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Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage ~ By Amber Montes de Oca

Published October 17, 2014 by jpmdo

Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage ~ By Amber Montes de Oca

As a musical, Beauty and the Beast is considered to be a big hit.  It’s won Grammy Awards and Academy Awards for its music.

Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage is a live Broadway-style musical based on the 1991 Disney movie Beauty and the Beast.  The show is located in the Theater of the Stars, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in Walt Disney World.

The story begins when an old beggar woman offers a spoiled and selfish prince a single rose in exchange for shelter from the cold; but because of her ugly appearance, the prince turns her away.  He’s then transformed into a Beast as punishment.  Only learning to love another and earning their love in return can break the spell.

The song “Belle” begins and the curtain opens, revealing Belle strolling through the village, reading a book.  The other villagers comment that Belle is especially beautiful, yet also strange and isn’t like the rest of them.  Gaston arrives onstage and, along with the villagers, sing and brag about him.  After all the villagers leave, Gaston takes Belle’s book from her and asks her to marry him; but she refuses.  Gaston takes her book away again, saying that she will marry him, and leaves.  Belle sings about her wanting a life outside of the provincial town.  Shortly after, Belle finds herself in the Beast’s castle where she meets the enchanted objects, who are the servants also under the spell.  Along with the dancers, they invite her to “Be Our Guest” for dinner, where they bring out food carts and giant spoons.  Afterward, the Beast enters onstage saying he’s afraid that Belle will only see him as a monster.  Belle then wanders into the West Wing and finds the rose.  The Beast finds her and says that he’s told her never to go there, which causes them to argue.  The objects gently tell the Beast be kind to her, if they’re ever going to break the spell.  Over time, the two start to bond and eventually fall in love.

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Back in the village, Gaston convinces the villagers that the Beast is a dangerous monster and declares that they have to go after him and kill him.  Belle comes out during a fight between Gaston and the Beast, and afterwards tells the injured Beast that she loves him.  The spell breaks, and the Beast is magically transformed back into the Prince.  Along with all the dancers, Belle and the Prince dance happily to the “Beauty and the Beast” song.

The show has combined a few different tones. The enchanted objects give a comical tone, while the mob song, the fight scene and the transformation provide serious tones.

The major conflict in this play is the Beast’s struggle to become kind and to love and earn the love of another, in order break the spell.  The major theme of Beauty and the Beast is to not judge someone by their appearance, because beauty comes from within.

The idea of the show is to recreate the classic Disney movie.  The same characters, similar dialogue, and all the same songs from the movie appear in the show.  To anyone who has seen the movie, the characters and songs are easy to recognize.  All of the scenes happen in the order that they appear in the movie.  However, since the show is slimmed down to twenty-five minutes, some scenes and characters from the movie don’t appear, including Belle’s father Maurice, their horse Phillipe, Belle coming to the castle and taking her father’s place as the Beast’s prisoner, the wolves, Belle and the Beast’s ballroom dance, and the Beast allowing Belle to return home.  It’s my favorite show at Disney World and I could definitely see it more than once a day.  The show is fantastic and it’s a performance that I encourage people of all ages to see.

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Beauty and the Beast has daily performances at 11:45am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:15pm, and 5:30pm.

About the Author: Amber Montes de Oca is a huge Disney fan. She’s an annual pass holder and loves to visit the Disney parks often. Her hobbies are singing, acting, and drawing. She has a BA from the University of Central Florida.

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World Secrets: What’s with the Big Green Dino at Hollywood Studios?

Published May 18, 2013 by Disneyways.com

She’s a lean, not so mean, ice cream serving machine!

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Perhaps you’ve noticed her on the shore of Echo Lake at Hollywood Studios – keeping her girlish figure by perpetually chewing on some grass.  Is this dinosaur some old Disney character forgotten by everyone?  Nope, she was a creation of someone else actually. Get ready to impress your friends and family with all that you know about Gertie.

Gertie the Dinosaur was the star of an animated film of the same name. Created by Winsor McCay, and released in 1914, Gertie was was credited as being one of the first animated characters with lifelike movements. She was pretty cutting edge for her time – and it took no less than 10,000 hand drawn cells bring her to life. (Winsor must have had strong hands!)

Gertie the Disnosaur’s movie was promoted as the “Greatest Animal Act in the World”, and included tag-lines like “Gertie: she’s a scream.”

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In 1989, Walt Disney Imagineers honored Gertie and the role she has played in the history of animated film by constructing her in an over-sized tribute. Of course you will find her at  Hollywood Studios –  a theme park that serves as the ultimate tribute to movie history.

Disney picked up on the tag line of Gertie being a “scream” and because of that, her entire form and belly was re-created to be the perfect place to serve up ice cream to guests. I scream, you scream, we all scream for (Gertie’s) ice cream…you get the picture.

Gertie in the form of an  ice cream shop also pays tribute to the architectural style known as “California Crazy”, which was popular in the 1930’s and was designed to attract the attention of potential customers in a uniquely “BIG” way.

Here’s another secret: the lake and fountain location for Gertie is rumored to be deliberate as well, because one of her tricks in the animated films was to drink an entire lake and then spit it all out! If you have an extra 6 minutes – check out Gertie in her film debut below!

Every single day, on the shore of Echo Lake inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can see Gertie in all her 1930’s “California Crazy” architectural goodness. I think you will find her to be very photogenic. Unfortunately, she is only open seasonally for the business of selling ice cream and treats. Catching her on one of these days can be tricky. Occasionally we get access to inside information about her hours of operation. Contact me if you need to know about specific dates, and I will do my best to get you the info!

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Have a magical day!

To read more Disneyways World Secrets, click. HERE

Star Wars Weekends 2013

Published April 9, 2013 by Disneyways.com

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Star Wars Weekends is an annual special event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that celebrates the legendary Star Wars Saga and the animated television series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each weekend, you can join celebrities and characters for special shows, panels, presentations and more.

The dates for 2013’s Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have been announced.

The Disney Parks blog revealed the special event weekends will be May 17-19, May 24-26, May 31 -June 2, June 7-9, 2013.

Click HERE to see Star Wars 2013 Merchandise.

James Arnold Taylor and Ashley Eckstein will be the celebrity hosts for all 4 weekends.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios admission is required. Availability is limited for some events, which may be cancelled at any time.

In 2013 there will be more than 60 characters representing all six of the Star Wars films: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.

Here is the list of some possible characters we may see in 2013:

(NOTE: These are characters, not the actors who portrayed them.)

Ahsoka
Anakin Skywalker
Aurra Sing
Boba Fett
Cantina Band
Chewbacca
Clone Troopers
Darth Maul
Darth Vader
Ewoks
Gamorrean Guard
Jango Fett
Jawas
Jedi Mickey

Kit Fisto
Leia Minnie
Mace Windu
Princess Leia
Luke Skywalker
Queen Amidala
R2-D2
Shaak Ti
Stormtroopers
Stormtrooper Donald
Tusken Raiders
Vader Goofy
Zam Wesell

This is the first year Star Wars Weekends will be run under new ownership, so to speak. Walt Disney Company recently purchased Lucasfilm and owns the rights to Star Wars including plans to release three new films in years to come.

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Guest appearances subject to change without notice.

So far we know:

  • SCHEDULED CELEBRITY APPEARANCES
    • MAY 17-19
      • Ray Park – (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
    • MAY 24-26
      • Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
      • Warwick Davis (everyone’s favorite Ewok, Wicket W. Warrick)
    • MAY 31 – JUNE 2
      • Warwick Davis (everyone’s favorite Ewok, Wicket W. Warrick)
    • JUNE 7-9
      • Billy Dee Williams (everyone’s favorite galactic smuggler, Lando Calrissian)

Disney’s FASTPASS Service will be used for all autograph sessions during Star Wars Weekends. It works the same as it does for attractions. A limited number of FASTPASS tickets are available. You will pick up your ticket with a scheduled autograph return time (instead of a ride time). You then get to go enjoy the park until your FASTPASS autograph return time. When your return time comes you just go to the autograph location. Each guest must be present to receive a FASTPASS. Once the tickets for an actor are gone, Disney will distribute a limited number of stand by tickets with a return time. Check the park guide for more details.

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The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend Disney Villains Hollywood Bash 2013

Published April 4, 2013 by Disneyways.com

She’s breaking hearts all over the kingdom!

How does Maleficent stay in such great shape at her age? She will never tell…but  it’s probably got something to do with a little Disney magic – and possibly

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler!

As of April 4th 2013 registration is 67% Full.  Click here for details and here to see if tickets are still available. If you’re more of a spectator then a runner….(like me!)… and you have a friend or family member in the race you also have a chance to be in on something really special.

Runners and their guests are invited to party all night long with the Disney Villains at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! You’ll enjoy exclusive access to some of your favorite Disney attractions including Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ and Toy Story Mania! Plus there will be live DJs and you’ll get to meet your favorite Disney Villains.

Admission to the Disney Villains Hollywood Bash is included in The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10-Miler race registration for all participants. It is not included in the Disney Happy Haunted 5K or runDisney Kids Races registration.  Disney Villains Hollywood Bash Tickets for spectators, friends and family must be purchased separately.  Space is limited and tickets are non-refundable.

Disney Villains Hollywood Bash Tickets:

· $54 (2/12 – 5/21)
· $64 (5/22 – 9/4)
· $74 (9/5 – sell out)

Here’s what’s included:

Disney Villains Hollywood Bash
Saturday, October 5 – Sunday October 6, 2013
10:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m.
Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Purchase your Disney Villains Hollywood Bash tickets here while they last.

Where else can you enjoy at 10 mile race – AND meet some dastardly Disney villains – all on the same night?

 

 

Disney Dance Party at HS until April 6th!

Published April 2, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be holding the “Spring Break in the City Dance Party” for the remainder of the week. Positioned at Streets of America and 8th Avenue (where the Spectacle of Dancing Lights stage is typically positioned), a DJ will be performing starting at 12:30 p.m. and continuing into the evening hours, daily through Saturday, April 6. There will be music and activities for the whole family!

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In other news,  the last performance of the Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun Parade and Disney Channel Rocks! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be Saturday, April 6.

Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights – Secrets and History

Published October 27, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Usually when I tell people I am headed to Hollywood Studios to catch the  Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, folks will ask, “OZZY Osborne?” I usually just laugh and reply, “no, not those Osbornes.” Although that would be a hilarious twist!

In fact the Osborne families could not be more different. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights started modestly in Arkansas as a single home’s annual display.

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This festive display of lights and sparkling holiday bulbs was designed by Arkansas businessman and philanthropist, Jennings Osborne. This tradition began years ago when Jennings strung 1,000 red lights as a Christmas gift to his daughter, Breezy. Soon, their 22,000 square-foot home was covered in millions of lights.  Every year, Jennings Osborne and his family set up an elaborate collection of holiday lights and over the years, the collection of lights grew, and grew… and grew! In 1995, the Osborne family decided to share their magic with the world, and Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort happily offered to become the new permanent home for this exceptional exhibition of holiday cheer.

Approximately every 10 minutes, the lights “dance” to holiday music, while “Florida snow” falls in the background, making this the perfect Christmas setting. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights is a CAN’T MISS if you will be anywhere near Disney’s Hollywood Studios around Christmas time.

You will want to look for  the infamous mannequin leg lamp from “A Christmas Story” (and check out what show is on the TV!) You’ll also find the more obvious hidden Mickeys at EVERY turn.

There are also surprises that sometimes the cast members are not even aware of! Each year a black cat is hidden somewhere among the lights. The story goes that when the lights were unpacked back in 1995, a Halloween Cat decoration had been mistakenly packed in, and was still used anyway. Each year it gets placed in a different location for guests to hunt. Here are pictures of him from years past so you know what to keep your eyes open for!

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This is NOT your grandmother’s Christmas lights – it may be one of the most amazing things you’ve seen in your life. Come bask in the glow of one of the most popular holiday traditions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Come see the trees, spinning carousels, 3-D and motion-based displays. Delight in the flying angels, toy soldiers and giant Santa Claus light creations all strung along the high-rise backlot cityscape of Streets of America.

The best part?? The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is included with standard admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park! Video does not do it justice but it gives you an idea. Please let me know if you will be coming to see this event!

 

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