NFL Pro Bowl Players Announced

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December 30, 2016

The pro bowl is about a month away, and we have finally gotten word from the NFL and Disney about the players we can expect to see around the parks this year.

Among the Pro Bowl players recently announced are New England quarterback Tom Brady, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Dallas rookie sensations Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. They will be among the approximately 88 players who will comprise the AFC and NFC team rosters.

Pro Bowl Week starts Wednesday Jan. 25 and the first stop for these marquee players will be ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney, which will host most of the Pro Bowl Week activities, including the team practices, youth football events, a Pro Bowl Skills Showdown and a dodgeball game pitting the AFC stars against the NFC’s best players. There are also activities planned for Disney Springs as well as Epcot, which will be the site of the Pro Bowl 5K run.

Also on Friday, Jan. 27 at Magic Kingdom Park , Pro Bowl players, NFL cheerleaders and various community groups will take part in a celebratory parade down Main Street, U.S.A.

If you’re visiting Walt Disney World Resort January 25-28, Pro Bowl Week is an experience you will not want to miss! Tickets for the game are still available at www.nfl.com/probowl where you will also the star-studded rosters of the AFC and NFC teams. For more information on Pro Bowl Week, visit espnwwos.com.

If you would like to visit Disneyland or Walt Disney World, 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.

photo: Disney Parks Blog

Churros have returned to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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December 30, 2016

If you were sad when Disney removed Churros from Animal Kingdom back in April 2016, then you’ll be happy to hear that they have returned!

The cinnamon-sugar friend dough treat is now available at Dino Bites Snacks in Dinoland, USA, and is served with chocolate sauce for $4.29.

I don’t know about you, but I’m heading straight to Dino Bites Snacks on my next trip!

If you would like to visit Disneyland or Walt Disney World, 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.

photo: Disney

Characters in Flight to Close for Refurbishment and an Updated New Look

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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December 30, 2016

Characters in Flight at Disney Springs will soon receive an updated look complete with a new color scheme. The attraction will be closed for refurbishment from January 9 – 13, 2017 as a new balloon is installed.

The Disney Spring’s attraction is operated by Aerophile and is the world’s largest tethered helium balloon. The balloon’s 19 foot diameter basket holds up to 29 people plus a certified pilot.

Guests on board are treated to 8 to 10 minutes of breathtaking, 360 degree views of Disney Springs and other iconic areas of Walt Disney World Resort. Tickets to Characters in Flight are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cost $18 per adult and $12 per child. The attraction is planned to re-open on January 14, 2017.

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

Photo Credit: Disney

Disney Celebrates 10 Entertainment Milestones at Disney Parks in 2016

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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December 30, 2016

It’s been another massive year for Disney theme parks and if there’s one area where the parks went from strength to strength it was all of the delightful ways that Disney kept us entertained throughout the course of the year. As we prepare to say good-bye to 2016 and ring in an equally promising year ahead, here are several of Disney’s 2016 entertainment milestones worth celebrating.

Star Wars – It’s definitely been the season for Star Wars across the Disney properties this year. Disneyland welcomed Season of the Force, there was a Star Wars Tomorrowland Takeover at Hong Kong Disneyland as well as the launch of “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away and “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” which kept guests entertained over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Shanghai Disney Resort – Who can forget the Grand Opening of Disney’s most accomplished theme park Shanghai Disneyland in June. The opening ceremony was the largest entertainment program ever for the opening of a Disney destination. Since then, the park has been wowing visitors with attractions like “Eye of the Storm – Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular” , “Tarzan: Call of the Jungle” and a breathtaking Mandarin language production of “The Lion King.”

Tokyo DisneySea 15th Anniversary Celebration – It was also the “Year of Wishes” over at Tokyo Disney Resort as Tokyo DisneySea celebrated its 15th birthday. Included in the festivities were new entertainment offerings like “Crystal Wishes Journey” and “Out of Shadowland” which wowed the crowds.

Cinderella Castle – Over at Disney World, the Magic Kingdom also welcomed a new entertainment line-up including “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” where Mickey and friends join much-loved Disney characters from movies like the “Princess and the Frog” and “Tangled” in this celebration of friendship. The Castle Forecourt stage also played host to “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration” which was jam-packed with Christmas charm and the breathtaking new evening projection show “One Upon a Time. ”

“Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” – This all singing, all dancing Broadway-style musical version of Frozen opened its doors to West Coast Disney visitors this year. The show boasts an impressive cast and uses state-of-the-art technology to transform this California Adventure Park theater to a winter wonderland.

“Mickey and the Magician” – The much lauded Disneyland Paris production was awarded by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions with its Brass Ring Award for Best Theatrical Production. This new show at Walt Disney Studios Park, takes Mickey Mouse on a magical, musical journey of self-discovery and enlists the help of a few Disney friends as well as some truly impressive special effects.

Disney Cruise Line- received an Arendelle makeover with the introduction of its newest Broadway-caliber stage show “Frozen: A Musical Spectacular” and gave little sailors an opportunity to brush up on their superhero skills with Disney Wonder’s Marvel Super Hero Academy.

Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa – also played to its strengths with the introduction of “KA WA’A a fantastic new luau experience and welcomed Disney’s newest Disney friend Moana who took time away from her travels to visit with guests at the resort.

Festival of Holidays – Rounding out the year, Disney California Adventure park debuted this new seasonal event paying homage to holiday celebrations and traditions from a range of different cultures. While World of Color Season of Light offered the same delightful nighttime water pageantry but this time with a Christmas twist.

“Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” – This Hollywood Studios nighttime offering proved a worthy addition to Disney World’s already robust holiday line-up. Set to Christmas music and using lasers to create glittering ribbons in the night sky, it quickly became a fan favorite.

“Starbright Celebration – An Intel Collaboration” – This Disney Springs holiday offering provided visitors with a glimpse of what future entertainment at the parks may look like in the years ahead. Using drones illuminating the night sky to tell a Christmas story, its prove that Disney remains on the cutting edge when it comes to providing new magical and innovative ways to inspire guests.

Its hard to believe that all of these amazing activities happened just in the last 12 months. Now just image what 2017 will hold.

Planning a trip to Disney in 2017? 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 sharing tips and trips designed to help you get the most out of your time at the parks. 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.

Some images copyright Disney.

New Year’s Eve Events for Guests at Walt Disney World Resort

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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December 30, 2016

If you’re ringing in the new year at Walt Disney World, you won’t want to miss the many fun opportunities available to you to celebrate the big event!

The Magic Kingdom will be offering special schedules for both December 30th and 31st:

Park hours – 8am to 1am. (Evening EMH Dec 30 from 1am to 3am, and Morning EMH 7am to 8am Dec 30, 31)

Holiday Wishes – Celebrate the Spirit of the Season with New Year’s Countdown at 7:30pm.
Fantasy in the Sky fireworks with New Year’s Countdown at 11:50pm.

Epcot will have special operating hours on December 31st opening at 8am and closing at 1am:

Reflections of Earth with Peace on Earth finale at 6pm.
Reflections of Earth with New Year’s countdown at 11:40pm.

In addition to the special Refections of Earth offerings, there will also be plenty of DJ’s around the World Showcase for you to get your groove on!

Future World Fountain Stage: DJ Scooter – 7pm, 12:05am

America Gardens Theatre : DJ Steve Dunlap – 2:00pm

DJ Carlos Carrion – 7:00pm, 8:00pm, 9:30pm, 10:45pm, 12:40am

Caliente A Latin Band – 7:20pm, 8:50pm, 10:05pm, 12:05am

Japan: Silent Groove – DJ Jason Gable 7:00pm, 12:05am

China: DJ Dominick Morrison – 7:00pm, 12:05am

Italy: DJ mark Sanchez – 7pm, 12:05am.

United Kingdom: DJ Elliot Hanson – 7:30pm, 8:30pm, 10:00pm, 11:00pm, 12:05am

Hollywood Studios will be open from 8am-midnight on the 31st.

Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! at 9pm.
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular at midnight.
Fantasmic! at 8pm and 9:30pm.

Animal Kingdom will be open from 8am-8:30pm on the 31st, with no special shows or fireworks displays.

Disney Springs will host Starbright Holidays at 7pm and 8:30pm on December 31st.

Disney offered this glimpse of what to expect as well:

If you would like to visit Disneyland or Walt Disney World, 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.

Photo: Disney

LEGO Batman and KIDZ BOP Lead Unparalleled Lineup of Special Events at LEGOLAND Florida Resort in 2017

By

Chip

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December 30, 2016

Gotham City’s Caped Crusader kicks off an awesome lineup of special events at LEGOLAND^® Florida Resort in 2017, promising plenty of fun, fireworks and festivities at the popular vacation destination, including twoall-new events.

Whether it’s fan-focused celebrations of blockbuster properties like “The LEGO^®Batman™ Movie” and LEGO Star Wars™, an exclusive KIDZ BOP concert series or a unique spin on special occasions like Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, LEGOLAND Florida Resort offers an incredible calendar of kid-centric events that bring to life the limitless creativity of the LEGO brand.

Here’s what’s happening in 2017, our awesomest year ever:

The LEGO Batman™ Movie Days – March 4-5 & 11-12; new this year!

Super hero. Crime-fighter. Master Builder. LEGO Batman™ is all of those and so much more. Come meet Gotham City’s Caped Crusader during this celebration of the Warner Bros. feature film, which will include photo ops with the scene-stealing star, a themed scavenger hunt and LEGO Batman™-inspired LEGO build activities.

KIDZ BOP Weekend – April 28-30; new this year!

The No. 1 music brand for kids will deliver three days of high-energy fun during this inaugural event exclusive to LEGOLAND Florida Resort. Come see The KIDZ Bop Kids live in concert at The KIDZ Bop Theater as part of their 2017 tour, including songs from the forthcoming “KIDZ BOP 34” album and their version of the LEGO NINJAGO^® theme song, “The Weekend Whip.”

LEGO Star Wars™ Days – May 6-7 & 13-14; two weekends this year!

Visit a galaxy far, far away during this Lucasfilm-authorized event, which features some of the most famous scenes from theStar Wars™ saga made out of 1.5 million LEGO bricks in our LEGO Star Wars™ MINILAND Model Display. Activities will include appearances by costumed Star Wars™ fans, LEGO building activities inspired by Star Wars™ characters, settings and stories, and a Star Wars™-themed costume parade for kids. It’s the only LEGO Star Wars™ theme park event in Florida!

LEGOLAND Knight Lights – Select dates in July, including Tuesday, July 4

When the sun goes down, the fun goes up during our signature summertime event, exclusive to LEGOLAND Florida Resort! The Good Knight offers extended park hours, uniquely LEGO light displays, opportunities to build alongside our Master Model Builders and meet-and-greet opportunities with one of the heroes of LEGO NEXO KNIGHTS™! Plus, enjoy a spectacular themed fireworks show over Lake Eloise to end the night, with a special patriotic show planned for the Fourth of July.

Firefighter Fridays – October 6, 13, 20 and 27

The National Fire Protection Association returns for our annual kickoff of NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week and a month-long celebration of real-life heroes. The event includes fun, educational activities that teach kids the importance of fire safety, plus opportunities to meet firefighters who keep our community safe.

Brick or Treat – Select dates in October

Our annual, all-day Halloween event promises lots of spooky, kooky fun throughout the theme park, including larger-than-life LEGO models, a costume parade, multiple LEGO build activities, trick-or-treating (with lots of candy!), exclusive LEGO character meet-and-greets, a Halloween-themed fireworks show, and much more!

Christmas Bricktacular – Select dates in December

Join us for lots of festive fun throughout the theme park as we celebrate the season with a giant Christmas tree made of thousands of LEGO and DUPLO^® bricks, holiday-themed scavenger hunts and LEGO building activities, meet-and-greets with LEGO Santa and LEGO Toy Soldier, sparkling lights, beautiful decorations and even the occasional snow flurry! Plus, each date ends with a not-so-silent-night fireworks spectacular choreographed to classic holiday music.

Kids’ New Year’s Eve – Sunday, December 31 only

Ring in the New Year with our one-night-only party built for kids, featuring an exclusive dance party, park-wide LEGO building activities and special entertainment, and an awesome fireworks show that kicks off with the countdown to our giant LEGO “brick drop” – all before midnight!

All events are full-day experiences included with all forms of park admission and offer incredible entertainment and great value. No extra ticket required!

The best way to enjoy this incredible lineup of events is with our Awesome Annual Pass, which offers unlimited admission for a whole year to both LEGOLAND Florida theme park and LEGOLAND Water Park, along with many other great benefits. It’s a terrific value at just $99 plus tax for Florida residents.

Meanwhile, more than 50 rides, shows and attractions inspired by the LEGO and DUPLO brands can be found at the place where #AwesomeAwaits, including experiences based on “The LEGO Movie™,” LEGO NINJAGO, LEGO NEXO KNIGHTS, LEGO City, LEGO Technic and LEGO Friends.

For more information about visiting LEGOLAND Florida Resort, including savings on advance purchase of admission tickets, multi-tier annual passes, educational programs, services for guests with disabilities, VIP Experiences, Premium Upgrades, military discounts, on-site accommodations and much more, visit www.LEGOLAND.com/florida, or call (877) 350-5346.

Get Imperial Style with Loungefly Death Trooper Accessories

By

Danielle

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December 29, 2016

Come to the Dark Side, we have cookies, and purses! I have to say I was very impressed with the Death Troopers in Rogue One, first they weren’t as bumbling as our hapless Stormtroopers tend to be, and second, they looked pretty wicked cool in all black! What better way to show off some awesome Imperial style than with Loungefly Death Trooper Accessories from ThinkGeek!

Death Trooper Mini Dome Vegan Leather Bag

Let this Death Trooper Mini Dome Vegan Leather Bag from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story reveal the black of your soul. Well, and the fluorescent green bits, too. It’ll hold your ID cards, your credits, and your phone so you can call up your buddy when you can’t understand the comm and be like, “What’d he say? Oh yeah, and are we on for poker Saturday? Ring me back after this firefight.”

Death Trooper Vegan Leather Wallet

The Death Trooper Vegan Leather Wallet features an outline of the elite Death Trooper in a black with yellow trim wallet. Plenty of pockets for all your trooper needs. Show your allegiance to The Empire every time you need to pull out some credits to pay for things.

Would you strut your Imperial style with Death Trooper Accessories from Loungefly?

Stack Stack in the New Year with the Tsum Tsum 2017 Wall Calendar

By

Danielle

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December 29, 2016

What better way to ring in the New Year, than with the cutest stackable characters around, Tsum Tsums! Many of us Disney Addicts counted down the days to Christmas with the delightful Tsum Tsum Advent Calendar. Now, we can stack stack the whole year with the Tsum Tsum 2017 Wall Calendar!

Stack em up, collect em all! We cant resist collecting Disney’s precious plush, adorable vinyl figures or playing the game. The sixteen-month Tsum Tsum wall calendar features 12 colorful spreads filled with all of our favorite Tsum Tsum characters, to highlight each month in 2017. It also has the last four months of 2016. Each calendar page is printed in full color on FSC-certified paper.

Will you stack ’em up high and have a cute New Year with the Tsum Tsum 2017 Wall Calendar?

‘Star Wars’ Fans Honor Carrie Fisher With Lightsaber Tribute At Downtown Disney

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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December 29, 2016

oixjw0-b88867455z-120161228204352000gbsks7cv-10 — (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

An impromptu honoring of Carrie Fisher happened in Downtown Disney Wednesday night. Light sabers were held upward as fans of Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia in the “Star Wars” movies, honored her memory.

“Carrie Fisher has meant so much to so many people I felt she deserved it,” said event organizer Jeff Rowan of Anaheim. “So has her mom, Debbie Reynolds.” Fisher died Tuesday and her mother, Debbie Reynolds, died Wednesday.

Nearly 100 people bearing light sabers of various colors showed up near Tortilla Jo’s restaurant for the event, which was organized on Twitter and Facebook. They lit up their sabers at 7 p.m.

It was Jordan Paul’s first visit to Disneyland. He bought a light saber as a souvenir after riding Star Tours. “I found out that Debbie Reynolds (Fisher’s mother) died today. It was so sad so I found out about this on Twitter and had to be here,” he said.

Julie Steele of Lake Elsinore was there with her daughter and grandkids, who had their light sabers. “It was very sad. First Carrie, then Debbie (Reynolds),” she said. “I watched a lot of Debbie’s movies growing up.”

Rowan said that something like this was supposed to happen last night inside Disneyland, but when it didn’t, he decided to organize Wednesday night’s event. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think this many would show up,” Rowan said.

Photos by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG

Over 50 Disney Movies Will Be Added To Hulu This Year

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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December 29, 2016

Hulu, the subscription video on-demand service that is known for allowing viewers watch television shows, recently has been expanding the number of movies on their site. Hulu viewers now have access to stream more Disney films like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Mulan, Pocahontas, Hercules, and Sister Act.

In total, 56 Disney movies will be available to the service. Other movies include The Mighty Ducks, Con Air, Step Up, Gone in 60 Seconds, Pearl Harbor, and Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. Overall, it seems that Hulu’s focus was to team with Disney to include more family-friendly movies in their service, but the addition did include some dramas and thrill movies as well. Disney continues to be at the forefront of the digital streaming industry with their partnership with Hulu, and also Netflix as well. Increasingly people are cutting away from having a cable bill, and many are switching over to subscription services like Hulu and Netflix. This has led to Disney, and many of the other major studios, creating partnerships with these services.

Disney World updating park maps for the new year

By

Chip

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December 29, 2016

Disney is debuting new park maps starting on January 1st for Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

The new park maps will feature Seven Dwarf Mine Train, Test Track and Chewbacca.

The gossip I have heard is that Animal Kingdom will get a new guide map when Disney can fix the issues they are having with Rivers of Light.

Time will only tell.

Yeeha Bob in a car accident will return New Years Eve

By

Chip

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December 29, 2016

Last night Yeehaw Bob posted on his facebook page that he was in a car accident on the way to his show.

Here is his post:

I was on my way to the show tonight when suddenly I found myself in an ambulance on my way to the hospital. I was rear-ended. Nothing is broken, but I’m going to have to stay home a couple of nights. I plan on being on stage New Year’s Eve.

YeeHaw Bob has been bringing laughter and music to audiences at Walt Disney World for more than nineteen years. Bob was awarded the Disney Legacy Award in 2013. Bob combines his great boogie woogie piano skills with comedy and singalong to create a unique audience-interactive experience.

Yeehaw Bob performs nightly at the Port Orleans Riverside Resort.

Have you seen him?