Summer season is a go in Alaska! If you are sailing on the Disney Wonder, you get to experience the breathtaking nature and legendary locales of Skagway. The town celebrates its place as the one-time threshold of the late 19th-century Klondike Gold Rush and offers several must-see destinations for all to enjoy. Explore Disney Cruise Line’s newest wilderness kayaking Port Adventure in Skagway, along with other ways to experience wild Alaska from this scenic port.
Glacier Lake Kayak & White Pass Rail Adventure – This kayaking adventure takes place on the crystal-clear waters of a glacially carved lake in the rugged Canadian Highlands. To get there, you’ll travel aboard the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, known as the “Scenic Railway of the World,” for an unforgettable journey that traces the “Trail of ’98” used by the Klondike Gold Rush Stampeders in the late 19th century. Once you’re gliding on the serene waters of the alpine lake, enjoy unobstructed panoramic views of the stunning wilderness with snow-capped mountains rising in all directions.
NEW Wilderness Kayaking Experience – This new excursions lets you experience Alaska’s natural wonders as you kayak through the tranquil waters of Chilkoot Lake. First, enjoy a high-speed catamaran cruise along North America’s longest and deepest fjord, Lynn Canal, watching for whales along the way as you glide past breathtaking glaciers and cascading waterfalls. Your nature watching continues once you settle into your kayak on Chilkoot Lake, home to bald eagles, waterfowl and all five species of Pacific salmon. Keep your eyes on the shoreline as the area has one of the highest concentrations of brown bears in southeast Alaska!
Glacier Point Wilderness Safari – Another way to get a taste of the Alaskan wilderness is on this wildlife-focused trip that combines a boat ride through the breathtaking Lynn Canal fjord with a voyager canoe adventure at the foot of a glacier. On your scenic ride through the fjord, watch for whales and sea lions. Then, board a 31-foot voyager canoe and paddle together toward the face of Davidson Glacier, which tumbles from the towering mountains into the pristine lake. The intense blue of the ice, contrasting the polished granite walls and vibrant green forest, is a spectacular sight you will never forget!
Remember, when the ship’s in port, venture ashore!
There are still fantastic 2018 packages available. Send an email for a FREE, no obligation quote with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner!
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Summer is just getting underway and SeaWorld Orlando is kicking it off with some special offers for Pass Members!
First, SeaWorld Orlando is offering all active SeaWorld Orlando and FL Platinum Pass Members up to two guest tickets for $25 each. These $25 tickets must be purchased at the park and visited by June 30, 2018. Pass Members can only purchase these tickets at Zone A, self-service kiosk, at the park.
Also, for this Summer, Pass Members can purchase three or more All-Day Dining Deals and get $10 off each. This allows guests to enjoy an entree, side or dessert, and regular sized non-alcoholic beverage once per hour until published closing time. The All-Day Dining Deals can be used all in one visit or throughout the rest of the year.
There is so much going on at SeaWorld Orlando this Summer and this is a great way to discover it all!
Let’s start planning your visit to Sea World Orlando and other Orlando destinations! Fill out the form below, or send an emailfor a FREE, no obligation quote with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. I offer rate monitoring to ensure you are receiving the best available rate offered by Disney. As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to help you with everything from finding your perfect package to nabbing those hard-to-get dining and FastPass reservations. I work with all Disney Destinations. Best of all, my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.954.401.9577, via email at [email protected], or follow along on Facebook.
Hong Kong Disneyland is making some great improvements and additions lately! Just last week, the resort opened “Moana: A Homecoming Celebration.” This is the first new entertainment offering of it’s proposed multi-year expansion plan. The plan includes more new and exciting experiences opening every year through 2023.
Hong Kong Disneyland is bringing a brand new Marvel attraction to it’s resort. This attraction will have guests in the middle of the action with Ant-Man and The Wasp battling Arnim Zola and the Hydra swarm bots. This will just be one piece of an entire Marvel-themed area coming to Hong Kong Disneyland during the expansion. The Ant-Man and Wasp attraction will be joining The Iron Man Experience which opened in 2017.
Take a look at this updated image of a new immersive “Frozen” themed area. It will include new dining, shopping and entertainment.
Sleeping Beauty Castle at Hong Kong Disneyland is also part of the expansion process and will feature new daytime and nighttime spectaculars.
Stay tuned to see what Hong Kong Disneyland has in store next. It’s going to be magical!
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Here is your chance to win the vacation of your dreams! Thanks to the Visit Orlando Family Vacation giveaway you could be headed down to the Sunshine State to enjoy some fun in the sun and even a day or two with our favorite Mouse!
Orlando is a place the inspires stories like no other! With wonder and adventure that allows children and grownups to let their imaginations soar! Orlando allows you to reconnect with what matters most and have one-of-a-kind experience you’ll remember forever! It is a city built on magic and dreams — and now, you could experience that yourself!
The winner will of this giveaway will receive:
Round trip airline tickets to Orlando
Five (5) day, four (4) night stay at Hilton Orlando, including daily self parking, daily breakfast for four, and cabana rental for a day
Full-size rental vehicle for five (5) days provided by Enterprise Rent-a-Car
Here is your chance to create your own Orlando story – one of sun, fun and priceless memories! Click HERE to enter the contest!
No purchase necessary. One entry per person per day. Entries must be received by 11:59 PM ET on 6/28/18. Entrants must be at least 21 years old and be a legal resident of USA or Canada. Void in Quebec and Puerto Rico. Winners will be notified on or around July 2nd. See Official Rules for complete details.
So what are you waiting for?! Enter now to win a once in a lifetime Orlando vacation thanks to Visit Orlando – the official source for Orlando Travel Planning!
There have been rumblings for some time that another new resort would be coming to Walt Disney World. More specifically, the new resort would be built on the now-closed River Country Water Park site at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. It appears that the possibility of this resort is becoming more and more likely as several online sources are stating that Disney has just named a contractor and design firm to lead this new project.
The design firm that has been named is Wimberly, Allison, Tong & Goo (WATG). You may be familiar with their work as they are the same firm who designed Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Balfour Beatty is the contractor that has been named to oversee the construction of the new resort and are currently the contractor associated with the new tower coming to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
Rumors of a new resort coming to Walt Disney World began back in March of this year when we reported that permits were filed for a “Project 89.” Those permits indicated that Geotechnical Borings were being installed right near the former River Country site to test the subsurface soils in the area. Earlier this month, permits also referencing “Project 89” were submitted indicating that Disney would be creating a stockpile of dirt in the same area.
Today, we are also learning some new details about the new resort. Sources online state that construction costs for the new resort will run an estimated $350 million. Total development costs to Disney will be even higher. The new resort will house approximately 300 DVC rooms which could be 2-bedrooms and separated into 1-bedroom and studio options. It is also rumored that new resort will have about 400 standard guest rooms.
Walt Disney World has not officially confirmed that this new resort is coming but all signs are leading to an announcement coming shortly. Keep following along with us at Chip & Co for all the latest.
Let’s start planning your visit to Walt Disney World! Fill out the form below, or send an emailfor a FREE, no obligation quote with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. I offer rate monitoring to ensure you are receiving the best available rate offered by Disney. As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to help you with everything from finding your perfect package to nabbing those hard-to-get dining and FastPass reservations. I work with all Disney Destinations. Best of all, my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.954.401.9577, via email at [email protected], or follow along on Facebook.
The Michael Jackson estate files lawsuit against Disney this week. A lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 30th against The Walt Disney Company and ABC for a broadcast last week. This suit filed by Michael Jackson’s estate claims willful and intentional infringements of dozens of copyrights owned by the Estate being use without permission in the ABC prime time special “The Last Days of Michael Jackson.”
“Disney and ABC committed willful and intentional copyright infringement when they used the Estate’s copyrighted materials without the Estate’s permission. Disney’s conduct here was particularly surprising given that it has no tolerance for anyone using its copyrighted material in even the most trivial of manners. Disney and ABC’s conduct is also contrary to law and industry practice, and despite several cautionary letters from the Estate to Disney and ABC attorneys. Disney and ABC never sought the Jackson Estate’s permission to use any of the material owned by the Estate in the broadcast. Can you imagine using Disney’s intellectual property – like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, Star Wars, The Avengers, Toy Story, and so many other works – without asking Disney’s permission or getting a license? The Estate has no choice but to vigorously protect its intellectual property, which is the lifeblood of its business,” said Howard Weitzman of Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert LLP, who, with his partner Jonathan Steinsapir, filed the lawsuit for the Jackson Estate.
Listed in the suit as copyrighted materials that were used without the Estate’s permission by Disney and ABC are:
Significant and repeated excerpts of Michael Jackson’s most valuable songs and recordings, like “Billie Jean”, “Beat It”, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”, “Bad”, “Leave Me Alone” and many others
Substantial portions of Michael Jackson’s ground-breaking music videos like “Thriller”, “Black or White”, “Bad” and almost a dozen others
Large swaths of footage from Michael Jackson’s iconic live performances, including extensive footage from the “Triumph” tour with his brothers (owned by the Estate) and classic performances embodied in the video specials “Michael Jackson: Live in Bucharest” and “Michael Jackson: Live at Wembley”
A key moment from the Estate’s 2016 Spike Lee directed documentary, Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall; and (5) unique footage from the Estate’s 2009 critically-acclaimed feature film, Michael Jackson’s This Is It (by far, the highest grossing music documentary of all time)
We do not have a response from ABC or the Walt Disney company at this time.
In Disney-Pixar’s “Bao,” an aging Chinese mom suffering from empty nest syndrome gets another chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings springs to life as a lively, giggly dumpling boy. Mom excitedly welcomes this new bundle of joy into her life, but Dumpling starts growing up fast, and Mom must come to the bittersweet revelation that nothing stays cute and small forever.
This short film from Pixar Animation Studios and director Domee Shi explores the ups and downs of the parent-child relationship through the colorful, rich, and tasty lens of the Chinese immigrant community in Canada.
Domee Shi began as a story intern at Pixar Animation Studios in June 2011, and was soon hired as a story artist on the Academy Award-winning feature film “Inside Out.” Since then she has worked on the feature films “The Good Dinosaur” and the upcoming “Incredibles 2” and “Toy Story 4.” In 2015 she began pitching some ideas for short films, and soon was greenlit to write and direct “Bao.” A whimsical story loosely based on her own experiences growing up as an only child, and set in the Chinese community in Toronto, Canada.
Shi graduated from the animation program at Sheridan College, where her love of storytelling and animation really blossomed. Her biggest creative influences are the works of Studio Ghibli, 90s anime, Disney, Pixar, as well as the works of Yasujiro Ozu, Ang Lee, and Bong Joon Ho.
During a visit to Pixar Animation Studios, we heard from Shi about the making of “Bao.” She started off by giving us the meaning of the word Bao which means steamed bun, and also treasure or something precious. The idea came from an obsession with food. Shi also loved food folktales and wanted to create a short based on food and culture as well as personal experiences of being an only child.
Shi was born in Chongqing, China and resided in Toronto, Canada for most of her life. She now lives in Oakland, Calif. and notes that her love of animation is only rivaled by her love of cats.
Shi stated that her mom kept her close, who treated her like her precious little dumpling. The family was very close and present in life. Shi’s mom was also invited to Pixar to show the animators how to make fresh dumplings and how much work went into the food making preparation to help formulate the sequences for Bao.
Short film “BAO” Director Domee Shi with her mother Ningsha Zhong shows the production team, including Lourdes Alba, how to make dumplings at Pixar Animation Studios. (Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar)
The third ingredient used in the short was China Town, specifically Toronto China Town. The family would go a dumpling restaurant, get groceries and shopping and it was a vibrant, lively and nostalgic setting and Shi wanted to honor that setting and residents of China Town.
After the short was greenlit, Shi started to draw an idea of what she wanted to see in the short and dig deep into the story. The core of the story was almost the same but originally had more characters and it was more complex. Shi stated that having fewer characters, the simpler the story is the better. The focus was on the relationship between the dumpling son and mom. After drawing the storyboards, a story reel was created with temp music and sound effects. Story reels are useful for seeing the big picture of the short, what’s working and not working.
Members of the production team for the short film “BAO” including Director Domee Shi, Producer Becky Neiman, Ian Megibben, Lourdes Alba, Rona Liu, Connie Li and Lucy Laliberte. (Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar)
Production took a year and a half, with first-time director Shi, as a perfectionist she was seeking that success formula to battle production challenges. “The really talented artists we have here at Pixar are often working on other projects simultaneously,” said Shi, “and getting everything right took a lot of time, so that was a challenge and a great learning curve.” The mixture of Chinese and Western implemented were a reminder that this is Chinatown in the West; that in itself was important to the storyline.
Becky Neiman-Cobb, the Producer, hopped on board and, having been in the industry for over a decade, lent her expertise in production streamlining and creativity to Shi with whom she’d worked with on Inside Out. “It was a story I believe in and Domee, from the very beginning, had such a strong vision for the film,” she explains.
Prior to joining Pixar, Neiman-Cobb was a creative director, photographer and graphic designer working in the music industry in Los Angeles. Her work has been published in Rolling Stone, Spin, and Guitar Player Magazine.
In addition, Rona Liu joined as a production designer to help create the adorable look of Bao. Liu who was born in China, moved to the US and grew up with her mom was a little tough and the relationship underwent a lot of changes because of the different cultures. She was happy to work on Bao to come up with the colors and design of the short, it was a very special project.
Liu commented on Dumpling, the main character, he has a wide range of personality that worked great in 2D and sketch form and she wanted to create a sculpture to see how the cuteness would translate into 3D. The mom character was the other dynamic character of the short, during the research trips in China Town, Liu and the team looked at colors to complement her outfits with her emotions. The environments were also critical and needed to fit into that world. She added that they wanted viewers to focus on the characters of the story. Everything was carefully designed and hand placed to support the story.
After watching the completed short, Shi hopes for audiences to leave with a stronger sense of understanding towards families, as well as a little side dish: “I want people to feel that they are at their Mom’s house after watching this” she added. “Feeling cozy, safe and loved.”
“Bao” opens in theaters on June 15, 2018, in front of “Incredibles 2.” We can’t wait for you to see this incredible short.
Anyone who has ever visited Walt Disney World with children knows the struggle stroller parking while enjoying an attraction. Once you leave the attraction, it’s always a scavenger hunt to find it as it is mostly moved somewhere else by a Cast Member. That hunt might be ending soon with this new stroller park pilot program that will begin at Animal Kingdom tomorrow, June 1.
The stroller parking pilot will work something like this: Guests who rent a stroller directly from Animal Kingdom will be given a specialty tag. Guests who bring in their own stroller will be given this tag at their first stroller parking area for a participating attraction. The specialty tags will be color-coded and correspond to new color-coded parking zones. For example, if you receive a red specialty tag, you will then park your stroller in the red stroller parking zone.
The following attractions will be participating in the pilot program at Animal Kingdom:
Disney is hoping this program will make parking your stroller and retrieving it more efficient and convenient. An end date to the pilot program at Animal Kingdom has not announced. If all goes well, we anticipate this becoming a permanent program and expanded to other Walt Disney World Parks.
Let’s start planning your visit to Animal Kingdom and Walt Disney World! Fill out the form below, or send an emailfor a FREE, no obligation quote with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. I offer rate monitoring to ensure you are receiving the best available rate offered by Disney. As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to help you with everything from finding your perfect package to nabbing those hard-to-get dining and FastPass reservations. I work with all Disney Destinations. Best of all, my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.954.401.9577, via email at [email protected], or follow along on Facebook.
Fans of the much-loved classic Disney flick Peter Pan, won’t want to miss the chance to get your hands on the 65th Anniversary Walt Disney Signature Collection release. To celebrate the occasion, Walt Disney World Resort guests will also be treated to special entertainment and activities on June 2nd.
Starting tomorrow at 1:30 pm at Magic Kingdom, Peter Pan, Wendy and the Lost Boys will play “Follow the Leader” along with invited Disney Bounding guests up and down Main Street U.S. A. You’ll want to be on the lookout for pirates as the nefarious Captain Hook is also slated to make an appearance.
Tomorrow night, guests staying at a Walt Disney World resort will also have the opportunity to enjoy “Peter Pan” during the nighly Movies Under the Stars screenings. Attendees will even receive a special “Peter Pan” 65th Anniversary Walt Disney Signature Collection poster, while supplies last.
Can’t make it to the parks? Then be sure to pick up the Walt Disney Signature collection edition of “Peter Pan.” This reissue invites adventurers of all ages to believe in magic once more and experience a timeless treasure from the Golden Age of Disney Animation. The Signature Collection edition is jammed pack with special never-before-seen extras, including the latest instalment of “Stories from Walt’s Office,” which explores Walt’s Love of flying the company planes, a reunion between Kathryn Beaumont (the Voice of Wendy) and Paul Collins (the voice of John) and new “Oke” renditions of classic songs “You Can Fly” and “Never Smile at a Crocodile.”
The Walt Disney Signature Collection edition of “Peter Pan,” is available on Digital and Movies Anywhere now and releases on Blu-ray June 5th.
To get you in the mood for a celebration of all things Peter Pan, Disney is also offering a downloadable coloring sheet.
Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider booking with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to help you with everything from finding your perfect package to nabbing those hard-to-get dining and Fastpass reservations. Best of all, my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.800.801.4025, via email at [email protected] or follow along on Facebook.
The latest edition to the Minnie Mouse color trend ears has officially debuted! The new Rainbow Minnie Ears are now available at Disney Springs, and Downtown Disney. These gorgeous shimmery ears are part of a new retro inspired Rainbow collection at the Disney Parks.
The Rainbow Minnie Mouse Ears are a follow up to the popular color trends, like the Rose Gold, and Millennial Pink releases. These ears really have me nostalgic for my Rainbow Brite days! You’ll find these stunning ears with the retro rainbow collection at the World of Disney stores at both the Downtown Disney location in California, and Disney Springs location in Florida. The stripe pattern on the ears and bow are also very consistent, so each pair will have all the colors of the rainbow! These are retailing for $24.99 plus tax, and is available while supplies last!
For more details, and information on how to get your fabulous hands on a pair of these ears, check out The Disney Fashionista!
Are you feeling the retro summer vibes with the new Rainbow Minnie Ears? Which color trend Minnie Mouse ears would you like to see next? Personally I’m hoping to see mint, or lavender colored ears next!
According to our friend Mary M the shenanigans are back at Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, they are just a little quieter. We recently wrote about the antics at Whispering Canyon going away due to complaints but it seems they are back at it again! We are told that the noise level within the restaurant is lowered and the fun is tamer than before, but that the same atmosphere and silliness can be found at WC. The western style country cooking has always been a favorite location for many families on their trip to Walt Disney World and many were devastated by the changes to bring a tamer atmosphere. It seems Disney listened because they are back at it again!
Try asking for some ketchup or silverware, you wanted 10 right?
Bottomless platters and chuck wagon favorites will please the whole gang. Come one, come all, just come hungry! Bring in the posse at the break of day for a hearty western omelet or our famous all-you-care-to-enjoy Family Platter, loaded with breakfast meats, eggs, potatoes and buttermilk biscuits. Corral the wild bunch for a country-style lunch: St. Louis-style pork ribs, Applewood-smoked turkey sandwich and more. Come sun down, sink your teeth into the all-you-care-to-enjoy Family Platter, a suppertime-exclusive featuring chicken, sausage, ribs and lip-smackin’ cowboy sides. Before you hit the trail, get a load of our most wanted desserts: Granny Smith apple-caramel pie with gelato and Mason jar cheesecake. There’s nothing like a helping of bread pudding to put a little hitch in your giddy-up-Walt Disney World
Source and photo credit to our friend Mary M!
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Fun news! The Disney FanDaze Inaugural Party, in Disneyland Paris, has just announced that it will be broadcasted live on the Disney FanDaze Facebook page! Our very own Chip will be there in person giving us all the details but here is your chance to watch live as the action unfolds. You can find the FanDaze Facebook page by clicking HERE.
The event takes place on June 2nd in Walt Disney Studios Park at the Disneyland Paris Resort from 8 pm until 2 am (Central European Time); 2 pm until 8 pm (Eastern). Take a look at the FanDaze Inaugural Party Program for all of the fun in store:
If meeting characters is your thing then FanDaze is not to be missed. Disneyland Paris is promising that over 50 characters will be making the rounds during this special weekend including everyone from Roger Rabbit to Bolt! Many of them will also be sporting some never-seen-before costumes.
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