Some Disney World Theme Park Hours Have Been Extended in January
Some Disney World theme park hours have been extended for next month. Both Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom have had park hours extended on select days.
Magic Kingdom will open at 9 am and close at 11 pm on the following days:
January 1-8, 10-13, 15, 17-19, 21, 22, and 24-28
Early theme park entry will begin at 8:30 am for resort guests.
The park will open at 8 am and close at 10 pm on these dates:
January 9, 14, 16, 20, and 23
Early theme park entry will begin at 7:30 am for resort guests on these days.
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours will take place at Magic Kingdom from 11 pm to 1 am on the following dates:
January 4, 11, 18, & 25
Disney’s Animal Kingdom will open at 8 am (an hour earlier than previously scheduled) on the following dates:
January 8, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, and 28
Early theme park entry for resort guests will begin at 7:30 am those days.
Will you be visiting Walt Disney World next month?
If you’d like to plan your next Walt Disney World trip, contact me today! I am the preferred travel partner with Chip & Co and my services are complimentary. I would love to help you plan a magical vacation!
Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course to Undergo Refurbishment in January
Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course will close in January for refurbishment. There are two courses, the Summer Course and the Winter Course, and each one will be closed for refurbishment at different times.
The Summer Course will be closed for refurbishment from January 17 through 23, 2023. And the Winter Course will be closed from January 24 through January 30, 2023. While one course is closed, the other will be open for guests to enjoy.
Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will also be open during this refurbishment.
Have you ever gone mini golfing at Walt Disney World?
If you’d like to add a visit to Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course to your trip, contact me today! I am the preferred travel partner with Chip & Co and my services are complimentary. I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
Universal Orlando Hotels Celebrate the Holiday Season with Special Dining, Activities and More
The Universal Orlando hotels are celebrating the holidays with special dining, activities, and more for guests to enjoy! Guests can top off the awesomest celebration of the season with exciting Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s activities taking place across eight spectacular hotels as part of the Universal’s Holidays celebration – running now through January 1, 2023. From holiday meals and special ceremonies to parties, entertainment and so much more, guests can partake in memorable holiday festivities while surrounded by dazzling décor that perfectly complements each hotel’s individual theme.
Special Ceremonies and Seasonal Entertainment Offerings
Hanukkah Menorah Lightings
From Sunday, December 18 through Monday, December 26, 2022, a Hanukkah Menorah Lighting ceremony will take place in the lobby of each hotel around sundown. Guests can visit or call the concierge or front desk for times.
Strolling Holiday Carolers
From Monday, December 19 through Saturday, December 25, 2022, guests can enjoy the festive performances of strolling holiday carolers in the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel lobby – taking place from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. each night.
Christmas Day Meals Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
Christmas Day Buffet in Trattoria del Porto
This dining experience includes live music and an incredible variety of menu options – including a cheese station, seafood, pasta, meats, dessert and more.
Christmas Day Menu in Mama Della’s Ristorante
Guests can choose from special Christmas Day menu items or à la carte menu items while listening to the beautiful sounds of the hotel’s opera singers and strolling musicians.
Hard Rock Hotel
Christmas Day Acoustic Brunch in The Kitchen
Guests can delight in breakfast classics like buttermilk pancakes, bacon and potatoes; made-to-order eggs benedict and omelets; a chef’s selection of meats; and a variety of desserts – including vanilla bean crème brûlée, Southern Comfort red velvet cake pops, donuts, and more.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
Christmas Day Buffet in Islands Dining Room
A special Christmas Day buffet will be available in Islands Dining Room. Guests can choose from an array of unique buffet stations – including sushi, stir-fry, pastries, and more – while enjoying entertainment options like live music, hula dancers, and a balloon artist. Adults (ages 21+) can add all-you-care-to-enjoy mimosa and Bloody Mary cocktails for just $21.
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
Christmas Day Buffets in Amatista Cookhouse
Guests can choose from a breakfast buffet or a daytime buffet – featuring ceviche and churrasco stations, lobster bisque with sherry sour cream, citrus brined free range Carolina turkey with sausage and sage cornbread stuffing, an array of freshly baked pastry items and more. Adults (ages 21+) can add all-you-care-to-enjoy mimosa and Cubanita cocktails for just $21.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
New Year’s Eve Party on the Piazza
Guests can ring in the new year with a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration on the hotel’s picturesque outdoor Harbor Piazza – featuring gourmet foods, desserts, beer*, wine*, a live DJ and dancing (*Alcoholic beverages served to adults – ages 21+ – only).
Prix Fixe Menu in Mama Della’s Ristorante
For a festive dinner experience, guests can treat themselves to a special New Year’s Eve prix fixe menu or à la carte menu items in Mama Della’s Ristorante.
Hard Rock Hotel
New Year’s Eve Buffet in The Kitchen
Guests can kick off the night with a New Year’s Eve buffet in The Kitchen before heading to the lobby for an evening of specially prepared desserts, music, balloon artists, roaming magicians, a countdown live from Times Square and more. The Lobby Party is included with the purchase of the New Year’s Eve buffet.
ROCK-in 2023! New Year’s Eve
Hard Rock’s ROCK-in 2023! New Year’s Eve lobby party features specially prepared desserts, music, balloon artists, roaming magicians and a countdown to midnight live from Times Square.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
New Year’s Eve Dining and Celebrations
Guests can make reservations for the New Year’s Eve buffet in Islands Dining Room, featuring a musician, hula dancers and a balloon artist. And for just $20 more, guests can access the dessert celebration in the Tahitian Room.
An additional New Year’s Eve Celebration in Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar will be available for guests to celebrate with a DJ, kids crafts and a balloon drop at midnight.
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
New Year’s Eve Celebration in Strong Water Tavern and Buffet in Amatista Cookhouse
Adults 21 and up can raise a glass to welcome in the new year with a midnight champagne toast, live entertainment, music, dancing and more during the New Year’s Eve Celebration in Strong Water Tavern.
Guests can start the night with an artisan antipasto bar, coffee spice crusted prime rib of beef, coconut rice with black eyed peas and more as part of the New Year’s Eve buffet in Amatista Cookhouse. Adults (ages 21+) can add all-you-care-to-enjoy mimosa and Cubanita cocktails for just $21 more.
Universal’s Aventura Hotel
Aventura’s New Year’s Eve Celebration
Guests 21 and up can enjoy the celebration beginning at 8:00 p.m. with a standing room ticket – starting at $150 plus tax and ticketing fees – which includes food, beer, wine and featured specialty cocktails until 10:00 p.m. A cash bar will be available from 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m.
Or, guests can choose the VIP Package – starting at $1,260 plus tax and ticketing fees – which includes all the benefits of a standing room ticket for up to six people per party, plus couch seating and two bottles of champagne.
The celebration is complete with a DJ, party favors and a midnight prosecco toast.
New Year’s Day Meals Hard Rock Hotel
New Year’s Day Acoustic Brunch
From made-to-order pancakes and waffles to smoked salmon and cheese tortellini antipasto salad, guests can choose from a vast selection of delectable breakfast menu items while enjoying live music.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
New Year’s Day Breakfast Buffet in Islands Dining Room
Guests can start the new year with a New Year’s Day breakfast buffet in Islands Dining Room. Adults (ages 21+) can add all-you-care-to-enjoy mimosa and Bloody Mary cocktails for just $21 more.
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
New Year’s Day Breakfast Buffet in Amatista Cookhouse
Guests can make a reservation for the New Year’s Day breakfast buffet at Amatista Cookhouse. Adults (ages 21+) can add all-you-care-to-enjoy mimosa and Cubanita cocktails for just $21 more.
Will you be celebrating the holidays at one of the Universal Orlando hotels?
If you’d like to plan your next stay at one of the Universal Orlando hotels, contact me today! I am the preferred travel partner with Chip & Co and my services are complimentary. I’d love to help you plan an awesome vacation!
Lavazza is Now the Official Coffee Partner of Disneyland Paris
Lavazza is now the official coffee partner of Disneyland Paris. Lavazza Group is one of the world’s most important coffee roasters and is synonymous with authentic Italian coffee all over the world.
The five-year partnership agreement signed between Disneyland Paris and Lavazza Group will strengthen the resort’s hot beverage offerings and will support the sustainability vision promoted by Disneyland Paris. As an official partner, Lavazza products and services will be available across the entire resort providing unique quality and taste to Disneyland Paris guests coming from all around the world.
By choosing La Reserva de ¡Tierra ! – a range containing coffees from territories and communities involved in social responsibility projects, promoted and managed by Lavazza Foundation – Disneyland Paris is proud to offer its guests Rainforest Alliance Certified products, an NGO which promotes the rights and well-being of workers’ communities, supporting farms to meet a rigorous social and environmental standard.
Lavazza will also develop exclusive and tasty recipes for Disneyland Paris in collaboration with the resort’s chefs, designed to complement its uniquely immersive themed dining experience. For example, guests can now discover four new delicious oat-based drink recipes at The Coffee Grinder, Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland Park.
This partnership also means Lavazza Group – through its brands Lavazza and Carte Noire – and Disneyland Paris will have joint marketing and communication campaigns throughout Europe. These activations will showcase the optimism, spontaneity and creativity that characterize the two companies.
“We share many values with Disneyland Paris: the search for excellence, innovation, passion and, of course, fun,” said Mauro Mantovani, Chief Commercial Officer Lavazza Group “This agreement, which is part of Lavazza’s internationalization strategy, reaffirms that France is a key market for us and gives us the opportunity to further showcase our quality products to an international audience.”
“As Disneyland Paris is celebrating its 30th Anniversary, we are delighted to have Lavazza Group by our side to celebrate the beginning of this new era for the resort,” said Laure Albouy, Vice President Business Strategy & Integration of Disneyland Paris. “Our companies, that have a strong set of shared values around excellence and passion will now create joint marketing activations throughout Europe. And of course, our guests now have the pleasure to enjoy the Lavazza coffee experiences across the resort.”
Lavazza is now the official coffee partner of Disneyland Paris…what do you think?
Congressman Byron Donalds (TX, R) has shared his thoughts and opinions on Disney’s retheming of the Splash Mountain attractions in Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Disney Park goers have been split about the decision, with many citing that they don’t have a problem with Disney creating a ‘Princess and the Frog’ attraction, but would prefer to keep Splash Mountain and give ‘Princess and the Frog’ its own attraction in the theme parks.
Donald’s shared his thoughts in a video shared to social media. Stating during the video: “It’s really sad to see them not just stand up and be like, ‘No. This isn’t racist. It’s just a part of our Park and kids enjoy it. Look at the… multiethnic people who come, kids who enjoy it, and nobody’s running around thinking they’re being victimized somehow. I think this is ridiculous.”’ Check out his full post below:
Are you excited for the retheme of Splash Mountain or do you agree that Princess and the frog deserves its own new attraction and Splash Mountain should be left alone? We are interested to hear your thoughts in the comments. Be sure to check back here at Chip and Company for updates and all things Disney Parks!
Many beloved stories have been rumored to be in development for a reboot, but one such series has been confirmed! Netflix is currently developing a film and series adaption of C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, with the most recent news sharing that Matthew Aldrich (Coco) has signed onto the franchise development team at Netflix.
“Coco” co-writer Matthew Aldrich will serve as the creative architect and oversee the development of all films and shows adapted from C.S. Lewis’ beloved Narnia universe for Netflix pic.twitter.com/k77EG6f9N4
Currently, the films and shows will stand apart from the original trilogy by Touchstone and Fox. Are you excited to return to Narnia? Which stories would you like to see first? Do you think any of the previous cast should make appearances in the new shows or movies? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Be sure to check back here at Chip and Company for updates and all things entertainment!
Johnny Depp Returns as Captain Jack Sparrow for Make-A-Wish
Avast ye’ scallywags! Captain Jack Sparrow has made a surprise return for a special cause. Actor Johnny Depp dawned his Captain Jack Sparrow costume from the Pirates of the Caribbean films to grant a Make-A-Wish for Kori, an up-and-coming YouTube channel host for “Kraken The Box”. Kori and his mom host the channel that features unboxing videos, urbex, and more.
Kori is a young boy in need of a new heart and was awarded a Wish by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Needless to say, frequent partner Johnny depp did not hesitate to honor Captain Kori’s wish and sent a special video in honor of Kori and his adventurous endeavors. Kori’s mom, Pixi shared, “…we are making the most of whatever time we have left by not going to school — bonus — not really doing any housework, living in our pajamas and just slumming it really,” Kori’s mom revealed. “We’re just kind of focusing on making life as good as we possibly can and having as much fun as we can when we can.”
We wish Kori and his family all the best on his journey! Were you excited to see Johnny Depp back as Captain Jack Sparrow? Do you appreciate everything Make-A-Wish does for families? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Be sure to check back here at Chip and Company for updates and all things entertainment!
Avatar The Way of Water: Spoiler-Free Review. What could either be the biggest box office smash hit, most loved movie of the next year, or the largest money sink, review-bombed, flop of all time, We went to IMAX and saw Avatar The Way of Water yesterday. Is it worth your 3 hours and 12 minutes? Can the same team that gave us Titanic, relive the glory and success they once achieved? Can “Water” live up to the hype train, or in this case anti-Hype train? Most important, can I go to the bathroom, and when?
Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, “Avatar: The Way of Water” begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure. Directed by James Cameron and produced by Cameron and Jon Landau, the film stars Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement, and Kate Winslet.
Avatar is the most successful movie of all time! Yes, it is fighting for that top spot against another Disney franchise movie, Avengers: End Game, but as of this writing, it is #1 with over $2.9 Billion in worldwide box office receipts. This means Avatar the Way of Water has a giant mark against it already. How can a sequel 13 years later even come close to that? Will people care, and should they? The simple answer is Yes, and I think when the dust settles, it may actually land in the top 10 of all time.
Let’s go back a few months to Disney D23 Expo 2022 where we got to experience Avatar The Way of Water 3D preview in Hall D. At the time I was blown away. I think you can find past articles where people, including myself, thought it looks stunning and beautiful, and all the other adjectives expressing the pleasure of seeing it. The unfortunate part was it looked like the acting was horrid and you couldn’t really see the story or tell what was going on.
This brings us back to the present, a day after James Cameron releases Avatar The Way of Water into the world, and a day after we saw the movie in an IMAX theater.
Avatar The Way of Water
The motion picture event of a generation is finally here.
The reviews are coming in, and they are trending on the positive side. The CinemaScore is also in, and it has an A rating. Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score is at 94%, Google Review is 4.6/5, and the box office receipts are showing that it may hit $150 million domestically, while worldwide it may do better than a $325 Billion opening. The box office money is what matters, with people screaming that the movie must make over 1 billion to break even (We cannot confirm this rumor, but that is what people are discussing)
So what did we here at Chip and Company think? And to go back to the beginning, when can I go to the bathroom?
Quite simply put, James Cameron and Jon Landau may be the only people to revolutionize the same movie experience with the same gimmick, but 13 years apart. The 3D experience is magical and transported us into the scenes. This time though we go underwater to these vast worlds that feel like we can reach out and touch the creatures swimming. It got so intense at one point, I found myself holding my breath trying to breathe along with Jake Sully’s children.
Avatar The Way of Water
When all is said and done and James Cameron is done making Avatar movies, 5 total, that we know of, The Way of Water will be viewed as the first movie in this arc, whereas Avatar will be viewed as a prequel. Almost like The Hobbit book is the prequel to the vast world and storytelling of Lord of the Rings.
The world of Pandora is massive and the way the story unfolds gives us the feeling that more is out in the world than we know of, yet. Moving from the forests and all the action that takes place, to the oceans where water plays a significant role in the future of the Sully clan. Where Family means to stick together, and family does not mean blood family.
This actually is the time to run to the bathroom! Small Spoiler: When the Family is flying out of the forests, and over the oceans, this is an ideal time for the first bathroom break. It is just visual porn for the senses. You don’t miss anything major, and when you get back you will be treated to some of the best parts of Avatar The Way of Water… … the water.
Avatar The Way of the Water
Overall, the visuals live up to the hype, the 3D is massive, and watching it on an IMAX screen or a Dolby Cinema Screen is where this will stand out. The storytelling was way better than we expected, yes it has some generic tropes that any action movie will have, and yes the kids have some cringe-worthy conversations, but they are kids and that is what they do.
I have to say the stand out is the Sully family. Jake Sully and Neytiri take on the parental roles exactly how you think they would. Jake is military, and Neytiri is from a royal household. Now throw in a bunch of kids and an incoming war, and boom you have a plot.
Rating: 4.8/5 – Avatar The Way of Water takes you on the hero’s journey in what will turn out to be a massive story. Visually, it is the best 3D movie I have ever experienced. Overall Story can be considered generic, but it gets us started. Nothing stood out as bad, but nothing stood out as Oscar-worthy either. With that said, I did find myself rooting for certain characters where during some intense action sequences I actually held my breath and felt like I was underwater.
This is not the best movie or greatest storytelling, but this is the greatest movie experience of the year. There is something about Pandora that felt inviting, but it also felt like we have been here before. Like all sequels of fantasy/Sci-fi once you see the world for the first time, every movie after suffers.
Just some random thoughts: Of all the children in the movie, Sigourney Weaver playing Kiri is outstanding! If your heart doesn’t break when Neytiri screams, you are a heartless bastard. 3D IMAX is amazing. I can’t wait for Avatar 3 now.
More Directional Signs Go Blue at Walt Disney World Resort Roads. Last January, when Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser was about to open, Disney World added a new road sign that was different in color than all the other road signs around the resort area. This stood out to everyone who drives through the resort on a daily basis.
All road signs around the Walt Disney World Resort area are Purple and White with a yellow directional arrow. So when the new Blue with White lettering signs started popping up it made the news. We had originally only seen the new signs pop up around the Hollywood Studios area, now they have moved and are spreading around all the roads in Disney World.
Epcot area now has a bunch of the new signs, you can now find them on World Drive, Osceola Parkway, and E. Buena Vista Drive.
Disney Adds New Virtual Assistant to the Disney World App
Disney World recently added a new Virtual Assistant to the My Disney Experience app chat. The app already has a chat feature where guests can get assistance from Cast Members. This virtual assistant will be able to help without needing a Cast Member to get involved.
It appears the Virtual Assistant is in the testing phase right now. At the moment, it can only respond to a handful of requests. If it can’t answer your question or provide the help you need, you can still get in touch with a Cast Member. They just might not respond right away.
Twitter user Scott Gustin shared about the new service:
“Walt Disney World recently added a “Virtual Assistant” to the app chat.
It appears to be an initial test that can only respond to a handful of requests – but it will be interesting to see if they expand its functionality to more topics.”
Walt Disney World recently added a “Virtual Assistant” to the app chat.
It appears to be an initial test that can only respond to a handful of requests – but it will be interesting to see if they expand its functionality to more topics. pic.twitter.com/Bi38VW7ZQ3
Disney could expand the features of the new assistant if guests actually benefit from the service.
What do you think about this new assistant? Is it something you would use?
If you’d like to plan your next Disney World trip, contact me today! I am the preferred travel partner with Chip & Co and my services are complimentary. I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation at no extra cost to you!
More Disney World Theme Park Reservations Open for the Holidays
Great news for guests celebrating the holidays at the Most Magical Place on Earth! More Disney World Theme Park Reservations have opened up for the holidays. Previously, popular days like Christmas Day were completely sold out. Now, more guests have the opportunity to celebrate at Walt Disney World!
Disney recently released a LOT of park pass reservations for the week of Christmas, including Christmas Day. December 23 through 30 now have openings at each park for ticket holders as well as resort hotel guests!
If you were hoping to celebrate Christmas at a specific park but couldn’t get park pass reservations, go check out the calendar! Book your park pass reservations before they fill up again.
Where are you planning to celebrate Christmas this year?
If you’d like to celebrate the holidays at Walt Disney World, contact me today! I am the preferred travel partner with Chip & Co and my services are complimentary. I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
Harmonious Rumored to be Retired by the end of March
The latest Disney gossip going around is: Harmonious rumored to be retired by the end of March. Earlier this year Disney announced that Harmonious would be replaced in 2023 as part of the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration. With Disney World’s 50th anniversary ending in March, Harmonious could end then as well.
The last day for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration is March 31, 2023. Seeing how Harmonious debuted at Epcot specifically for the celebration, AND Disney announced a new nighttime spectacular will come to Epcot next year, it makes sense that it would end along with the celebration.
Disney has not announced an official end date for Harmonious though. We do know that “Epcot Forever” will return for a brief period before the new nighttime show debuts.
“The heart of the EPCOT transformation comes to life with Harmonious, one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for Disney Parks. The show is a beautifully crafted medley of classic Disney music and visuals reinterpreted by a culturally diverse group of 240 artists from all around the world. Come and be dazzled by all of it as you discover how Disney music and stories have the power to inspire and unite us all, overcoming any language or border.
This magnificent show brings to World Showcase Lagoon an innovative combination of floating giant screens, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics and lasers in a 360-degree view. Enter amazing worlds inspired by Moana, Aladdin, Coco, Brave, The Lion King, Mulan, The Princess and the Frog and other classic stories. Colorful images and effects dance and change as Harmonious weaves familiar Disney music and stories together. Through unique perspectives as diverse as the world itself, Disney songs hop from language to language as the show brings people from different parts of the world together to unlock the magic of possibility.
Harmonious is a brilliant centerpiece to The World’s Most Magical Celebration—celebrating the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort.”
What are your thoughts on Harmonious?
If you’d like to see Harmonious before it retires, contact me today! I am the preferred travel partner with Chip & Co and my services are complimentary. I would love to help you plan a magical vacation!
