Get ready to start your engines, because Crocs is revving up with a hot new shoe for grown-ups! New Lighting McQueen Crocs for adults are racing into the spotlight on April 27th at 12:00 PM ET! It’s happening, us big kids can have fun Cars themed shoes too!
I’m always jealous of all the fun shoes kids get to wear. That’s right, I’m jealous I want to have fun shoes too! Luckily Lightning McQueen will be racing into town for all of us to wear! These are a traditional Crocs style, complete with the back-strap, and holes to add Jibbitz. You’ll be able to find these speedy new kicks at Crocs.com when they launch!
Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science & Environment recently shared how Disney is using the power of the sun to fuel the Theme Parks around the World.
While using solar energy may not be a new concept, we are pushing the boundaries in our unique Disney way, including solar panels atop our most famous attractions at Disneyland Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and a solar farm in the shape of Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World Resort. And coming soon are solar canopies at Disneyland Paris that will provide shelter for 9,500 guest vehicles, a facility that will power ~70% of Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island in The Bahamas, and two colossal solar facilities coming to Central Florida. To put all of this into perspective our Disney Parks, Experiences and Products solar portfolio around the world can produce enough energy to power eight Magic Kingdom Parks at Walt Disney World Resort.
Let’s take a tour around the world to see Disney’s solar arrays in action.
Powering ~70% of the island’s power, Disney Cruise Line will soon bring online 4,320 solar panels at Castaway Cay.
Walt Disney World has been basking in the glow of the Sunshine State and using solar energy for several years, and today, Walt Disney World and Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) are teaming up with local utility partners in Central Florida to develop two new 75MW solar facilities, which are expected to come online in approximately two years.
These new solar projects add to a not-so-hidden Mickey shaped solar array, built in collaboration with RCID and Duke Energy, sharing that authentic Disney flair across 22 acres of land, as well as the massive 270-acre, 57MW solar facility built in partnership with RCID and Origis Energy USA. When combined, Walt Disney World’s total solar facilities will produce enough renewable energy to power up to 40% of its total annual energy consumption.
Disneyland Paris is setting the standard for solar energy in Europe – working on one of the largest solar canopy plants in collaboration with Urbasolar. These solar canopies will provide practical and innovative use of 67,500 solar panels sitting atop an outdoor guest parking lot.
Hong Kong Disneyland is also setting an example locally, serving as home to the single largest solar panel site in Hong Kong. Across 20 attractions and buildings, the park has installed over 5,000 solar panels.
Soaking up the California sunshine, atop the Radiator Springs Racers attraction sits 1,400 solar panels that help power the magic at Disneyland Resort.
And solar power energizes Tokyo Disney Resort, generating enough power to fuel the iconic Dreamlights Parade with solar panels installed at eight backstage locations across the resort.
Since 2009, Disney has operated under a long-term vision to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, and they are just getting started. Their new set of ambitious goals commit them to achieve net-zero emissions for their direct operations by 2030.
https://fb.watch/51cxe0haUh/
To learn more about how Disney helps protect and celebrate the magic of nature not just during Earth Month, but all year round, be sure to tune into @DrMarkatDisney on Instagram!
The Orlando International Airport (MCO) is currently working on a new terminal. Plans were recently announced to build a new Disney store and a new Universal store in this terminal.
The new terminal (Terminal C) at the airport house quite a few theme park-owned stores: Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld will all have shops there! All of these stores will be located on level 2 of the new terminal in Palm Court.
Also included at Terminal C are a Duty-Free shop, Summer House Orlando, Wine Bar George, DeSano Pizzeria, a TripAdvisor location, Provisions by Cask and Larder, Starbucks, Sunglass Hut, Shake Shack, Auntie Anne’s, and Olde Hearth Bread Co.
We don’t know if this new Disney store will replace the current Magic of Disney store already in the airport.
Stay tuned to Chip & Co for more Disney news and information!
Portillo’s Orlando may be getting a second location according to The Orlando Business Journal. The new location would be 6362 International Drive, the home of the old Ponderosa Steak House. There has been no official announcement yet.
Portillo’s is known for our famous Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, chopped salad, cheese fries, homemade chocolate cake, and chocolate cake shake. A cake shake is described like this, Have you heard of our famous “cake shake?” Yes, we actually put a slice of chocolate cake into our blended milkshakes, making a truly unique, must-try dessert.
On March 16th, 2021 Portillo’s announced that the Grand Opening of the first Orlando location will not be opening on time and had to delay it. There has been no word yet on when or if the first location is going to open. Below is the statement from Portillo’s regarding the opening of its first location.
The Portillo’s in Orlando is getting closer to opening, but we still need a little more time to make sure our restaurant is perfect for all of our loyal fans. We will not be opening on March 23rd, and we aren’t prepared to announce a new opening date at this time. As the first building to open on brand new development, there are a few more items on our to-do list before we can welcome everyone to our beautiful restaurant. Hang in there, Orlando… our Italian Beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, and chocolate cake shakes are almost ready for you.
We can’t wait to meat you. In the meantime, fans are invited to register for a chance to attend a sneak peek training meal prior to opening and receive updates on Portillo’s Lake Buena Vista location by signing up here.
Limited park passes have dealt Cast Members a tough blow once again: no reservations are allowed to them for the foreseeable future. Wednesday, April 21st was the last date allowed for employees of Walt Disney World and so far all of May is blocked out.
While summer months typically mean high traffic at Walt Disney World, the new park pass reservation system will seek to limit the number of guests allowed at any given time. While positive in many ways, it is sure to be a disappointment to any Cast Members who were hoping to spend free time at the parks in the upcoming season.
On the other hand, Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle has announced that all Florida and Hilton Head Cast Members will receive a free one-night stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel. This includes Cast Members who are currently working and those who are furloughed! It’s their way of thanking those who have worked hard to keep the magic during a particularly tumultuous year. It’s a Disney first! But hopefully for Cast Members, this will not be the last time they are gifted something so exciting!
Cast Members have not yet been told which resorts they will be offered to stay at, nor do we know how long they will be blocked from making park reservations. We can only say we appreciate all they do and hope they have a summer as magical as they make ours!
Morocco Pavilion wall has gone under the knife so to speak. If Thor was part of the construction crew it would have been a Mohelnyr, of course, if he was there, he could make me Thor thinking about it. Look you and I both know where this article is going. Straight into the gutter, so I will do my best to stop giggling like a teenager and be as professional as possible.
The Morocco Pavilion at Epcot has received a lot of unwanted attention due to the fact the wall in question is very…um…shaped like, well let us try and be civil here a tallywhacker? phallic? um…family jewels, Jim and the Twins? Yes, let’s go with that. It appears all the attention was noticed by Disney and they quickly went about covering the “offensive” structure. When the Pavilion was reopened the other day, a new wall with a door had magically been constructed. It went from Outy to Inny. The old Jim and the Twins wall had been reassigned, sorry meant redesigned. Lorena Bobbit had come for a visit? Blue Chew ran its course? It always identified as a door? (Thanks Instagram fans!)
We were at the wall in question today and got a few photos of the new non-offensive wall. Seriously though, this could have lasted a lot longer than it did and we could have had fun, but someone had to spoil it. We do take some of that responsibility for mentioning the wall once or twice prior. Plus letting people post about it on our Facebook page.
Disney was bound to notice all the giggling at some point, and truly they are right in this case. It is a Family Vacation destination! Not for us immature, sophomoric, callow, childish, unsophisticated, or morally corrupted wonderful people. You brought us many jokes. RIP
Rumors have been going around that soon California will update its reopening guidelines to allow non-residents to visit theme parks. Disneyland has confirmed that until further notice, only California residents will be allowed to visit the parks at the Disneyland Resort.
Despite this confirmation, SeaWorld in San Diego has updated its policy to allow non-California residents to visit so long as they are vaccinated. The notice on SeaWorld’s website reads:
“SeaWorld San Diego is now operating as a theme park. Per state COVID-19 restrictions, attendance is limited to California in-state visitors, and now out-of-state visitors will be required to show proof of a fully completed COVID-19 vaccine (you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your second shot, or two weeks after the one-dose vaccine).”
The California state guidelines were updated on Monday but they still show that only residents are allowed to visit theme parks. The guidelines also refer to the state travel advisory which states that “Fully vaccinated persons from out of state may visit or attend activities or events that are restricted to in-state visitors.”
We aren’t sure if SeaWorld has jumped the gun in allowing non-California residents to visit or if perhaps they found a loophole in California’s inconsistent policies.
Stay tuned to Chip&Co for more Southern California theme park news!
The Walt Disney Company (DIS) and Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) today announced a multi-year content licensing agreement for U.S. streaming and TV rights to Sony Pictures’ new theatrical releases across Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution’s vast portfolio of platforms including its streaming services Disney+ and Hulu, as well as linear entertainment networks including ABC, Disney Channels, Freeform, FX and National Geographic. The deal covers theatrical releases from 2022-2026 and begins for each film following its Pay 1 TV window. The agreement builds upon the companies’ prior arrangement which saw SPE movies licensed to FX in the post-Pay 1 TV window.
The deal also grants rights to a significant number of SPE’s iconic library titles, ranging from the “Jumanji” and “Hotel Transylvania” franchises to Sony Pictures’ Universe of Marvel Characters films, including Spider-Man. This gives Disney enormous programming potential across its platforms and makes them key destinations for a robust collection of Spider-Man films. Notably, the agreement provides Hulu access to a significant number of library titles beginning as early as this June.
“This landmark multi-year, platform agnostic agreement guarantees the team at Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution a tremendous amount of flexibility and breadth of programming possibilities to leverage Sony’s rich slate of award-winning action and family films across our direct-to-consumer services and linear channels,” said Chuck Saftler, head of Business Operations for ABC, Freeform, FX Networks, and Acquisitions in DMED’s Networks division, who played a key role in the negotiations. “This is a win for fans, who will benefit from the ability to access the very best content from two of Hollywood’s most prolific studios across a multitude of viewing platforms and experiences.”
“This groundbreaking agreement reconfirms the unique and enduring value of our movies to film lovers and the platforms and networks that serve them,” said Keith Le Goy, president, Worldwide Distribution and Networks, Sony Pictures Entertainment. “We are thrilled to team up with Disney on delivering our titles to their viewers and subscribers. This agreement cements a key piece of our film distribution strategy, which is to maximize the value of each of our films, by making them available to consumers across all windows with a wide range of key partners.”
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Disneyland is testing a new magical virtual character meet and greet with Tinker Bell!
Instagram user Jenn Tanaka shared their experience. During the A Touch of Disney event at Disney California Adventure, their family was invited to participate in a playtest. Their family was taken to Pixie Hollow where they got to see Tinker Bell’s workshop and visit with the main fairy herself!
The guests were able to have a fun conversation with Tink and see her work shop come alive around them. At the end of the experience the family got to take a picture with Tinker Bell.
Take a look at the videos Jenn Tanaka shared to Instagram:
Cruising in the U.S. is still on hold with no real end in sight to the CDC’s no sail order. Now, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is petitioning the Biden administration to resume sailings this summer.
The CDC issued updated guidelines earlier this month but CLIA views them as “outdated” and “overly complex”. There is also no clear timeline or path forward for cruise lines to resume sailing. This differs greatly from the CDC’s approach to other travel and tourism segments.
Nearly half a million Americans depend on the cruise industry for their livelihood. Those impacted include longshoremen, ground transportation operators, travel agents, and hotel, restaurants, and retail workers, as well as the tens of thousands of businesses that service cruise ships.
According to CLIA, “The cruise community is ready to work with the CDC to adopt a new approach to resumption in the U.S. that reflects current conditions and incorporates learnings from sailings that have occurred in other parts of the world.”
If you’d like to join CLIA in urging the Biden administration and the CDC to make the resumption of cruising in the U.S. by July an urgent priority, you can do that here.
Have you ever been to Starbucks and spending several minutes trying to decide what to order? Life is full of tough choices isn’t it? Well no worries, we’ll help you, we recommend you try the Ursula Frappuccino!
This purple drink will give you all the sea witch vibes you need in your life, it features a white mocha frappuccino with blackberry and raspberry! Sounds so tasty!
The compact silhouette still includes plenty of room for your essentials, plus gold bamboo screen art details, padded shoulder straps, and a bamboo top carry handle.
