Disney and Beyond Friday Feature -The Haunted Mansion

Hello and welcome back to Disney And Beyond, your one stop shop for all things Disney and Pop Culture.

Today it's time for the Friday Feature and with Halloween around the corner,  I take a look at one of Walt Disney's most beloved attractions, The Haunted Mansion.

Check out the book about it here...
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Disney and Beyond Friday Feature - Star Wars Battlefront 2 Controversy

In today's Friday Feature, I give my opinions on the #Battlefront2 Loot box controversy.

Hidden Gems - My Anime Picks on Netflix

Afternoon, Anime fans and welcome back to Disney and Beyond.  Just because I’ve been away for some time, it doesn’t mean I’ve been sitting on my laurels.  I’ve found a new, untapped source of Anime awesomeness for those that don't have a Crunchyroll subscription.  Where is this wealth of wickedly delightful hidden gems, I hear you ask?  One word; Netflix.  That’s right, the behemoth pay and view service has been adding Anime shows like there’s no tomorrow.  I subscribed to Netflix a couple of years ago and the Anime section has grown tenfold in that time.  Some are old, but most are from only a couple of years, or even this year.

So, for those of you that have Netflix and don’t fancy the endless Christmas films and TV, I’ve picked out, what I believe to be, the five best hidden Anime gems on Netflix...

1. Yu-Gi-Oh

In my naive, pre-Anime days, Yu-Gi-Oh was much overlooked by myself and my peergroup; we were on the cusp of greatness and anything that wasn’t Pokémon just wasn’t Anime. But as I grew, so did my love of Japanese trading card games and now Yu-Gi-Oh is a staple of my regular Anime watching, one that I’ll go back to time and time again.  Despite its harsh critics claiming that it had absolutely no appeal in the Western market and that it was a failed attempt to revive the over-saturated pocket monster market, I find Yu-Gi-Oh to be both enjoyable and engaging.  In fact, it’s very much like another show that I love, Cardfight Vanguard, in the sense that it’s primary function is to sell trading cards.  But that doesn’t make it less enjoyable. If you’ve never seen it, give it a go.

2. Sword Art Online

If you pick up any show off of this list please let it be this one.  It is a true gem that I only discovered through Netflix and I’m so glad that I did.  In the year 2022, the virtual reality game Sword Art Online is released. Using a Nerve Gear, players can control their characters using their own minds, and experience the world of Aincrad as if it were real. Unfortunately, it becomes all too real when the creator of the game locks everyone out of the real world by hijacking all the Nerve Gear devices so that if you die in the game, you will die in real life. Only by clearing the 100th floor and defeating the final boss can the players win their freedom.  It is essentially about the psychological and sociological implications of massively multiplayer online gaming, a subject that is very relevant in today’s gaming world.  If it’s not the best, then it’s certainly one of the most intelligent Anime from the last couple of years.  The show has its haters due to the polarising effect the story has if you couple it with the Manga novels, but it also has a lot of love from the Anime community.  The characters are likeable and the episodes are action packed, unlike a similar Anime in this genre, .hack//SIGN, which was criticised for being too slow and over talkative.  The animation style is also some of the best I’ve seen for a while; some of the wide shots look absolutely stunning.  So, what I suggest you do is go and watch it right now.

3. Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Anyone with an ounce of knowledge about Anime will have heard of Full Metal Alchemist; it’s a series that went on to spawn a movie and several video games.  Anime fans love it.  Well, when that series ended, the manga novels continued, leaving a huge gap in the story to be filled.  That’s where Brotherhood steps in.  After both suffer physical damage, brothers Edward and Alphonse, battle nefarious forces to try to reclaim their bodies.  It’s that simple and yet, it’s a plot that is incredibly engrossing and will leave you wanting more at the end.  Very few sequels in this world get things right, but Brotherhood has everything spot on from its depths of plot to its well rounded characters; not one single character is there just for the sake of it.  Everyone gets to shine in this series.  Just like its predecessor, I can see this series going down as a classic, one fans will watch over and over again.  Do not miss it.

4. The Irregular at Magic High School

This little Anime gem was a real surprise to find on Netflix.  It’s not necessarily one of my favourite Anime, but I thought I would add it to the list for those that have never heard of it.  In a world where magic has become commonplace, siblings Tatsuya and Miyuki, enroll at Magic High School, where Miyuki's honor status comes between her and her underachieving older brother, even though both of them are incredibly talented at welding magic.  In essence, this show is Harry Potter on steroids.  It’s full of the usual teenage drama, but with magic, making it ever so slightly more complex and complicated.  Overall, I enjoyed the visual style of this one and the characters weren’t overly annoying or stock characters.  The plot could do with some work, as the pacing often feels too slow and slightly offkilter.  Other than that, it’s a pretty good series.  I don’t think it will ever go down as a classic, but it’s worth watching while its on Netflix.

5. Pokémon - Indigo League

No Anime list would be complete without at least one mention of Pokémon and they don’t come much better than the original series run.  Those of you that have seen my Youtube Channel will know how much I love it; this series isn’t only where my love of Pokémon began, but also where my love of Anime started (Samurai Pizza Cats doesn’t count!).  Pokémon is everything you would expect from this type of show and more.  I won’t go on about it too much because I plan on doing a lot more Pokémon content, but I will say that if you’ve never seen it, then quite frankly, you’ve been living in a cave! (NB - Netflix also has the Black and White series, which in my opinion is the closest to the original with regards to its quality.)

Well, those are what I consider to be the five best Anime series currently available on the UK version of Netflix, especially if your new to the world of Anime.  You might disagree and if you do, put your thoughts in the comments below.  These aren’t the only options available on Netflix.  There are plenty more to choose from, one of them being Attack on Titan, which is probably the biggest Anime since Full Metal Alchemist, or even Death Note, with regards to its cult following.

Until next time...Keep consuming!

Disney And Beyond Friday Feature - Hyper Japan 2017

Hello and welcome back to Disney And Beyond, your one stop shop for all things Disney and Pop Culture.

Today it's time for a Friday Feature. This week I take a look back at my time around the Hyper Japan Festival 2017.

Disney And Beyond Friday Feature - Gotta Represent ‘Em All: Disabled Characters in Gaming

I’ve been a gamer for long as I can remember, going all the way back to my first console at the age of five.  Some of you may even remember my article from last where I regained the ability to play the games for myself with the fantastic support provided by the charity, Special Effect.  However, as I was sitting at home playing one of my many games on the PS4, something struck me that I’d never paid much attention to.  What is it?  I shall tell you.

In all my years playing computer games, I've never once played as a disabled character.  That got me to thinking, are there any disabled characters in computer games?  After thirty minutes of deliberation, I came up with two characters; one of those was Professor Xavier, the wheelchair-bound leader of the X-Men and Daredevil, the blind vigilante from Hell's Kitchen, both of which are characters from other medium.  I'm not even sure if Professor Xavier was even a playable character!  Since having those initials thoughts, I've discovered a couple more, the majority of which are non-playable characters, or bit parts.  I certainly haven't discovered any games where the central character has a form of disability.  But are side characters enough?  Would a game featuring a central character with a disability be worthwhile?

To answer those questions, I shall take on the latter first.  It’s clear why certain types of games don’t feature disabled characters; you couldn’t have a person in a wheelchair storming the beaches in Normandy for example.  Historical games require historical accuracy.  Realism is also a big thing in gaming right now, so any situation where it would be unrealistic to have a disabled character gets a pass.  But other genres have no excuse.  Take The Sims for example, a game that at its essence is supposed to simulate life.  Surely it would be more realistic to have disabled characters feature, or at the very least, an option to create one?  But there isn’t and it’s the same with Fantasy and Sci-fi.  Anything is possible in those genres and yet, you never see a character with enhanced mobility aides.  So to answer my first question, no it isn’t enough.

Disability is a very broad spectrum, so I understand that it would be hard to please everyone.  But in the 21^st Century, to ignore us entirely, is just plain wrong.  Billions are invested every year in the gaming industry, so why can’t they invest a little of that in to improving diversity in games.  Not only could it be educational, but it would also do wonders for disability awareness.  So, come on developers, show me what you've got.

Until next time... To infinity and beyond!

Disney And Beyond Friday Feature - Top 5 Disneyland Paris Thrill Rides

Hello and welcome back to Disney And Beyond, your one stop shop to all things Disney and Pop Culture.

Today it's time for a Friday Feature. This week I'm following on from my last top 5 Disneyland Paris attractions video which was about attractions for guests who need to remain in a wheelchair. This time, I'm looking at the top 5 Disneyland Paris thrill rides for guests who are a bit more adventurous.

Taking Control: My Gaming Comeback

I remember the first time I held the controller of a gaming console.  I was five years old, on holiday with my parents and some family friends whose son owned a Sega Master System. Straightaway I was hooked to the fast pace and exciting action taking place on the screen. I was in control. I was the omnipotent God controlling the lives of the pixelated men jumping and kicking on screen. And that summer, I owned my first games console and haven't really looked back since.

My experience of gaming has been extensive over the years, having owned nearly every console that has ever existed. Gaming is a big part of me, whether it be a sports game, a beat ‘em up, a first person shooter, or an RPG. You name it, I've played it. But my love of gaming has taken a back seat for the last 15 years. With the ever increasing weakness in my arms and hands, playing computer games got to the point where it just wasn't worth the effort. I was getting less functionality out of my body and therefore less ability on the games. Couple that with the ever increasing complexity of games, which require more buttons to press, it was almost impossible. My pixelated persona became a shadow, a backseat gamer, destined to watch those do the things that I loved to do. It’s true what they say, you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.

That was until last year, when I stumbled across a charity called Special Effect. All it took was an initial contact email to them and arrangements were made for them to visit me in my family home. They came, looked at the problem and within a few hours, I was back in control. I haven’t stopped playing since. It really is the most amazing feeling being back in charge. Like a phoenix, I’m reborn. I really couldn’t be happier with the outcome. How did they do it? I shall explain.

My rig, as I’ve now named it, consists of an adapted PlayStation 4 control pad that has four micro switches plugged into the handles that can be mapped to any button that I require via the console settings. They essentially replace the trigger buttons on the shoulders of the control pad. That is then mounted to a photography camera bracket in order to bring it level with my chin, which I use to manipulate the left analogue stick. Each button is positioned where I can easily press them; one for each hand and two on the wings of my headrest. I also have voice controls set up for more complex games to give me increased functionality. It took around three hours to come up with the solution and implement it.  I couldn't be happier with it, as it works for me and only takes around ten minutes to set up each time I want to play.

I think I’ve said it twice already in this blog, but I’m so happy to be playing again. Watching was fun for a time, but nothing beats doing it yourself. Gaming gives disabled people a chance to do things in life that they may never get to do. When I'm playing I can run, jump, or fight. I can be anything I want to be without the limitations of my disability. The guys at Special Effect have given that back to me and I wouldn't change it for the world. I can’t ever thank them enough.

Until next time… To infinity and beyond! 

Disney and Beyond - Disney D23Expo 2017

Hello and welcome back to Disney And Beyond, your one stop shop to all things Disney and pop culture.

Today it's time for a Friday Feature. This week I'm looking at the Disney D23expo happening right now in Anaheim. I talk about all the things that I hope will be there and all the things that have already been confirmed.

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Disneyland Paris in a Wheelchair – My Top Tips

I've been in a wheelchair my whole life and I feel very fortunate that I've been able to travel to and visit many places around the world.  It hasn't always been easy, but it's always been doable.  I love an adventure, none more so than travelling to a Disney theme park.  I've been to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, six times and I've been to Disneyland Paris four times.  They’re two of my most favourite places in the world, so much so, that I decided to purchase an annual ticket for Disneyland Paris to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

I think the main reason I love the parks so much is because Disney are one of the best companies around the world for accommodating guests in wheelchairs.  There are very few theme parks where a disabled person can remain seated in their chair, whilst being able to go on a ride.  There certainly aren't any in the UK that I know of.  I love the fact that there are attractions in Disneyland Paris that I can take part in, along with my family and friends.  Going there, I don't have to sit on the sidelines.  Don't get me wrong, there are still attractions and rides that can't take a wheelchair, but that's to be expected.  I can't see a wheelchair ever be able to go on a rollercoaster, as it would be a health and safety nightmare.  But something is better than nothing.  As I said before, Disney do a lot more than most.

However, as accommodating as Disney can be, there are still a few things that a person should know before they consider attending a Disney park in a wheelchair.  I've done it quite a few times now and with my annual pass for Disneyland Paris, I thought it would be a good opportunity to give my top tips and opinions on the parks in France, the Disneyland Park and the Studios Park, for those that are thinking of visiting.  So, without further ado, let's get started.

1. Do Your Homework

Travelling to Disneyland Paris when you're in a wheelchair is no different to going anywhere else.  You should always make sure that you've done all the research that you can possibly do on subjects that might affect you.  For example, although there are a lot of rides that can accommodate a wheelchair, these are still fewer than the ones that can't.  Take a look at the rides and attractions that can accommodate you before making a decision as to whether you still want to go.  You might find that the attractions aren’t to your liking, or that there aren't enough to warrant the cost of having a holiday in Disneyland Paris, as it can be very costly.  Also, check what the rooms are like in the hotel you're planning to stay in, especially if you require a walk-in shower for example.  I can't stress enough how many people don't do their homework before going, get out there and encounter a lot of problems.  Making sure you know everything before you go will make your life a lot easier if problems arise.

          2. Take Your Documentation

Although Disneyland Paris is very good for people in wheelchairs, it's still necessary to prove that you require the special assistance, or concessions that are available.  Disneyland Paris has what they call an access, or green card.  Anybody with a disability can obtain one of these cards by going to the guest relations at City Hall inside the park, but you need to provide certain documents to prove that you are disabled and require one.  Currently, Disneyland Paris requires a person in a wheelchair to provide their blue parking badge, benefits letter, or doctors letter stating your disability and why you may need to skip cues, or take a carer with you on to ride.  When I went in March, I took every piece of documentation I could find that related to my disability.  If you're planning on getting an annual pass, a carer can accompany you for free each time you visit, but you will need a letter from the doctor stating why you have to have a carer with you to be in the park.  If you're coming from outside of Europe, any documentation you have from your country should be sufficient to prove your disability. 

           3. Check the Size of Your Wheelchair

Despite the fact that some of the rides can take a wheelchair on board, they can only accommodate wheelchairs of a certain size and shape.  It does vary from ride to ride, so the best thing to do is measure your wheelchair and then contact Disneyland Paris via telephone to check that the rides will be able to accommodate you.  Also, if you are able, I would advise taking a manual wheelchair, as a lot of the rides can't accommodate powered wheelchairs, or electric scooters due to the size and weight.  Again, the Disneyland Paris representatives will be able to advise over the telephone.

             4. Don't Forget to Have Fun

Disneyland Paris is full of magic and wonder, so one of the most important things that you can do is to have fun.  Enjoy your time there and make as many happy memories as possible. And the key to that is to make sure that you go fully armed with all the information that you could ever possibly need.

So those are my top tips for visiting Disneyland Paris if you’re a guest in a wheelchair.  I love it there and I love the way in which they do as much as they possibly can to include disabled guests.  I've been twice already this year and I plan on going another three times before the year is over.  I truly am a massive fan.

If you want more information on Disneyland Paris for guests in a wheelchair, this week's Friday Feature on the Disney and Beyond YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/2tlhone) is my top five attractions that guests can take part in whilst remaining in their wheelchairs.  Please do hop on over and check that out.  Also, please don't forget to like, share and comment below, as I would love to hear your thoughts and I'm more than happy to answer any questions that you might have.  Thank you for reading and I really do hope that this has been useful for you.

Until next time… To infinity and beyond!

Disney And Beyond - My Top 5 Disneyland Paris Attractions

Welcome to the first Friday Feature for Disney and Beyond. This videos ties into today's blog article, as I discuss my top 5 Disneyland Paris attractions for guests that prefer to stay in their wheelchair. Enjoy