Characters in Flight Gets a New Look

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January 17, 2017

It’s long been an icon of Disney Springs (Formerly Downtown Disney), and Disney announced today the Characters in Flight Hot Air Balloon has gotten a completely new look.

Apparently the ballon gets renovated every 4 years, and Matthieu Gobbi, General Manager for Aerophile (the group responsible for operating the balloon), shed some light on the update; stating “the new balloon envelope was inspired by the springs and the element of water – it’s very coherent, as the balloon floats in the air, then lands on the water of Lake Buena Vista.”

The experience of taking a flight up to 400 feet in the air remains unchanged. Adult pricing is $20 per person and children (ages 3-8) are $15 each. Tip: visit before 10:00 a.m. and tickets are only $10 per person, regardless of age. The location opens daily at 8:30 a.m., weather permitting, and wait times are typically shorter earlier in the day.

Gone are the Disney Characters that we all knew and loved, and in is the new “look” of Disney Springs. What do you think of the balloon’s new look?

If you would like to visit a Disney destination, but are unsure of where to begin, contact me today to take advantage of my FREE vacation planning services! I specialize in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii, as well as Adventures by Disney. Email me today at [email protected] for a free quote, or you can follow along on Facebook here.

Photos: Disney Parks Blog

Valentine’s Day and City Tsum Tsum Sets have Arrived for Tsum Tsum Tuesday

By

Danielle

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January 17, 2017

It’s the third Tuesday of the month, and that means it’s another Tsum Tsum Tuesday! This week love is in the air with a stackably sweet Valentine’s Day set. You can also fill up your Tsum Tsum passport with new sets inspired by cities across the globe.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Valentine’s Day

Enjoy the sweet smell of romance with this Mickey and Minnie Mouse ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Valentine’s Day 2017 Set. Chocolates are a popular gift on Valentine’s Day, which is why these two chocolate-scented sweethearts make the perfect present. I think this is one of the cutest Tsum Tsum Tuesday releases today.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Hawaii Set

Mickey and Minnie enjoy a Hawaiian holiday with this Mini ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Set. Dressed as a couple of locals with their Polynesian print outfits, Mickey is all set to hang ten while Minnie has her snorkel at the ready for some diving.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Chicago Set

Mickey and Minnie provide a taste of the Windy City with this Mini ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Chicago Set. Minnie looks deliciously cute as a deep dish pizza while Mickey is a Chicago-style dog in this set that comes in a special ”L” Train box.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse ”Tsum Tsum” Plush New York Set

Bite-size Mickey pays homage to the Big Apple as he and Minnie take a trip to New York with this mini ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Set. Sporting a classic New York tourist shirt, Minnie joins Mickey for a cab ride in the novelty presentation box.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Paris Set

Bonjour from Mickey and Minnie who look at home as a couple of Parisians in this Mini ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Set. Enjoy visiting Europe with the stackably soft sweethearts who come in a special presentation box featuring the Eiffel Tower.

Mickey and Donald ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Italy Set

Mickey and Donald are inspired by the saying, ”When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” with this Mini ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Italy Set. The stackably soft tourists are transformed into a couple of locals with this set, which comes in a special bus box.

Although this one is in the City Sets, and talks about Rome in the description, they’ve decided to call it “Italy”, which last I checked was a country.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse ”Tsum Tsum” Plush London Set

Minnie is crowned as the Queen and Mickey joins the Coldstream Guards as the pair take a trip to England in this Mini ”Tsum Tsum” Plush London Set. The stackably soft characters come in a special London-themed presentation box.

From the city sets I love the boxes for Paris and London, I think it was a fun idea incorporating famous landmarks into the packaging. The Italy set has Donald in it, which is a cute change from the Mickey and Minnie pairings in all the other sets. I’m most excited to check out the Valentine’s Day set, to see how much like chocolate they really smell!

Which collection is your favorite release this Tsum Tsum Tuesday?

New Star Wars Day at Sea Merchandise being released

By

Chip

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January 17, 2017

Today Disney has shared a peek at the all new Star Wars Day at Sea merchandise that will be available on select sailings during the 15 special cruises from January through April 2017 on the Disney Cruise Line.

The limited time Disney Fantasy sailings are expanding to both eastern and western Caribbean 7-night itineraries this year. Disney has created Ports of Call shirts along with limited edition logo pins for the respective itineraries.

A new Star Wars Day at Sea name-tag will also be released, which guests can personalize by having their names written in Aurebesh, one of the alphabets used in the Star Wars galaxy.

Both short sleeve and long sleeve shirts celebrating Star Wars Day at Sea are available!

Some of the more popular items are a tote bag, mug, TERVIS tumbler, ornament, car magnet, and lanyard. Having been on this cruise these items have sold out.

Finally, Disney Cruise Line will have a variety of collectible Disney pins. Guests will find a limited release logo pin along with three limited edition pins, each with an edition size of 2,500.

There will be four additional Star Wars character pins presented as miniature replica portholes. Each pin will have an edition size of 2,500. The pins will be sold individually or as a limited edition boxed set that contains a hinged completer pin (edition size 500).

Click here for the listing of Star Wars Day at Sea 2017 and 2018 sail dates aboard the Disney Fantasy. May the Force be with you!

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next magical Disney adventure on a Star Wars Day at Sea Disney Cruise. All of my planning services are 100% FREE and can help save you both time and money!

Source

More Highway in the Sky Dine Around Dates are now Available to Reserve

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 17, 2017

The progressive dinner called Highway in the Sky Dine Around is now available to reserve Tuesday through Saturday evenings from January 17 until March 11, 2017 beginning at 4:45pm. The dine around adventure returns to select Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights on March 14 through March 31.

The delicious culinary journey begins at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, where guests check in at the The Wave…of American Flavors. Enjoy an appetizer and specialty cocktail before boarding the monorail to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for island-inspired libations and appetizers. Dinner is served at Citricos, located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa before returning to the Contemporary Resort for dessert, coffee and a viewing of Wishes fireworks.

The price of the Highway in the Sky Dine Around at Walt Disney World Resort is $150 per person plus tax; gratuity included. Reservations can be made online or by calling 407-939-1947 and must be canceled at least 24 hours in advance to avoid forfeiting the full price of the experience.

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next magical Disney adventure. All of my planning services are 100% FREE and can help save you both time and money!

Photo Credit: Disney

SeaWorld’s All-New Seven Seas Food Festival Brings a Wave of Headline Entertainment to Orlando

By

Chip

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January 17, 2017

Combining unique culinary delights with memorable performances on 14 consecutive Saturdays, the Seven Seas Food Festival is coming to SeaWorld Orlando Feb. 11 – May 13, 2017. Each week guests can sip and sample their way around the world of international coastal cuisine while enjoying craft beers, paired wines and specialty entertainment. The fun extends beyond the food with live performances each Saturday from top country, rock and Latin music artists.

Seven Seas Food Festival Headline Entertainment:

While new flavors will tempt guests’ taste buds throughout the park, live entertainment will have everyone dancing, singing and laughing along to some of their favorite artists. The Seven Seas Food Festival brings 14 live acts to SeaWorld Orlando’s Bayside Stadium.

Lynyrd Skynyrd (February 11)
Lee Brice (February 18)
Bill Engvall (Feb 25)
Styx (March 4)
Justin Moore (March 11)
ZZ Top (March 18)
Phillip Phillips (March 25)
Coming Soon (April 1)
Village People (April 8)
Commodores (April 15)
Oscar D’León (April 22)
Olga Tanon (April 29)
Grupo Mania (May 6)
Coming Soon (May 13)

Seven Seas Food Festival Coastal Cuisine:

Complete with 11 new global markets, guests will set sail on a taste adventure as they discover more than 60 unique Asian, Latin, European, Polynesian and North Atlantic dishes throughout the park. A wide of array of wine, specialty cocktails and over 55 local and international craft brews will be featured exclusively during the Festival as well. A selection of menu highlights include:

Asian Market- Peking Duck Lo Mein with Fresh Oriental Vegetables
Korean Market- Bingsu Salted Vanilla Ice Cream topped with Caramel Popcorn
Mexican Market- Braised Chicken Adobo with Mole Sauce
Caribbean Market- Cinnamon Slow Roasted Pork Belly with Sweet Plantain Mash
Florida Market- Fried Kataifi Orange drizzled with Local Honey
Mediterranean Market- Smoked Cured Salmon topped with Sweet Dill Mustard
North Atlantic Market- Banana & Caramel Cheesecake topped with Whipped Cream & Caramelized Bananas
Brazilian Market- Brazilian Churrasco with Chimichurri & Garbanzo Frito
Pacific Coast Market- Braised Pork Cheeks with Savory Apple Polenta
Polynesian Island Market- “Loco Moco” Grilled Spam, White Rice, Scrambled Egg & Brown Gravy
Gulf Coast Market- Southern Creamy Cheese Grits with a Blackened Shrimp

In addition to the market stops, the event will feature a wide array of BBQ and comfort cuisine including Slow Smoked Ribs, caramelized in a SeaWorld original BBQ sauce, Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese and a Grilled Kielbasa Sausage Sandwich. A complete menu of the Seven Seas Food Festival delights can be found online at SeaWorldOrlando.com/SevenSeas.

SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival begins at 11 a.m. every Saturday, Feb. 11 – May 13 and continues through park close. Like all special events at SeaWorld, the Seven Seas Food Festival is included with park admission.

Best Way to Play:

The best way for guests to experience the Seven Seas Food Festival is with an annual pass. SeaWorld Pass Members can purchase reserved concert seating during an exclusive presale beginning January 19.

For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, visit www.SeaWorldOrlando.com. Follow SeaWorld on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest Seven Seas Food Festival details and information.

Magic Kingdom to Offer New Breakfast Items

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 17, 2017

New breakfast items will soon be offered at Magic Kingdom Park. Sleepy Hollow in Fantasyland will debut an egg, ham and tomato waffle sandwich later this month. The fruit and chocolate-hazlenut waffle sandwich and a freshly-made waffle topped with strawberries and whipped cream are also available.

Plaza Ice Cream Parlor has introduced the donut sundae, a donut topped with your favorite flavor of hand-scooped Edy’s ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, apple, peanut butter and chocolate chips topped off with a cherry. Mickey waffles, Kelloggs cereal and donuts are offered as well.

Casey’s Corner will offer a brunch-like option of corn dog nuggets and the hash brown dog. Muffins, bagels and croissant donuts are also available for breakfast.

Are you excited to see more breakfast offerings at Magic Kingdom?

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next magical Disney adventure. All of my planning services are 100% FREE and can help save you both time and money!

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Military Discounts for Disneyland 2017

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 17, 2017

Military Families can visit the Disneyland Resort in 2017 with some amazing deals on Park Hopper tickets for eligible members of the armed forces.

Purchase from November 1, 2016 through December 16, 2017, and receive admission for 3 days for just $156 or 4 days for $181 from January 1 through April 8 and April 24 through December 19, 2017.

Plus, you can purchase the new Disney PhotoPass Collection product for a discounted price—$49 plus tax from January 1, 2017 – December 19, 2017.

The Disney PhotoPass Collection product includes:

Digital downloads of all Disney PhotoPass photos in your account at time of redemption
A voucher for a Dining Print Package (Voucher may not be redeemed online. See voucher for restrictions.)
A Disneyland Resort Gallery Disc, featuring more than 350 high-resolution professional photos from around Disneyland Resort

You can visit Disneyland’s site for more information here, and be sure to check out the discounts available at Walt Disney World as well, located here.

If you would like to visit a Disney destination, but are unsure of where to begin, contact me today to take advantage of my FREE vacation planning services! I specialize in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii, as well as Adventures by Disney. Email me today at [email protected] for a free quote, or you can follow along on Facebook here.

Get Work Done Like a Jedi with the BB-8 Desk Lamp

By

Danielle

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January 16, 2017

When having to pull an all nighter saving the galaxy, sometimes motivation is helpful, or the Force, but I’m all out of Force powers. A fun sidekick like this BB-8 Desk Lamp by ThinkGeek might just be the motivation I could use!

Star Wars BB-8 Architectural Desk Lamp – Small by ThinkGeek

What if Rey actually sold off BB-8 for all those portions in the beginning of Star Wars: The Force Awakens? Once he stopped working, his scraps would probably be re-purposed, maybe even into a fancy lamp like this one. You can’t just let an investment like that rust in a junk heap!

Keep one of your favorite astromech droids by your side right on your desk! Both sizes of BB-8 Architectural Desk Lamp are position-able and adjustable so he can shed light in all sorts of ways. Don’t expect a lighter to randomly appear when you give it a thumbs up, though.

Do you think that this BB-8 Desk Lamp is worth more than a measly 60 portions?

Disney Inspired Candles Make a Romantic Valentine’s Day Gift

By

Danielle

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January 16, 2017

Is that love in the air I smell? No, but close, it’s delicious Disney Inspired Candles! Fragrant candles that whisk me away to the Nostalgia of the Disney Parks, are high up on my Valentine’s wish list.

Magical Scents by Alisa makes enchanting candles and melts that are handmade and hand poured, and are inspired by our favorite Disney Characters, Rides, Resorts and Treats. They are like a box of yummy Valentine’s chocolates, without the calories! The romantic scent of Enchanted Rose is inspired by Beauty and the Beast, and sure to be a perfect candle to melt the heart of your love. Of course Disney Candied Apples will always be my favorite park snack, so I wouldn’t mind that delicious smell drifting through the air. There are so many different Disney inspired fragrances, that there is sure to be a scent for everyone!

Check out all of the yummy varieties below:

Which yummy Disney Inspired Candle would you like to get for Valentine’s Day?

First “Descendants 2” Teaser Trailer And Poster Revealed

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 16, 2017

Last June we let you all know about the Disney Channels darling “Descendants” announcing that they are planning on a sequel. “Descendants” was the huge hit movie which tells the musical story of the young daughters and sons on some of Disney’s most notorious villains.

Today the Oh My Disney website got an exclusive look at the very first teaser trailer for the upcoming follow-up, featuring all of the fan-favorite characters from the original– including Mal (played by Dove Cameron), Evie (Sofie Carson), Jay (Booboo Stewart), Carlos (Cameron Boyce), and King Ben (Mitchell Hope). The teaser also gives us a glimpse of new character Uma, the daughter of Ursula, brought to life by actress China Anne McClain.

Around the same time on the “Descendants” twitter feed, Disney released an brand new poster for “Descendants 2”

“Descendants 2” will air on Disney Channel this summer.

Epcot’s Canada Pavilion Gets Totem Pole Update

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 16, 2017

Epcot’s Canada Pavilion in the World Showcase is updating two of its totem poles in time for the Festival of the Arts crowds.

David Boxley,the Artist behind the original totem poles is working on these updates.

There will be a special unveiling of these towering works of art on the 21st and 22nd which will feature the Git Hoan dancers (People of Salmon) who will perform a dedication ceremony.

Visitors to the Festival over the upcoming weekend should not miss a chance to check out these spectacular additions to the World Showcase.

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Is Disney closing Tomorrowland Speedway?

By

Anonymouse

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January 16, 2017

Hey there guys and gals it is I Anonymouse back with some Disney World Gossip!

It seems there is talk that Disney might be closing down Tomorrowland Speedway at Walt Disney World… The ride is being demolished at Disneyland Hong Kong and Tokyo with possibly closings in Disneyland Paris as well. So does that mean Disney World in Florida and Disneyland California are next?

I for one would love to see an update to the rides. You have 2 or 3 Disney brands you could bring in for an update. Cars, Wreck it Ralph and even Tron.

Last time I was at Disney World there was atleast a 30-45 minute wait for Tomorrowland Speedway so it is still pretty popular, but that is prime real estate for a new attraction or a futuristic ride that falls more in line with the Tomorrowland theme.

What you think? Does Disney need to just close it down? Or should they update the ride?

Let us know what you think in the comment box below.

As always nothing is official till Disney says it is.

That is all the Disney gossip I have for now. For my past gossip articles be sure to check them out here. Got any good gossip/rumors please email me at anonymouse@chipandco.com or on my Facebook page.