Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Is Getting A Holiday Makeover

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November 23, 2019

Looks like Jock Lindsey decided to give his bar a holiday twist!

Disney Springs recently announced that something holly and jolly is coming to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar very soon. They didn’t give any specific details but on the image the word Hanger is hidden by a banner that says Holiday so we can only assume new festive decorations might be coming soon and maybe even new signature items!

More information will be released on Monday, November 25 so stay tuned.

In case you didn’t know,this bar is inspired after Indiana Jones pilot Jock Lindsey who owned a pet snake named Reggie. They stumbled upon Disney Springs in 1938 while chasing down a mythology based tip in central Florida where Jock decided to settle down and pilot seaplanes tours across the sunshine state.

He then eventually built an airplane hangar that became a popular stopover and watering hole for world travelers and locals alike and that’s how Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar was born!

You can find it at The Landing in Disney Springs.

Credit: Disney Springs

Take a Look at the Epcot Holiday Cookie Stroll Cookies

By

Sara

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November 23, 2019

The Epcot Festival of the Holidays starts Friday and as part of the celebration, the Holiday Cookie Stroll is back! Grab a passport and collect 5 stamps and 5 cookies at the cookie stroll locations throughout World Showcase. You can also purchase a special festival cookie jar to hold your cookies in! Let’s take a look at each of the cookies available during this year’s Cookie Stroll:

Linzer cookie located at the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen in the Germany Pavilion

Chocolate Crinkle cookie at Feast of the Three Kings near the Mexico Pavilion

Peppermint Pinwheel cookie at the Yukon Holiday Kitchen in the Canada Pavilion

Gingerbread cookie at the American Holiday Table in the American Pavilion

Black-and-White cookie at the L’Chaim Holiday Kitchen between Morocco and France Pavilions

Once you’ve collected 5 stamps, take your Passport to the Sweets & Treats Holiday Kitchen to receive a complimentary Santa Mickey Sugar Cookie! Check out the cookies in our video below:

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‘Endgame’ Directors Share the Reason for Altering Black Widow and Hawkeye Scene on Vormir

By

Kaitlyn

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November 23, 2019

‘Endgame’ Directors Share the Reason for Altering Black Widow and Hawkeye Scene on Vormir. With the release of Avengers: Endgame and premiere on Disney’s new streaming service, Disney+ Marvel fans have unprecedented access to deleted content and bonus features from the MCU. One such scene was an altered version of Black Widow and Hawkeye on their mission to Vormir to retrieve the Soul Stone.

The initial concept, which was fully edited during production, included Natasha and Clint arguing about who will be the sacrifice to retrieve the stone when suddenly Thanos and his army appear to try and stop The Avengers mission. The “battle on Vormir” scene was originally supposed to make it into the film until the directors, Anthony and Joe Russo, decided that the scene would be more compelling if there was a battle merely between the best friends who wouldn’t hurt each other, but would do everything to prevent the other from sacrificing themselves.

“So we started talking about it in post-production with our editor Jeff Ford. We started spitballing: Isn’t the best version of this scene Hawkeye versus Black Widow? We have two heroes, neither of whom is gonna let the other die? They both know they have a mission that involves one of them sacrificing themselves and these characters had such a rich relationship throughout the MCU. So why don’t we just make the conflict between these two characters?”

“We thought that scene would be tragic if two best friends have to fight each other for the right to die, to save the universe. And it was heartbreaking,” Joe Russo said in a prior interview. “We conceived of a way to choreograph it for maximum emotional value, where the lead in this race keeps switching hands in a way that you’re not sure who actually is gonna make it over that cliff. Black Widow’s the sole female member of the original Avengers, which is an extremely important thing for us and for fans. So after we committed to the idea of her death, [we focused on] figuring out how it was going to be most meaningful and resonate. And that final moment where she saves Clint as he leaps over and fastens him to the cliff wall while she’s hanging onto his arm — how do you as Clint stop someone who’s willing to die in that moment from shaking loose from your grasp? To us, that felt like the cathartic climax of the fight between two best friends.”

Though there were multiple iteration of this scene one thing was for sure. Natasha would be the one to sacrifice herself for the sake of humanity and to give her friends a chance to live with their loved ones again. She clearly understood the weight of her decision in both scenes and her sacrifice was understandable in the varying scenes. The final cut is the more emotionally connected moment between the two characters who have a clearly defined bond. The heartbreak was felt by audiences everywhere and no matter what happened in the 14,000,605 versions of this moment, but it is clear the Russo’s chose the right path for this character and her sacrifice would not be in vain. It’s truly what Natasha would have wanted for her new ‘family’.

What do you think of the deleted scene? Do you feel it was better than the path chosen in the final cut of Avengers: Endgame? Are you excited to see Black Widow back in action in her solo film premiering May 1, 2020? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Be sure to check back here at Chip and Co. for all things Marvel!

Featured Photo Credit: Marvel Studios

Running Universal Will Feature Dreamworks’ Trolls

By

Monique Lopez

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November 23, 2019

Running Universal Will Feature Dreamworks' Trolls

The race is on at Universal Studios Hollywood! In the spring of 2020 the theme park will be hosting “Running Universal”, a 5 and 10K race.

This year, the racing event will be featuring an all new theme, Dreamworks’ Trolls. Guests will be invited to take part in a run through the famous backlot. Along the way, runners will be greeted by some familiar friends like Poppy, Branch, and Guy Diamond from the Trolls franchise. Also along the race route will be Shrek, Princess Fiona, Po, and Tigress!

Registration for “Running Universal” is currently available, although, space is limited. Guests can participate in a 5 or 10K and children ages 4-12 can join in on the Kid’s 1K. There is also plenty of ticket packages like the Standard, VIP, and Play All Day, that comes with a one day park admission. All packages will cone with complimentary parking, beverages, and refreshments. Also, all who participate will receive a Trolls drawstring backpack, a themed T-shirt, and a finishing metal.

This unique and fun run event will finish at the Universal City Walk where guests will celebrate their victories! There will be plenty of hair raising celebration and lively music. Running Universal featuring Dreamworks’ Trolls will take place on April 26, 2020.

Dreamworks’ Trolls World Tour debuts in theaters April 27, 2020!

For more information and to register, please visit: RunningUniversal.com

Disney Parks Win Awards for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

By

Allison Luna

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November 23, 2019

For anyone who’s ever questioned Disney’s frontrunner status in the world of theme parks, more definitive proof has been added to their litany of accolades and awards. Disney has recently been awarded four Brass Ring Awards from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions or the IAAPA. These awards recognize immersive products and atmospheric entertainment, and it should be noted that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was the recipient of three of those four awards.

Handbuilt lightsabers from Savi’s Workshop we’re awarded ”Best Hard Good Item.” As more than just merchandise, you can take home, these lightsabers come with the experience of building them yourself, alongside a trained craftsman. Because each one is tailored to the taste of the guests making it, they are a unique keepsake from the park, and certainly worthy of the note they receive.

The Droid Depot was recognized for ”Best Visual Merchandising” with their custom astromech droid units. Again, guests must build their own souvenir, going through a parts station and a build section to create the droid of their singular taste.

The final winner at Galaxy’s Edge was the Porg from Creature Stall, which was awarded ”Best Plush.” The little stuffed animal is cute on his own, but the immersive experience of adopting him makes it even more outstanding.

One more Brass Ring Award was given to Disney for “Best Atmosphere” in the live entertainment category. The Green Army Drum Corps from Toy Story Land were the ones to snag this recognition, and it is well-deserved as they bring lively reality to the toy world as guests walk through.

Immersive entertainment is what park-goers are requesting more and more, and these accolades only reinforce the fact that Walt Disney World (and Disneyland) is still at the top of the theme park world in that respect. We have enjoyed all the developments inside Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land, fully believing they are worthy of these awards. What has been your favorite new immersive experience at the parks?

Photos courtesy of Disney

Celebrate Avatar’s 10th Anniversary with Awesome Merchandise

By

Sara

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November 23, 2019

Almost ten years ago we were introduced to the breathtaking and amazing world of “Avatar”. The film inspired the bioluminescent landscape at Pandora – The World of Avatar in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. To celebrate the anniversary of Avatar, we’ve got a look at some of the special commemorative merchandise that will be available.

An anniversary adult T-shirt, stainless steel water bottle and lithograph will be available at Windtraders and Island Mercantile in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park.

While there’s only a few pieces of Avatar anniversary merchandise, you can head to Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park and find lots of other great souvenirs. You can also enjoy watching “Avatar” now streaming on Disney+!

‘The Mandalorian’ Showrunner’s Discuss How They Kept “Baby Yoda” a Secret

By

Kaitlyn

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November 23, 2019

‘The Mandalorian’ Showrunner’s Discuss How They Kept “Baby Yoda” a Secret. Entertainment Tonight spoke with The Mandalorian showrunner’s Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau on how they managed to keep “Baby Yoda” a complete secret up until the premiere on Disney+.

The Star Wars Universe of fans were shaken by the news of “Baby Yoda” after the premiere of The Mandalorian on Disney+. Though the background of this creature has yet to be revealed it is revered as one of the best kept secrets, right along the lines of the infamous “No… I am your father!” reveal from Darth Vader to Luke in Empire Strikes Back. Fans were floored by the prospect of what this could mean for the story as well as having a new character to fall in love with.

*Disclaimer: We KNOW it’s not actually Yoda, but we have no idea what the species or name of this adorable little guy is, so we will refer to it as “Baby Yoda” until a proper name is given in the series.

Indeed, “Baby Yoda” has been an instant hit with immediate call for merchandise and other promotional material being highly sought after, especially for the holidays.

During the premiere night for The Mandalorian, showrunner’s Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni spoke about how hard it was to keep this a secret up until the big reveal and how they truly had the support of the studio and Disney to make the story in a way that was true to form with their support to hold off on selling merchandise in order to keep the secrets for the series. Check out their insightful interview with ET here:

The Mandalorian is currently streaming exclusively on Disney+, with a second season well underway.

Where you surprised by the reveal of “Baby Yoda” at the end of Episode 1? Are you already dreaming of watching next weeks episode of The Mandalorian on Disney+? What other shows and movies have you been enjoying so far on the new streaming service? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Be sure to check back here at Chip and Co. for all things Star Wars!

Featured Photo Credit: Disney+/Lucasfilm

The Long Awaited White Castle Burger Chain is Coming Back to Florida

By

Rebekah

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November 23, 2019

It has been far too long since Florida locals have had the opportunity to indulge in a classic White Castle burger- more than 50 years! This fast food tragedy is about to come to an end as there are now plans to build a White Castle near Walt Disney World.

This location will be placed near Palm Parkway and Daryl Carter Boulevard and will be the only location in the whole state. According to The Business Journals, an official announcement should be made on Nov. 25. The plan is to break ground in early 2020 so the countdown begins now!

From mac n’ cheese and corn dog nibblers to a classic cheeseburger slider and crinkle cut fries, White Castle has any affordably delicious meal to satisfy your taste buds.

It took you long enough, White Castle! Locations in 13 states and Florida wasn’t one of them already?

Photo source White Castle website.

Review: Takumi-Tei Restaurant in the Japan Pavilion at Epcot

By

Chip

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November 23, 2019

Recently I had the pleasure of dining at Takumi-Tei Restaurant in the Japan Pavilion at Epcot. This upscale signature restaurant opened back in July at Walt Disney World. Read all about it here.

The dining experience at Takumi-Tei highlights the wonderful Japanese culture and their connection to the elements of the natural world.

As you walk in you are greeted by these elements along with an explanation of how they are woven in Japanese culture and throughout the restaurant.

Follow along with me…

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Upon being seated we were able to try some delicious cocktails. The especially love the presentation on the Kochi, the wood smoke really enhances the flavor of the drink.

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Before I get started on the meal I was able to take a tour around the restaurant. The decorations are so beautiful and I had no idea there was this much space inside. I have always been intrigued by the Japanse culture and this restaurants really reflects the beauty of Japan.

We were treated to the Omakase Tasting Menu which is the perfect way to sample the wide variety of foods they have at the Takumi-Tei Restaurant.

Let’s dive right in…

The first course was Otoshi or a quick bite, it was warm and melted in your mouth. I can’t remember what it was made of but all I know I wanted more!

I LOVE Sushi. It is one of the foods I probably eat weekly. Their hand made sushi was easily some of the best I have ever tasted. All of the hand made rolls were light and fresh. If you are new to sushi this would be a great way to try sushi for the first time as you get a sample of the most popular sushi rolls. The sea urchin (yellow roll) was easily my favorite.

The Nikomi Wagyu was next up after our sushi course. The wagyu was so tender and flavorful, you can tell this took some time to cook. The bone marrow underneath added that extra level of flavor to put this over the top. The portion size was quite large although you can’t really tell from my photo. I only ate half of it.

After 3 courses down it is time to cleanse your pallet before they bring out the main course. The Hashiyasume was an excellent way to get ready for something I was really looking forward to trying… the Japanse wagyu beef steak!

The Wagyu Tabekurabe pairs Japanese Beef(right) with American Beef(left). I can honestly say that the Japanese Wagyu hands down is the best steak I have ever eaten. It was fork-tender and it literally melted in your mouth. I think I actually closed my eyes and savored how good it was (think Anton Ego from Ratatouille) I will be coming back again just to have some more of the steak as it was the STAR of the entire meal for me. The American steak was good don’t get me wrong, if I would have just had that on my plate I would have been happy but when you put them side by side it’s hard not to have a favorite.

At this point, I am getting pretty full. I appreciate the Suiren Dani or Japanese water cake for dessert. It is light and probably the most unique dessert I have ever tried. Unfortunately, it might have been a little too sophisticated for my pallet as I only had a few bites.

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Needing to get up and stretch my legs I saw the Cherry Blossom room when I first walked in and wanted to show you how beautiful this room is. Next time I visit I am going to request this room to have my meal. The even have a special Chef’s table worth checking out for those special occasions (see our Instagram Highlight)

When I came back to my seat I wasn’t expected to be greeted by my server who had one more surprise in store for us. A traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony. While it was going on I forgot to take photos but I was able to get a video up on my Instagram Highlight. Just click here to see the Tea Ceremony, along with some other photos I was able to take from my meal.

I did, however, get photos of the entire menu for you to check out. You don’t need to come in and do the Tasting Menu, you can order a la carte and pick and choose your favorites, which I plan on doing next time. I highly suggest doing the Tasting Menu if you can, it is a great way to sample a wide variety of their foods and it does change like most signature restaurants.

Ok to sum my entire experience up in a word… Amazing! From the Cast Members to the food, and the restaurant itself everything was so Amazing! I would easily put this entire dinner in my top 5 best dinners at Walt Disney World. Reading about this restaurant beforehand and actually being there I was blown away…

I would like to give a special thank you Takumi-Tei for allowing me to check them out. Seriously if you are looking for a new restaurant in Epcot or like me love Japanse Culture/Food this is one experience you won’t want to miss. If you notice I didn’t say dinner as the entire meal was an experience from start to finish.

Arigatou Gozaimasu to entire staff at Takumi-Tei.

Dazzling Festive Entertainment Is Coming Soon To Epcot International’s Festival Of The Holidays

By

Susan Wilson

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November 23, 2019

Get ready to celebrate holidays around the World Showcase with the return of Epcot International’s Festival Of The Holidays. This year is sure to be jam-packed with holiday entertainment perfect for the whole family. The Festival of Holidays begins on November 29th and runs until December 30th.

JOYFUL!

Guests will be able to experience JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season. This amazing group celebrates the joy of Christmas and Kwanzaa through the Gospel, R&B and holiday song. You’ll be able to find showtimes in the times guides.

Get ready to celebrate the holidays by country with amazing story telling about different holiday traditions around the world. Each country around the World Showcase will feature a fun narrator telling all about their specific holiday traditions. Like Father Christmas in the United Kingdom Pavilion and A Mischevious Barn Santa in Norway. Make sure to check out them all! You can find a full list of the countries and storytellers here.

Chip and Dale’s Tree Spree Scavenger Hunt

Do you have little ones that need a little extra motivation to stick with the World Showcase? Or maybe you love a good scavenger hunt. There’s an all-new one just for the Festival of the Holidays. This fun hunt takes you to the different countries looking for Chip and Dale and their ornaments. It’s called Chip and Dale’s Tree Spree and there’s a fun prize when completed.

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The Candlelight Processional

The Candlelight Processional is a spectacular retelling of the Christmas story with a 50 piece orchestra, choir, and a celebrity narrator. This is a beautiful sight to see and a top must-do for the festival. You can also secure a good seat with a dining package. You can find the list of celebrity narrators here. You don’t want to miss this.

The Cookie Stroll

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Coming back for its second year is the cookie stroll. This was such a fun and delicious addition to the festival last year and this year has brand new cookie options. Guests purchase five different cookies throughout the World Showcase and collect stamps in their festival passport. After getting all five cookies and stamps guests than receive a complementary completer cookie.

Merry And Bright Nights

New to the festival this year is a fun nighttime holiday overlay of Living With the Land. It’s called Merry and Bright Nights and is fun themed makeover of the boat ride in the Lands. There’s fun new lights and decorations throughout. This will start when the festival opens on November 29th but see our YouTube for a fun preview. Living with the Land will have the decorations during the day but the nighttime is a whole different experience.

There’s so much to see and do at this years Festival of the Holidays. It seems to be one of the best ones yet.

There’s a New Entrance Coming to Tomorrowland in Disneyland

By

Jessica Jones

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November 23, 2019

Disneyland has been undergoing some major enhancements in order to deliver a world-class guest experience. Up next on the enhancement list is a new entrance coming to Tomorrowland in Disneyland. Recently, Disneyland has received enhancements ranging from beautification of the park to steps taken to maximize guest flow. However, we just might be the most excited to see the new entrance coming to Tomorrowland!

If you’re in the parks this holiday season, you’ll notice work is currently underway with a new look completed in 2020.

When planning, Imagineers wanted to open up the space and improve access into the land. As shown in this rendering, guests will soon be entering Tomorrowland on a widened pathway lined with elliptical planters that are filled with swirls of colorful flowers. However, it was important for Imagineers to maintain its overall complexion with trees and beautiful planters that is well-known at Disney Parks.

The new entrance to Tomorrowland threshold will pay homage to Tomorrowland entrances of yesterday. Disney Imagineer Kim Irvine noted, “Tomorrowland has always represented a feeling of optimism. [Imagineer] John Hench originally designed the land with this notion of being wide open to innovative ideas and technology. When we started looking at the different Tomorrowland entrances through the years, both the 1955 and 1967 versions had a very optimistic appeal which resonated with us.”

When the revised entrance appeared in 1967, the entrance featured a variety of futuristic vehicles zooming around and the Googie architecture that had become representative of the Space Age. Today’s Imagineers are creating Space Age-inspired spires, which will flank the entrance.

The new entrance will be revealed in time, but in the meantime take a look at the artist concept art that will leave you wanting more!

For more articles, follow along with Chip and Co here.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

New Star Wars themed Airbnb Homes Available to Rent near Disney World

By

Jessica Jones

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November 23, 2019

Hey Star Wars Fans! There is a new Airbnb dedicated to Star Wars fans now available to rent. The Loma Homes Twelve Parsecs Airbnb vacation rental home is a force for good as the ultimate extension to your Galaxy’s Edge theme park adventure.

This newly renovated 9-bedroom home has been turned into a live-in movie set complete with a private, heated swimming pool and resort amenities. According to Loma Homes, each of the home’s 9 bedrooms is “inspired by a different planet in that far away galaxy, with painstakingly detailed, hand-painted wall murals, 3D custom-molded planets, and handmade beds, so even Dreamtime is on-theme.” Guests can wake up in a swamp lush with vines, an ice bed, or a podracer, to name a few. The Twelve Parsecs Airbnb also features 5 character-themed bathrooms—from rebels to your favorite robots. Lastly, enjoy the houses’ full kitchen featuring all appliances and plenty of countertop space needed to fuel up for your journey through space.

The new Twelve Parsecs Airbnb by Luna Homes is a quick drive located just 15 minutes to Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World Florida. Guests staying in this villa will also have complete access to the Champions Gate Oasis resort with a water park, 2 golf courses, splash pad, game room, theater & more!

With the new Rise of the Resistance attraction opening soon will you be considering this new Airbnb?

For More information visit Luna Homes Airbnb here.

Follow along with Chip and Co here!

Source: Lunda Homes Airbnb