Animal Kingdom Expanding Bus Loop to Make Way for Pandora

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March 3, 2017

A lot of changes are happening over at Animal Kingdom to make way Pandora: The World of Avatar opening later this May. Walt Disney World is expecting a greater influx of guests to the parks in the weeks ahead and one of the steps they are taking in order to accommodate these new traffic patterns is to expand the transportation links with a third bus loop that will be added shortly.

Here’s a birds eye view of how construction is looking on this Friday morning.

The newest loop will provide the closest access to the parks and will sit just north of the two terminals that are already in place. The addition of this loop means more bus stops for Disney transportation. It would also appear that structures are currently being put in place to preserve the magic and hid the backstage/lot areas from tourists.

This is just one of many changes we expect to see taking place at Animal Kingdom during the exciting weeks ahead as Disney prepares for the the hotly-anticipated opening of Pandora.

Readers are encouraged to watch this space for the latest World of Avatar information.

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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.

Images copyright Disney.

Preparations Begin for ‘The View’ Taping at Animal Kingdom

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 3, 2017

The View is being taped at Animal Kingdom the week of March 6th, and it appears the preparations have already begun at Animal Kingdom. The stage is being set up in front of the Tree of Life, where the show will host plenty of ABC and Disney-family associated guests while they are in Animal Kingdom!

Scheduled guests for the week of March 6 – March 10 are as follows (subject to change):

Monday, March 6– John Stamos; a performance by Andy Grammer.
Tuesday, March 7– Ariel Winter (ABC’s “Modern Family”; Disney’s “Sofia the First”); Sherri Shepherd.
Wednesday, March 8–Eric Stonestreet (ABC’s “Modern Family); Audra McDonald (Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”).
Thursday, March 9– Mandy Moore (Disney Channel’s “Tangled: Before Ever After”; “This is Us”); James Cameron and Whoopi explore Pandora – The World of Avatar.
Friday, March 10– Tom Bergeron (ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars”); a performance by Train; and Celebrity Chefs Masaharu Morimoto and Art Smith.

Tune in all week to “The View” on ABC (11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EST) for all the fun!

Will you be attending any of the show’s tapings?

2017 ‘Star Wars Day at Sea’ is Back, Bigger and Better Than Ever

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 3, 2017

Last year Disney Cruise Line thrilled Star Wars fans with the first ever Star Wars Day at Sea. This Galactic day-long celebration of the legendary saga returned to the high seas in January and continues with select sailings through April.

From an enhanced deck party to “Star Wars Rebels” joining the alliance, the Force is stronger than ever onboard the Disney Fantasy in 2017 with the newest additions to the epic day at sea. The spectacular deck show, “Summon the Force,” celebrates the 40 years of Star Wars featuring new iconic characters: Kylo Ren, Ezra and Sabine. The deck show is bursting with John Williams’ epic score, now including music from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”

Meet “Star Wars Rebels” Sabine and Ezra along with Ahsoka Tano have taken a break from forming their alliance to visit you in an all-new base location. You can find out what the rebellion is up to with showings of “Star Wars Rebels” season three on the upper deck’s Funnel Vision. Then the duel continues with the deadly Jedi hunter, the Seventh Sister joining the Dark Lord himself in “Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple.”

With a special lineup of guest speakers sharing what it’s like to bring the galaxy to the big screen screen get a behind-the-scenes look at the Star Wars saga. This year’s speakers include: Hannah Gills, producer for Industrial Light & Magic; Pablo Hidalgo, creative executive for Lucasfilm Story Group and Jason McGatlin, executive producer for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” among others, on select sailings.

Exclusive to Star Wars Day at Sea 2017 sailings is an assortment of intergalactic merchandise including drink ware, pins, apparel and more. You can also enjoy the latest installment in the Star Wars universe: “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” while at sea.

Are you excited about all of the new out of this world additions to the 2017 Star Wars Day at Sea? Did you know Disney announced these special Star Wars themed cruises will also be sailing in 2018?

Are you ready for a Disney Cruise? As an agent with MickeyTravels, LLC, I can help you save time and money planning your next Disney vacation. My services are always FREE! Contact me today at [email protected] or (770) 800-6500. Follow me on Facebook for the latest Disney updates and tips.

Orange-Scented Disney Gift Card Available at Flower & Garden Festival

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 3, 2017

The smell of money just became a little sweeter with the release of a limited-edition, orange-scented Disney Gift Card at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. These citrus shaped cards not only smell delicious; they also have all the functionality of a regular Disney Gift Card, with the added convenience of wearing it around your wrist.

You can enjoy the sights and scents of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival while purchasing foods that highlight the taste of spring at the Outdoor Kitchens.

Activate your Disney Gift Card with as little as $15 and conveniently pay for food and more. Your Disney Gift Card can also be reloaded at Disney merchandise locations and many of the outdoor kitchens. When the festival is over, you can continue using your card for practically all things Disney – theme park tickets, hotel stays, entertainment, merchandise, dining, and more at Walt Disney World Resort and beyond!

The festival-themed orange-scented Disney Gift Card is currently available throughout Epcot as well as at surrounding Walt Disney World Resort hotels including Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels while supplies last.

Do you plan to pick up a orange-scented Gift Card? Let me know in the comment box below.

Interested in a magical Disney vacation? As an agent with MickeyTravels, LLC, I can help save you time and money planning your next Disney vacation. The best part is my services are always FREE! Contact me today at [email protected] or (229) 977-3373. Join me on Facebook for the latest Disney updates and tips.

New Payment Devices Brought Into Disney World Resorts and Retailers

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 3, 2017

It would appear that the cute little mouse head touch points that guests used at Walt Disney World front desks and retailers to charge items to their MagicBands may be a thing of the past.

Guests started reporting this week that these have been swapped out in favor of a more industry standard model (see pictured). The new devices still work with MagicBands when touched to the flat area that you see above and take other RFID cashless payment options as well. The new kiosk also offers a chip reader for credit cards.

As reported by WDW news, the company that manufactured the original mouse head touchpoints has gone out of business making maintenance of the previous versions problematic.

New news yet as to whether this is just a prototype or if Disney will be customizing future versions to be more in keeping with the original MagicBand theme.

What do you think of the introduction of the new payment kiosks? Leave your feedback in the comments section below.

Planning a trip to Disney? Fill out our form below to receive your FREE quote.

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.

Images copyright Disney.

Disney Reveals Merchandise for 2017 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 2, 2017

Now that we find ourselves in March, for Disneyland fans that can only mean one thing. The fantastic Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is only four short weeks away. What better way to get excited about this amazing month of food and drink then to take sneak peek at some of the fantastic merchandise that will be on offer during the Fest.

One of the themes this year is going to be Chef Mickey. According to Linda Votaw who works in special event merchandising for Disneyland, “Mickey Mouse is pictured as a chef to give a nod to the many culinary delights guests will find during the event,”

Here’s a first look at some of the ways this image will be used to promote the Fest:

As a special treat for Annual Passholders, Disney will also release several Passholder exclusive items including an event t-shirt and an oversized, limited-edition pin (edition size of 2,000). Here’s a glimpse of these fantastic items:

No Food and Wine merchandising line would be complete without some fantastic glassware. We hope you’re as excited as we are about these amazing designs:

Visitors to Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival can find the amazing items above and more at retailers within Disney California Adventure Park including the Studio Store and Stage 17/Festival Gifts, and merchandise carts located next to Wine Country Trattoria and Seaside Souvenirs.

For more information on the 2017 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival check out this article.

Planning a trip to Disney? Fill out our form below to receive your FREE quote.

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.

Images copyright Disney.

No More Saving Seats for the Disneyland Main Street Electrical Parade

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 2, 2017

It seems the days of saving seats hours in advance for your favorite parade are over at Disneyland. We have all done it, you know, one lucky person from your group sits an hour or more in advance to save the perfect parade viewing seats for the entire group.

Due to the popularity of the recently returned Main Street Electrical Parade increased crowds have made claiming your seats early more problematic by causing crowded walkways on Main Street.

Starting February 27th, Disneyland guests will be asked to wait until after Cast Members have set up the parade viewing areas with rope on the parade route before selecting their spot. In addition, guests will be asked not to save seats for others who are not present. It is unclear if this new policy is temporary or permanent.

Do you have a favorite Disneyland Main Street Electrical Parade viewing spot? How far in advance do you wait to get your parade viewing spot?

Interested in a Disneyland Vacation? As an agent with MickeyTravels, LLC, I can help you save time and money planning your next Disney vacation. My services are always FREE! Contact me today at [email protected] or (770) 800-6500. Follow me on Facebook for the latest Disney updates and tips.

New Scene Of “Beauty And The Beast” Available In Time For El Capitan Premiere

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 2, 2017

Tomorrow night’s world premiere of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood will be a spectacular event with guests including Celine Dion, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Matt Damon, Javier Bardem, Ava DuVernay, Jean Smart, Brenton Thwaites, Aubrey Plaza, Paige O’Hara, Cameron Boyce, Sofia Carson and many others. They will be joining cast and filmmakers Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad, Audra McDonald, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, director Bill Condon, screenwriters Stephen Chbosky and Evan Spiliotopoulos, producers David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman and composer Alan Menken.

The story and characters of Beauty and the Beast audiences know and love come to spectacular life in Disney’s live-action adaptation “Beauty and the Beast,” the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a Beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart of the true Prince within. The film stars: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald, Gugu Mbatha-Raw with Ian McKellen and Emma Thompson. Directed by Bill Condon based on the 1991 animated film, “Beauty and the Beast,” the screenplay is written by Stephen Chbosky and Evan Spiliotopoulos and produced by Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman, p.g.a. and Todd Lieberman, p.g.a. with Jeffrey Silver, Thomas Schumacher and Don Hahn serving as executive producers. Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards® (Best Original Score and Best Song) for the animated film, provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as three new songs written by Menken and Tim Rice.

Beauty and the Beast hits theaters nationwide on March 17, 2017, but you can watch this new scene to hold you over.

Disney takes Number Three Spot as one of the Most Reputable Companies in the World

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 2, 2017

There is no denying Disney is a household name. And according to Forbes, The Walt Disney Company has a claimed the 3rd spot on this year’s list of the 100 most reputable companies in the world. Bringing Disney down from the number two spot they held last year.

The list is put together every year by The Reputation Institute. The ranking is based on several things including thoughts on products & services, innovation, workplace, governance, citizenship, leadership, and performance during the first quarter of the year. Feedback was given by 170,000 respondents, who gave Disney’s highest marks in the area of performance.

Although I’m a bit sad to see Disney move down from the number two spot, I’m not surprised to still see them high on this list. Are you surprised to see that Disney takes Number Three?

Interested in a Magical Disney Vacation? As an agent with MickeyTravels, LLC, I can help you save time and money planning your next Disney vacation. My services are always FREE! Contact me today at [email protected] or (770) 800-6500. Follow me on Facebook for the latest Disney updates and tips.

Twenty One Pilots Drummer Flies High at Magic Kingdom

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 2, 2017

Twenty One Pilots Drummer Josh Dun enjoyed a magical day at Walt Disney World. Dun was all smiles flying high aboard Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland. Dun took a break and headed over to Disney’s Magic Kingdom for some fun while in town on tour, Dun and the rest of Twenty One Pilots were in Tampa for a concert.

Interested in a Magical Disney Vacation? As an agent with MickeyTravels, LLC, I can help you save time and money planning your next Disney vacation. My services are always FREE! Contact me today at [email protected] or (770) 800-6500. Follow me on Facebook for the latest Disney updates and tips.

“Beauty And The Beast” World Premiere Shown Live On Facebook!

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 2, 2017

This is pretty cool – the red carpet of the world premiere of “Beauty and the Beast” will be on Facebook live this evening. So, set your watches and get online, here are your details:

WHEN: Thursday, March 2 at 5:45pm (PST)

WHERE: “Beauty and the Beast” Facebook page
The live feed will also be simulcast in 360 video on the Walt Disney Facebook page

New Attraction at Typhoon Lagoon, ‘Miss Adventure Falls’ Set to Open March 12th

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 2, 2017

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Closed Due To Cold Weather

It looks like Disney fans will have a new way to cool off at Disney very soon. A new family-style raft attraction, ‘Miss Adventure Falls’ is coming to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park this spring. And with no height requirement it can be enjoyed by the whole family. Construction is almost complete on ‘Miss Adventure Falls’ and it has been announced that the attraction will open March 12!

Get ready for your own adventure as you hop aboard the four person raft as thrills and excitement await you at every turn. From your raft you will see the many precious treasures collected by Captain Mary Oceaneer – a sea-faring treasure hunter whose haul was caught in a rogue typhoon. The final touches to Miss Adventure Falls are being added during the next few weeks so it can be ready when Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon reopens March 12th.

Where do prefer to cool off at Disney? Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach?

Interested in heading to Typhoon Lagoon during your Disney Vacation? As an agent with MickeyTravels, LLC, I can help you save time and money planning your next Disney vacation. My services are always FREE! Contact me today at [email protected] or (770) 800-6500. Follow me on Facebook for the latest Disney updates and tips.