Spectacular 3D Crystal Disney Puzzles

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July 18, 2016

Puzzles, especially Disney puzzles are a fun way to pass time, and have a new piece of art. These shiny 3D Crystal Disney Puzzles not only do that, but give you an even cooler Display when you’re done.

Tease your brain and delight your eyes with your favorite Disney characters in a fun three dimensional puzzle. Don’t be fooled! These puzzles are harder than they seem! Collect all your favorite Disney characters. You get to build, and then have a beautiful figure to display afterwards. These are amazing, because you only have so many walls to show off your regular ol’ jigsaw puzzles! BePuzzled is more than just jigsaw puzzles – it’s puzzle-plus.

Check out all the awesome Disney characters Available!

These would be a delightful way to spend a family night, or rainy day in!

The Disneyland Resort Announces “Happiest Class on Earth” Program

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 18, 2016

The announcement was made last Friday that Disneyland will be giving back to the community, for the next ten years they will be giving away free Disneyland park hopper tickets to every 6^th grader in public or private school in Anaheim who does something to benefit their community.

The new program, “Happiest Class on Earth: Anaheim 6th Graders Making a Difference” is how Disneyland is celebrating it 61st anniversary year!

Jill Bolton, director of corporate citizenship at Disneyland said:

“Sixth grade is a great year to help inspire students to give back to their community through service,”

Disney Ambassador Allie Kawamoto and Mickey Mouse made the announcement today to Horace Mann Elementary School in Anaheim student. All of the students were excited by this news especially the near 120 sixth graders.

Watch the video here:

Students will be able to decide what is needed for their community and if they will work alone or in a group. Each school also will be given a suggested list of good deeds that can be done by their students. There are many projects students can chose to do such as organizing a school-wide playground cleanup, recycling on campus, volunteering at a senior center or organizing group activities with students who have disabilities just to name a few.

This is a great way to reward children for doing great things for their community and teach them that helping others is a great way to live.

photo credit: disneyparks.com

World Class Dining, Unique Shopping and Nightly Entertainment at Disney Springs

By

Chip

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July 18, 2016

This summer Disney Springs is the place to be by day and by night! With a Grand Opening Summer Celebration taking place all season long, Disney Springs features an array of hard-to-pass-up deals and a variety of delectable new dining options at the newest neighborhood–Town Center, plus free nightly entertainment featuring more than 20 different acts performing across all four neighborhoods – The Marketplace, Westside, The Landing, and Town Center.

Wrapped in Florida-inspired, made-for-strolling promenades, arcing footbridges, flowing streams and waterfront charm, Disney Springs treats Walt Disney World Resort guests to an exciting blend of shopping, dining and entertainment with a Disney touch. By day or night guests can expect a vibrant scene at Disney Springs, whether they are shopping world-class brands, enjoying high-quality entertainment, having that special dining experience, pleasure boating on Village Lake or hopping a balloon skyward for spectacular views of Walt Disney World and beyond.

Now and every day, guests can enjoy the benefits of a dramatically transformed exciting new waterfront district for world-class shopping, unique dining, and high-quality entertainment featuring more than 150 establishments across its four neighborhoods.

Discover Disney Springs like never before! Here are just a few of the highlights:

Town Center – Spectacular Shopping and Award-winning chefs

Some of the most unique and recognizable names in retail such as UNIQLO, Vince Camuto, Anthropologie, Zara, Lilly Pulitzer, Columbia Sportswear, LACOSTE, Under Armour, kate spade new york, Sephora and Oakley all call Town Center home.
Among new dining choices awaiting Town Center guests are restaurants developed by James Beard award-winning chefs. Frontera Cocina serves up gourmet Mexican cuisine and creative cocktails from the menu envisioned by celebrity chef Rick Bayless, a six-time James Beard Foundation winner. Chef Art Smith, two-time winner of the James Beard Award brings a unique taste of gourmet southern cuisine and Florida agriculture to the heart of Disney Springs with Homecoming Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine.

The Landing – Inspired dining, breathtaking waterfront views, and unique boutiques

High-quality retailers including Erwin Pearl for fashion jewelry and Havaianas for sandals are found along lantern-lined byways.
Dine off a shipshape menu at The BOATHOUSE or enjoy, at Morimoto Asia, Pan-Asian cuisine from celebrity chef Matsaharu Morimoto, of Iron Chef fame. STK Orlando offers guests a fine dining experience set in chic, contemporary surroundings. Finish off the evening with a relaxing stroll to grab a signature gelato at Vivoli Gelateria or a crafted cocktail at Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar.

The Marketplace — Family-friendly delights for guests of all ages

Beautiful waterside shopping that combines new experiences such as an over-the-water pedestrian causeway, along with classic Disney favorites, including an expanded new Bibbity Bobbity Boutique inside the newly re-designed World of Disney store.
Nearby, the new Lime garage makes getting to the Marketplace a breeze

The West Side – Exuberant entertainment retail and dining options

From new acts at Cirque du Soleil to iconic restaurants to colorful food trucks to bowling with a stylized twist at Splitsville, West Side offers something for everyone. There is even the opportunity to lift off in a tethered balloon. Characters in Flight rises from the banks of Village Lake for eye-popping, 360-degree views (on a clear day you can see Florida’s east coast).

Two new slot-smart parking decks where green lights indicate available spaces make parking convenient to the entire Disney Springs scene – and it’s free. Valet parking also is available. Disney Springs is easily accessed from I-4, Central Florida’s major interstate, and connected to the rest of Walt Disney World Resort by motor coach and watercraft.

Polite Pig to Open in Disney Springs in 2017

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 18, 2016

Disney released some more information today about the newest restaurant to be added to Disney Springs, The Polite Pig, that we mentioned last week.

The Polite Pig will bring a new twist on favorite local flavors to Disney Springs when it opens in spring 2017. A sister restaurant to The Ravenous Pig of Winter Park, FL, The Polite Pig will feature a variety of wood-fired smoked and grilled items as well as an innovative beverage program that serves all drinks on tap, including locally-brewed Cask & Larder beer, wine and cocktails.

Owners and James Beard award nominees James and Julie Petrakis are partnering with James’ brother (who operates another popular Orlando-area eatery, Greens & Grille) to open the new restaurant, located in the Town Center neighborhood of Disney Springs. The 5,000-square-foot venue will be open daily for lunch and dinner, with seating for about 200 guests.

“As a locally-based restaurant group, it’s great to bring our new concept to Disney Springs where we’ll have the opportunity to showcase genuine Florida cuisine for guests from around the world,” James Petrakis said. “With so many talented chefs opening new restaurants at Disney Springs, we’re really excited to be part of a group helping Central Florida distinguish itself as a world-class culinary destination.”

We’re looking forward to another great place to dine at the Walt Disney World resort, how about you?

If you’re unsure of where to begin planning your Disney Parks vacation, 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. Contact me today at [email protected] for a free quote, or you can find me on my facebook page here.

Disney Springs Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming Offers Farmhouse Atmosphere and Comfort Food

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Lisette R

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July 18, 2016

Are you looking to find some home-cooked comfort food with a farmhouse atmosphere during your next visit to the Walt Disney World Resort? Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine opened in The Landing section of Disney Springs on July 12th and is an excellent lunch or dinner option. From the Bee Haven Bay Fried Green Tomatoes, to Art’s Fabulous Fried Chicken and Shine Cake, you are sure to find something that will tempt your palate. The main dining room offers a family dining atmosphere while the Shine Bar has a more relaxed atmosphere with patio seating and walk-up bar.

The menu offers comfort food items with a southern flair. Enjoy a signature starter to begin your meal enjoyment. You may find yourself hard-pressed to choose just one entrée, but be sure to leave room for some amazing dessert.

The atmosphere focuses on an old farmhouse theme. If you choose to have your meal in the main dining room, be sure to check out the wood beams along the ceiling, the open-kitchen, the lighting fixtures, and the fun decorative elements reminiscent of being in an old farmhouse. While this restaurant has a southern style, it brought back some fond memories of eating with family in my uncle’s old farmhouse kitchen in Maine.

If you are looking for a smaller, more relaxed atmosphere, you may want to head into the Shine Bar for patio seating. This area offers an excellent view of the Disney Springs and will likely become a very popular location in the evenings. The walk-up bar along the patio also offers seating and you can order menu items as well. The patio is completely screened while offering views of the Disney Springs and the surrounding area.

Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming is on the Disney Dining Plan, requiring one table service credit per person. For now, this is a walk-in-seating restaurant, however they will begin taking reservations on August 15th.

Do you think Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming will be a good dining option for your family on your next visit to the Walt Disney World Resort? Please leave your comments in the box below.

Disneyland lays off unknown number of employees

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Disney News

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July 17, 2016

Disneyland in Anaheim, California has let an undisclosed number of employees go from their global sales and marketing team earlier this week according to the OC Register. The sales and marketing team is responsible for the promoting of Disney’s parks and resorts throughout the world.

A Disneyland Spokesman, Suzi Brown said “We continue to refine our global-marketing-and-sales team structure as we look for more ways to exceed our consumers’ expectations,”

No other information was available at present time.

Disneyland the Most Magical Place on Earth opened 61 years ago today

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 17, 2016

61 years ago, on July 17th, Walt Disney’s dream of opening a new concept of family entertainment had reached its reality. The highly anticipated opening of Disneyland was televised in a live broadcast on ABC, watched by 90 million viewers. At that time there were only five themed lands with twenty total attractions, and the opening day was fraught with problems.

50,000 recorded visitors entered the park that day. Many, many more than anyone had expected. Adults were passing their children over the heads of guests to get on the carousel, women’s high heels were sinking into the freshly poured asphalt on Main Street, attractions were breaking down left and right, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. An Orange County plumber’s strike forced Walt to choose between available water fountains or working public toilets (Walt wisely chose the toilets!). Despite a horrendous opening day Walt was not discouraged and not deterred in his vision. He knew Disneyland was a special and magical place. It still is for millions of people.

Now in 2016 what started as a single special park of Disneyland has grown into something larger than life. Six themed parks, Adventures by Disney, the Disney cruise line, and the Aulani resort in Hawaii. I wonder if Walt knew all that when he said, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination in the world.” Although Disneyland started as a bumpy ride it now represents, at least for me, a wondrous happy place where I can escape to be myself and enjoy life with youthful abandon. Thanks, Walt, for pursuing your dreams.

What does Disneyland mean to you?

xxx

New Concept Art From Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy 2

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 17, 2016

The Guardians of the Galaxy are back for part two and according to the concept art there are some exciting changes and additions. We will still see fan favorites Drax, Groot, Yondu, Star-Lord, Rocket, Nebula, and Gamora, but there’s someone new.

The new female character is Mantis, played by actress Pom Klementieff (Spike Lee’s Oldboy). “She has never really experienced social interaction,” says executive producer Jonathan Schwartz. “Everything she learns about dealing with people, she learns from the Guardians of the Galaxy, which is a very weird group to learn your social intricacies from.”

Along with the addition of Mantis, there will be a change to the familiar character, Groot. According to Schwartz, “He doesn’t have the wisdom and experience of that Groot. He’s a younger Groot and a more rambunctious Groot. The question is, is he the same Groot, just smaller? Or is he a different Groot that’s sprung up from the seed of the first Groot?”

I guess the only way to find that out is to see the movie when it comes out. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 is scheduled to hit theaters May 5, 2017.

Delightfully Evil Disney Villains Book

By

Danielle

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July 17, 2016

Disney Villains have been a pop culture favorite for years. What is the inspiration for these dastardly baddies? In this Disney Villains Book, The author Jen Darcy takes us on a trip through the inspiration, creation and fascination of our favorites foes.

The book Disney Villains: Delightfully Evil explores the dark side of our fairy tale stories. The greatest heroes must face the greatest villains. For decades, Walt Disney and Pixar have offered up some of the most iconic and malevolent villains. Disney Villains: Delightfully Evil showcases rare concept art and photographs and explores the villains’ creative origins, roles within the stories, and influences on and within pop-culture. The deluxe package collects villains by themes such as vain, family, royalty, instincts, and more.

This looks like a really fun and intriguing book for fans of Disney Villains, what do you think?

Sprinkles Offers Free Cupcakes with Purchase of Ice Cream in Honor of National Ice Cream Day

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 17, 2016

Sprinkles Cupcakes is offering a sweet deal in honor of National Ice Cream Day on July 17th. Order two ice cream sundaes and score two free cupcakes now through July 31st!

Sprinkles opened at Disney Springs in May and features cupcakes, ice cream and cookies that are handcrafted from the finest ingredients. The store is open daily from 10am to midnight and the unique Cupcake ATM operates from 8am until 2am daily.

The Cupcake ATM is one of the bakery’s most popular offerings, with Sprinkles at Disney Springs being the 12th ATM location. The Cupcake ATM can hold up to 400 cupcakes at a time and is constantly restocked throughout the day to ensure freshness. The Cupcake ATM will also carry dog-friendly cupcakes.

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Disney Destination vacation. It costs nothing extra to book through an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner such as MickeyTravels and it can help save you both time and money.

Photo Credit: Sprinkles

Early Registration Available for Select 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Events!

By

Chip

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July 17, 2016

Embark on a culinary adventure celebrating over 20 years of culture and cuisine with the finest wine and beverage offerings at the 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, presented by CHASE, taking place September 14, 2016 to November 14, 2016. Beginning Tuesday, July 19, 2016, DVC Members can take advantage of special offers and early registration for culinary demonstrations and beverage seminars!

Enhance your festival experience by learning from world-renowned chefs, master sommeliers and esteemed cocktail creators from across the country during one of the available culinary demonstrations and beverage seminars. Each session, lasting 45-minutes, lets you pick up a few expert tips and, best of all, taste the demonstrated dishes and sample the selected beverages! Disney Vacation Club Members and their Guests can take advantage of a $2 discount as well as advanced registration for these sessions beginning next Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Sessions are offered daily, at multiple times throughout the day and take place at the Festival Center. For details on available culinary demonstrations and beverage seminars, including dates, please visit here.

Give your senses an all-new outlook with the sights, sounds, scents and tastes showcased at Party for the Senses, a specialty culinary event at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Members and their Guests are invited to take part in extra-special event nights, available on October 8, 2016 and October 28, 2016, both with early entry and reserved seating available only to them and their Guests. Join Disney Chefs in a flavorful celebration where you will be guided through tasting stations to sample featured cuisine. This year, each event night will showcase a different culinary theme:

October 8, 2016: Enjoy a taste of Disney Springs with delicious signature creations from their new restaurants and bars. Dine while also enjoying various entertainment acts that are offered daily at this new location.
October 28, 2016: Celebrate Halloween in elegant style during a festive masquerade setting. Explore the culinary stations featuring delectable menu items paired with champagne, wine, craft beers and specialty cocktails. Invoke all of your senses as you dine while enjoying alluring music with magnificent visuals.

New this year to the festival is Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It, a master mixology, cake decorating and culinary technique event. Members can also enjoy advanced reservations for this all-new event.To make reservations for any of the above events, please contact Member Services at (800) 800-9800 beginning Tuesday, July 19, 2016. All other reservations for events at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will be available beginning July 21, 2016.

Theme Park Admission is required and not included.

UNIQLO Adds Much-Anticipated Disney Vibe to Disney Springs Town Center

By

Lisette R

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July 17, 2016

The newly opened UNIQLO store is adding a fresh, and much-anticipated, Disney vibe to the Town Center area of Disney Springs located at Walt Disney World. UNIQLO and Disney have collaborated and developed their Magic For All and Disney Project collections. UNIQLO offers exclusive Mickey Mouse plush, Disney-themed umbrellas and totes, and clothing for infants, children, men and women. The store also has fun in-store events like calligraphy, spin-the-wheel, and origami.

Children and adults alike will love the exclusive Mickey Mouse UNIQLO plush project. These adorable plush are made from soft, quality materials that are durable, and are sure to be a hit with all age groups. I spoke with a woman in line and she told me she could not decide which one she wanted so she was buying three of them for herself and one for her grandchild.

For infants, UNIQLO has developed their first-ever Disney printed four piece gift set containing a bodysuit, two bibs and a hat. There are many Disney and Pixar printed t-shirts for children featuring iconic characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Buzz and Woody to name a few. Men will enjoy the Mickey + Friends Summer Collection for men, Star Wars and Marvel t-shirts, and selections from The Mickey 100 Project. Women might like the Disney Collection City Logo Series, the Alice in Wonderland Collection, or the Mickey + Friends Summer Collection for women. They will also find Disney-themed slippers, totes, and umbrellas.

I visited the store during their grand opening on July 15th. A lady specializing in calligraphy was writing people’s names for them in Japanese as a special event in-store. She wrote “Chip and Company” for me and she explained that Japanese is written top to bottom and right to left. I was also able to spin-the-wheel for the chance at a prize. You can win money off your purchase, origami, or Japanese candy. This was quite fun and I won origami after my spin of the wheel. The origami presentations were scheduled for later in the day and I was not able to see that. Be sure to ask, when you visit, if they have any special demonstrations, or events, going on the day of your visit.

The Disney and UNIQLO collaboration collections are bringing a magical Disney vibe, something that many fans have been looking for, to the Disney Springs Town Center at the Walt Disney World Resort. Disney and UNIQLO have added fresh insight to the idea of keeping the fairytales, and the dreams, alive in the hearts of many.