Ample Hills Creamery at Disney’s Boardwalk To Extend It’s Hours in April & May

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April 16, 2017

Good news for you ice cream lovers heading to Disney World over the next month, Ample Hills Creamery located at Disney’s Boardwalk will be extending its operating hours for the next month (April 14 – May 14, 2017). The new hours will be from 12pm – 11pm daily, providing guests with even more opportunities to enjoy a midday snack while strolling the Boardwalk or for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Epcot to enjoy an amazing selection of tasty treats.

Guests to this turn-of-the century ice cream parlor can sample as many flavors as you like before tucking into your favorite and with over 16 signature ice cream flavors on hand you’ll be spoiled for choice. The Creamery also offers homemade milkshakes, delectable sundaes, root beer floats, as well as six different ice cream cone options ranging from the classic waffle cone to more experimental options like the pretzel cone!

For a look at the menu click here.

So bring your sweet tooth and beat the heat by heading over to Disney’s Boardwalk and sampling some of the amazing ice cream options on offer!

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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 resort 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.

Image copyright Disney.

New Security Checkpoints Provide a Better Flow Into Magic Kingdom

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Lisette R

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April 16, 2017

If you have visited the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, in the recent past, then you know the challenges everyone faced with getting through the Security Checkpoints to the right and left of the entrance. When you visit today, you will find something quite different. The new Security Checkpoints are now providing a better flow of traffic into the Magic Kingdom.

If you are walking to the Magic Kingdom from The Contemporary Resort, your Security Checkpoint will be along The Contemporary Resort Walkway.

Traveling from the Polynesian Village Resort, and The Grand Floridian, by monorail? Your Security Checkpoint will be just prior to boarding the Resort Monorail. If you are traveling by Monorail from The Contemporary, your Security Checkpoint will be prior to going up the escalator to the hop aboard the Resort Monorail.

When you travel by Resort Boat, from Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian Village Resort, The Grand Floridian and The Contemporary you will have your Security Checkpoint along the dock as you disembark from your boat.

When you arrive by Resort Bus, or Disney Bus Transportation, you will pass through a Security Checkpoint prior to entering the Main Entrance to The Magic Kingdom.

Certainly the location that sees the most foot traffic is the Transportation and Ticket Center. If you arrive from the Magic Kingdom Parking Lot via a Tram, or just by walking, you must go through the Security Checkpoint before heading to the Express Monorail or the Ferryboats. When traveling from Epcot, aboard the Monorail, your Security Checkpoint is at the entrance to Epcot.

For now the former Security Checkpoints appear abandoned, and almost ghostly, as a reminder of days past. Later in the day, these checkpoints have been reduced to serving as shade structures for Magic Kingdom guests looking to take a break from the Central Florida Sunshine.

Many were skeptical about the pending changes to the Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom security. We at Chip and Company have seen the positive impact, and the improvement to the safety and security of guests visiting the Walt Disney World’s most visited park. The new Security Checkpoints are proving to be very effective at providing a better flow into the Magic Kingdom.

What do you think of the new Security Checkpoints for the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom? Please leave your comments in the box below.

New Planet Coming to ‘Star Tours’ Rides

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 15, 2017

On the heels of the release of the teaser for the upcoming Star Wars movie, “The Last Jedi,” we are learning that the planet featured in the movie will be added to both “Star Tours” attractions at Hollywood Studios and Disneyland. The announcement was made by Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald at the Star Wars Celebration going on this weekend in Orlando.

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You can visit Star Wars: The Last Jedi’s Planet Crait with Star Tours! https://t.co/DwQchrsCG5 pic.twitter.com/8nZT2SLmZp

— Jason Ward (@MakingStarWars) April 15, 2017

The planet Crait, featured in the next installment of the Star Wars franchise, appears to show a desolate planet of rock and sand.

We can expect to see the new scene featuring the new planet added to the attractions in late 2017.

Let’s start planning your next trip to take on Star Tours or a visit to any other Disney Destination! Fill out the form below form below 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 1.954.401.9577, via email at [email protected], or follow along on Facebook.

Disney World Files Permits for Food & Wine Festival, Hollywood Studios and Caribbean Beach Resort

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 15, 2017

According to a piece fun by the Orlando Business Journal , Walt Disney World has applied for a series of permits related to upcoming festivals and expansions. The permits provide an exciting taste of what will be happening at the Walt Disney World Resort in the weeks and months ahead.

Fans of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival will be pleased to know that Disney has applied for permits for this years event which will run from August 31 – November 13, 2017. The permit suggests that Disney has begun to provide labor, materials and electrics for what will shape up to be the Food and Wine kiosks. The venues listed as part of this year’s festival include: Scotland, New Zealand, Ireland, Belgium, the Caribbean, Patagonia and Brazil. There also appears to be two new offerings: one called Chocolate and the other “Sustainable Chew.”.

With a sizable refurbishment planned over at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, its no surprise that Disney has applied for permits for what is being dubbed “CB Area Development”. Changes to this much-loved moderate resort in the months ahead will included additions to the Centertown Marketplace as well as the addition of a new waterfront dining area.

Finally, the Orlando Business Journal points to a permit for an update to Disney’s “Project D” over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The project remains a bit of a mystery but may be referring to the exciting Star Wars land/expansion which is currently underway.

Readers are encouraged to watch this space for the latest news and updates on all of these exciting projects.

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 resort 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.

New details on Star Wars Land from Disney Parks Imagineers and Lucasfilm

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Chip

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April 15, 2017

Great news! Today at Star Wars Celebration in Orlando Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Imagineering release new details, concept art and even a video talking about their collaboration together on Star Wars Land for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. All those in attendance were able to hear and see the new details on this new experience coming to the Disney Theme Parks.

Here’s an exclusive look at a video shared at today’s event which gives some insight into this incredible collaboration.

The team shared exciting new details about the story behind this mysterious destination somewhere on the Outer Rim — lying on the edge of the Unknown Regions. The remote village was once a busy crossroads along the old sub-lightspeed trade routes, but the prominence of the outpost has been bypassed with the rise of hyperspace travel. Now home to those who prefer less attention, it has become a thriving port for smugglers, rogue traders and adventurers traveling between the frontier and uncharted space. It’s also a convenient safe-haven for others intent on avoiding the expanding reach of the First Order.

Unusual characters from across the galaxy have landed here, preferring the “no questions asked” environment as well as easy access to exotic supplies and an abundant supply of ready rogues looking to join a crew for their next adventure.

Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger announced last month that the Star Wars-themed lands are scheduled to open in 2019. There will be more exciting updates to share as work progresses on each of these lands.

Source

Carrie Fisher Will Not Appear In Star Wars Episode IX

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 15, 2017

An outstanding bit of news was finally clarified at the Star Wars Celebration. In an interview, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said that Fisher won’t be in the as yet un-named 9th film in the Skywalker saga.

Carrie Fisher had filmed all her scenes for Episode VIII (The Last Jedi), before her death. Last week Fisher’s brother Todd had told the New York Daily News that the family had been asked and had given Lucasfilms permission to use previous filmed footage of his sister in Episode IX.

“We finished everything in VIII and Carrie is absolutely phenomenal in the movie,” Kennedy told Good Morning America today, “and we’re so happy we were able to complete filming in the summer. Unfortunately, Carrie passed away [at a] time when we were well underway with Episode IX in our thoughts. We had not written a script yet. But we’ve regrouped. We started over again in January. Sadly, Carrie will not be in IX.”

EXCLUSIVE: Lucasfilm President Kathy Kennedy says Carrie Fisher will NOT be in @StarWars Episode 9 as General Leia. #SWCO #TheLastJedi pic.twitter.com/gxH80QteYb

— Good Morning America (@GMA) April 14, 2017

Lucasfilm had previously released a statement that there was no plan to use a computer generated version of Carrie Fisher for Episode IX.

We know that Colin Trevorrow, director of Episode IX, had said that Leia originally was supposed to have a larger role in the 9th movie than “The Last Jedi.” Kennedy stated, they hadn’t yet written the script for Episode IX, so they can deal with the tragic real life death in the best possible way. How they decide to deal with her absence is anyone’s guess, but knowing the respect and admiration the entire world has for General Organa and Carrie Fisher, I’m thinking it will be dealt with in a respectable and tasteful manner.

What are your thoughts about this news?

Thomas Kinkade Disney Little Mermaid Morphing Mug

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Danielle

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April 15, 2017

I’m so obsessed with these Thomas Kinkade morphing mugs! I of course needed to find one of my favorite princesses Ariel though. The Disney Little Mermaid Morphing Mug features a beautiful Thomas Kinkade painting or Ariel and Eric by the sea.

Like the other beautiful morphing mugs we’ve seen, this one is plain black, but reveals a gorgeous Thomas Kinkade painting with hot liquid is poured in. I love that this painting now only showcases Ariel and Eric, but you can see Sebastian and Max off to the side on land, and Flounder peeking up from the waves. Then of course on the other side we see King Triton and Ariel’s sisters as a boat sails off towards the horizon, while Skuttle flies in the air with a flock of seagulls. These mugs are just so fun and magical, I can’t get enough!

What do you think of this Thomas Kinkade Disney Little Mermaid Morphing Mug?

Heroines Of Star Wars + Forces Of Destiny Panel Photos!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 15, 2017

Star Wars Celebration keeps getting awesome. Moderated by Amy Ratcliffe (host of “Lattes with Leia” podcast), fans in attendance enjoyed a conversation about strong female characters central to the Star Wars universe and how they have inspired generations of fans. Panelists included: Dave Filioni (executive producer Star Wars Rebels), Ashley Eckstein (“Ahsoka Tano”), Tiya Sircar (“Sabine Wren”) and surprise guest Daisy Ridley (“Rey”). The three actresses were surprised on stage with the reveal of their new Adventure Figures by Hasbro from the just-announced Star Wars Forces of Destiny. As part of the reveal, fans were treated to a sneak peek at the first animated Forces of Destiny short, which will launch on Disney YouTube in July 2017.

Star Wars Forces of Destiny is new initiative celebrating the inspiring stories of iconic heroes from across the Star Wars universe. An original micro-series of animated shorts (each 2-3 minutes in length) will explore exciting, all new adventures of key characters including Rey, Jyn Erso, Sabine Wren, Princess Leia, Ahsoka Tano and others, ahead of books and a TV special later in the year. The stories will also be supported by a line of toys from Hasbro, including new ‘Adventure Figures’ – a fusion between traditional dolls and action figures, creating a whole new way to play Star Wars.

New Jim Shore Disney Traditions Figment Figurine and Signing Event

By

Danielle

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April 15, 2017

As a HUGE fan of Figment, I am so excited to see that Disney has announced a brand new Jim Shore Disney Traditions Figment Figurine! On top of that, there will also be a signing event featuring the talented folk artist himself, Jim Shore!

Jim will be on hand in Walt Disney World for a special appearance and signing, May 12th and May 13th 2017 to celebrate the release of his latest piece “Figment”. This new figure of Figment stands 6” high, and is crated with stone resin. This figure has the look of carved wood which is a signature style of Jim Shore. This hand-painted imaginative Figment piece features incised quilt and rosemaling patterning which is another characteristic of Jim Shore designs.

Jim Shore will be appearing Friday May 12, 2017 at Mouse Gear in Epcot from 10 am till 12 pm, and on Saturday May 13, 2017 at Art of Disney in Disney Springs from 10 am till 12 pm. I think it’s wonderful that Disney is having an in park, and out of park signing, so everyone can enjoy this event.

If you won’t be able to make it to either signing event, Disney also has you covered! A special pre-purchase opportunity is available for fans as well. You can be among the first to get this fanciful new Figment figure, even if you’re unable to make it to the event. You can order now through Wednesday, May 10 at 5:00 pm EST by using this link. Figment Figurines from the pre-sale will be pre-signed by the incredible artist Jim Shore as well! The figurine will retail for $45.00 plus tax, and is limited to 2 per guest.

If you’re a Figment fan, this is an exciting collectible to have! Are you excited for this all new Jim Shore Disney Traditions Figment Figurine and Signing Event?

BB-8 Now Greeting Guests at Hollywood Studios

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 15, 2017

BB-8, the loyal droid from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, has just begun greeting guests at park’s Star Wars Launch Bay.

BB-8 appears along with Kylo Ren and Chewbacca, two characters from the Star Wars galaxy who regularly greet guests at Star Wars Launch Bay. In addition to character greetings, the location also offers guests the chance to explore an impressive display of memorabilia and authentic replicas of large-scale Star Wars artifacts, including some from the latest film in the franchise, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Take a look at the video above to see BB-8 in action on his first day on the job at Hollywood Studios.

Here is yet another “must do” to add to my list at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Are you as excited as I am to meet the cutest Star Wars droid ever

Ready to head to a galaxy far far away and see BB-8? let’s plan your magical Disney Vacation today! As a contributor to Chip and Co. and an agent with MickeyTravels, LLC, I’d love to help you save time and money planning your next Disney vacation. My services are always FREE! Send me a message or email me at [email protected] and let’s start planning today. Follow me on Facebook for the latest Disney tips and tricks.

Rivers of Light Dining Packages Available at Tiffins in Animal Kingdom

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 15, 2017

Heading to Animal Kingdom this Summer to explore the new Pandora- The World of Avatar expansion when it opens on May 27th? Well then treat yourself to something special by making a reservation at Tiffins. Just steps away from the bridge that whisks you away to the magical world made famous by James Cameron’s Avatar franchise, Tiffins offers a delightful menu that will tantalize your taste-buds with World cuisine.

Best of all, Tiffins (along with character dining spot Tusker House) participates in the Rivers of Light Dining Package. This means that when you book your spot under the package, you are also given VIP access to one of the evening Rivers of Light performances. Guests won’t want to miss this breath-taking evening spectacular which features live performers, amazing special effects, water projections and wonderful music. Combined with a meal at Tiffins its promises to be a night your family won’t soon forget.

So next time you’re heading to Animal Kingdom, book your Rivers of Light dining package and enjoy a three-course meal including an appetizer, entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage. The package will set visitors back $67 per adult and $26 for children ages 3 to 9 or two table-service meal credits on the Disney Dining Plan.

For a peek at the menu click here.

Advanced reservations are essential and can be booked either via your My Disney Experience account or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Thinking about 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 resort 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.

Image copyright Disney.

“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” Panel Photos

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 14, 2017

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Panel at the 2017 Star Wars Celebration — ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 14: Mark Hamill, Kelly Marie Tran, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Rian Johnson, Kathleen Kennedy and Josh Gad (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Mark Hamill;Kelly Marie Tran;John Boyega;Daisy Ridley;Rian Johnson;Kathleen Kennedy;Josh Gad

Today’s Star Wars Celebration panel was hosted by surprise moderator, and Star Wars superfan Josh Gad. Fans in attendance were treated to an exciting look at the next episode in the Saga for the first time! Gad was joined on stage by Kathleen Kennedy, director Rian Johnson, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill, BB-8 and making her first appearance on the Celebration stage, Kelly Marie Tran.

Here are some pictures of the event!

“STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI” is in theaters December 15, 2017!

Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Disney