Starbucks You Are Here Collection Now Available on shopDisney!

By

-

December 15, 2018

Ever since Starbucks joined the Disney Parks, speciality mugs have been a staple. However if you aren’t at Disney when you’re favorite park gets a new inspired mug, you might miss out! If you’ve been looking to get a Starbucks You Are Here Collection mug, you’re now in luck! Some of the popular and highly sought after mugs, AND ornaments are now on shopDisney!

The Disney Mugs by Starbucks feature screen art inspired by the Parks, and will fuel your fondest vacation memories for years to come! Currently online you can find a mug for each of the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Theme Parks, as well as ornaments! The Magic Kingdom and Disneyland mug and ornament are from two different seasons, but it’s a fun way to get both designs. Check out the available cuties below:

Magic Kingdom Starbucks YOU ARE HERE Mug

Magic Kingdom Starbucks YOU ARE HERE Mug Ornament

Epcot Starbucks YOU ARE HERE Mug

Epcot Starbucks YOU ARE HERE Mug Ornament

Hollywood Studios Starbucks YOU ARE HERE Mug

Hollywood Studios Starbucks YOU ARE HERE Mug Ornament

Animal Kingdom Starbucks YOU ARE HERE Mug

Animal Kingdom Starbucks YOU ARE HERE Mug Ornament

Disneyland Starbucks YOU ARE HERE Mug

Disneyland Starbucks YOU ARE HERE Mug Ornament

Disney California Adventure Starbucks YOU ARE HERE Mug

Disney California Adventure Starbucks YOU ARE HERE Mug Ornament

The You Are Here Collection mugs are available for $16.99, and the ornaments for $12.99. If you love any of these I wouldn’t delay, because they are sure to disappear!

Which design is your favorite?

Review: Kingdom Hearts III Experience Now Open at Disney Springs

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

December 15, 2018

Kingdom Hearts III Experience Now Open at Disney Springs

The Kingdom Hearts III Pop-up Experience is now open at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World. After waiting 13 years, the time has finally come for the release of Kingdom Hearts III on January 29, 2019. To offer fans a sneak preview, Disney Springs has created the ultimate gamer experience.

Ribbon Cutting

In front of a full crowd of devoted Kingdom Heart fans, the ribbon was cut on the newest experience at Disney Springs by Brendan Docherty of Square Enix and Matt Simon Vice President of Disney Springs. The crowd was cheering in excitement, delight, and anticipation.

New Worlds

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chip and Company (@chipandco)

Just steps away from the Lime Garage, join Sora along with Donald Duck and Goofy as you travel into some amazing new worlds to defeat the Heartless and some of your favorite Disney villains. Throughout the venue, guests will see artwork from the new worlds. In the new release, players will dive into the world of Monsters Inc., Toy Story, Tangled, Frozen, Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Hero 6 and more. Also, gamers will get an up-close look at the new keyblades, pre-order their copy of the game, and get a preview of the merchandise available for purchase online at the Square Enix eStore.

Gaming Stations

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chip and Company (@chipandco)

As guests enter the experience, they sign in with a cast member to be placed in a virtual queue to play on an Xbox or PlayStation. There are 20 gaming stations: 10 Xbox and 10 PlayStation. Once notified, they can play the 15-minute demo and choose between the Olympus or Toy Box worlds. I chose Xbox because that is what we play at home.

Time To Play

Ok not to age myself, but I remember playing Toy Story on Sega when it first came out in 1995! Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think, I would be reunited with Woody and the gang along with Sora, Donald, and Goofy. Then if Sora needs extra help, just call on good ol’ Wreck-it Ralph! The detail in the Toy Box World I have to say is incredible. It looks like you are right in the movie. As my time came to a close, a cast member came to clean and disinfect my controller and headset.

Overall Thoughts

Can I just say how jealous my 10-year-old son was that I got to play the demo of Kingdom Hearts III while he was at school?! Sorry, not sorry! I love this game series because it is fun for the whole family and everyone can play. It is time to band together again with your friends to defeat the darkness threatening our worlds. To find out more information and pre-order your copy, click here. Have you pre-ordered your copy yet? Post in the comments below!

A Couple is Charged with Attempted Murder, Child Abuse, and Fraud of Make A Wish

By

Heather Adamczak

-

December 14, 2018

A couple has been arrested and charged with attempted murder in the first degree and child abuse of their own children in addition to a 24-count bill of indictment.

WIFR 23 News is reporting that Christopher Williams and his wife Kathryn are accused of using their children’s alleged conditions to benefit themselves, including an all expenses paid trip to Walt Disney World from Make-A-Wish.

The couples children were nominated for the Steven R. Stiles award from the Healing Dreams Foundation for a long history of illness including Mitochondrial disease, which causes energy production to malfunction in the body’s cells.

The charges state that the couple prevented the children from getting well to benefit from the foundational awards. Both are charged with allegedly harming their own children as well. The report filed stated the parents demanded hospice care for one of their two children and provided them medical treatments they did not need or require.

Both parents face up to 30 years in prison for attempted murder. They are currently being held on $1 million bond.

Source: WIFR News 23

American Idol Film Showcase Rounds at Disney’s Aulani Resort

By

Heather Adamczak

-

December 14, 2018

American Idol Film Showcase Rounds at Disney's Aulani Resort

ABC’s “American Idol” will be heading to Hawaii to film at Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa in Ko Olina. Ryan Seacrest announced on his live radio show, “On Air with Ryan Seacrest,” the show will be heading to Hawaii to film its showcase rounds this season.

Disney's Aulani Resort

The news was made just as current “American Idol” winner, Maddie Poppe, and runner-up Caleb Lee Hutchinson, were enjoying their award trip at Aulani Resort. They were each awarded a trip to Aulani Resort during last year’s season finale.

And if you haven’t already heard, “American Idol,” one of television’s most widely recognized music competition series, will be back for its second season on ABC, premiering Sunday, March 3, at 8 p.m. EST. Ryan, who has been with the franchise since its inception in 2002, will return as host, and this year the returning judges, music legends Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, will be joined by radio DJ, comedian and best-selling author Bobby Bones, who joins as the show’s official in-house mentor! Yes, that Bobby Bones who recently won Season 27 of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars!”

American Idol is heading back to ABC for a second season — and on Wednesday (Dec. 12), the long-running show revealed when it will be back in our homes: Sunday, March 3 at 8 p.m. Idol released the news via a video featuring the returning judges. “Do you know where you’re going to be on March 3?” asks judge Katy Perry. “I know where I’m going to be on March 3,” replies country star Luke Bryan. “Me too,” adds third judge Lionel Richie. “You know, I’m going to be watching American Idol on ABC.”

Perry shared the same video on her own Twitter account, adding, “When we started Idol last year, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and I wondered if there were any diamonds left in the rough. We continue to be blown away with the talent.”

Photo Source: Getty Images

Carnival Cruise Does the Unthinkable: A Rollercoaster On A Ship

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

December 14, 2018

Carnival Cruise Does the Unthinkable: A Roller Coaster On A Ship

Photo: Carnival Cruise Lines

Just when you thought cruise ships couldn’t get more fun…Carnival Cruise Lines thought otherwise! “How?” you might be wondering! Well, the cruise line just ordered a new, giant ship with a deck big enough to house its very own rollercoaster.

Your mind is blown, right? We’ll give you a second as you’re most definitely trying to imagine this! It’s not possible, it’s unimaginable, it’s inconceivable! Well, according to Carnival president, Christine Duffy…it’s happening! As part of a new cruise line (which will feature larger than life vessels), the line is planning a 5,200 passenger ship called the Carnival Mardi Gras.

Rolling out in 2020, the new line will feature this ship which will include a complete roller coaster on board! Incredible! As you’ve probably guessed, it’ll be the first of its kind. At 800 feet long, BOLT: The Ulitmate Sea Coaster will feature all the twists and turns of a coaster you might find in a theme park…the difference, it’s on a ship (I know we keep saying it, but it’s just amazing).

Duffy told USA Today this regarding the new ride, “It will be a thrill ride. We think it’s a really cool innovation for Mardi Gras, which will have a lot of new guest features and experiences that we have not done before.”

She was lucky enough to ride a prototype developed by Munich-based Maurer Rides, who is undertaking the extreme challenge of building this thrill ride on the high seas.

Although it seems to be a daunting task, we’re certain that it will deliver and add a whole new realm of fun as cruise ship wars wage. No matter, the future is bright for you cruise-heads, and we can’t wait!

Courtesy USA Today.com

New Guest Experience Team at Magic Kingdom Park

By

Heather Adamczak

-

December 14, 2018

New tools are coming to make your trip to Walt Disney World even more magical. From December 16 to mid-January, the Walt Disney World Resort will welcome the Guest Experience Team to the Magic Kingdom Park as part of a test. This team will help Guests make the most of their day by proactively assisting them with:

Booking, modifying and recovering FastPass+ selections
Navigating the My Disney Experience app
Deactivating and reactivating MagicBands

Additionally, just as Cast Members throughout the park already do, the Guest Experience Team will provide recommendations, help Guests view attraction wait times, and give tips on how to best navigate the park.

Cast Members on the Guest Experience Team can be easily identified by their blue shirts with the Guest Experience Team logo. They will roam the park, but can also be found in the following locations until 11 p.m. daily:

Main Street, U.S.A. – Castle Hub
Tomorrowland – Near Stitch’s Great Escape
Fantasyland – Along the castle wall, near Enchanted Tales with Belle
Frontierland – The porch at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café

Source: Orlando Theme Park News

New Disney Cruise Line Dining and Massage Pricing Change

By

Heather Adamczak

-

December 14, 2018

Pricing change will take effect for Palo (Champagne Brunch & Dinner), Remy (Champagne Brunch, Dessert Experience and Dinner), and Disney Castaway Cay Cabana Swedish Massages on the following dates:

• Dec. 14 on the Disney Magic
• Dec. 14 on the Disney Wonder
• Dec. 14 on the Disney Dream
• Dec. 15 on the Disney Fantasy

Starting with the effective dates listed above, Guests who pre-reserve Palo (Champagne Brunch & Dinner – all ships), Remy (Champagne Brunch, Dessert Experience, and Dinner – Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy), and/or Castaway Cay Cabana Swedish Massages will be charged the new pricing.

Please note Palo (Champagne Brunch & Dinner) and Remy (Champagne Brunch, Dessert Experience, and Dinner) reservations made prior to the dates listed above, will be charged the old rate.  Castaway Cay Cabana Swedish Massages, which were pre-reserved prior to the dates listed above will be charged the new lower rate.

Experience:
Palo Dinner
$40 New Price – Dec. 14, 2018 and Beyond
$30 Price Prior to Dec. 14, 2018
Palo Champagne Brunch
$40 New Price – Dec. 14, 2018 and Beyond
$30 Price Prior to Dec. 14, 2018
Remy Dinner
$125 New Price – Dec. 14, 2018 and Beyond
$95 Price Prior to Dec. 14, 2018
Remy Champagne Brunch
$75 New Price – Dec. 14, 2018 and Beyond
$60 Price Prior to Dec. 14, 2018

Whereas the above had increased, the massage packages have done down in price

Castaway Cay Cabana Swedish Massage
$118 New Price – Dec. 14, 2018 and Beyond
$147 Price Prior to Dec. 14, 2018
Castaway Cay Couple Cabana Swedish Massage
$220 New Price – Dec. 14, 2018 and Beyond
$294 Price Prior to Dec. 14, 2018

Enjoy the New Holiday Treats at Universal Orlando

By

Jessica Jones

-

December 14, 2018

Enjoy the New Holiday Treats at Universal Orlando!

With the holidays upon us it is no secret all our favorite locations are showcasing their new holiday treats while still highlighting their favorite oldies but goodies. Universal is rolling out some amazing looking treats, as well as tasty beverages. So, without further ado, enjoy the new holiday treats at Universal Orlando Resort available now through January 6th!

First up is this hot apple strudel placed on a stick and drizzled with colorful frosting. I mean, everyone loves apple strudel, now it’s bite size and to go so you can enjoy it all around the park. Guests can pick one up at Croissant Moon Bakery in Islands of Adventure, Beverly Hills Boulangerie, and San Francisco Pastry Company in Universal Studios. These seriously look to die for!

Guests can also pick up additional various treats throughout the park if apple strudel isn’t for you. Guests have more general options, such as classic sugar cookies, ribbon pastries, or cute reindeer cupcakes. However, I think the real winner here is these incredibly cute cheesecakes! Maybe I’m just biased because I always love a good cheesecake but look at how stinking cute they are!!

I saved the best for last! This red velvet yule log looks a-maz-ing! I am not a huge frosting fan, but I would put that all aside to try this sweet treat with cream cheese frosting! These velvety treats are located at Croissant Moon Bakery in Universal’s Island, Beverly Hills Boulangerie, and San Francisco Pastry company in Universal Studios Florida.

Not a sweet treats fan but love a good delicious drink? Try out these new holiday beverages.

Located at Finnegan’s Bar & Grill in Universal Studios and Mythos in Islands of Adventure, guests can try these two different yummy drinks. First is the Cranberry Margarita, made with Tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and cranberry juice complete with a sugar/salt rim. This drink would be by go-to if I were there. However, I’m sure guests would also really enjoy the Pumpkintini made with dark rum, orange liqueur, apple cider, and pumpkin puree complete with a cinnamon sugar rim.

Alcohol not for you? No worries! The candy cane and eggnog frozen beverages look incredible as well!! You can find these cool drinks, hot cider or hot chocolate park wide at the food and drink carts!! Yum!

Source: Universal Orlando Close Up.

Ready to experience the Disney magic yourself? Well, pack your bags and get ready! As an agent that specializes in Disney Destinations, and the official travel partner for Chip and Co, I can help you begin your journey. Just click the Key to the World Travel Picture, email me at [email protected], on facebook or fill out the form below for a free no-obligation quote.

Registration Open For Disney Performing Arts Workshops

By

Heather Adamczak

-

December 14, 2018

Just in time for the holidays, you can now purchase Disney Performing Arts Workshops! The registration has just opened for these coveted workshops at the Disneyland Resort. These workshops, featuring everything from dance technique to technical theatre, are usually only open to groups of 10 or more but for these two select days, any elementary, middle or high school-aged performer can join the ranks of Disney Entertainment professionals with Disney Performing Arts.

On Saturday, Feb. 9, performers can experience everything from toe-tapping dance classes to the culinary arts through four immersive experiences:

Dance Technique: Tap– Intermediate to advanced dancers will tap their way through the Disney songbook and receive personalized instruction from a Disney Entertainment professional. (Minimum Age 7)
Dream, Design & Do! – Creative minds will go behind the scenes of the technical creative process. Focusing on Disney spectaculars, students will uncover how skills learned through the arts can be applied to create spectacular entertainment. (Minimum Age 14)
Music 201: The Building Blocks of Score– Beginning musicians will discover the musical melodies that create the world of “attraction scoring” and learn how music helps create the immersive worlds at Disney Parks. (Minimum Age 9)
Disney Culinary Arts– Students will journey into backstage kitchens on an exploration of the senses to discover the secrets of Disney’s savory storytelling and the ingredients needed to fulfill culinary career aspirations. (Minimum Age 12)

Then on Sunday, Feb. 10, performers can dive deep into the world of soundtracks and all that jazz with four unique workshops:

Dance Technique: Jazz– Dancers of all ability levels will fosse their way through the Disney songbook and receive personalized instruction from a Disney Entertainment professional. (Minimum Age 7)
Music 101: Inside the Soundtrack of Disneyland– Musical novices will explore the powerful role music plays in creating the immersive worlds at Disney Parks through artistic sound analysis, a musical scavenger hunt and a deeper look into the storytelling power of music. (Minimum Age 7)
Soundtrack Session: Vocal– Aspiring performers will sight-read and record vocal music from Disney films in a simulated film-scoring studio environment while learning the Disney way to delivering a pitch-perfect performance! (Minimum Age 9)
Technical Theatre (Premium Workshop)– Techies will go behind the scenes to see how it all comes together and learn the creative process from a technical professional at Disneyland Resort. (Minimum Age 14)

Click HERE to sign up today!

New Dining Hours For Sebastian’s Bistro at the Caribbean Beach Resort

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

December 14, 2018

New Dining Hours For Sebastian's Bistro at the Caribbean Beach Resort

With the renovation and updates to the Caribbean Beach Resort comes new dining! We’ve covered the new restaurant options available at the resort in the past, but there have come even more changes since the opening of Sebastian’s Bistro. (For an idea of the menu options available at this dining location, click here).

Guest should note new dining hours related to both lunch and dinner. Changes are as such:

Lunch hours: noon – 3 p.m.

Dinner hours: 5 – 10 p.m.

These aren’t monumental changes, but as we like to do…it’s a change that could affect you as a guest, and we always want to do our best to keep you in-the-know! So, if you’re staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort, planning to, or have already made dining reservations at Sebastian’s Bistro, be sure to heed the changes as they could have an effect on your stay!

Until then, we will continue to do our best with providing you up-to-date information related to new hours, new services, renovations, and all things Disney!

Courtesy of OrlandoThemeParkNews

Kickoff the Holiday Season with Disney and Star Wars Games

By

Danielle

-

December 14, 2018

With the Holiday season in full swing Disney and Star Wars Games are gifting fans with a season full of giveaways, holiday-inspired content updates and events! Adding a little bit of holiday magic to games really helps to keep them exciting too!

These special holiday events, updates and content releases can be found across Disney Emoji Blitz, Frozen Free Fall, Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War, Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross], Star Wars Battlefront II and more.

Disney Emoji Blitz: Now – December 25 – Fans can celebrate the season with 25 days of giveaways. Fans will be gifted with one gift per day when they open the app, from December 1 – 25. Additionally, a Holiday Item Event will be available from December 21 – 25. Plus, when players complete the event, they will win a Diamond Box, featuring one of the following exclusive emojis: Holiday Minnie, Holiday Mickey, or for the first time in-game, Holiday Pluto. Disney Emoji Blitz is available for free on the App Store, Google Play and Amazon App Store.
Frozen Free Fall: Now – December 25 – The magic of the holiday season is at work in Frozen Free Fall. Fans are invited to join Anna, Elsa and friends for a Holiday Tree Event and will see the Arendelle transformed into a winter wonderland! Frozen Free Fall is available now on theApp Store, Google Play and Amazon App Store.
KINGDOM HEARTS Union χ [Cross]: Now – December 24 – This limited-time Frozen collaboration event gives players the chance to add special film-inspired Anna and Elsa Banner Medals to their collection as well as exclusive Frozen-themed outfits and accessories. KINGDOM HEARTS Union χ [Cross] is available now on the App Store and Google Play.
Disney Junior Appisodes: Now – January 17 – Ten Disney holiday Read-Along eBooks are coming to Disney Junior Appisodes for the first time. The app will also feature a wintry-fun Puppy Dog Pals Play-Along Show and a Frozen Watch+Read motion book. Disney Junior Appisodes is available now on the App Store.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War: Now – December 17 – Players who check in a total of seven days throughout the December Attendance Event will receive a Unique Tactician Invitation. There are also various holiday and end-of-year events in the works that will provide an abundant number of gifts for everyone. Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War is available now on the App Store and Google Play.
Disney Tsum Tsum: Now – December 24 – Players can celebrate the holidays with a festive Christmas Party in-game. Users will collect decorations as they play to earn Skill Tickets to ultimately receive an exclusive pin! Disney Tsum Tsum is available for download on theApp Store and Google Play.
KINGDOM HEARTS III Experience at Disney Springs: December 14 – January 31 – This one-of-a-kind, limited-edition experience features the chance to be one of the first to play a demo of KINGDOM HEARTS III, a special Keyblade exhibit, featuring life-size replicas directly from the upcoming game, larger-than-life art, inspired by characters and worlds from the game and more.
Star Wars Battlefront II: December 17 – December 27 – The game will celebrate Life Day with an event that features a 50% increase in XP earned in all game modes and 25% off heroes, vehicles and reinforcements in Galactic Assault. Star Wars Battlefront II is available now forPlayStation, Xbox and PC.
Disney Magic Kingdoms: December 21 – January 1 – Merry holiday costumes are coming back to Disney Magic Kingdoms. Mickey’s holiday costume will be available to players as a reward in the Collect Gold Trophies leaderboard event and Minnie’s holiday costume will be available for purchase with gems through January 1. On December 24 and 25, players will also receive special gifts in-app. Disney Magic Kingdoms is available now on the App Store, Google Play, and the Windows Store.

With all of the new and exciting things coming to Disney and Star Wars Games, it’s sure to be a very merry holiday gaming season!

Celebrate The Anaheim Duck’s 25th Anniversary At Disneyland Resort

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

December 14, 2018

Celebrate The Anaheim Duck's 25th Anniversary At Disneyland Resort

Remember the Mighty Ducks?! Of course, you do! They will be celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2019, and Disney is helping to host the fun! No, we aren’t talking about the young groups of ruffians in the film, we are talking about the Anaheim Ducks! On Feb. 11, 2019, Disneyland will be celebrating memorable hockey experiences with park guests as they host Anaheim Ducks Day at Disneyland resort!

If you’re unaware, the National League Hockey team is celebrating their silver anniversary. As the team was founded in 1993 by the Walt Disney Company (and originally named the Mighty Ducks), it’s fitting that the company celebrate the team at Disney’s California Adventure.

The celebration at the Disney park is a part of a week-long homage to the team during their Anaheim Ducks Silver Anniversary week. Included in Anaheim Ducks Day at Disney will be a special treats, photo ops, and other activities. Hockey and Disney fan are both sure to enjoy the celebration as Disney marks helps to mark the team’s milestone season. It’s absolutely guaranteed to be oodles of fun for everyone!

So, if you’re in the area (hockey fan or not) come out and support the Ducks as they celebrate their 25th anniversary at Disneyland Resort. Be sure to save the date!