Universal Studios announces The Opening at Universal Orlando City Walk of Stunning Steampunk "Toothsome Chocolate Factory"

Wow, Universal Studios announced they'll open a kind of Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory with a steampunk style at Universal CityWalk Orlando! The "Toothsome Chocolate Factory" isn’t directly related to the book or the movies, but it’s a 19th century-themed Steampunk chocolate factory where you’ll easily be able to get your chocolate fix. 

More from the official announcement:

"The brilliant minds behind Universal’s attractions and its culinary concepts have come together to deliver the next level of dining at Universal CityWalk. 
 Opening later this year, The Toothsome Chocolate Factory will transport you into a 19th century-inspired Steampunk chocolate factory. You’ll indulge your appetite amidst towering smoke stacks, funky gadgetry, and staff wearing unique Steampunk fashion.

Opening later this year, Toothsome Chocolate Factory brings out-of-this-world dining and chocolate creations to Universal CityWalk

And that’s only the beginning.

The food will take your imagination to new heights with a menu that features unique twists on classic steak, seafood and pasta entrees, gourmet burgers, sandwiches, incredible salads, all-day brunch and so much more. And the desserts will be simply…stunning.
 

Here’s a sneak peek of some of the milkshakes to get your mouth watering: Chocolate x5: An explosion of chocolate with chocolate spirals, chunks, ice-cream and whipped cream. Bacon Brittle: A fun twist on a breakfast favorite with bacon ice cream, bacon brittle, chocolate covered bacon and bacon caramel.

Espresso Buzzzz: A coffee lover’s dream with coffee ice-cream and chocolate covered beans.

Red Velvet: A milkshake topped with a Red Velvet cupcake… enough said. Key Lime Pie: We’ve taken this classic Florida dessert and turned it into a delicious shake. You’ll even get a slice of pie on top! The sundaes are anything but ordinary with flavors like Salted Caramel Flan, Chocolate Brownie Bark and S’mores. This extreme twist on a summer favorite features layers of chocolate ice-cream, chocolate sauce, marshmallow cream and graham crackers.
 
Opening later this year, Toothsome Chocolate Factory brings out-of-this-world dining and chocolate creations to Universal CityWalk You’ll even be able to watch chocolate creations being made—and purchase your very own from the restaurant’s retail shop to take home and enjoy."

Pictures: copyright Universal Studios

Lion King and Beauty and the Beast Animators Veterans Team Up for 2D Animation Steampunk Movie Project "Hullabaloo"

As we know Disney Animation Studios don't do anymore 2D animated films, the last one if i'm right was Princess and the Frog - which i loved - and also eventually Paperman as short animated.  Traditional animation is such a beautiful art form that i never understood why Disney decided to stop 2D animation, specially considering that Princess and the Frog was so good. 

Anyway, there's a team of Disney veteran animators who have joined forces to create a 2D animated steampunk adventure called Hullabaloo. It will be a hand drawn animated short that they hope will turn into a web or TV series or, even better, a feature length animated movie, which would be amazing! 

Here's the synopsis of the story that revolves around two incredibly smart female inventors:

"Hullabaloo is the story of Veronica Daring, a brilliant young scientist who returns home from an elite finishing school to find her father–the eccentric inventor Jonathan Daring–missing without a trace! The only clue left behind points Veronica toward Daring Adventures, an abandoned amusement park used by her father to test his fantastical steam-powered inventions. There she discovers a strange girl named Jules, a fellow inventor who agrees to help Veronica in locating her missing father and discovering the secrets of his work." 

James Lopez (The Lion King, Pocahontas, Paperman) and Rick Farmiloe (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin) are part of the animators team bringing this project to life. The project already has raised $108,000 dollars which is above their initial goal of $80,000 on Indiegogo, so hopefully we'll see this short 2D animated comes to life. Have a look at the video below presenting the project and showing clips of Hullabaloo.




Picture and video: copyright James Lopez Animation

Disney Characters Reimagined With a "Steampunk" Style!

Here is a great update for the week-end with these artworks featuring several Disney characters reimagined by Deviant artist MecaniqueFairy with a "steampunk" style! I think that he did an awesome job and people at Disney Parks should have a closer look at these as they could serve as inspiration for costumes of a "steampunk" designed parade in a Disney theme park.

 

Artwork: copyright MecaniqueFairy

" The Anachronism " , great Steampunk short and charming tribute to 20K

"The Anachronism" is an award winning short movie which should delight 20000 Leagues under the sea and Jules Verne fans. But most of all it's a wonderful Steampunk story about two children who discover the wreck of a giant squid submarine on a beach near their home...

Reviews of the movie were very good and Quiet Earth said “A Beautiful Steampunk Vision comes to life”. For Daily Gumboot the movie is “As haunting as it is beautiful” and Gizmodo web site declared “The Anachronism is more than worth the 15 minutes you need to set aside to watch it.”

For sure, this delightful children tale directed by Matthew Gordon Long worth the 15 minutes it'll take you to watch it, and so i've embedded it below. Watch it full screen of course, and hope you will like it!

The Anachronism (Full Film) from Anachronism Pictures on Vimeo.

Video: copyright Anachronism Pictures.