LegoLand Florida will be offering amazing deals Black Friday through Cyber Monday!

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November 17, 2016

Starting on Black Friday and continuing until Cyber Monday LegoLand will be offering amazing deals and discounts. That’s right — instead of one can’t-miss deal on each of the traditional days for extraordinary savings, the place #BuiltForKids is launching multiple, simultaneous offers on the day we’ve dubbed Brick Friday. Give the gift of fun with savings on everything from multiple-use tickets to annual passes, and stays at the popular LEGOLAND Hotel and the eagerly awaited LEGOLAND Beach Retreat.

Here’s what’s in store:

Visit twice and the second day is free!

Purchase a theme park ticket for the low price of $71 (plus tax) to enjoy all the festive fun of our annual holiday party, Christmas Bricktacular, then come back for free to “become the ninja” when the all-new LEGO^® NINJAGO^® World opens Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017!

This exclusive ticket only can be purchased online and cannot be combined with other offers or transferred to existing reservations. The first theme park visit must occur Dec. 17-18, 24-31, and the second visit must occur between Jan. 1 and April 6, 2017. Admission to LEGOLAND Water Park is not included. Maximum six tickets per purchase.

Get an Awesomer Annual Pass at the Awesome Pass price!

Purchase an Awesomer Annual Pass (valued at $149 plus tax) for the Awesome Annual Pass price of $99 plus tax — a $50 savings! Benefits include a year of unlimited admission to LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park, LEGOLAND Water Park, The Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando, SEA LIFE Aquarium Orlando, and Atlanta’s LEGOLAND Discovery Center.

You also get free parking, a collector’s edition welcome kit, early access to LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park, a 10 percent discount on theme park dining, retail purchases, stays at LEGOLAND Hotel and the all-new LEGOLAND Beach Retreat, VIP Experiences, Premium Upgrades and Premium Play Bands, plus $15 off theme park tickets for up to six guests.

The special $99 price is only available online and is valid only for new annual pass purchases and cannot be combined with other offers. Maximum six Awesomer Annual Passes per purchase. Please note that passes must be activated in person at the theme park within 60 days of purchase.

Annual passholders save big at LEGOLAND Hotel and LEGOLAND Beach Retreat!

Current annual passholders can save 30 percent off a stay at the “Five-Gazillion-Star” LEGOLAND Hotel, including all room types and themes, and the whimsical bungalows at LEGOLAND Beach Retreat, which is set to open in mid-2017. This unbeatable deal is valid for LEGOLAND Hotel stays from Jan. 1 through April 6, 2017, and for LEGOLAND Beach Retreat stays from June 1 through Sept. 3, 2017.

These discounts cannot be combined with other offers or transferred to existing reservations. An active annual pass must be presented at check-in to receive the discounted rate.

Stay awhile and save!

Meanwhile, through the end of December, non-passholders can take 20 percent off an exclusive room-and-ticket package for stays at LEGOLAND Hotel and LEGOLAND Beach Retreat.

Each package requires a minimum two-night stay and includes a two-day ticket to LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park per person, with the second day free! Admission to LEGOLAND Water Park is sold separately.

Stays at both accommodations include a buffet breakfast each morning for all guests listed on the reservation (not including check-in day) and exclusive early access to the theme park.

The 20 percent discount is available for LEGOLAND Hotel packages from Jan. 2 through May 26, 2017, and for LEGOLAND Beach Retreat packages from June 1 through Sept. 3, 2017. Be sure to check the resort’s operating calendar online before booking as the theme park is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays during select seasons.

The fine print

To be among the first to participate in these incredible deals, sign up now at www.LEGOLAND.com/brickfriday. Everyone signed up as of Thursday, Nov. 24 will receive an email with links to the eligible offers starting Friday, Nov. 25.

All offers are subject to limited availability and may sell out. Note that due to fraud protections, the same credit card cannot be used more than once within a 24-hour period, so shop wisely!

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

New Mobile Experiences out today for Disney’s Moana!

By

Chip

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November 17, 2016

As the countdown begins to the release of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana next Wednesday in 3D, Disney today announced the availability of new Moana mobile content, including a brand new rhythm adventure game, Moana: Rhythm Run. Additional Moana content is available now for Disney Stickers, Disney Crossy Road, Disney Emoji Blitz, Disney Story Central and Disney Jigsaw Puzzles!

Go on a journey with Moana: Rhythm Run

Moana: Rhythm Run is a premium mobile game that brings the beautiful music and thrilling adventure of Moana to life. Family-friendly and designed for fans of all ages, Moana: Rhythm Run lets players embark on a journey with their favorite adventurers through six captivating worlds. In this rhythm-based running game, players can tap along to the soundtrack – including three original compositions – to help Moana and Maui navigate land and sea, as they outrun villains and conquer obstacles in pursuit of the heart of Te Fiti.

Gameplay video can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/2gdsvvB

Moana: Rhythm Run is available now for purchase on the Apple App Store for $4.99 with additional in-app purchases and will be coming soon to the Google Play Store. More worlds and content will be available soon.

Bring the Adventure to iMessages with Moana Animated Sticker Pack

An all-new Moana animated sticker pack is available now on the App Store for iMessage. iPhone and iPad users on iOS 10 can add heroic adventures to their messages featuring characters from Moana, including Maui, Moana, Pua, Heihei and more. The Moana sticker pack includes three free stickers upon download, and 18 additional stickers for $1.99. The Disney Stickers Moana animated sticker pack is available now to download through the Apple App Store.

Moana Gets the Emoji Treatment with Disney Emoji Blitz

Starting today, players can collect Moana, Maui and Pua emojis in Disney Emoji Blitz. Blast the board with each emoji’s unique power-up, including special surprises from Maui.

Disney Emoji Blitz is available to download for free with in-app purchases on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Moana Goes 8-Bit in Disney Crossy Road

The adventure continues with Moana-inspired content rolling out in Disney Crossy Road, which lets players hop into the 8-bit version of Lalotai and explore the Realm of Monsters with new figurines, such as Moana, Maui, Pua, Heihei, Tamatoa and more. Players can collect shiny treasures along the road as they dodge frog monsters, eight-eyed bats and more unusual creatures, and they’ll also need to keep an eye out for water geysers that might shoot them back up to the human world. Disney Crossy Road is available for free with in-app purchases on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Windows Store and Amazon Appstore.

Disney Story Central Introduces Young Readers to the Tales of Moana

A variety of Moana stories is now available in Disney Story Central, the largest collection of Disney titles in one app. Moana books include “Beware the Kakamora,” “Moana and the Ocean,” “Where Monsters Live” and more. Books can be unlocked by purchasing tokens or with a Disney Story Central subscription. Disney Story Central is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Disney Jigsaw Puzzles! Adds New Moana Puzzles

Players will be able to solve new digital Moana puzzles, while re-living favorite moments from the film in Disney Jigsaw Puzzles! A pack of 15 puzzles is available now and additional puzzles will be added on Nov. 23, timed to the film’s release nationwide. Disney Jigsaw Puzzles! is available to download for free with in-app purchases on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Fuel Rod Kiosks Coming to Disney Resorts

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 17, 2016

In today’s age of technology, the one thing can ruin your day at the parks is having your cell phone battery die. In the last few months Disney has been adding more and more Fuel Rod kiosks in the parks, so it was only a matter of time before they added some kiosks to the resorts.

We hear from WDW News Today that all 3 All Star Resorts as well as Coronado Springs will be the first to get the new Fuel Rod Kiosks. Hopefullly this means that the rest of the resorts will eventually get kiosks as well, but we’ll let you know if we hear more.

Have you used this fantastic product yet on a trip to Disney Parks?

If you would like more information about visiting Disney Parks, 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.

Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Dessert Party & Fireworks Review

By

Lisette R

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November 17, 2016

Disney’s Hollywood Studios premiered its Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Dessert Party and Fireworks Show on Monday, November 7th. I was there for opening night to take part in these all-new experiences. Here is my Review of the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Dessert Party and Fireworks Show along with the offerings that made my “Naughty” vs. “Nice” List.

Upon my arrival to Disney’s Hollywood Studios I headed over to the Star Wars Stage in front of The Great Movie Ride. Check-in for the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Dessert Party began at 5:15pm. I was directed to the courtyard of The Great Movie Ride where the party would take place.

At the check-in location, I had to give my name for a Cast Member to check the list of guests. The tables and food stations were set up in the courtyard outside of The Great Movie Ride. Upon check-in, I was given a wristband and a pair of 3D HoloSpex Glasses. The festive set-up, the check-in process, the wristband, and the 3D HoloSpex Glasses all made my “Nice” List.

As I entered the courtyard I was offered a drink. There was a Non-Alcoholic Cranberry Punch, an Apple Cinnamon Cocktail, and a Gingerbread Martini. I decided on the Gingerbread Martini and it was excellent. This was my favorite drink of the night and it made my “Nice” List along with the Cranberry Punch. The Apple Cinnamon Cocktail was a bit strong and spicy for my taste so this drink offering made my “Naughty” List. If you drink too many of these, you may not remember viewing the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Fireworks Show that follows the Dessert Party.

There is a side-by-side bar located in the middle of the courtyard. In addition to the specialty drinks, they also serve soda, wine and beer. There is a long table featuring non-alcoholic drinks such as coffee, tea, and punch.

Some of the more adventurous food offerings were the Kale, Collard, and Pomegranate Onion Slaw and the Holiday Antipasto. I enjoyed the Kale option and found it to be quite flavorful. The Holiday Antipasto was good but salty. Both of these options, along with the meatballs offered at this table, made my “Nice” List. There was Grilled Flatbread with a dip that was interesting, but I was not a fan of this choice. The bread and dip offerings made my “Naughty” List. Prep and Landing character Dancer was featured at this table.

The Winter Spiced Party Mix was a bit disappointing as I expected to taste holiday spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger and that was not the case. I am not sure if they forgot to add the spice so this particular option for me was a miss. The Warm Salted Caramel Cottage Pudding was just okay. The sweet flavor did not cut the salt enough to make this option very flavorful. The Warm Chocolate Torte with Cream Cheese Glaze and Candy Cane Dust was quite good. I am a huge fan of the chocolate and peppermint flavor combination. Place a scoop of the featured Hand-dipped Vanilla Bean Ice Cream for an awesome flavor burst. Prep and Landing character Magee was featured at this table. The Winter Spiced Party Mix and the Warm Salted Caramel Cottage Pudding both made my “Naughty” List while the Warm Chocolate Torte and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream made my “Nice” List.

The Liquid Nitro Frost Bites were really good. Made with a duo of White Chocolate Mousse and Wintergreen Mousse, with Dark Chocolate Sauce and Mickey Confetti, this particular option was one of my favorites. I loved the frozen texture combined with the chocolate and mint flavors. The crunch of the Mickey Confetti completed the flavors, although if you are not a fan of these candied crunchies then you can leave them out and still have a nice treat. The Liquid Nitro Frost Bites made my “Nice” List. Prep and Landing character Wayne was featured at this treat station.

The miniature hand-held treats were very festive. The Chocolate Cupcake with Mint Frosting and Peppermint Bark was the most fun option of the evening. I am not a fan of cupcakes but I loved the white chocolate santa hat and the peppermint bark with mint frosting was really good. There was a raspberry tart that was interesting but dry. It was a bit like a soft cookie but did not boast a lot of flavor. The Lemon Meringue Tart was good but did not really seem to go with the theme as these are offered at many Disney Buffet dessert stations. The Holiday Crispy Bon Bons were very fun and I loved how they really went along with the holiday theme of the evening. These were good without being to overpowering from a sweetness perspective. There was no Prep and Landing character featured at this table, which I think is an oversight as this table was so festive and yet was missing a character representative to go along with the overall theme. The Chocolate Cupcake, the Lemon Meringue Tart, and the Holiday Crispy Bon Bons all made my “Nice” List. The Raspberry Tart Cookie was the only offering at this table to make my “Naughty” List due to its lack of flavor and texture.

Santa Goofy was the Special Character of the evening. He made the evening magical by stopping by tables to pose for pictures with guests. Two Cast Members were assisting Santa Goofy. We were told he would come to each table. However, he did not make it through more than half of the tables due to the shortness of time for this party. Regardless of that, Santa Goofy is always on my “Nice” List.

The Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Dessert Party is a nice option if you can fit it into your budget. At $69 for a one hour event, I am not certain that the cost justifies the value of what you get. The Dessert Party was scheduled to start at 5:45pm with check-in time beginning at 5:15pm. They began to let people in at 5:30pm and then they escorted us to the viewing area for the fireworks show at 6:30pm. While the food and drinks are all included, you do have to wait in short lines for each station. The bar area with the alcoholic drinks had the longest lines and you really needed to get a couple of drinks or waste time standing in line again for another drink. The best part about this was that upon entering, I was handed a Gingerbread Martini. That is the only drink I had time for, although I wanted to get another one. However, the line was too long and we were about to be escorted to the viewing area for the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Fireworks Show. If they are going to continue this they need to get another side-by-side bar and extend the time a bit in order for the event to be worth the cost in my opinion. The Dessert Party is very nice, and a lot of fun. It is just not long enough because just as you sit down to enjoy some of the food and drinks, and meet Santa Goofy, it is time to go for the show.

Upon the conclusion of the dessert party, we were escorted to the viewing area for the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Fireworks Show. The viewing area, while set back a bit, is a straight-on view of the show which is on and around the Chinese Theater. There are trees in this area, so depending on where you get to stand, you may have an obstructed view. I was fortunate enough to find a place towards the middle back of the viewing area. The special effects of the show were good and the fireworks added to the show quite nicely. The show itself features the Prep and Landing characters and takes us on a journey through holiday music, Disney characters, and projections. There was snow falling throughout the entire show and that added to the festive atmosphere. The Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Fireworks Show and Hollywood Studios Snow are both on my “Nice” List.

You can see the Live video upload here:

The highlight of the evening, for me, took place after the conclusion of the fireworks show. There were projections on the Chinese Theater and the buildings surrounding it. When I saw the giant Christmas Tree Projection, front and center, surrounded by lit and decorated apartment buildings, I immediately thought of the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights. The giant tree was centrally located on the Streets of America and was surrounded by decorated apartment buildings with snow machines on the roofs to create snow. Each building of the after-show features snow falling as well. I am not sure where the idea came from, but I felt that this particular display pays homage to the past as we look towards the future.

You can see the video of this after-show display here:

Overall, the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Dessert Party & Fireworks Show is worth doing at least once. If you cannot attend the Dessert Party then you must see the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Fireworks Show and stick around to view the after-show display. One additional note is that there is no merchandise related to Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! and that was quite disappointing. I cannot remember a time when a Disney Event did not have some merchandise associated to it. The lack of merchandise made my “Naughty” List. While my “Naughty” vs. “Nice” List is about equally balanced, I can assure you that the time you spend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for these events will be worth your efforts.

What do you think of the new Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Dessert Party & Fireworks Show? Please leave your comments in the box below.

Fabulous Christmas Disney Apron to Add Magic to Baking and Cooking

By

Danielle

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November 16, 2016

When entertaining for dinner parties and Holiday gatherings I love a beautiful apron to be apart of my attire. I have several holiday aprons, many Disney Cosplay Aprons, but not a Single Christmas Disney Apron, until now! I think this gorgeous Christmas Disney Apron by ImSewIntoYou on Etsy, is exactly what I need.

This Women’s Disney Christmas Apron has Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Pluto, ready to help you simmer and saute. They are available in sizes and styles for the whole Disney family, so everyone can match too. The apron has a tie back for comfort, and two pockets on the front for convenience! The ornaments dancing across the apron have cute hidden Mickeys on them, to tie everything together perfectly.

Would you wear this Christmas Disney Apron while entertaining for the Holidays?

Take a Look at Disney Springs’ New Drone Christmas Show

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 16, 2016

If you’ll be enjoying some Holiday fun and entertainment at Disney Springs this year, you won’t want to miss this!

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It’s a first not just for Disney Parks, but in the United States: A new holiday experience at Disney Springs featuring 300 show drones illuminating the night sky. In “Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration,” guests will get a chance to watch Disney and Intel explore remarkable new technology.

Accompanied by an original Disney arrangement of classic holiday songs recorded by a full orchestra, the sparkling experience invites guests to look up to sky and wish upon a holiday star. This is the first time a drone show of this scale has ever been performed in the U.S.

“We are thrilled to share an experience as innovative and unique as Disney Springs,” said Keith Bradford, Vice President of Disney Springs. “‘Starbright Holidays’ is a wonderful surprise and delight moment for guests as they enjoy an evening of world-class shopping, dining and entertainment here at Disney Springs.”

Added Jon Snoddy, Studio Executive with Walt Disney Imagineering R&D, “At Disney, we are always looking for innovative ways to tell stories and create unexpected experiences. We’re excited to invite guests to watch as we explore the possibilities of this remarkable new technology.”

“Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration” marks the first time in the United States 300 show drones have flown at one time. At 280g, the Intel Shooting Star drone weighs less than a volleyball, and features built-in LED lights that can create more than four billion color combinations.

“We are excited to work with Walt Disney Imagineering to bring a fresh and innovative approach to its world-renowned light shows,” said Senior Vice President and General Manager of Intel’s New Technology Group, Josh Walden. “Together, we worked to tackle the new frontier of entertainment, picturing the sky as our canvas, and flying lights as ink.”

Here’s a brief sample of what will surprise and delight you this holiday season above the West Side of the Disney Springs waterfront:

“Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration” will join other new holiday experiences at Disney Springs, including a brand-new Christmas Tree Trail, special seasonal entertainment, meet and greets with Santa, and festive décor.

If you would like more information about visiting Walt Disney World this Holiday Season, 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

Disney Cruise Line Earns Top Marks in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Cruise Line Rankings

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 16, 2016

It has been another phenomenal year for Disney Cruise Line as U.S. News and World Report recently announced that Disney is at the top of the class when it comes to delivering a high quality family cruising experience. Disney Cruise Line was awarded a coveted Gold Badge in the best Cruise Line for Families and Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean categories.

There’s a lot of celebrating to be done as this marks the 4th consecutive year that DCL has been recognized by U.S. News as one of the top cruise lines in the industry. U.S News and World Report started their ranking system back in 2013. Rankings are based on a range of factors including reputation among travelers, itinerary offerings, and ship quality.

See the official announcement at U.S. News and World Report by following this link.

In addition to the distinction given by U.S. News and World Report, Disney Cruise Line also received top honors in the 2016 Cruise Critic US Editors’ Pick Awards as well as the 2016 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

Considering a Disney Cruise? 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 sailing and stateroom to organizing your port adventures and days at sea. 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.

Mickey Mouse 6 Piece Ornament Set to Start your Disney Tree

By

Danielle

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November 16, 2016

I’m finally setting up my Christmas tree today! It’s a Disney tree now, but it wasn’t always, I remember how daunting it seemed to buy all new ornaments for my tree. This cute Mickey Mouse 6 Piece Ornament Set is perfect for those of us starting out with a new Disney tree, or looking to add some extra touches to our existing one.

This 6 Piece Ornament Set Features Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto. The sensational 6 is ready to trim the tree, in 2.5 inch figurines. They also have bases, so can kept on display if you like all year round! I do so love dual purpose decorations. The best part is this set is only $34.99 with free Prime Shipping on Amazon. That’s less than six dollars an ornament! Usually Disney ornaments this size run around $7-14 dollars!

So if you’re starting out with a new Disney tree, or looking to add some extra cheer to your existing one, this Mickey Mouse 6 Piece Ornament Set, is a jingle all the way hit.

Special Aulani Discount offer for Disney Chase Visa Cardmembers

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 16, 2016

If you are a Disney Chase Visa Cardholder, then you won’t want to miss this extra special Aulani offer just for you!

Aulani guests who book between November 16, 2016 – Jaunary 10, 2017 for travel dates April 13, 2017-June12, 2017 will received 23 fantastic benefits. Guests can enjoy one Character breakfast per Guest, per stay, at the Makahiki buffet when you book now with your Disney Visa card!

There are also room discounts available for 4 consecutive night stays:

Ocean, Partial Ocean and Poolside rooms receive 25% off, and Standard and Island Garden view rooms will get 20% off.

For guests booking a 5 consecutive night stay there is a 30% discount for Ocean, Partial Ocean and Poolside rooms, and a 25% discount for Standard and Island Garden rooms.

If you would like more information about visiting Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa, 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.

Disney Parks Recognized with Industry Thea Awards

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 16, 2016

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts was recently announced as the recipient of multiple Thea Awards from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). TEA is an international non-profit association that represents the world’s leading creators, developers, designers and producers of compelling places and experiences. The prestigious TEA Thea Award is considered one of the attractions industry’s greatest honors and will be formally awarded to recipients on April 22, 2017 at the 23rd annual Thea Awards Gala in Anaheim.

“These awards are a testament to our talented Cast Members, who continue pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation as we bring treasured Disney stories and characters to life in our Parks and Resorts around the world,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Less than six months since opening day, Shanghai Disneyland is now the recipient of the Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – Theme Park, as well as two exceptional new park experiences, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure and Camp Discovery.

In addition, Disney Parks’ Ghost Post was recognized with a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement in a new Connected Immersion category. This limited-time Haunted Mansion-themed subscription service was released in March of this year, putting guests in the middle of a new adventure with the legendary attraction’s 999 happy haunts that could even follow you home for a truly one-of-a-kind, customized experience.

Congratulations to Walt Disney Parks and Resorts on your recognition for continued innovation and story telling.

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

Photo Credit: Disney

Star Wars Rogue One 360 Video Experience Available Online!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 16, 2016

Verizon and ILMxLAB have debuted an exciting short 360 experience, Rogue One: Recon. This immersive experience is connected to Rogue One. It lets viewers experience Star Wars from the perspective of an everyday Rebel X-wing pilot in space, culminating with a fight in an unexpected battle against the evil Empire. Rogue One: Recon A Star Wars 360 Experience is presented by Verizon and created by ILMxLAB. You can find it online on Verizon’s Facebook page.

It is also available exclusively in Samsung Gear VR Headsets in 1400 Verizon stores.

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY is in U.S. theaters December 16, 2016!

Finding Dory DVD Blu Ray Review, A Swimmingly Fun Adventure

By

Danielle

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November 16, 2016

For months, my little one has cooed and squealed the word “DORY” at almost every blue fish he has seen! We were thrilled to have the opportunity to do this Finding Dory DVD Blu Ray Review! So much so that when it arrived Monday night, my son had the envelope open and the DVD in the player before I had even set the groceries down when we got home.

Normally I like to set up some themed snacks, and decorations, but this time around my little guy was not waiting on that. When we went to see the movie back this summer, we had to leave before the end of the showing, and he’s been eagerly awaiting to watch the rest ever since.

There are 2 shorts on this DVD, both in which I loved thoroughly. Piper, which showed before Finding Dory at the theaters as well, and Marine Life Interviews. Piper is a moving tale of courage, that as with most Pixar shorts, brought a tear to my eye. Not to mention the little star of the short, was completly adorable. The second short, is done a bit documentary style, and features residents of the Marine Life Institute reminiscing about Dory. It was definetly on the more humorous side, where Piper was on the heart string pulling side.

My son doesn’t usually sit still during a full movie, but for Finding Dory, it was all eyes on the screen. The underwater world was even more vivid, and lifelike than in the Original Finding Nemo movie, which I have to admit is impressive. I wasn’t sure if this could be pulled off into a sequel, but I was wrong. This story is a completly organic continuation of the first, and a direction that it only made sense to head in. New characters have been introduced flawlessly, and two characters who weren’t supposed to be in the spotlight completly shined. Those characters are of course Becky and Gerald, although small parts, they were big hits. I also love how they managed to work in the otters, because I love me some otter cuteness!

Of course this DVD Blu Ray came packed with bonus features:

Marine Life Interviews– MLI residents remember our favorite blue tang.
Piper Short Film– A sandpiper hatchling digs for food in the sand and encounters scary waves.
Animation & Acting– A look at the art of creating a deep and profound connection between an audience and a fish.
The Octopus that Nearly Broke Pixar– Unravel the challenges and rewards of bringing to life Pixar’s crankiest, most technically challenging character ever.
Deep in the Kelp– See how far the crew went to make Dory’s world believable
Deleted Scenes
Creature Features– The cast of “Finding Dory” share cool facts about the creatures they voice in the film.
Skating & Sketching with Jason Deamer– “Finding Dory” character art director Jason Deamer talks about how he got to Pixar, how he draws the characters in the film, and how falling off a skateboard teaches you lessons you can use in art and life.
Dory’s Theme– A spirited discussion among the composer, music editor and director of “Finding Dory” about the musical elements that shape Dory’s quirky and joyful theme.
Rough Day on the Reef– Sometimes computers make mistakes. Here you’ll see some of the funny, creepy and just plain bizarre footage the crew encountered while making “Finding Dory.”
Commentary– Director Andrew Stanton, co-director Angus MacLane and producer Lindsey Collins deliver their personal perspective on “Finding Dory.”

No Pixar movie is complete with out “Easter Eggs”, and it was fun trying to spot and find them! Here’s a few you can find, if you haven’t seen them yet.

NOSTALGIC WHEELS – The truck that is featured late in the movie features a logo from the 1986 short “Luxo, Jr.” produced by Pixar and directed by John Lasseter. The short’s success helped launch the studio, and the image of the desk lamp appears in Pixar’s iconic logo today.
The license plate on the truck sports A113, which is reminiscent of the CalArts classroom for first-year graphic design and character animation where many of the artists and animators at Pixar began to build their craft.
Sets Art Director Don Shank’s name can be seen in the truck’s grill.
TAG IT – The tags donned by the lazy sea lions snoozing outside the Marine Life Institute together bear the iconic A113. While Rudder’s tag reads A1, Fluke’s says 13.
FIELD TRIP – Riley from 2015’s “Inside Out” appears in a group of kids touring the Marine Life Institute. She is clearly featured in a frame with Dory.
MAP IT – The registration number for the zodiac boat that picks up Dory in the bay outside the Marine Life Institute is PA1200, which represents Pixar’s address: 1200 Park Avenue.

Be sure to check out the bonus clip of Dory’s origin below, it was really fascinating to us!

This was a truly enjoyable and entertaining film for our family, and has splashed it’s way to the top of our Pixar Favorites list! I honestly didn’t think anything was going to bump Cars from my son’s number 1 list, but Finding Dory did! The Finding Dory DVD Blu Ray is available now, in time for the Holidays!