Missing Buzz Lightyear goes on a mission before returning home thanks to Southwest Airlines

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March 11, 2021

Missing Buzz Lightyear goes on a mission before returning home thanks to Southwest Airlines — Photo credit Southwest

Recently a little boy left his Buzz Lightyear on a Southwest plane which I would imagine happens to many parents out there on a daily basis, however, Buzz managed to find his way home thanks to a Ramp Agent and a secret mission into uncharted space…

According to a post on the Southwest Facebook page:

Hagen and his family had landed at Dallas Love Field and were already driving off in a rental car when they realized Hagen’s special buddy was left behind on the plane. By the time they noticed, the plane was already well on the way to its next destination. Eventually, the aircraft made it to Little Rock, where it was scheduled to terminate for the night. That’s where Jason, a Ramp Agent at LIT, noticed Hagen’s left-behind buddy.

Jason knew someone was missing their friend badly, so he began some investigating to discover who he belonged to. Soon, a name written on the bottom of the boot caught Jason’s eye: “Hagen.” After more digging, Jason learned there was only one “Hagen” who had traveled on that aircraft that day. Instantly, Jason came up with a plan…

A few days later, Hagen and his family received a special surprise in the mail. Not only was his buddy returned, but he arrived in a hand-decorated box, complete with a letter describing his mission at Southwest Airlines, and pictures to boot.

“There’s definitely not enough good in this world, and for someone to take the time out of their day to do that for strangers means the world to us.” –Ashley, Hagen’s mom.

What an amazing story and a great job by Jason at Southwest!

Southwest posted the story last night and at the time of this writing it has over 42k lines and growing.

The mother of Hagen even commented on the Southwest post!

Love it!

Tangled, Frozen and Neverland themed lands coming to Tokyo DisneySea Park

By

Chip

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March 11, 2021

Tangled, Frozen and Neverland themed lands coming to Tokyo DisneySea Park

Back in 2018, Disney announced that a Tangled, Frozen, and Neverland-themed lands will be coming to Tokyo DisneySea Park.

In case you missed the details here they are:

This new area will invite guests into the charming forest where Rapunzel’s tower awaits. Guests can board gondolas for a romantic tour of Rapunzel’s “best day ever” as she journeys with Flynn to the lantern festival for an unforgettable finale. Also on the menu is a restaurant inspired by the hideout of the humorous band of thugs in the movie.

Guests will discover the kingdom of Arendelle after the events in “Frozen,” once the kingdom has opened its gates to visitors. A heartwarming new attraction will take guests by boat to experience the story of Elsa and Anna while enjoying iconic songs from the hit film, and a new restaurant will be located inside Arendelle Castle.

Neverland will come to life for guests, including Captain Hook’s pirate ship and Skull Rock. The area will feature two new attractions and a restaurant inspired by the Lost Boys hideout. In the first attraction, guests will fly over the jungles of Neverland with Peter Pan to rescue Wendy’s younger brother, John, in a battle with Captain Hook. The second attraction will immerse guests in the world of Pixie Hollow where Tinker Bell and her fairy friends live.

Other than the news released by parks blog back in 2018 no other details have been released…

However

In the recent Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Bob Chapek made this announcement:

Tokyo Disney Resort, the largest expansion ever for Tokyo DisneySea is underway, Fantasy Springs as its called will feature new areas and attractions inspired by the worlds of Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan’s Neverland, and is set to open in 2023.

Tokyo DisneySea is the only Disney theme park inspired by the myths and legends of the sea and is known to guests for its seven themed ports: Mediterranean Harbor, American Waterfront, Port Discovery, Lost River Delta, Arabian Coast, Mermaid Lagoon and Mysterious Island. This newest port (Fantasy Springs) will be themed to magical springs that lead to a world of Disney fantasy and will include four new attractions.

While many projects were put on hold due COVID-19 it was great hearing that this expansion at Tokyo DisneySea Park is still underway.

Stay tuned to Chip and Co for more details.

New Disney Transportation Collection By Her Universe

By

Danielle

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March 11, 2021

New Disney Transportation Collection By Her Universe

Her Universe has launched a fun new collection at the Disney Parks featuring some of our favorite things that keep us in morning. The Disney Transportation Collection is a cute assortment of apparel celebrating some of our favorite modes of travel around the parks, as well as rides we love too!

There are shirts, a jacket, and leggings so you can look cute and casual while dashing to your next mode of transport! This collection also has serious throwback vibes, with a bubbly 90’s appeal. The striped baby doll tee with the camisole is totally something I would have worn in high school! The main design for the shirts is a rainbow Mickey shape, with a monorail zooming around it!

Related: Her Universe

A grey half zip jacket features a rainbow track with a monorail, and says “Living the dream”. I feel like the leggings is where the fun really is! These sky blue leggings have ALL THE TRANSPORTATION vehicles! Monorails, buses, Skyliner gondolas, boats, trams and trains are all there. Yet that’s not all! There are also teacups, carousel horses, pirate ships and so much more! A quick glance will reveal many Disney rides we all know and love.

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We spotted the fab new Disney Transportation Collection at Hollywood Studios. However, we’re sure it’ll start popping up at more places throughout the Walt Disney World Resort soon!

Special thanks to our local corespondents Wright Touch of Magic for the photos!

SoCal can reopen theme parks and movie theaters this weekend according to Governor Newsom

By

Sara

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March 10, 2021

SoCal can reopen theme parks and movie theaters this weekend according to Governor Newsom

We previously shared that the state of California had adjusted its theme park reopening guidelines to allow theme parks to reopen as early as April 1, 2021. Now, Governor Newsom has changed the date to this coming weekend.

According to Newsom, Los Angeles and Orange Counties will be able to move from the purple/most restrictive COVID risk tier to the red/less restrictive tier this Friday when the state meets its threshold of administering 2 million Covid-19 vaccine doses. Moving from the purple tier to the red tier will allow increased capacity limits at retail establishments and reopening of theme parks, indoor dining, fitness centers and movie theaters.

The reopening date for California theme parks has been moved up but that doesn’t mean theme parks will reopen this weekend. Disney CEO Bob Chapek said yesterday that it would take time to recall and retrain 10,000 Cast Members to Disneyland. He hopes to be able to reopen Disneyland by the end of April.

“Specifically, L.A. will be a big beneficiary of this new metric that likely will be met on Friday. And moving through the weekend and into next week, you will see more activity, more loosening of the tiers,” predicted Newsom. “That’s encouraging and I hope people will be enthusiastic about what this means moving forward because we have a series of other thresholds and other goals that will allow us to move forward with more clarity, more conviction and more confidence as we move through the next few weeks and the next few months.”

Universal Studios Hollywood has not made any announcements regarding reopening. Beginning Friday, Taste of Universal, a ticketed food and beverage event will take place in Universal Studios Hollywood. Next week, Disney will launch their own version of a similar event at Disney California Adventure with “A Touch of Disney”.

We are so happy that California theme parks are moving in the direction of reopening and people can return to work! We will continue to update as more information is released.

Source

Downtown Disney extends hours for “A Touch of Disney” event

By

Sara

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March 10, 2021

Downtown Disney extends hours for "A Touch of Disney" event

The “A Touch of Disney” food and beverage event starts next week at Disney California Adventure park. During the event the Downtown Disney District will have extended hours for guests!

Starting on March 18 the Downtown Disney District is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (non-event days). On Thursdays, Fridays, and Mondays (event days) the Downtown Disney District will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

And on the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) which are also event days, the district will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. So far these hours are just for March as April hours are not yet listed.

The “A Touch of Disney” event runs from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays. The extended hours at the Downtown Disney District will give guests extra time to spend at the Disneyland Resort both before and after the event!

Will you be visiting the Disneyland Resort for this new event? If you’d like to plan your next Disneyland visit, contact me today for a free, no-obligation quote!

Avengers Campus not expected to open till later this year

By

Sara

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March 10, 2021

Avengers Campus not expected to open till later this year

Disney announced earlier this year that Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure will be opening sometime this year. With Disneyland hoping to open by the end of April, we thought that would include the new Avengers Campus. We now know that is not the case.

California has changed its reopening guidelines for theme parks and Disneyland can open as early as April 1, 2021. The parks will only be allowed to reopen at 15% capacity and exclusively to California residents. Disney announced they are hopeful the parks will be ready and able to open by the end of April but did not give exact dates.

During yesterday’s shareholder meeting, CEO Bob Chapek confirmed that Avengers Campus will open “later this year” indicating the Marvel-themed land will not open when the theme parks reopen. “At Disneyland Resort, the highly anticipated new Marvel-themed land Avengers Campus is currently scheduled to open later this year at Disney California Adventure,” Chapek said during the Shareholder’s meeting. “Guests will be able to sling webs like Spider-Man and see him soar through the air right before their eyes.”

Once Avengers Campus does open to the public later this year it will start with the first phase of Avengers Campus with a Spider-Man attraction called WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, a Doctor Strange section of the land called Sanctum, an Ant-Man and the Wasp restaurant called Pym Test Kitchen, and a Marvel character stunt show.

As for the second phase of the Marvel-themed land, it will open at a later date — currently an unannounced date — along with an Avengers E-ticket attraction.

We are so excited for the new Marvel-themed land to finally open in Disney California Adventure! Stay tuned for more information.

AP Theme Park Reservations completely booked for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Grand Opening

By

Sara

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March 10, 2021

AP Theme Park Reservations completely booked for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Grand Opening

We found out yesterday that Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will be opening in Epcot on October 1, 2021! Before this announcement, Epcot still had park pass availability on October 1 for annual passholders. That is no longer the case!

Looks like Disney World Annual Passholders are very excited to experience the new attraction on its opening day! Epcot still has availability for guests staying at a Disney World Resort hotel and guests with park tickets only.

If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you can still book a park pass for Epcot on October 1, 2021.

If you are not staying at a Disney World hotel but you have park tickets for October, you can still make park passes for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure’s opening day!

Will you be visiting Epcot to experience the exciting new attraction? There is still time to book your trip! Contact me today for a free, no-obligation vacation quote.

Disney is hopeful the college program will return in 2021

By

Kevin Koszola

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March 10, 2021

During the recent company shareholder meeting, Bob Chapek made a few comments on the status of the Disney College Program and if any dates could be shared.

Although Chapek said there was no specific date for when the program could restart, he said it likely would depend on when the company could start lifting some of the pandemic restraints at its parks. They are currently hopeful for later in 2021.

“We hope to be able to reinstate that once some of the constraints on the number of guests that we can actually put into our parks starts to ease up with the pandemic as it starts to resolve itself.”

– Bob Chapek

There are “no specifics” that the company could promise right now. Later in the meeting, Chapek was asked if exceptions would be made for students who may have graduated during the program’s hiatus and missed their chance to participate. Chapek said the company had not considered that but he would follow up on it.

The Disney College Program was suspended in March 2020 as Disney World began shutting down its theme parks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related: Disney CEO Bob Chapek Speaks Out on Kathleen Kennedy’s Future with Lucasfilm

For more information about everything coming to the Walt Disney World Resort for ‘The World’s Most Magical Celebration,’ click HERE!

Are you excited for ‘The World’s Most Magical Celebration?’ Let us know in the comments!

Check back here on Chip & Co. for the latest theme park and entertainment news updates!

Orlando Man runs a 26 miles between Gideon’s Bakehouse Locations

By

Kevin Koszola

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March 10, 2021

How much do you love cookies? Especially those at Gideon’s Bakehouse? Well, one Orlando local certainly took it to the next level by creating his own Gideon’s marathon course! He ran a full 26.2 miles between two Gideon’s Bakehouse locations.

Gregory Ryan planned the start line for his marathon run at Gideon’s Bakehouse in the Audubon Park’s East End Market to the finish line at the new Gideon’s location in Disney Springs. Ryan realized one day the distance between the bake shop’s locations was 20-something miles. Why not tack on a few extra miles on the route and turn it into a 26.2-mile course? He came up with a hashtag, #Gideons2Gideons and encouraged his social media followers to donate to the Cast Member Pantry.

#Gideons2Gideons pic.twitter.com/kApC0XcqnR
— Greg • The Orlando Ultra Runner (@GregInORL) March 4, 2021

He finished his run through Disney Springs. Then he stood in line for an hour at Gideon’s to order a peanut-butter, chocolate and banana cake. It’s certainly a fitting reward for this runner!

For more information about everything coming to the Walt Disney World Resort for ‘The World’s Most Magical Celebration,’ click HERE!

Are you excited for ‘The World’s Most Magical Celebration?’ Let us know in the comments!

Check back here on Chip & Co. for the latest theme park and entertainment news updates!

Source: Orlando Sentinel

Marvel Studios ‘Black Widow’ Premiere Date Confirmed by Disney CEO Bob Chapek

By

Kaitlyn

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March 10, 2021

Scarlett Johannson and Florence Pugh as Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova in Marvel Studios' Black Widow

Marvel Studios ‘Black Widow‘ Premiere Date Confirmed by Disney CEO Bob Chapek. Marvel fans were dreading the idea that the premiere of the highly anticipated film Black Widow would be delayed for a 5th time, particularly after the quarterly earnings call in February yielded no concrete answers regarding the films premiere.

During the 2021 shareholder meeting, Disney CEO Bob Chapek confirmed Marvel Studios will premiere Black Widow exclusively in theaters on May 7th, 2021. Initially Black Widow was set to premiere on May 6, 2020, but was indefinitely delayed after the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was pushed back several times, with the latest push set for May 7th. Now, it seems Disney and Marvel Studios are doubling down on the new date.

Fans were also wondering if Marvel or Disney would chose to allow for a digital release exclusively on Disney+. That idea was dashed during the earnings call, with Chapek having shared: “We are still intending it to be a theatrical release. We’re going to be watching very carefully [at] the reopening of theaters and consumer sentiment on going back to theaters.”

“At birth the Black Widow (aka Natasha Romanova) is given to the KGB, which grooms her to become its ultimate operative. When the U.S.S.R. breaks up, the government tries to kill her as the action moves to present-day New York, where she is a freelance operative.”

Black Widow stars Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow), Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), Rachel Weisz (Melina Vostokoff), David Harbour (Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian) and O-T Fagbenle (Mason). Be sure to check back here at Chip and Co. for updates and all things Marvel!

Featured Photo Credit: Marvel Studios

Source: ComicBook

Main Street Confectionery closing for long refurbishment at the end of March

By

Chip

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March 10, 2021

Main Street Confectionery closing for long refurbishment at the end of March

The Main Street Confectionery in the Magic Kingdom will be closing starting on March 29th for a long refurbishment.

According to the Disney World Website the Main Street Confectionery refurbishment will start and extend till tales May 22nd. Well that is as far out as the calendar would go.

No details have been shared by Disney as of yet but we are expecting the refurbishment to extend past May. We believe that this refurbishment is part of the Magic Kingdom getting ready for the 50th Anniversary in October like many of the other projects around Walt Disney World.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek Speaks Out on Kathleen Kennedy’s Future with Lucasfilm

By

Kaitlyn

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March 10, 2021

Kathleen Kennedy in the Millennium Falcon

Disney CEO Bob Chapek Speaks Out on Kathleen Kennedy’s Future with Lucasfilm. Kathleen Kennedy has been under fire from Star Wars fans for years, with many calling for her firing for “ruining” the Star Wars franchise and Lucasfilm Ltd. since its acquisition by The Walt Disney Company for $4 Billion in 2012. This year, Kathleen’s contract with Lucasfilm is up, which led many fans to believe she may be leaving since a renewal had not been announced.

During the 2021 shareholder meeting, Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke out on the calls for Kennedy’s firing, stating: “We look forward to having Kathy direct the activities of the entire Lucasfilm organization for many years to come.“

Lucasfilm has several major projects in the works, including films by directors such as Taika Waititi and Rian Johnson, as well as original series that will premiere exclusively on Disney+. Some upcoming titles include: Ahsoka, The Rangers of the New Republic, Andor, Rogue Squadron, The Mandalorian: Season 3, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, The Bad Batch, and more.

How do you feel about Bob Chapek’s comment? Do you think the studio is headed in the right direction? What shows and movies are you excited to see? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Be sure to check back here at Chip and Co. for all things Disney and Lucasfilm!

Featured Photo Credit: Lucasfilm

Source: ITM