A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT CONTENT/COMMENTS TODAY: One of today’s news items is about some Star Wars Episode VIII filming photos. These photos show scenes, characters, sets, costumes and may give away situations in the upcoming film. It is the very, very last news item on the page, and there is plenty of warning/spoiler space beforehand. If you do not want to be spoiled, stop reading when I tell you to stop reading. Do not skip to the comments, because today, Fab News’ comments ON THIS PAGE will allow discussion of the spoilery photos shown. The Facebook Page link from MiceChat will NOT allow spoiler discussion, so if you want to talk about today’s Fab News without being spoiled, that’s where you want to be today. Thanks for your kuleana (cooperation) in this weird situation.
But first, something NOT spoilery and very, very cool:
“Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey” Premieres at SXSW
“Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey” premiered yesterday at the Paramount Theatre at SXSW Film Festival with J.J. Abrams, VFX Supervisor Roger Guyett, Supervising Sound Editor Matthew Wood, Co-Producer Michelle Rejwan and R2-D2.
The feature-length documentary is an in-depth bonus feature on the upcoming Digital HD and Blu-ray Combo Pack.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is coming home on Digital HD April 1 and is available on iTunes and other digital providers for pre-order now. Fans can also explore all things Star Wars at iTunes.com/Starwars. It comes home on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on April 5.
Fab News is brought to you by my Square Squares, my Patreon Patrons and DVCResaleMarket.com
It’s Boysen-BACK!
Meanwhile, in a berry farm not very far, far away . . . You can celebrate Knott’s historic berry each spring during Knott’s Boysenberry Festival, March 19 – April 3, in the heart of the theme park, Ghost Town. The 16-day food festival features countless, one-of-a-kind boysenberry inspired dishes, drinks and more, plus live entertainment, the Wine and Craft Brew Tasting Garden, and fun the whole family will love!
From sun up to sun down, the festival features dueling fiddlers, Peanuts Party in the Park, vine dancing, Jammin’ in the Dark (a nighttime dance party), live music, and other live entertainment. The limited-time Festival is included with admission to Knott’s Berry Farm.
One of the best ways to experience the Boysenberry Festival is with a Boysenberry Bites Tasting Card. For only $25, the tasting card includes generous portions of six delectable treats:
1. Boysenberry BBQ Short Ribs at Spurs Chophouse
2. Spicy Boysenberry BBQ Wings
3. Fried Alligator Bites with Fries & Boysenberry Aioli at Sutter’s
4. Boysenberry BBQ Meatballs near Churro Factory
5. Boysenberry Panna Cotta with Almond Crumble at Ghost Town Bakery
6. Boysenberry Dessert Flautas at Ghost Town Grub
- 5. Panna Cotta!
- 6. Flautas!
Here’s a special treat: Win One (1) of Two (2) Sets of Tickets to Knott’s Boysenberry Festival!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And don’t forget the FUN BUN:
Which is being joined this year by the FUN STICK: 
More details on the FUN STICK next week, after I try it. Promise.
Say it Ain’t So, Joe…
The Society of Adventurers and Explorers (SEA) reports that Imagineer Joe Lanzisero is now former Imagineer Joe Lanzisero, having put in for retirement, ostensibly to actually go Explore and Adventure. I hope they’re all fantastic ones, and don’t be a stranger. Kungaloosh, my friend!
LAST CHANCE
Our partners at the lovely Anabella Hotel, just across the street from Disney California Adventure, are giving away a 2 night stay in a concierge room with free breakfast and a Disney gift card. Today is the last day to enter!
And if you are looking for a great hotel deal, Anabella has some special offers right now – ask about ½ off Sundays and $60.00 Wednesdays, call them at 800.863.4888.
MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE: MICKEY’S SPORT-Y-THON
Includes Six Episodes of the Hit Disney Junior Series Starring Mickey and the Clubhouse Gang,
Plus a FREE Golden Mickey Medal!
“Put on your sneakers and get ready for the greatest sporting event ever! Join referee Goofy, along with Mickey and all of his Clubhouse Pals, as they compete in the first-ever Sport-Y-Thon, an action-filled sports tournament. Share the excitement – and a sky-high view of the action – as sportscasters Pete and Donald Duck broadcast live from above in the Sport-Y-Thon Blimp! Who will earn a prized Golden Mickey Medal? Help our heroes discover that with teamwork and good sportsmanship, everybody wins! Jam-packed with over two hours of song-filled episodes, Mickey’s Sport-Y-Thon will have you calling for an instant replay!”
Episodes included:
- Mickey’s Sport-Y-Thon
- Mickey’s Mousekeball!
- Donald’s Brand New Clubhouse
- Mickey’s Mousekedoer Adventure
- Mickey’s Mystery!
- Mickey’s Happy Mousekeday
With Mickey Mouse Clubhouse’s legendary cast:
- Bret Iwan as Mickey Mouse
- Russi Taylor as Minnie Mouse
- Bill Farmer as Goofy and Pluto
- Tony Anselmo as Donald Duck
And a creative team with a solid Disney pedigree:
- Director:
Donovan Cook (Return to Never Land) - Executive Producer: Rob LaDuca (Jake and the Never Land Pirates)
- Producer and Story Mark Seidenberg (Jake and the Never Land Pirates
The 1-Disc DVD with exclusive FREE Golden Mickey Medal hits stores and online retailers May 24, 2016.
MARVEL’S CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR – GIRLS REFORMING THE FUTURE CHALLENGE
Challenging Young Female Avengers to Create Positive World Change through Science and Technology with a Chance to Earn an Internship with Marvel Studios
Disney, Marvel Studios, Dolby Laboratories, Synchrony Bank, Broadcom MASTERS and Science & Entertainment Exchange, a program of National Academy of Sciences are proud to unite to present the nationwide MARVEL’S CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR – GIRLS REFORMING THE FUTURE CHALLENGE in conjunction with the May 6, 2016 release of Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War,” starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Emily VanCamp, Frank Grillo and Martin Freeman with William Hurt and Daniel Brühl.
The above is a single sentence in a thing I received in my mailbox. It is a masterpiece. Wait, there’s another:
In “Captain America: Civil War,” each hero is forced to take a stand and choose a side in their fight to reform the future. Although the team becomes divided, they remain united by the same goals: the commitment to safeguard humanity, protect the earth at all costs and make the world a better place for future generations. Marvel, continuing to build on the success of the Ultimate Mentor Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy: Guardians of Good, and Ant-Man Micro-Tech Challenge, is launching the GIRLS REFORMING THE FUTURE CHALLENGE to engage young women to further the Avengers’ goal of making the world a better place.
I joke, but this is actually something wonderful. I’m glad that so far it’s been a success, and that they’re keeping it going. I’m especially happy about the Marvel Studios internship, and I wish I was a kid again so that I could participate. I strongly urge you, if you have one of these creatures living in your house, to find out if this would interest her, and if so, get her into this; it’s really cool! Red carpet at the premiere, money, a tour of the Walt Disney Studios, a trip to California to GET to these places, and each parent competing for the chance to be the one you take with you!
This program, supported by the Science & Entertainment Exchange, a program of National Academy of Sciences, seeks to inspire young girls to create positive world change for their generation and beyond through science and technology. One exceptional young woman will be selected to receive a one-week internship with Marvel Studios. The challenge invites girls nationwide, ages 15 – 18, in grades 10 -12, to submit innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics)-based projects that have the potential to change the world. Each applicant will be asked to submit a short video demonstrating her project and explaining how her science and technology-based project could make the world a better place. Five finalists will be selected to come to California and present their projects to a panel of experts. One grand prize winner will be selected from the five finalists to receive an internship with Marvel Studios.
Finalists will have the opportunity to inspire other young girls around the world by participating in a LIVE global Broadcom Masters webinar during which the girls will discuss how their STEM skills enabled them to create their projects and become a finalist of the Captain American Civil War: Girls Reforming the Future Challenge. The Grand Prize Winner will share her MARVEL STUDIOS Internship experience, giving girls everywhere a peak into STEM skills in action outside the lab and the classroom.
Each finalist will receive: Two round-trip tickets to Southern California for the finalist and her parent or guardian, including scheduled meals, ground transportation to and from organized activities, hotel accommodations, from April 10 through April 13, 2016; an opportunity to be on the red carpet at the World Premiere of Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” at the Dolby Theatre® in Dolby Atmos® and Dolby Vision™ on April 12, 2016; a tour of the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California; and $500.00, deposited into a High Yield Savings account with Synchrony Bank.
Complete contest information will be available from March 11, 2016 through March 26, 2016. Entries will be accepted beginning on March11, 2016 through 9:00 PM PT on March26, 2016. For application forms, eligibility requirements, official contest rules and more information about MARVEL’S CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR – GIRLS REFORMING THE FUTURE CHALLENGE, please visit http://www.captainamericachallenge.com.
Unlikely Allies and Unexpected Traitors on Tonight’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Coulson and General Talbot are forced to team up and attend a worldwide symposium on Inhumans, where they suspect Malick has an inside man. As the S.H.I.E.L.D. team gets closer to the truth, an unexpected traitor is revealed. Brett Dalton’s looking astonishing these days. Think I’ll grab some ribs on the way home. Got a craving, for some reason.
Celebrate the Mighty St. Patrick at Raglan Road!
From the mailbox:
Never call Ireland’s most famous holiday “St. Patty’s,” and avoid green beer if you want an authentic St. Patrick’s Day experience. Celebrate as the Irish do during the Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant in Disney Springs March 11-17. Award-winning Irish bands and quick-stepping Irish dancers will showcase their roots during Central Florida’s most authentic St. Patrick’s Day celebration that also will feature inventive cuisine by Irish celebrity chef and PBS/Create TV personality Kevin Dundon.
- Guests can choose from several authentic Irish dishes, including the “Keen Eye for the Shepherd’s Pie” during the Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival March 11-17 at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant. (Tom Burton, photographer)
Guests can enjoy a mighty selection of beers, spirits and craft cocktails with Dundon’s authentic Irish dishes while musicians and dancers perform on multiple stages. Headline acts during the Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival include Irish bands JigJam, The Raglan Roots Coalition, Cooney & Ryan, Avi McGourty and The High Road:
- The Raglan Roots Coalition – 10 years down the road, Raglan felt it was time to shake its boogie – Roots style, with this new Irish house band. Think soul-rocking Celtic bluegrass with some hip-swingin’, knee-shakin’ funky roots beats, and you’re only halfway there.
- JigJam– The hottest new act on the Celtgrass music scene, this County Offaly, Ireland, trio blend the best of hard-driving American Bluegrass and Irish folk music.
- Cooney & Ryan– One of the finest traditional Irish music duos around, these accomplished, energetic musicians often invite the crowd to sing along.
- Avi McGourty — Award winning singer-songwriter McGourty from County Tipperary, Ireland, is a rising star on the Irish music scene with her soulful lyrics and joyful musical renditions.
- The High Road— These young, traditional Irish musicians who met in University in Ireland exude musical chemistry. A predominately Irish traditional group, they also play British folk, blues and soul.
St. Patrick’s festivities will include complimentary face painting and giveaways. Mighty Festival hours are 4 p.m.-1:30 a.m. March 11, 14, 15 and 16; noon until 1:30 a.m. March 12 and 13; and 11 a.m. until 1:30 a.m. March 17. The pub opens weekdays at 11 a.m. for lunch and weekends at 10 a.m. for brunch.
If you want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day like the Irish, here are seven fun facts to keep in mind:
- Never call the holiday “St. Patty’s.” It’s either “St. Patrick’s Day” or “St. Paddy’s.”
- A shamrock has three leaves (not four – that would be a clover).
- Americans invented the St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1737 in Boston.
- Most Irish pubs do a full month’s business on St. Patrick’s Day.
- Guinness sells 13 million pints on St. Patrick’s Day versus the usual 5 million daily.
- Raglan Road is America’s #1 Irish Pub.
- Green beer is an American invention. Raglan Road does not serve green beer.
Guests can order from Raglan Road’s popular lunch, dinner and bar menus that include new dishes just introduced by Chef Dundon. The dinner menu features loin of bacon and cabbage, the authentic Irish dish of St. Patrick’s Day, plus other Irish classics created with Dundon’s modern twists. Throughout the event, the restaurant’s Cooke’s of Dublin counter-service eatery will offer Irish favorites, as well, including fish and chips.
On March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis with a cover charge of $10 for each guest age 18 and older. Reservations can be booked for other festival days by calling 407/938-0300.
During the festival, Dundon will host an exclusive four-course luncheon and culinary demonstration March 14 and a signature dinner and wine event on March 15. Details are available at www.raglanroad.com.
This is your next to the last warning.
Spoilery Pictures From Episode VIII Hit the Internet
Filming in Dubrovnik started last Friday, and local fans have been active and generous with photographs and information, especially DuList, StarWarsDubrovnik and StarWarsHrvatska as well as Domajo Pandzic. Because these are
SO.
VERY.
SPOILERY.,
I’m telling you now: If you don’t want to be spoiled, this is where you STOP READING FAB NEWS RIGHT HERE. Thanks to DVCResaleMarket.com and see you Thursday. I’m serious!
Seriously. Stop reading Fab News if you hate spoilers. If you want to see spoilers, go ahead. Or look all over the Internet, because, honestly, these are all over the Internet. May Mace Windu have mercy on your souls.
Here’s hoping that Adventures by Disney does a Star Wars Locations Adventure in Dubrovnik and other beautiful filming areas after the movie comes out in December of 2017!
Crowd Forecast From Mouseaddict
Andy Castro’s Dateline Disneyland was on vacation yesterday, so we are bringing you your Disneyland Crowd Forecast.
Thank You!
Thanks to my Square Squares, my Patreon Patrons, everyone who emails and comments here and on Facebook. It truly means a lot to me! Also huge thanks to DVCResaleMarket.com – I can’t get all this stuff done without you! If you are looking into buying or selling Disney Vacation Club points, Nick and his team are the people to see. They have decades of experience both inside and outside of the Disney company and have moved literally hundreds of millions of dollars in DVC points. They truly know what they are doing and how to get you the most bang for your vacation buck.
  |
If you want to reach me I’m on Twitter, on Facebook, and also available at [email protected] . If you’d like to support Fab News, I’d appreciate it. You can pledge a dollar or more a month through Patreon or you can make a one-time donation of a dollar or more through Square. Just click on the banners below. Thanks!
|
| FTC-Mandated Disclosure: Sponsorship for this edition of Fab News was provided by DVC Resale Market. |