much to see and do, it can be overwhelming. If you’re on a budget and can only spend one day–a’chem Mother’s Day–at the world’s premiere theme park destination, then you’ll find everything you need right here to create magical memories for mom this year. But which park? That is a toughie for sure. Each park offers something that the others do not. Hence why many opt for a park-hopper pass (a little pricy). When choosing one park at which to spend the day, then I typically recommend choosing either Magic Kingdom or Epcot. Don’t get me wrong, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are fun too; in fact, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is my favorite ride in the parks. But, my goal is to help you plan out a day that fits time and budget constraints. For purposes of this article, I am going to talk about Magic Kingdom; however, if your mom prefers a more educational experience, enjoys tasting wines, beers, and foods from around the world, and likes some innovative ride experiences, then Epcot would be the best pick. The new Soarin’ is dope!

After making your way to Magic Kingdom (MK) from the Transportation and Ticket Center on either the monorail or ferry, you just have to take a photo with your mother in front of the iconic train station. There is usually a PhotoPass photographer available to take your picture. Before venturing too far, visit a FastPass+ kiosk to make reservations for rides, character experiences, etc. Once on Main Street USA, you may want to visit Mickey and Minnie in Town Square Theatre before setting out into the park. Who doesn’t love waffles??? With a day of adventure ahead, be sure to boost your energy with a stop at Starbucks and the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. There, you can get Mickey Waffles with strawberries on top! So many shoppes! If your mom likes to browse the latest Disney merchandise, then she will likely find something she’ll love in one of the many shoppes along Main Street. Of course, it’s Mother’s Day, so be sure to buy her something. In order to make the most of your time, I do not suggest stopping at the shoppes until you are leaving the park. Before you go any further, you and your mom have to take pictures in front of one of the most recognizable castles in the world! So many wonderful locations from which to take pictures with Cinderella’s Castle in the background. From the castle hub, you can head anywhere!

I suggest first heading to Fantasyland to catch a ride on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train! Ordinarily, I like going in a circle in the parks, but this ride tends to have a very long line, and if you don’t have a FastPass+ reservation for it, then you want to hit it first. Here are a couple fun tips: (1) when in the standby queue, if you can get all the barrels of jewels spinning at the same time, then you might just catch a glimpse of Snow White dancing on the ceiling! (2) once on board the mine train, try to rock your cart left and right–so much fun! Following your visit with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, then head on over to Storybook Circus where you can take flight on the world’s most famous flying elephant. After Dumbo returns you safely to the ground, you’re going to continue your magical journey under the sea in Fantasyland with Ariel! Climb inside a clamshell and relive the magic of the movie that radically shifted Disney animated films. For a little pick me up, check out Gaston’s Tavern where you can get Disney’s answer to Butterbeer, Lafou’s Brew. If time allows, head next door to enjoy some Storytime with Belle and become part of the enchanting tale of Beauty and the Beast.

Walking around the back of the castle and to the right, you’ll want to choose between It’s a Small World After All or Peter Pan’s Flight. Both are so iconic that it is hard to choose, but I’m trying to get you through MK in one day. You’re probably glancing at your watch and wondering when lunchtime is, I suggest stopping by the Columbia Harbor House or Liberty Tree Tavern, both located near one another. Located in that same area of Liberty Square is The Haunted Mansion. They have 999 happy haunts, but there’s room for a thousand, any volunteers??? When nearing the exit of Mansion, be aware of hitchhiking ghosts, they might just follow you home. As you round the lagoon, you’ll make your way to Frontierland! This exciting wild west town is home to two iconic mountains: Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain. Won’t likely be time for both, so I suggest Thunder Mountain! From the wild west to jungles and pirate infested waters, you’re heading for Adventureland! Climb aboard if you dare, the Pirates of the Caribbean. Who knows? You might just spy the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow. If you make it out unscathed, then sail for the world famous Jungle Cruise! After cruising down so many of the most famous rivers on the planet, you are definitely in need of some dinner. Thankfully, there is a great place to grab some great food at the Skippers Canteen (I suggest reservations).

No Mother’s Day trip to Disney World would be complete without a visit to Tomorrowland! Skip across the hub to where there is always “a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of everyday.” Located in the back of Tomorrowland is Space Mountain! Prepare to rocket through space on this classic Disney coaster. Before heading back to the hub to catch the new Happily Ever After nighttime firework spectacular, you need to stop by the longest running stage show in the history of American theatre Carousel of Progress! Here you will witness the history of the American family and technology from the early 1900s to “present day” (1990s). I seldom miss experiencing Carousel on my many trips to the park. After the beautiful firework display over the castle, now’ time to hit the shoppes on Main Street! There is something for everyone, especially mom! Sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most such as time spend with your mother, but never under estimate how much she’ll appreciate a souvenir from Mickey’s Emporium or Uptown Jewelers. I enjoy taking the ferry back to parking at night because of the cooler night air and breeze.

Busch Gardens Tampa

Feel the wilds of Africa calling your name? Does you mom like getting up close with lions, tigers, and kangaroos??? Then, take her to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for Mother’s Day! Only an hour away from Disney World, Busch Gardens Tampa boasts a fantastic assortment of intimate animal encounters and thrilling coasters. For an extra special treat, book a seat on the Serengeti Safari to feed giraffes. With many shows, rides, and animal encounters to choose from, a day at Busch Gardens will make for a memorable Mother’s Day. Due to limited breakfast options in the park, I suggest grabbing bite to eat at First Watch near USF to boost your energy! After entering the park, head for Adventure Photo to take a picture of you and your mom that can help you remember your adventure-filled day through Africa, Australia, and more. If you need an extra boost of caffein, then there is  a Starbucks located near the entrance of the park. Heading to the right, you’ll pass the Moroccan Palace, home of the Iceploration Show–come back later as you don’t want to miss it! The entrance of the first animal habitat you want to his is near the palace. Get ready to encounter gorillas in the Myombe Reserve. Meandering through the lush forests and exploring caverns, you’ll have the opportunity to get some rare glimpses of gorillas and other African animals.

Upon exiting the Myombe Reserve, head to the right to head back toward the Morocco area in order to make your way to Egypt! Egypt is home to three of Busch Gardens’ best coasters: Cheetah Hunt, Cobra’s Curse, and (my personal favorite) Montu. Each coaster offers a very different ride experience. On your way to Cheetah Hunt, you’ll get the opportunity to meet some cheetahs. Cheetah Hunt is a high speed more traditional coaster that gives you the feeling of being a cheetah racing through the Savana. After sprinting through the wild African plains, you’ll want to check out one of nature’s most mysterious and terrifying creatures the King Cobra. Hope in a spinning mine cart at Cobra’s Curse and ride the elevator to the top to come face to face with the King of Cobras himself. This entry level coaster is fun for the whole family, especially if you can get everyone spinning the cart. Oh yeah, it has an indoor queue too! Just up the hill from Cobra on of my favorite coasters period–Montu! A lengthy gravity defying inverted coaster, Montu constantly ranks as a top coaster from blogs and enthusiasts. Returning from your Egyptian exclusion, make your way to the Edge of Africa animal walkabout. There, you’ll have excellent views of the Serengeti and lots of photo opportunities. Along the way, you’ll see lions, giraffes, ostriches, hyenas, zebra, and more! You’ll feel as if you are right there with the animals. If you’re lucky, then you’ll find the lions right up next to the viewing area.

For an even closer experience, you can climb aboard the Serengeti Express for a steam train ride around the animal preserve! When you return to the Nairobi train station, you can head back toward the Moroccan Palace for Iceploration! This ice skating show is a treasure! Simply beautiful, and some humor as well. After backtracking a little to the ice palace, head back to the Cheetah Hunt area to dine at the Serengeti Overlook Restaurant. This 19th century themed restaurant, offers great views of the Serengeti and two dining options: table service and quick service. Once you’ve replenished your energy, take a stroll along the wooded path beyond the railroad tracks, and you’ll meander past the hippo and Nile crocodile viewing areas. Eventually the path will lead back to the Nairobi area. Take a right and head to see the elephants and onward to Pantopia! Pantopia is home to Falcon’s Fury, the midway area, Opening Night Critters show and a few other attractions. Depending on what your mom is most interested in, you can decide how to best use your time; but I recommend soaring through the sky like a falcon and watching the show. I find the scariest part of Falcon’s Fury is rising up and the comedy in the Opening Night Critters show is adorable!

Over the ridge from Pantopia lies the Congo! By now, you and your mom are probably roasting in the hot humid Florida weather and desire a fun way to cool off. Consider river rafting at Congo River Rapids! You’re liable to get soaking wet on this thrilling adventure through this mysterious river region of Africa. Deep in the jungles of Africa lie some mysterious creatures, but thankfully Busch Gardens has a journey to send you on to face off with Kumba! If you and you mom love looping coasters, then you’ll definitely enjoy Kumba. While waiting for the coaster, you’ll get to hear the roar of Kumba as it races by. Next door to Congo is Junglala, home the Bengal Tigers! Jungala offers a fabulous Bengal Tiger animal habitat with lot of different views. As you make your way through the jungle, you’ll find yourself in Stanleyville surrounded by great food options, a log flume, and you’ll encounter Sheikra! Complete with a freefall and inversions, this coaster is incredibly exciting. You’ll probably only have time for either the coaster or log flume.

With all the best rides out of the way, you and mom are probably ready to cool off and calm down. If you’re interested in feeding colorful birds in a large aviary, you and your mom will enjoy Lory Landing. You’ll need to walk through the Sesame Street area in order to get to your next destination: Australia! Best part of Australia is the Walkabout Way, home of kangaroos, wallabies, and other animals native to Australia. Finish off the day with a stroll past the flamingos and then you’re back where you began near Morocco. Stop by Adventure Photo to get photos printed to visually capture your memories from your trek across Africa, Australia, and beyond!

I hope I’ve been able to give you some exciting ideas of how to spend this Mother’s Day in the theme parks with your mom. There are so many other activities and experiences that I could not include; but I hope that I’ve been able to layout some solid ideas of how to make the most of your day in the parks with your mother. In addition to the regularly operating attractions, there are special brunches and uncharges on Mother’s Day that you may want to take advantage of. However, if you’re trying to do a theme park on a dime, then what I’ve laid out for you should fit the bill nicely! It’s not the money you spend on mom, but the TIME spent with her. THAT is what she will remember most.

And to my mom, Happy Mother’s Day! Thank you for the memories. I love you!

 

Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” (2017) movie review

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Prepare yourself for “a tale as old as time” that is ultimately better told through its animated counterpart. Director Bill Condon’s live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast, the first animated film nominated for Best Picture at the (1992) Academy Awards, is an extravagant display of visual effects and digital imagery necessary to animate a live-action motion picture. Essentially, he took an animated movie, made it live-action, just to make it animated again. Sure, this new version of the “song as old as rhyme” can certainly stand on its own and is demonstrably well-directed, but 2017’s Beauty and the Beast largely comes across as unnecessary. In terms of the storytelling (or diegesis), the film’s effort to nearly shot-for-shot translate the most memorable parts of the film from animation to live-action pays off nicely! It’s when the film tries to be different that it falls short in its delivery. There are sufficient moments that beautifully recreate that which caused you to fall in love with this movie more than two decades ago; although, with this version, you may find yourself exhausted and over-stimulated by the constant waves of computer-animated figures in a live-action world. Oh yeah, you’ll likely miss hearing the legendary Angela Lansbury as the iconic Mrs. Potts. The film does its very best to justify its existence, but begs the question whether or not this was the movie for which you were waiting.

Belle (Emma Watson) is a young lady with a longing for adventure and a great big imagination, but she lives in a rather provincial French town. But, Belle is about to get more adventure than even she, in her wildest imagination could have dreamt. For through a series of strange circumstances, she finds herself trapped inside a dark foreboding castle, surrounded by a very odd collection of characters. It’s in this castle that she finds her father who she feared injured or dead imprisoned by a Beast (Dan Stevens). Against her father’s wishes, she reluctantly exchanges herself for her father’s release. After the Beast sets him free, Belle is to remain a permanent resident of the castle. Fearing the worst, Belle’s father seeks the help of the misogynistic village heartthrob Gaston (Luke Evans) and his band of goofs and thugs to rescue her. During this time, however, Belle begins to feel “something there that wasn’t there before” as she learns more about the Beast of the castle.

Can this film stand on its own? Sure. There is no question in that. Moreover, is it enjoyable and magical? That, it is. But when most of the campaign, leading up to the highly anticipated release, was primarily built upon how similar the live-action film would be to its animated counterpart, therein a problem arises. Because most people going into the movie will have seen the animated version, Broadway show, or even the show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (which, in full disclosure, is a show that I worked when I was a Cast Member at Walt Disney World), you are predisposed to looking for and eagerly awaiting the nostalgic references and memories. And there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, I was looking forward to reliving the experience of when I first saw the animated movie. For the most part, if you are like me, then you will be pleased with the live-action translation–truly. However, it’s when the live-action version departs from or adds in material not found or referenced in the animated classic that you may be disappointed or simply ask “why?” You may find yourself wondering why was a live-action remake even necessary?

One of the most memorable elements of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (1991) is the music! Still to this day, millions of people love hearing the classic music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. Both the Beauty and the Beast and Be Our Guest can be heard as part of other shows at Walt Disney World and of course are included in the stage show at Hollywood Studios. Fortunately, the most iconic songs from the animated version are largely untouched; however, with a couple of the songs, there are breaks for diegetic dancing, fighting, or other material that essentially interrupts the organic flow of the music from the buildup to the climax and denouement. Again, the question “why” will likely pop into your head. We are introduced to a few new songs, and in and of themselves, are beautiful! Every note and lyric has that Disney magic that many of us have come to expect and appreciate. Unfortunately, the songs just don’t fit in with the original numbers in terms of pacing, lyrics, and score. Furthermore, here’s something quite interesting and odd: the song [To Be] Human Again was written for but deleted when it originally hit theatres in 1991. It was, however, added back in for the Broadway show and in the 2010 (and Diamond Edition) re-release of the movie. Although it was seen as important enough to include in the Broadway show and add back into the animated version, it is conspicuously missing from the live-action remake.

With the exception of Emma Thompson replacing the legendary Angela Lansbury, the cast was well-selected and demonstrated excellent chemistry between one another. Although Emma Watson is not a singer by trade, she was able to capture a Belle-like essence in her delivery of the various songs throughout the film. There was something uniquely organic in her voice that is seldom captured by other Disney “princesses” (note: Belle is not a princess). I greatly appreciate the dynamic range of characters that Watson has demonstrated that she can play over the years. Dan Stevens wows audiences with his vocal prowess especially in his solo number as we transition from the second to third acts. I appreciate how he stuck a fantastic balance between his human and beast sides respectively. Luke Evans was a perfect choice for Gaston, and his vocal talent matches his muscles–big, bold, and flawless. The rest of the cast, which includes some A-list talent itself, was ideally suited for the enchanted objects in the castle and the village.

Okay, now for the white elephant in the room: Josh Gad’s Lefou. Unless you have been completely disconnected from social media and the news, you’ve undoubtedly heard or read about the first ever Disney “gay moment” in this film. Suffice it to say, the whole thing has been blown way out of proportion. In fact, more attention is likely being paid to Lefou now than had the story never grown to the size of Gaston’s ego. For the most part, the subtext and subtitles of Lefou’s are largely just that–subtle–unless you are looking for them. But, in doing that, you may miss some of the more important and impressive parts of the movie. Moreover, there is nothing in Lefou’s actions that come across as offensive or obnoxious. Before audiences begin accusing Disney of pushing their ideals on those eager to attend this film, it is likely that the entertainment and media giant is simply delivering what audiences already expect or want. As a film and media professor, I can tell you that by in large, media simply delivers what audiences and investors are telling them to produce–not the other way around. Looking back at the animated film, it is pretty obvious that Lefou has a thing for Gaston anyway. Although most of the hints at his sexual orientation are more-or-less winks or nods at the audience (winks or nods that you have to be looking for), there is a moment that is a trifle more obvious at the end of the film. Diegetically, there is nothing bizarre about Lefou’s behavior and it suits his character well.

Prepare to be whisked away to an enchanted castle in a remote part of France. So remote is this province in France, that most everyone speaks with a British accent. Bill Condon’s film will take you back to when you first saw this magical tale of falling in love with someone based upon what’s on the inside and not allowing a beastly outward appearance to detract from the gentle soul. Relive the music that you may still listen to in the car or eagerly look forward to when visiting the Disney Parks and Resorts. Ultimately, this film may not capture the magic of the original for you, but there is a lot to enjoy! Looking for a great date movie this weekend, then this is definitely it! Hopefully a side effect of this film may remind producers and audiences that some stories are better suited for an animated motion picture.

Written by R.L. Terry

Edited by J.M. Wead