Who says that your dreams have to stay just your dreams?
In honor of World Maritime Day this past Thursday, September 26, Disney Cruise Line is celebrating incredible women that work as Crew Members and Officers on their ships.
Their goal is to empower women to pursue maritime careers and leadership positions in the field, and in order to do so, they are offering some scholarships and programs to help inspire the next generation of female leaders.
Disney Cruise Line will sponsor 4 scholarships at the LJM Maritime Academy, one for each of their ships, to girls that want to become ship captains and leaders. They will include tuition for the 3 year program (2 years at the academy and one year of service aboard a Disney ship).
Earlier this year Disney introduced Captain Minnie Mouse, taking advantage of the ability Disney characters have to inspire and connect with people and help spread the message of exploring new horizons and venture outside your comfort zone because the rewards are worth it.
One of the programs planned for Captain Minnie later this year, is to appear in the different ships with an onboard youth activity developed by DCL where she will practice STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in a fun and interactive marine themed way!
If you want to know about the female cast members working aboard the Disney Cruise Line and their stories take a look at this video:
Disney’s latest and most magical mode of transportation is set to take flight September 29th and we got to experience a preview. Disney’s Skyliner has in the span of one afternoon become a favorite way to get around the Walt Disney World Resort. We met up at the largest station and central hub, the Caribbean Beach Resort. Keep reading for all the must-have information on Disney’s Skyliner.
The Skyliner Stations and Routes
There are three main routes you can take from the station at the Caribbean Beach Resort. One route takes guests to the Riviera Resort with a connection to Epcot, a second goes right to Hollywood Studios, and the last brings guests to the station between the Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts. Guests traveling from Epcot to Hollywood Studios will need to take the gondolas going to Caribbean Beach and then get off and transfer to the Hollywood Studios destination.
Each route has a different feel to it and the sights from each where so beautiful. The route to Art of Animation and Pop Century has guests gliding over water and the view towards the upcoming Riviera Resort are the highest on the Skyliner system. I recommend riding them all just for the amazing views of the resort.
There is also a brand new Joffrey’s Coffee located right in front of the new Caribbean Beach Resort station. There guests can enjoy the brand new Toffee Flight Latte and other treats before hitting the Skyliner.
The Gondola’s
The gondolas are actually a lot more spacious than I even imagined they would be. There are 300 gondolas on Disney’s Skyliner system. While the character gondolas are cute and may help block out sun during the heat of summer, they also obstruct your view. The gondolas are vented at the top and I found them to be very breezy inside. Of course this is while gondolas are in flight. I know that’s a main concern especially with no actual a.c. in this Florida heat. The gondolas seat 10 people with two wooden benches. From what I’ve heard strollers will be treated like on the monorail and will not have to be folded up.
Take off and decent got a little bumpy but nothing overly concerning. I’m actually afraid of heights and when I sat in the center really enjoyed my ride. Now if guests have an extreme fear the Skyliner may not be the mode of transportation for you.
I was very impressed with the way they have the que set up for guests needing assistance. There are special handicap loading areas for each station. About every 14 gondolas one will slide to a special stationery area of the track so guests needing assistance are not rushed and can load at their own pace. While this is happening the remaining gondolas will not stop.
Final Thoughts
Disney’s Skyliner will be an new favorite mode of transportation for guests. It seems like even though guests can expect crowds with this new form of transportation they load very fast. I think it will still be quicker than waiting 20 minutes plus for a bus and then driving to your destination. Unlike bus transportation though the Skyliner will close for inclement weather. I would really love to see them expand to all the parks in the future.
The views were amazing and it was really an incredible way to travel. If you’re going to be visiting the Walt Disney World Resort soon I highly recommend riding when the Disney Skyliner takes flight.
Disney on Broadway is celebrating 25 years of magical musicals!
Launched in 1993 with Beauty and The Beast as the first Broadway show and multiple hit shows ever since seen by almost 200 million people around the world, there is no doubt Disney on Broadway has won a special place in people hearts.
And to celebrate this milestone, performers from Disney’s stage productions will join their voices in a one night event benefitting Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS this upcoming November 4 at 8pm at the New Amsterdam Theater, home of the Disney Musical Aladdin in NYC.
The Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney on Broadway concert will have the original cast of your favorite musicals like Jelani Alladin (Frozen), Heidi Blickenstaff (The Little Mermaid), Sierra Boggess (The Little Mermaid), Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins), Merle Dandridge (Tarzan), Susan Egan (Beauty and the Beast), Kara Lindsay (Newsies), and John Strickland (Tarzan) joined by Tony winner Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone), Thoroughly Modern Millie producer Whoopi Goldberg and Tony nominee Ashley Park (Mean Girls).
So get ready to sing along to songs from Disney’s Aida, Aladdin, Beauty and The Beast, Frozen, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, Tarzan and Newsies!
It’s been two years since Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ride in the France Pavilion at Epcot was announced at D23, but at this year’s D23 expo, we learned that we will finally get to experience this new ride in Summer 2020. We haven’t been able to get many behind the scene photos for this new attraction, but with the Skyliner opening, we were able to snag these cool shots!
We are hoping that the ride resembles the one in Disneyland Paris called Ratatouille: The Adventure. We do know that you will shrink down to Chef Remy’s size and go on an adventure through Gusteau’s restaurant, which will be an amazing adventure.
Who else can’t wait for the new ride next summer? Let us know in the comments below!
That’s all we have for now, but make sure to check back here, at Chip and Company, for all the latest updates for all things Disney!
Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios has seen a lot of changes in the last year. Between the recent opening of Galaxy’s Edge and the now-less-recent addition of Toy Story Land, it seems that the whole park has gotten a face-lift and become more of a front-runner in guests’ vacation plans.
No less important than new attractions is the upkeep of the old; in this case, long-time merchandise shop Mickey’s of Hollywood. As it is considered the main souvenir shop in Hollywood Studios, this store gets a lot of foot traffic. It closed its doors in May for a well-deserved refurbishment and had a few delays in the process, but is now open for business once again.
The new look doesn’t deviate from the old-Hollywood style that the front of the park is known for, but it is fresher and cleaner in appearance. Backlit marquees will aid guests in finding exactly what they’re shopping around for in the store, while bright red walls provide a daring contrast behind them. The flooring is equally bold with both wood and black-and-white tile sections throughout the store.
But even with all the changes that have taken place, guests shouldn’t worry about finding the perfect souvenir; the merchandise offered here will remain as varied as before. Whether it’s a T-shirt, toy, pair of Minnie ears, or that perfect snack that’s being sought out, Mickey’s of Hollywood remains the best place in Hollywood Studios to find a variety of souvenirs and park necessities. Now it just looks even better than before.
‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’ Predicted To Reach $50 Million at the Box Office Opening Weekend. The sequel to the 2014 film, Maleficent, is set to release in theaters October 18, 2019.
According to Variety, current predictions expect Maleficent: Mistress of Evil to rule in theaters on opening weekend, and the film is expected to gross $50 million at the domestic box office.
“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” is a fantasy adventure that picks up several years after “Maleficent,” in which audiences learned of the events that hardened the heart of Disney’s most notorious villain and drove her to curse a baby Princess Aurora. The film continues to explore the complex relationship between the horned fairy and the soon to be Queen as they form new alliances and face new adversaries in their struggle to protect the moors and the magical creatures that reside within. The film is directed by Joachim Rønning from a story by Linda Woolverton and a screenplay by Linda Woolverton and Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster, the film is produced by Joe Roth, Angelina Jolie and Duncan Henderson with Matt Smith, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Michael Vieira serving as executive producers.
Are you excited for the Maleficent sequel? What do you think of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil so far? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Be sure to check back here at Chip and Company for all things Disney!
Rey and Kylo Ren Face Off for ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ in New Empire Magazine Covers. With the release of Star Wars: Episode 9: The Rise of Skywalker less than 3 months away, it is time to get excited for the final installment in the Skywalker Saga.
“In the November 2019 issue, Empire speaks to Abrams, co-writer Chris Terrio, and franchise boss Kathleen Kennedy, to talk the momentous task of bringing the saga home, following up The Last Jedi, and tying back into all three eras of the story.”
The first cover shows Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) in his reassembled helmet that appears to glow red in the cracks, giving it a menacing and cinematically pleasing design. Opposing him in the second cover is none other than Rey (Daisy Ridley) with a steely glance that shows she still has hope for Ben Solo’s soul and won’t go down without a fight to win him back to the Light Side.
Both covers are now available for pre-order through Empire, and are being sold as a bundle pack for £7.99. You can order your copies by CLICKING HERE.
In a short and none detailed description, “The Rise of Skywalker is about the surviving remains of the Resistance face the First Order once more as Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron’s journey continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle commences.”
Empire subscribers will also have the chance to receive this exclusive subscriber cover of Empire as well.
Are you excited for Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker? What do you think will happen in the final film for the Skywalker Saga? We would love to hear your theories in the comments.
Be sure to check back here at Chip and Company for all things Star Wars!
Joffrey’s has become a caffeine-producing favorite of many Walt Disney World guests. With their seasonal lattes, giant donuts and pass discounts many count on Joffrey’s for their “pick me up.” The new Joffrey’s location is adorable and themed perfectly to the Caribbean vibe. It is conveniently right off of the new skyliner route, at the Caribbean Beach Skyliner Station. This station is the hub of all the lines and the perfect place to grab a quick snack or drink.
This location will serve all of the lattes, coffees, teas, frozen drinks, cold brew, and pastries Joffrey’s patrons love in addition to a special drink dedicated to the skyliner, the Toffee Flight Latte. Their pumpkin spice cold brew is one of my favorites so I’m happy to see they will be serving the specialty Pumpkin Pie Latte and Harvest Chai Latte here as well. It is nice to see that Disney thought of the riders in having a place like this (and new restrooms) along the route of the new Disney Skyliner.
Find us park hopping between all the Happiest Pumpkins on Earth all fall long.
Tom Holland Reacts to News About Spider-Man Returning to the MCU. There was much joy to be shared as news broke on Friday, September 27th that Disney and Sony had agreed to complete a Spider-Man trilogy together in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe).
According to both studios, the main cast from the first two films are expected to return for the third Spider-Man movie, including: Tom Holland (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), Zendaya (MJ), Marissa Tomei (Aunt May), Jacob Battalon (Ned), and Jon Favreau (Happy Hogan), with Amy Pascal and Kevin Feige set as Producers and director Jon Watts returning for this collaboration.
“Peter Parker’s story took a dramatic turn in Far From Home and I could not be happier we will all be working together as we see where his journey goes,” said Producer, Amy Pascal. “This has been a winning partnership for the studios, the franchise and the fans and I’m overjoyed it will continue.”
No one was more excited to hear the news other than Tom Holland (Peter Parker/Spider-Man) himself who shared this NSFW but hilarious response to said news via his verified Instagram account (@tomholland2013):
“I am thrilled that Spidey’s journey in the MCU will continue, and I and all of us at Marvel Studios are very excited that we get to keep working on it,” said Marvel Studios President, Kevin Feige. “Spider-Man is a powerful icon and hero whose story crosses all ages and audiences around the globe. He also happens to be the only hero with the superpower to cross cinematic universes, so as Sony continues to develop their own Spidey-verse you never know what surprises the future might hold.”
According to Comicbook.com, the third Spider-Man film is set for a theatrical release on July 16, 2021. Be sure to check back here at Chip and Company for all things Marvel!
Check Out the New Trailer for ‘Spies in Disguise‘ Starring Will Smith and Tom Holland. Though Disney has acquired Fox Studios and affiliated studios, some films made the cut and will still see theatrical premieres despite the merger. One such film is the comedic spy thriller, Spies in Disguise.
The film stars: Will Smith (Lance Sterling), Tom Holland (Walter Beckett), Karen Gillan (Eyes), Rachel Brosnahan (Gidget Garcia), Rashida Jones (Marcy Kappel), Ben Mendelsohn (Tristan McFord), Masi Oka (Agent K), Carla Jimenez (Geraldine), DJ Khaled (Ears), Rashawn Nadine Scott (Lab Technician), Peter S. Kim (Joon), and Reba McEntire.
For those who are unfamiliar with the premise for the film or have never heard of the title before this article, here is a synopsis of the story: “Super spy, Lance Sterling, and scientist, Walter Beckett, are almost exact opposites. Lance is smooth, suave and debonair. Walter is not. But what Walter lacks in social skills he makes up for in smarts and invention, creating the awesome gadgets Lance uses on his epic missions. But when events take an unexpected turn, Walter and Lance suddenly have to rely on each other in a whole new way. And if this odd couple can’t learn to work as a team, the whole world is in peril.”
Fans were slightly thrown off when Disney was seen promoting the film this week on social media, but rest assured, Disney is now in charge of 20th Century FOX and BlueSky Studios, the studios responsible for the creation of Spies in Disguise.
Check out the official trailer for 20th Century FOX’s, Spies in Disguise:
Deborah Chow Named Director for Untitled Obi-Wan Kenobi Series For Disney+. Lucasfilm and Disney+ have wasted no time to get an excellent production team together for the currently untitled Obi-Wan Kenobi series for Disney+.
The Mandalorian and Jessica Jones episode director, Deborah Chow, was chosen to head the new Star Wars series for Disney+ by Lucasfilm after her “phenomenal work” while directing episodes for Jon Favreau’s Disney+ series, The Mandalorian.
Lucasfilm President, Kathleen Kennedy, stated, “We really wanted to select a director who is able to explore both the quiet determination and rich mystique of Obi-Wan in a way that folds seamlessly into the Star Wars saga. Based on her phenomenal work developing our characters in The Mandalorian, I’m absolutely confident Deborah is the right director to tell this story.”
Chow will work closely with the series writer, Hossein Amini (The Alienist, Drive), and Ewan McGregor to bring the series to live. Chow, Kennedy, Amini, and McGregor have all been name Executive Producers for the new series.
The Ewan McGregor led series will follow Obi-Wan Kenobi after the events of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and before the events in Episode IV: A New Hope. More than likely we will see Obi-Wan’s transition into “Ben Kenobi” as he hides out on Tatooine and looks over Luke as he grows up on the desert planet. I’m sure we will see him to more than babysitting from afar during that time, but the stories for the series are being kept tightly under wraps.
There is no set release date or title for the new series, but we hope to hear more details soon!
Launching on November 12, 2019, Disney+ will be the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more, together, for the first time. From The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International segment, Disney+ will offer ad-free programming with a variety of original feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series and short-form content. Alongside unprecedented access to Disney’s incredible library of film and television entertainment, and 30 seasons of “The Simpsons” in the U.S., the service will also be the exclusive streaming home for films released by The Walt Disney Studios in 2019 and beyond, including “Captain Marvel,” “Avengers: Endgame,” “Aladdin,” “Toy Story 4,” “The Lion King,” “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,” “Frozen 2,”and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.” The service will launch in select geographic territories, including U.S., Canada, and The Netherlands, followed shortly thereafter by Australia and New Zealand, with the expectation to be available in all major markets within the first two-years. VisitDisneyPlus.comto learn more.
Are you excited to stream on Disney+? What other Star Wars content are you excited for? Do you plan on watching the Kenobi series when. it premieres on Disney+? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Be sure to check back here at Chip and Company for all things Star Wars and Disney+!
Deadpool and Nebula Get In Epic NSFW Trash-Talking Battle For Charity. Joe and Anthony Russo are having the Marvel superheroes and villains going head-to-head for Charity in a fun and maybe not-so-friendly way. At least, that’s how Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool/Wade Wilson) and Karen Gillan (Nebula) are seeing it.
The Russo’s have set up an AGBO Fantasy Football Charity League run by their film studio AGBOfilm and ESPN. As part of the “fun” and to help gain exposer, the participants were instructed to start some good, ole-fashioned trash-talking. Well… Ryan Reynolds answered the call.
We are extremely excited to announce the #AGBOSuperheroLeague. This Fantasy Football season, superheroes will compete for a share of AGBO’s $100,000 prize pool to be donated to their charity of choice. Stay tuned for updates throughout the season… https://t.co/w22Gv7pSRu
It all started with an NSFW video from Reynolds via his Instagram account (@VancityReynolds) who appeared to struggle about trash talking Karen Gillan because she is “nice” and it just goes hilariously down hill from there.
Karen Gillan responded soon after Ryan’s video went viral with retaliation, only to “forget” who Reynold’s played and winds up hurting Wade Wilson’s best friend instead.
Ryan was quick to respond to the Spider-Man roast by saying, “I think we all owe [Tom Holland] a sincere and unblinking apology.” To which Karen agreed by throwing more shade at Reynolds by responding with, “Yeah, sorry Tom, next time I’ll burn the right character… Jiggly Puff. That’s you, right Ryan? in reference to Ryan’s role as Pikachu in Detective Pikachu.
Yeah, sorry Tom, next time I’ll burn the right character…Jiggly Puff. That’s you, right Ryan?
If you don’t mind some standard Deadpool language and funny banter, you should take a look at the full and funny interactions on their social media accounts, but the most important aspect here is the awareness now being made for some truly amazing charities that are close to the actors and actresses hearts, such as Ryan Reynolds supporting SickKids Foundation of Canada and Karen Gillan supporting Mickey’s Line.
Other participants and charity foundations include: Chris Evans (Christopher’s Haven), Robert Downey Jr. (Guy Aquino’s Sacred Hearts Intervention), Elizabeth Olsen (The Rape Foundation), Michael B. Jordan (My Brother’s Keeper), Chris Pratt (The Brain Treatment Foundation), Paul Rudd (Big Slick, Children’s Mercy Hospital), Miles Teller (NAMI), Tom Holland (The Brothers Trust) , Joe Russo (The Arthritis Foundation), Matthew Berry (The Jimmy V Foundation), Guillermo (League Commissioner), and Chris Hemsworth (The Australian Childhood Foundation).
Team Hemsworth, Team Pratt and Team Reynolds are at the top of the AGBO Superhero Fantasy Football Charity League scoreboard after this weekend… Check out this link to stay updated throughout the season: https://t.co/0cGZaYA3E4pic.twitter.com/wZLKmmyEPf
Who do you think won this round of trash talking? Ryan Reynolds or Karen Gillan? Who do you think will win in the league? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Be sure to check back here at Chip and Company for all things Marvel!
Photo Credit: Marvel Studios/Fox/Reuters/VCG via Getty Images/AGBO