Aquatica Photo Tour and Quick Queue Review

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August 4, 2017

Aquatica, SeaWorld Orlando’s Water Park, is a great place to cool off during the scorching heat of summer. Offering Quick Queue, a front of the line option for popular water rides, you now have more time for relaxing waterside. Here is our Aquatica Photo Tour and Quick Queue Review.

Start your day at Aquatica by getting your bearings. There are no paper park maps. You will find large maps posted throughout the park to let you know where you are and how to find your next destination. You will want to get a locker for the day to store personal items such as electronics and credit cards. Lockers run $15-$20 per day depending on locker size. Aquatica offers meal deals, refillable cups and Aquatica’s Quick Queue. An all day meal deal will run you $25 for adults and $15 for children. The refillable cup has a variety of options based on the number of cups purchased. Quick Queue is the new front of the line option and will cost $25 per day, per person.

Lounge chairs are available throughout the park. Arrive early if you are looking for a large shaded lounge area with an umbrella. Food options range from an outdoor cook-out with barbecued ribs and chicken to Grab-and-Go options such as empenadas, hot dogs, and sandwiches.

Aquatica’s Quick Queue is the way to go if you want to enjoy as many water rides as possible, and as often as you would like, throughout the day. Six of the most popular experiences are included with Quick Queue. The entrance of each participating ride is equipped with a General Queue to the left, and Quick Queue to the right. At $25 per person, we found it to be worth the cost for the signifcantly reduced wait times.

Here are the Water Slide Rides included with Aquatica’s Quick Queue:

HooRoo Run and Walhalla Wave are quite popular. The Walhalla Wave was our family favorite. This popular ride was our longest wait at 13 minutes.

Taumata Racer was a quick 3 minute walk to the top, and a fast race down to the bottom on a flat mat with a curved front.

Whanau Way is a tube ride for two people. Smallest person must ride in front. Omaka Rocka is one person tube ride and therefore experiences a longer wait time….unless you have Quick Queue. We rode each of these rides with Whanau Way taking 5 minutes and Omaka Rocka in 6 minutes.

The most intriguing Water Slide Ride we encountered was Ihu’s Breakaway Falls. We rode this one 3 times and each time we completed in under 4 minutes. Once you arrive at the top, you are placed into a tube. The bottom will then come out from under you and before you know it you are at the bottom! This is a really fast ride. If you are a thrill rider then this is your water slide!

Not included with Aquatica’s Quick Queue:

Tassie Twister and Dolphin Plunge are quite popular. Tassie Twister is a one or two person tube ride with a wacky twist. Climb to the top from and island situated in the middle of Loggerhead Lane Lagoon. Your spinning adventure is a fun and fast ride. We recommend you ride Dolphin Plunge immediately upon arrival as this will be the longest wait. You will pass through a clear tube where Dolphins are swimming. How fun is that?

Not really into water slide rides? No problem. Grab a spot near one of the family areas. If you have young school-age children they will love the Walkabout Waters and Roa’s Rapids. Great places to have a more relaxed day would be at Cutback Cove and Big Surf Shores where the sound of the wave pool is sure to lull you to sleep if you are so inclined. Your preschoolers will love playing at Kata’s Kookaburra Cove with water spray features and slides geared specifically for this age group.

Surfboard displays provide fun photo ops while signs lead the way to all areas within the park.

Aquatica is a great way to relax and enjoy time with family. There is something here for every age group to enjoy. We recommend a visit to Aquatica to escape the heat of summer while having a fabulous time sunning, swimming and sliding. If your budget allows, we recommend Quick Queue for front of the line privileges that will truly enhance your day and will allow you to make the best use of your time.

Are you planning a visit to Aquatica? Please leave your comments in the box below.

U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division Will Be Honored at Magic Kingdom

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 4, 2017

Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom will honor the centennial anniversary of the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division with a special flag retreat ceremony and musical performances on Thursday, August 10.

Magic Kingdom guests will enjoy a special performance from the 82nd Airborne 16-member chorus in Liberty Square at 1:45pm. The Division’s brass quintet will perform a medley of patriotic music during a 15-minute concert in Town Square at 4:00 p.m. Magic Kingdom will then honor the 82nd Airborne Division with a special Flag Retreat ceremony in Town Square at 5:00 p.m.

The 82nd Airborne Division is an airborne infantry division of the United States Army, specializing in parachute assault operations into denied areas. Based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 82nd Airborne Division will be in Orlando for a convention to commemorate their Centennial year.

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Check Out the Amazing Costumes from This Year’s D23 Mousequerade

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 4, 2017

There were absolutely some incredible costumes on display at this year’s D23 Mousequerade! The Mousequerade takes place during the bi-annual D23 Expo and gives fans the ultimate chance to express their Disney side.

This year’s celebration showcased many unexpected costumes, like a Kakamora from “Moana,” the Enchantress from “Beauty and the Beast“; the Chernabog from “Fantasia,” Emperor Zurg from “Toy Story,” the Sanderson Sisters from “Hocus Pocus” and plenty of princesses.

Other fans found inspiration from Disney theme parks for their costume creations. From treats like a Mickey Pretzel and a Dole Whip, to attractions like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, and many more.

The contest offered up trophies in five categories: Once Upon A Costume; Heroes & Villains; Inspired by Disney; Casts of Characters; and Worlds of Adventure.

Netting top awards in each category were costumes inspired by Sally (Tim Burton’s “Nightmare Before Christmas”); Groot (“The Guardians of the Galaxy“); Te Ka & Te Fiti (“Moana”); Big Thunder Mountain Railroad; and Mary Poppins & friends (“Mary Poppins“).

The grand prize of $2,300 went to the Te Ka & Te Fiti duo.

Which costume is your favorite?

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Credit: Disney

Parent Files Lawsuit Against Disney Claiming Violation of Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 4, 2017

In a class-action lawsuit brought against The Walt Disney Company, Disney Electronic Content and several others; Amanda Rushing is claiming that Disney’s Princess Palace Pets app among others violates the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. Rushing is claiming that the apps have illegally gathered information and are tracking the online behavior of it’s young users.

The suit includes, “all persons residing in the States of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia who are younger than the age of 13, or were younger than the age of 13 when they played the Game Tracking Apps, and their parents and/or legal guardians, from whom Defendants collected, used, or disclosed personal information without verifiable parental consent.”

Lawyer Michael Sobol states in the lawsuit, “App developers and their SDK-providing partners can track children’s behavior while they play online games with their mobile devices by obtaining critical pieces of data from the mobile devices, including ‘persistent identifiers,’ typically a unique number linked to a specific mobile device. These persistent identifiers allow SDK providers to detect a child’s activity across multiple apps and platforms on the internet, and across different devices, effectively providing a full chronology of the child’s actions across devices and apps. This information is then sold to various third-parties who sell targeted online advertising.” Sobol adds, “Disney has failed to safeguard children’s personal information and ensure that third-parties’ collection of data from children is lawful.”

Below is a statement from The Walt Disney Company.

“Disney has a robust COPPA compliance program, and we maintain strict data collection and use policies for Disney apps created for children and families. The complaint is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of COPPA principles, and we look forward to defending this action in Court.”

Ready to start planning your next visit to a Disney Destination? CLICK HERE , fill out the form below, or send an email for 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 and my services are 100% FREE!

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Photo Credit: Disney

Could Chiwetel Ejiofor be the Voice of Scar in the Live-Action Lion King

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 4, 2017

Live Action Lion King

By now I am sure you know that Disney is really hitting it big with live-action spins on their classic animated movies, and they are really going big with a remake on one of their most popular movies of all, The Lion King. Scheduled to release in theaters July, 19th 2017, the Lion King remake is being directed by Jon Favreau. Favreau also directed the live-action The Jungle Book, which was released last year.

The film has begun casting, and according to The Wrap, Chiwetel Ejiofor is being considered for the voice of Scar the villainous uncle of Simba. While this has yet to be confirmed, Ejiofor wouldn’t be new to Disney’s villain scene, as he played Baron Mordo in Marvel‘s 2016 Doctor Strange film.

Ejiofor would join an already star-studded cast including: Seth Rogen as the voice of Pumbaa, Donald Glover as the voice of Simba, Billy Eichner as the voice of Timon, James Earl Jones as the voice of Mufasa, and John Oliver as the voice of Zazu. Stayed tuned to Chip & Co. for casting updates as we get them!

Could Chiwetel Ejiofor be the Voice of Scar in the Live-Action Lion King

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Source: The Wrap

Image: Disney

Vanilla Dole Whip Returns to the Magic Kingdom

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 4, 2017

Great news if you are a fan of the Vanilla Dole Whip like me! After a long two year absence, it is finally back at Aloha Isle in the Magic Kingdom!

For the past two years the Vanilla Dole Whip could only be found at Pineapple Lanai at the Polynesian. Before that, you could purchase one at Aloha Isle until is switched locations with Sunshine Tree Terrace.

Are you excited that you no longer have to leave the Magic Kingdom to get your hands on one of these refreshing treats? I sure am!

Let’s start planning your next visit to the Magic Kingdom! CLICK HERE , fill out the form below, or send an email for 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 and my services are 100% FREE!

Click here for your FREE no obligation quote!

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.

Photo Credit: Disney

Appetizers Will No Longer Be Included In Fantasmic! Dining Package at Hollywood Studios Starting in 2018

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 4, 2017

For those that have ever booked Hollywood Studio’s Fantasmic! Dining package, you know that a huge perk of the offer (in addition to the VIP seating for Fantasmic!) has been the fact that the package includes an appetizer, main course as well as a dessert making it a popular option for Disney foodies. However, it is now posted on disneyworld.com that this will be changing going into next year:

Starting on January 1, 2018, the appetizers will be removed from the package. Its also worth noting that the restaurants participating in the offer are staying the same next year the prices are going up at the Hollywood & Vine location. Here’s a look at how the Fantasmic! Dining Package is shaping up for 2018.

Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano – The much-loved Italian restaurant will still offer the Fantasmic! Dining Packages for lunch and dinner. This year’s prices were $45 per adult and $18 per child. Next year will see the adult prices go down slightly to $42. However, children’s prices are staying the same.

Hollywood Brown Derby – This Fine/Signature Dining location will continue to offer the dining package. This year’s costs are $65 per adult and $22 per child. We will see these go down next year to $62.00 per adult with the child option staying the same.

Hollywood & Vine – This tends to be the popular choice for Fantasmic! Dining Packages because it offers a character dining experience. These options are buffet so aren’t really effected by the appetizer change. This may be the reason why the prices are going up for next year. Under the Fantasmic! Dining Package, the prices will increase from $39 per adult to $41 per adult. The children’s rate ($24) will stay the same. However, this year they did offer separate prices for Lunch and Dinner options which fall under Minnie’s Seasonal Dine. This year lunch costs under the plan were $52 for adults and $32 for children and dinner costs were $57 per adult and $35 per child. In 2018, there will only be one cost for both lunch and dinner. That comes in s $59 per adult and $35 per child.

In addition, it would seem that Disney is making plans to unveil a Fantasmic! Dessert option as we also came across this on the Disney World website:

No further details regarding the dessert option are available at this time. Keep following along with Chip and Co and we promise to let you know as soon as details are released.

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VIDEO: Salinas Police Officers Gift 10 Year Old Girl With Money for Disneyland After Her Savings Was Stolen by Thieves

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 4, 2017

VIDEO: Salinas Police Officers Gift 10 Year Old Girl With Money for Disneyland After Her Savings Was Stolen by Thieves

The Salinas Police Department is full of pixie dust!

A 10-year-old girl who saved all year to go to Disneyland nearly had her dreams crushed after thieves broke into her east Salinas home and stole her $200 savings. Andrea Ramirez and her family reported the robbery to Salinas Police Department. The officers not only wanted to catch the thieves, but also make sure Andrea still made it to Disneyland.

Watch the heartwarming video below as Salinas police officers gift the little girl with over $1000 to make her Disney dreams come true.

So nice to hear this story has a magical ending. Well done Salinas Police Department! Don’t you agree? Share your thoughts below.

VIDEO/PHOTO SOURCE: KSBW8

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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 around the globe. Best of all, my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.770.800.6500, via email at [email protected], or follow along on Facebook

Mobile Order is Coming to Three Locations at Hollywood Studios This Month

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 4, 2017

Disney World Mobile Ordering

Mobile Order is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Three quick service locations are being added to the quickly growing list of Mobile Order locations throughout Walt Disney World.

Backlot Express- August 8th
ABC Commissary- August 14th
Pizza Rizzo- August 15th

Have you tried Disney’s Mobile Order? Share your experience with us below.

SOURCE: BLOGMICKEY

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Find these tips helpful and would like some more to make your Disney vacation the most magical and stress-free ever? Click the link above and fill out the form or send an email for a FREE, no obligation quote 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. I work with all Disney Destinations around the globe. Best of all, my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.770.800.6500, via email at [email protected], or follow along on Facebook

Small but Yummy Treats with the Mini Mickey Waffle Maker

By

Danielle

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August 4, 2017

Small but Yummy Treats with the Mini Mickey Waffle Maker

I think I speak for many of us Disney Addicts when I say, we LOVE Mickey waffles! Many of us have searched for a Mickey Waffle Maker that will give us the perfect shape! Not only the shape though, but also a crisp waffle that is closer to the size of the park ones. I think this Mini Mickey Waffle Maker, may have just answered our wishes.

Of course most of us use the Carbon’s Golden Malted Mix to get that impeccable flavor, but it’s hard to find a Mickey shaped waffle maker that also gives the same texture we’re looking for too. The Mini Mickey Waffle Maker makes adorably sized waffles that are just a bit smaller than the ones we find at the parks. These come out a little crispier on the outside than a lot of the other Mickey waffle makers too! The only downside is only being able to make one at a time, because I’ve finished eating the first one before the next one is done, hahaha! At only $14.99 it’s a heck of a deal too. I bet there are all kinds of yummy creations we could make with it. Mickey shapes cinnamon rolls, french toast biscuits, eggs, the options are endless!

Would you make a scrumptious Disney breakfast with the Mini Mickey Waffle Maker?

Enjoy Creating Sweet Treats with the Minnie Mouse Cupcake Maker

By

Danielle

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August 4, 2017

Enjoy Creating Sweet Treats with the Minnie Mouse Cupcake Maker

Oh delicious cupcakes, how I adore you! If you have little ones that enjoy baking sweet goodies, but they don’t have the patience to wait for a full batch, this Minnie Mouse Cupcake Maker is fabulous.

This adorable Minnie Mouse inspired appliance not only looks adorable in a Disney themed kitchen, but it also makes 4 mini cupcakes in under 5 minutes! The cupcake maker also comes with mini liners. A candy mold that makes bow shaped chocolates and candies is also included! Top off your mini cupcakes with mini Oreos and chocolate shaped bows for a totally mouse-rific treat! Best of all, it’s under $15.00 with free Amazon Prime shipping!

Would you bake up delightful sweet treats with the Minnie Mouse Cupcake Maker?

Adorable and Dainty Crystal Mickey Mouse Earring Studs

By

Danielle

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August 4, 2017

Crystal Mickey Mouse Earring Studs

I never need an excuse to wear cute Disney earrings! These fun Crystal Mickey Mouse Earring Studs by PixieDustedStitches come in lots of colors to wear for every day, and make great gifts!

These dainty darlings are costume quality crystal studs in the shape of our favorite mouse, Mickey! They even come on colorful Mickey shaped card backings, for that extra special touch. They measure about 1/4 inch and come in various colors: white, blue, red, turquoise, lime green, pink, black, and lavender. The posts are sterling silver plated with silicone push backs. If you’re going on a Disney Cruise and doing a fish extender exchange, these are a fabulous goody to use! They are also great for matching your BFFs for a girls trip, or event too!

What do you think of these adorable Crystal Mickey Mouse Earring Studs? Would you wear them, or give them as a gift?