“Tomorrowland” Event Awaits MouseQuester Gayle

April 17, 2015May 20, 2016

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Written by Gayle Turner

“We would like to invite you to a very special Disney hosted event in May…”

Last week I opened my email and the shrieks could be heard around the world-Disney is hosting an exclusive event in May…and I am one of 25 lucky bloggers who will be heading to Los Angeles to take part in it. And the reason for the screams, (although truth be told any email that starts with “Disney would like to invite you” is immediate cause for tears, screams, and then followed by being at a complete and total loss for words, and I am never at a loss for words) –as part of the trip we will be attending a special screening of Tomorrowland, which opens in theaters everywhere May 22 and which stars, wait for it, George Clooney and Hugh Laurie and directed by Brad Bird. Did I mention that this movie stars George Clooney? (Insert more screaming).

While we’re in town, we’ll be visiting the Disney Archives to learn about Walt’s vision of “Tomorrowland” and what trip would be complete to Los Angeles without a visit to Disneyland!

“Tomorrowland”

Take a look at the latest trailer from “Tomorrowland” Disney’s riveting mystery adventure, where a teen bursting with scientific curiosity and a former boy-genius inventor bound by a shared destiny embark on a mission to unearth the secrets of a place somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory.

Walt Disney Archives

Preserving our legacy is something taken very seriously at The Walt Disney Company. In fact, for more than four decades, the Walt Disney Archives has carefully safeguarded the most treasured items from Disney’s fabled history.

The Walt Disney Archives had its beginning in 1970 — while Disney was still reeling over the passing of its founder, Walt Disney. At the time, Walt’s brother and the Chairman of Board Roy O. Disney, wanted to ensure that as key imagineers and animators began to retire, their vast knowledge of Disney history was not forgotten.

Disneyland-The Happiest Place on Earth– with, of course, a visit to Tomorrowland.

Always curious and thinking about progress, Walt Disney created Tomorrowland as a window to the future, a place to educate and inspire guests. Tomorrowland opened as one of five original lands at Disneyland Park on July 17, 1955, and has had more attractions than any other area in the park. Today, Tomorrowland is home to attractions such as Space Mountain, a thrilling high-speed journey through outer space; Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, a 3-D motion simulated space flight with more than 50 different story combinations, and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, an interactive adventure through the world of Buzz Lightyear. Tomorrowland Theater occasionally offers movie previews where right now guests can get a special sneak peek of “Tomorrowland” with special in-theater effects.

Disney California Adventure Park will offer us a little #FrozenFun

“Frozen Fun” is a big hit at Disney California Adventure park, bringing guests into the story of Disney’s animated blockbuster film, “Frozen.” Anna and Elsa are receiving visitors in their elegant greeting location, “Anna and Elsa’s Royal Welcome.” Guests can sing-along at “For the First time in Forever – A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration,” where Anna, Elsa and Kristoff take part in a lively retelling of their story with popular songs from the movie. Everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf, is ready to give a warm hug to guests of all ages. There’s a lot of “Frozen Fun” to be had, now through May 15. And Southern California residents can purchase tickets at special prices through May 20.

Don’t forget that Disneyland is about to celebrate 60 years of magic beginning May 22, 2015, make way to the; Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, where Guests of every age can salute 60 years of Disney magic with dazzling entertainment and sparkling surprises, including 3 new nighttime spectaculars making their in-park debuts!

Stay tuned right here as more details come in and be sure to follow our special #TomorrowlandEvent on as we take you to “Tomorrowland” and get social by following:

Like TOMORROWLAND Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyTomorrowland;

Follow Disney Pictures on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyPictures;

Visit the official TOMORROWLAND website: www.Disney.com/Tomorrowland;

Don’t forget to follow #TomorrowlandEvent to stay find out all the latest.

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“What if there was a place, a secret place where nothing was impossible? A miraculous place where you could actually change the world- wanna go?”

TOMORROWLAND opens in theaters everywhere on May 22nd!

Gayle is a lifelong educator by day and avid freelance writer by night Mom to 5, Grammy to 4 she is blessed to share her life with amazing family and friends who encourage her to chase her dreams no matter where they may lead. When not in the classroom, she can be found following her son as he dances his way through life, or working with young performers in free nationally recognized after school children’s theater program that she founded 13 years ago.

**Disney has invited me to Los Angeles to attend a screening Tomorrowland. All expenses have been paid for by Disney but all opinions are always 100% my own.**

Other posts by this author:
Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration is Just Around the Corner
Disney VoluntEARS Celebrate the Teaching Garden’s First Harvest
Behind the Scenes of Disney/Pixar’s “Lava”
Behind the Scenes of Disney/Pixar’s “Inside Out”
Movie Review – “McFarland, USA”

Behind the Scenes of Disney/Pixar’s “Lava”

March 20, 2015May 9, 2016

Written by: Gayle Turner

“I have a dream I hope will come true that you’re here with me and I’m here with you. I hope that the Earth, Sea, and Sky up above will send me someone to love.”- Lava

After years and years of dreaming what it would be like to visit Pixar Animation Studios last January my wish was granted and suddenly I found myself whisked away on the trip of a lifetime to learn more about Pixar’s upcoming Inside Out and the animated musical short that will play right before the feature, Lava. From the moment you walk through the Pixar gates and into the Steve Jobs Animation Building, you can feel yourself surrounded by the magic that is synonymous with the Pixar name.

Where else would Buzz and Woody greet you along side Luigi and Guido and of course Mike?

And a few steps away, a case full of Oscars and various other awards and achievements. Dinner, of course, was at the Cafe Luxo-because where else would one eat when at Pixar?

Then it was off to go inside the minds of director Pete Docter and producer Jonas Rivera, the creative team behind the sure blockbuster hit of the summer Inside Out and if that weren’t enough, we were treated to our own private screening of the musical short that will play before, Lava.

How did the enchanting love story of Lava come to fruition? We were lucky enough to have both director James Ford Murphy and producer Andrea Warren share their tale with us all.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had this tremendous fascination with Hawaii and Volcanoes as I think most kids do. I was a huge Elvis Presley Fan and I think Elvis had a fascination with Hawaii. I was exposed to that but it wasn’t until my wife and I got married and we went to the big island for our Honeymoon that I really fell in love with Hawaii, Volcanoes, and particularly Hawaiian Music.

About 15 years ago, my wife and I were watching an episode of “ER” that featured a very recognizable song that I had heard and knew from the “Wizard of Oz” but I’d never heard a more hauntingly beautiful rendition of this song, it literally floored me. And I’d go, who – who is this? It just blew my mind and the more – the more I uncovered it, I could believe the power and the beauty of that song. When it came time for me to come up with an idea for a Short Film I thought, well I have this love of Volcanoes and this love of Hawaii and Hawaiian Music, what if I could write a song that makes me feel the way that that song did when I first heard it and feature it in a Pixar Short.

So that’s what I set out to do. As I developed the idea, the story, and the pitch for Lava, I also wrote this song that you’ll see featured In the Film and every single time I pitched, I would sing and play the Ukulele.

And before we knew it, there stood James Ford Murphy, Ukulele in hand, serenading us with the hauntingly beautiful melodies and lyrics that tell the story of Lava, a volcano in love.

“A long, long time ago, there was a Volcano living all alone, I never did see. He sat high above his bay watching all the couples play and wishing that he had someone too. And from his lava came this song of hope that he sang out loud every day for years and years.

I have a dream I hope will come true that you’re here with me and I’m here with you. I hope that the Earth, Sea, and Sky up above will send me someone to love.”

The James sharing with us his song filled our hearts with joy and emotion and by the end, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. In the way that an old man, balloons and a house could be used to tell the greatest love story ever told, Lava will melt your heart.

Mark your calendars and save the date-both Inside Out and Lava open in theaters everywhere June 19!

In the meantime, don’t miss any of the latest news leading up to these two great summertime spectaculars

Like INSIDE OUT on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PixarInsideOut

Follow INSIDE OUT on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PixarInsideOut

Follow INSIDE OUT on Instagram: @PixarInsideOut

INSIDE OUT opens in theaters everywhere on June 19th.

***Disney invited me to San Francisco to attend a media event for Strange Magic and Pixar Inside Out. All expenses have been paid by Disney, but all opinions are always 100% my own.***

Movie Review – “McFarland, USA”

February 24, 2015May 9, 2016

Written by Gayle Turner

“Welcome to McFarland. This is a farming town-these kids working here are invisible. They come from the fields and they go back to the fields. Mr. White, if we’re going to reach them now is the time… Champions can come from anywhere.”

Think back to the great sports movies that you’ve seen-what made them great? They brought to life people that came together in unexpected ways and they were able to accomplish things that they never could have imagined. Even though you knew going in what the outcome would be-it didn’t matter-you still sat on the edge of your seat, holding your breath, waiting and wondering would Rudy finally make the team, would Team USA be able to stand up to the powerhouse Russian hockey team, or could the little high school basketball team from Indiana possibly have a chance to go all the way. Every once in a rare while, a film has you coming out of the theater filled with hope and promise. It leaves you feeling hopeful and inspired and for a brief period of time, life is good. Welcome to McFarland, USA.

Let’s face it-if you say “sports movie” you have definitely peeked my interest and on top of that, if you happen to throw Kevin Costner into the mix, you have my full and undivided attention. But this isn’t just another one of “those” sports movies. This is a film told in a remarkable way. It looks like a sports film, but it’s really a movie about people and how relationships can transform us. Costner’s performance is straight from the heart-you can see it in his eyes that something special is going on here. Combine that with a supporting cast that is first rate and realize that this is not just a movie, but a story that people actually lived, and you have all the makings of a film that will stay with you long after the lights come back up and the popcorn is gone. Director Niki Caro does such an amazing job revealing the character of the people and the town that you feel as though you had grown up in McFarland and known these people all of your life.

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“Champions can come from anywhere.” Inspired by the 1987 true story, “McFarland, USA” follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. Coach White and the McFarland students have a lot to learn about each other but when White starts to realize the boys’ exceptional running ability, things begin to change. Soon something beyond their physical gifts becomes apparent—the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic. With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well. Along the way, Coach White realizes that his family finally found a place to call home and both he and his team achieve their own kind of American dream.

Disney’s “McFarland, USA” stars Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Morgan Saylor, Martha Higareda, Michael Aguero, Sergio Avelar, Hector Duran, Rafael Martinez, Johnny Ortiz, Carlos Pratts, Ramiro Rodriguez, Danny Mora, Valente Rodriguez, Vanessa Martinez and Chris Ellis and is directed by Niki Caro with screenplay by Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson, and story by Cleveland & Gilois. Gordon Gray and Mark Ciardi are producing, with Mario Iscovich and Mary Martin serving as executive producers.

McFarland, USA could so easily have been yet another feel-good, “formula” sports underdog movie. But soon, thanks to the genuine heart in its story and a beautiful heart felt performance by Kevin Costner, it will likely win you over. So go ahead, surrender. Cry a little. This is one feel-good movie that won’t make you feel bad about feeling good.

“Champions come from anywhere”

McFarland, USA, is open theaters everywhere.

Race to the finish line with all the latest updates from McFarland, USA

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Your Guide on the Quest for the Perfect Disney Vacation

Tag: Disney Pictures

“Tomorrowland” Event Awaits MouseQuester Gayle

Behind the Scenes of Disney/Pixar’s “Lava”

Movie Review – “McFarland, USA”