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Hi everyone! Today I have some good news for those of you who are not in California waiting to go back to Disneyland after months including last year! So, let’s get started, shall we?! So, Disneyland has announced that out of state guests can be allowed to go back to Disneyland on June 15 since California is going to reopening its economy including the one when the Governor of California Gavin Newsom announced that it would be opening back up to the public. All guests will still have to wear masks after that date, despite the state of California planning to ease mask restrictions for fully-vaccinated individuals the same day. Additionally, the theme parks expanded their reservation window to allow guests to book up to 120 days in advance. The news comes as Disneyland Resort prepares to debut its Avengers campus on June 4. The land, which will be located inside of Disney’s California Adventure Park boasts three new eateries including a sit-down restaurant and two food carts.
Disney originally planned to reopen its California resort as early as July 17, 2020 but the company announced at the time that the approval they had expected imminently from state and local government officials would not be granted in time. Only the Downtown Disney District began a phased reopening in July. A later expansion onto California Adventure’s Buena Vista Street had to be partly rolled back amid new restrictions informed by spiking infection rates in the state. Disneyland and California Adventure officially reopened on April 30 after being closed for more than a year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
While Disney World in Florida reopened at limited capacity with mask mandates and distancing restrictions in July, stricter regulations in California mandated that the parks remain closed until last month.
In November, Disney was able to open a portion of California Adventure for in-person shopping and dining only, but had to close its dining operations just weeks later due to rising COVID-19 cases in the area.
Moving onto the ride refurbishment updates… The Jungle Cruise refurbishment is scheduled to reopen on July 16 just 5 days after my birthday which is July 11. The refreshed ride will spotlight the adventures of Alberta Falls, the owner of the Jungle Navigation Company and the “granddaughter of world-renowned Dr. Albert Falls,” the company’s former proprietor. And look for Trader Sam, one of the journey’s iconic characters, to helm the newly re-imagined Lost & Found location, too. Video showing some of the fresh features, created by Disney Imagineers to “reflect and value the diversity of the world around us,” was shared by the official Disney Parks Blog on May 26 (the video was filmed at Magic Kingdom, where work on the Jungle Cruise “will be completed” later this summer). The Buzz Light year Astro Blasters is schedules to reopen on June 26 with its new updates so guest can of course enjoy shooting more blasters with Buzz Light year. The Matterhorn Bobsleds will reopen at Fantasyland on July 2 just 2 days before the Fourth of July. And last however, the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh will close on July 5 after the Fourth of July happens.
So overall, things are looking better for Disneyland and I think it will get even better next year as long as we don’t see more cases start to rise again. You just never know!
This information came from the news I looked at today! So, what do you guys think about some big updates on Disneyland?!
I would love to hear lots of comments, thoughts, opinions, concerns, or questions down below!
Stay tuned for Disneyland updates.
The post Disneyland’s Out of State Announcement and Ride Refurbishment Updates! appeared first on The Nerd Element.
Below you’ll find the best superhero(board & video) games for kids by age that you’ll be able to enjoy as a family.
Love may be the bond that holds families together, but games are a close second. Check out our list of favorite fantasy board games for families. Whether it be a simple round of card game classics like Old Maid and War, complex modern board games like The Settlers of Catan and Carcassone, or good old video games like Wii Sports and Jackbox Party Pack, games pull the family together.
In fact, the only thing that threatens to unseat game time as the ultimate family experience is sharing nerdy media, particularly superhero movies and shows. In the same way that parents and kids gather around the table for a rousing game of Sorry!, others plop on the couch, fire up Disney+ to laugh and thrill at The Avengers and WandaVision.
While some families certainly prefer games and others prefer movies, there’s really no reason to choose. Nerdy families who want to combine their love of superheroes with a passion for gaming will have plenty of options.
Superhero games offer the best of all possible worlds. Inserting superheroes into proven titles like Candy Land and Street Fighter gives a new and exciting twist to old favorites that everyone already knows. These games also give players a chance to indulge their nerdy side. They not only let players take on the roles of famous characters like Batman and Captain Marvel, but many refer to lesser-known characters such as Guy Gardner and Kate Bishop. And, of course, they let parents and children complete and collaborate with one another, growing closer as they get nerdier.
In fact, there are so many options that they can get a little overwhelming. But have no fear, nerdy parent! We’re here to help you narrow down the list and point you toward the best superhero-themed games. Make sure before you leave you check out our favorite superhero toys by age as well to truly spoil those little ones.
Ages 2-5
Marvel Spider-Man Web Warriors Chutes & Ladders
Chutes & Ladders (or Snakes & Ladders, if you’re in the UK) is a mainstay of family game time, dating back to the ancient Indian game Moksha Potam. Its simple structure, in which players roll the dice to land on game spaces that either move them far forward or sets them all the way back, is practically board game perfection. But do you know what would make it better? Spider-Man.
A spin-off of the animated series Marvel Super Hero Adventures, Spider-Man Web Warriors Chutes & Ladders fills the classic game with not only Spider-Man but also cool new characters from the show, such as White Tiger and Power Man. More than a simple reskinning of a well-known game, this take on Chutes & Ladders introduces a narrative component, letting kids pretend that they are heroes taking down the evil Electro as they rise and fall across the board.
Marvel I Can Do That! Game
For younger children, there’s not much separation between gameplay and pretend time. In fact, it can be hard to get kids to stop dashing through the house shouting “I’m the Flash!” long enough to take their turn in a game. The I Can Do That! solves the problem by integrating a child’s wild imagination into the actual gameplay.
Designed around 15-minute rounds, perfectly suited to a child’s short attention span, I Can Do That! gives each player a superhero-themed challenge. Can your kid throw a hammer-like Thor? Can they shoot webs with the accuracy of Spider-Man? Can they race through an obstacle course with the speed of Captain Marvel? After playing this game, your kid will answer, “I can do that!”
Ages 6-10
Apples to Apples: Marvel Edition
Apples to Apples is one of the most popular recent family games, and with good reason. A card-based game in which players make comparisons between two different things or concepts, Apples to Apples lets kids explore their creative and critical thinking sides.
The Marvel Edition of Apples to Apples keeps the basic structure of the original game, but it adds characters like Captain America and Thor. Players still make comparisons between their favorite heroes and villains, but the Marvel Edition brings in new dynamics, such as the deck-clearing “Thanos Snap” trap. With vibrant images from some of the best modern comic book artists, Apples to Apples: Marvel Edition lets kids be creative and nerdy!
Lego Disney Pixar’s The Incredibles Video Game
All younger kids want to play video games, but not many this age have the hand-eye coordination to enjoy the same titles played by their older friends and siblings. Fortunately, there are the Lego video games, with bringing to gaming consoles the same accessible approach as the toy bricks for which the company is known.
The Incredibles video game follows the basic plot of the 2004 Pixar classic, with a family of superheroes battling against the evil Syndrome. But it also uses the great Lego video game format. Although these games do have the same life bars and mission objectives that you would find in most platformers, they are decidedly low stakes. These games have no “Game Over” state, they have almost no violence (characters who lose explode into Lego bricks), and they reward exploration and creativity. Throw in some fun cartoon cut scenes and advanced multiplayer modes, and Lego The Incredibles is the perfect choice for relaxing family video game time.
Ages 11-14
Funkoverse: DC Comics Board Game
If you’ve been in any toy aisle lately, you’ve certainly seen boxes and boxes of Funko Pops! Little figurines with giant heads and cute button eyes, Funko Pops! have made their name by appealing to both children and collectors, drawing from everything from extremely popular franchises such as Disney Princesses to the not-so-kid-friendly cult series Twin Peaks.
The Funkoverse game comes with two mini-Pop figures in the shape of Wonder Woman and her arch-nemesis Cheetah and works them into a simple strategy game. With card sets that present different scenarios and buffs, along with a game board that encourages dynamic play, the Funkoverse DC Comics game has all of the fan service and nerd fun that you want in a superhero-themed item, along with a strategy structure that appeals to players who want more difficult games.
Ravensburger Marvel Villainous: Infinite Power
Once the domain of analytical thinkers squirreled away in their basements, strategy games have been enjoying a wave of unprecedented popularity. Thanks to surprisingly accessible games such as Ticket to Ride and The Settlers of Catan, even casual players can sink their teeth into games far more complex than good ol’ Monopoly and Clue. In 2018, the venerable German puzzle maker Ravensburger brought Disney into the strategy game world with Villainous, in which players take the role of classic movie baddies such as Maleficent and Jafar.
Marvel Villainous: Infinite Power swaps out those cartoon antagonists for supervillains Loki, Ultron, and Thanos. Acting as one of these evildoers, each player sets out to achieve a goal such as collecting the Infinity Stones, with the help of cards that introduce buffs and gameplay alterations. With a variable structure that allows players to change the difficulty and impressively designed player figures, Marvel Villainous is the perfect game for everyone from dedicated strategy game nerds and casual fans.
Ages 15+
DC Deck-Building Game Multiverse Box
Ever since Pokémon exploded onto American scores in the mid-90s, deck-building games have been popular among cards. Deckbuilding games combine the strategy and action of classic card games with the trading and collectible fun of sports card collecting. Unsurprisingly, superheroes have invaded the genre, spreading their full host of characters and scenarios onto the collectible cards.
Like most deck-building games, this DC version includes character cards, event cards, and various types of buffs and game-changers. Subjects of the cards go very deep into DC Comics, featuring lesser-known characters such as Red Son Superman (a version of Superman who was raised in the Soviet Union) and the villainous Parallax, as well as deep-cut comic stories, including Infinite Crisis.
Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite (PS4,Xbox One)
Although most of the titles in the genre are rated T or M, fighting games have a wider appeal than nearly any other type. They feature bright, over-the-top characters with simple objectives (beat the person in front of you), and they can be played by simply mashing buttons. No fighting game defined the genre like Capcom’s Street Fighter II, which established not only the mechanics but the goofy characters. The Marvel vs. Capcom series brings Marvel Comics characters into fighting games for a perfect fit. Even those who don’t recognize Mega Man or Resident Evil’s Chris Redfield will still get a kick out of playing as Spider-Man and Iron Man.
The most recent entry in the Marvel vs. Capcom series, Infinite has an odd story that involves the two fictional universes combining. The plot might throw some kids, especially those who didn’t grow up playing Street Fighter or Mega Man. But at the end of the day, the game has all of the over-the-top action that you want, made all the more fun when heroes use the Infinity Stones to improve Captain America and Black Panther. No one cares about the story when you can simply mash on the buttons to stage massive battles between Marvel’s greatest heroes.
The post Best Superhero Games for Kids By Age appeared first on Nerdy With Children.
When you think Star Trek there are a few words that instantly come to mind. “Kirk” and “Spock” are far and away the most well-known characters in the series—and younger generations of fans might answer The Next Generation’s Captain Picard or even Q as some of the most iconic figures the franchise has churned out. Regardless of which Trek show is your jumping-on point, though, “Miles O’Brien” is rarely the answer that comes to mind when we think about Star Trek’s most beloved characters—and that’s an utter travesty. Though he may not be the most well-known, or even the most well-liked character on the series in which he appeared, Miles O’Brien is one of Star Trek’s most fascinating and under-appreciated characters.
Brought to life by Colm Meaney (who celebrates his 68th birthday today!), Miles O’Brien was first introduced as a the transporter chief on Star Trek: The Next Generation—a supporting player who was perhaps most memorable to viewers at the time for his Irish accent and friendship with Commander Data. Franchise higher-ups picked up on his potential, though, and after a successful tenure on TNG, O’Brien made the jump to a main cast member on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, where he truly blossomed into a remarkable figure in the Trek universe, building off of already established story arcs and weaving in new character threads.
Admittedly, if the name Miles O’Brien didn’t ring a bell for you right off the bat, it’s for good reason. Even though he’s the second most long-running character in Trek history (behind Michael Dorn’s Worf), O’Brien’s character is, for lack of a better word, engineered to play second fiddle. While some Trek characters are beloved for their quirky-one liners, memorable physical attributes, or extraordinary abilities, O’Brien is a very deliberate everyman—a sort of audience stand-in who’s at his best when he’s playing off of other, bigger characters.
It’s easy to draw the eye when you’re the center of attention, but to be a standout as a supporting player takes a special gift—and that’s exactly the prowess Colm Meaney holds as an actor on TNG and DS9. His most memorable relationship is part of a dynamic duo with Alexander Siddig’s bright-eyed doctor Julian Bashir, with whom O’Brien developed a begruding friendship. While we laugh and fondly role our eyes at Julian Bashir’s over-eager antics, it’s O’Brien’s annoyance and infuriation that makes the comedic beats in those scenes work. He’s a much-needed grounding presence when some of the more absentminded characters babble off into monologues of techno jargon—O’Brien is always there with a baffled, unimpressed look or a frustrated comment to level out the often overwhelming amount of sheer sci-fi in the later seasons of Deep Space Nine.
What’s more, O’Brien’s relatability extends beyond just playing straight man to goofy characters in comedic bits—he’s also frequently used by the writers’ as a vehicle to explore more grounded, blue collar themes and subjects that don’t always seem to go hand-in-hand with spaces battles and Vulcan mind melds. One particularly memorable (and trailblazing) episode is is DS9 4×16 “Bar Association,” where O’Brien inspires the Ferengei Rom to form a union and go on strike after becoming fed up with the inhumane working conditions at his brother Quark’s bar.
It’s a silly episode, sure, but Star Trek excels in using silliness and sci-fi to tackle real-life issues, and “Bar Association” is an excellent example of one of the rarer times that Trek tackles are more blue-collar subject: unions. Though Star Trek is beloved and iconic for its often deeply intellectual and philosophical storytelling, it’s not always the most accessible show—and through O’Brien, the franchise had a way to express more salt-of-the-Earth ideas in a far-flung sci-fi setting.
O’Brien’s down-to-Earth nature and more traditional sensibilities also made him the perfect conduit through which to explore one of the franchise’s touchier subjects: bigotry. Trek began as a picture of a Utopian world where hatred and bigotry was a thing of the past, but as the franchise blossomed and grew, it found ways to address those ideas without losing the integrity of the franchise. In the early days of The Original Series, it was most frequently through alien cultures that audiences saw depictions of bigotry and closed-mindedness, but with the introduction of Miles O’Brien, the franchise was able to tackle the subject in a new way—through the lens of a protagonist.
It’s rare to see any franchise willing to place bigotry in its heroes front and center, but that’s exactly what Star Trek was able to do with Miles O’Brien—explore hatred and closed-mindedness through a well-loved protagonist in a way that both honored the character and explored the issue with previously unexplored thoughtfulness and depth. It’s an unfortunate truth that even our closest friends and loved ones are all closed-minded in some capacity—but with O’Brien, Star Trek was able to explore where hatred comes from on a smaller, more personal scale.
The Next Generation 4×12, “The Wounded,” is the first episode in which O’Brien’s character is explored significantly—and, consequently, is also the first episode where we learn of his resentment towards the Cardassian race. The episode revealed that O’Brien was stationed at a Federation outpost which the Cardassian military mistakenly believed was harboring a secret Federation military base that would launch an attack on Cardassia. As such, the Cardassians launched their own pre-emptive counterstrike, resulting in the slaughter of virtually the entire civilian population of the outpost.
From then on, O’Brien harbored intense hatred of all Cardassians as a whole—a personal prejudice which would go on to be explored further in Deep Space Nine episodes “Tribunal,” “Paradise,” and “Empok Nor.” What’s fascinating about how the show handles O’Brien’s hatred towards Cardassians is that it both empathetically acknowledges the root of his bias and also condemns the cruelty of judging and entire race by the actions of a select few. O’Brien is, by all accounts, a lovable character—a good soldier, a better crewmate, and a loyal friend. He’s commended by both his captains and his fellow officers—yet he has a very clear and very significant personal flaw that haunts his service in Starfleet, and one that’s acknowledge in a meaningful way by the show.
O’Brien isn’t perfect—he knows it, the audience knows it, the other characters know it—and that’s what makes him such an effective character. He’s told off by his wife Keiko for making bigoted comments about the Cardassian people—the show’s way of reminding audiences that even the fictional hereos we see on TV are flawed, human figures. What’s more is that the show takes it a step further—having O’Brien himself acknowledge his bigotry and where it comes from. In one of The Next Generation’s best lines, he tells a Cardassian soldier that “It’s not you I hate, Cardassian; I hate what I became because of you.”
Chief Miles O’Brien isn’t a particularly glitzy character, nor (at face value) is he an enviable role as an actor. But in Colm Meaney’s honest, grounded performance, Star Trek was able to explore a number of sticky subjects that would have failed miserably in the hands of a less capable actor and writing staff. From his involvement in unions to his wartime PTSD to his hatred towards Cardassians, O’Brien became a symbol of how Star Trek could and should explore the flaws within the Federation just as it explored bigotry in alien cultures. Just because you have flaws, that doesn’t make you any less of a hero.
(featured image: CBS)
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The post Yellow Uniform, Blue Collar: Celebrating Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Chief O’Brien first appeared on The Mary Sue.
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Fantasia has been documenting the ups and downs of her latest pregnancy via social media. Back in April, she revealed that she was hospitalized after experiencing contractions. Despite her recent hospitalization to stop contractions and going into labor, her daughter was still born a bit too soon.
Last week, she announced that she and her husband, Kendall Taylor, welcomed their first child together, Keziah Taylor.
“In the NICU with You,” she captioned a photo of her and husband holding hands on Instagram.
She didn’t provide any further details.
Before she started experiencing complications, the mother of three said she was “feeling good” and that her husband had been a great support.
“Mornings are a little tough for me but again, this is my third time riding this rodeo so I got it,” she said during an appearance on The Tamron Hall Show in December. “I think the greatest gift that I have is a supportive husband that won’t let me touch anything, do anything. I wake up to breakfast so it makes it a whole lot better.”
Fantasia already has two other children, Zion,19, and Dallas, 9.
After watching Fantasia give birth, Taylor gushed about his wife’s strength in an IG post.
“Today I experienced something that rewrote my personal definition of a Black Woman,” Taylor said. “To observe my Queen @tasiasword bring my little Angel @keziahlondontaylor into this world elevated my understanding and sense of pride, respect and admiration for black women. Yahweh, please empower me to lead and protect my wife and children with the highest level of wisdom, power and discipline that I have to capacity to receive!”