I’ve always been a huge fan of L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz. Over the years, I’ve collected the original books, various movies related to this American fairy tale (the 1985 Disney film Return to Oz and the TV movie Dreamer of Oz starring John Ritter are among my favorites), The Wizard of Oz Monopoly game, and the entire Barbie Pink Label 2007 collection of the Wizard of Oz dolls. I’ve read a few of the book sequels to the original 1900 novel, as well as several written by L. Frank Baum’s great-grandson, Roger S. Baum. I also wore Halloween costumes inspired by the iconic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz: I dressed up more than once as the Wicked Witch of the West (my mom even painted my face, hands, and neck green and temporarily sprayed my blonde hair black) and went another year as Dorothy since I owned a blue and white checkered dress that resembled the one worn by Judy Garland almost perfectly.
For years I’ve been longing for a film company to bring Oz back to life and to the big screen. With the technology that we have now for film, the characters and landscapes in Oz can be better than ever–and a whole new generation can be introduced to the marvelous land of Oz.
I can’t even find the words to express how excited I am about the March 8th, 2013 release of Disney’s Oz: The Great and Powerful. What’s more, this small city girl is traveling to the big city of Los Angeles to attend the red carpet world premiere of Oz: The Great and Powerful at the El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard! I am so grateful to Disney for including me as one of 25 bloggers for this unique and unforgettable experience.
On Wednesday, February 13th, I will be flying from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles and then checking in to the beautiful Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena and getting prettied up to walk the red carpet for Oz: The Great and Powerful. The hotel looks like a palace to me, and I cannot wait to see the lobby and my hotel room in person. Also, how incredible is it that it’s got gorgeous mountains in the background? I can’t wait to check out the grounds, too. But most of all, I am looking forward to meeting many new bloggers (and spending time with friends I’ve made over the past year) who understand my love of all things Oz.
(Source: Hometown Pasadena)
On Thursday, February 14th, we will be journeying to the Walt Disney Animation Studios for a press day for the In-Home release of the animated feature Wreck-It Ralph. During the press day, we will be getting to speak with the animators of the film! I have loved meeting animators from favorite movies before; they have such a fun job, and I envy anyone with artistic talent like theirs. I made sure to see Wreck-It Ralph in theaters with my 4-year-old daughter on its opening weekend. It’s one of my top favorites, and I am excited I’ll be able to watch it again in my home theatre on our projector. Wreck-It Ralph will be available on Blu-ray/DVD and on March 5th, 2013. If you missed it theaters, make sure you pre-order a copy–you’ll love it! Once we finish at the Walt Disney Animation Studios, we’ll be heading back to our hotel for an Oz: The Great and Powerful reception.
I’m most excited about our activities on Friday, February 15th; we’ll be interviewing some of the cast and crew of Oz: The Great and Powerful. This includes Sam Raimi (Director), James Franco, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, Zach Braff, and Joey King. I’m very familiar with the films and TV shows that many of them have been involved with (anyone a Freaks and Geeks or Dawson’s Creek fan?), and I’m looking forward to finding out more about Joey King, who will be voicing the China Girl–one of my favorite characters from the Oz stories. Then it’s off to the airport and back home!
Do you have any burning questions you’d like me to ask the actors, actresses, and director about the film?
During the whole trip (and even after), you can follow the hash tag #DisneyOzEvent to stay up to date on everything that’s happening as it happens! I’ll be taking over Stacie’s Twitter for all things Oz-related, so look for my tweets ending with #DisneyOzEvent.
Oz: The Great and Powerful will be in theaters everywhere on March 8th, 2013. Get the latest news from Oz on Facebook and Twitter.
*Disney is providing me with an all expense paid trip to Los Angeles to attend the red carpet premiere of Oz: The Great and Powerful and a press junket for the In-Home release of Wreck-It Ralph. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.*
About Jennifer
Wow! You are so lucky! I am so jealous and excited for you and I can’t wait to read the coverage. I read the whole series as a child and I am excited about the movie too!
I hope that you have an incredible time! I am an Oz fanatic….so I can appreciate your love of this classic
It is one of the very first books/series I started reading to my kids after they were born…. (I still dress up like the witch every year
It sounds like a great trip and I hope you have a fabulous time. I would ask them what they thought of the Wizard of Oz when they were little.
You are extremely lucky! You have a lot of fun planned!!! I am excited to see the new OZ movie!
I’ve been waiting for the Oz movie to come out. It looks fantastic! How fun to go to the premiere!!!
Oh my goodness!! That sounds likes soooo much fun and I’m so jealous! I also can’t wait to see this when it comes out.. I hope you have lots of fun!
I’m looking forward to reading more about your adventure Jennifer! Sounds like fun. I can’t wait to see this in March.
Can’t wait to meet you there, Jennifer! This is going to be so much fun!
You too, Ellen!!!
There are no words to express how jealous I am of you LOL. I hope you have an amazing time and I can’t wait to read your post about after.
i can’t wait to see the great and powerful oz. it is coming out right around my birthday but so i my unborn child so i will probably have no time to go see this in the theatres!
Sooo lucky, I cannot wait to see this movie, it looks epic!
Entering the contest on FB already, those yellow bricks of gold look good, I really want to see the movie!
Give James Franco my phone number, please?!
xo
Congrats Stacie! You have the best time and get a fabulous Oz inspired dress for the red carpet. I have been helping Amber Ortega pick out hers and we have been having a riot as she goes from dressing room to dressing room sending me photos. I thumbs up or thumbs down the dress..it’s been fun. Give her a hug for me when you see her. SO PROUD OF YOU!!! (and jealous)
Congrats Stacie! My son was an Emerald City Kid in this movie and was on set for 10 days. His name is Connor better known as The Kid from Kid On Vacation. They should be having the Red Carpet Event in Michigan because that’s where the movie was filmed at. Sam Raimi was born in Michigan and it is a special place for him. Hopefully they do an event for all the hundreds of people who got to experience OZ on set. Have a great time. It’s going to be a great movie.
wow! that is really amazing! im sooo feeling jealous right now! oh well, hope you have an super fabolous awesome time there!!!
wth my comment didnt show up? st*** internet sorry! oh well, i’am soooo feeling jealous right now! that is really amazing! hope u have a super duper mega fabolous time there!
Wow! How awesome! I love Disney anything! You have to tell us all about it when you get back. I’m so excited for you! Have a great time! =D
Love the Wizard of Oz, too. Not sure I’ve seen the John Ritter movie. It’s on my list now. Thanks.
I say if it aint broke dont fix it – Judy Garland rules!
That’s so amazing! I’ve always loved the Wizard of Oz.. you’re so lucky
I am looking forward to seeing this movie tpoo. Congratulations on being selected. I am sure your trip will be wonderful.
This sounds like a wonderful trip! I hope you have fun. If I had the chance I’d love to ask James Franco how he felt recreating the barely-seen but much loved character from The Wizard of Oz.
That looks like so much fun!
Oh you are so lucky to be able to attend the World Premiere of the Oz. How exciting. The mountains near your room are beautiful . You got all the goodies . Thanks for letting us know
We love Disney movies.
I can not WAIT to see this! My girls were introduced to The Wizard of Oz a couple months ago…and this looks like it is going to be a phenomenal adaptation of the wizard’s story! Let’s just say that I am about as green as the emerald city with jealousy.
Enjoy Pasadena, it’s gorgeous and have a GREAT time Stacie!
i cant wait to see this. ….i used to watch this every yr when i was little. i am thinking abt dressing up my dogs next yr for halloween as some of characters….
I am looking forward to seeing this movie. I bet it will be very good. that;s great you get to see the premiere.
Have a great trip! Looking forward to the movie.
I soooo want to see this movie!!!
I loved this movie growing up, I can’t wait to see it! How exciting for you to be going to the premiere! And meeting James Franco…
I actually just watched a rerun of Freaks & Geeks the other day, and I was commenting on how much he has..uhmm..grown into his face. I think those were the words I used 
Congratulations on being included in the Red Carpet Event. How wonderful. I grew up on the movie but sadly have never read the book. I remember as a kid, back when there were only three channels on the TV, waiting for the annual playing of the movie. For days afterward I would wander around my backyard, as if I were in Kansas, singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I’m looking forward to The Great and Powerful Oz very much.
I am so happy for you. You will have a wonderful time and have the memories the rest of your life. I live in Southern California and you will enjoy your trip immensely. Disney always rolls out the red carpet for its events and this will be no exception. This will be your moment to say “Stacie, I’m not in Kansas anymore, I’m in L.A.” Have fun!