Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Shine Bar shares new cocktail recipe before Grand Opening

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June 10, 2016

The new Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Shine Bar restaurant will be opening this summer in Disney Springs, and today Disney has shared a cocktail recipe that will be available when it does:

The inspiration of celebrity Chef Art Smith, a native of Jasper, Fla., (and a former cast member in the Disney College Program), the restaurant will give guests a taste of classic Florida fare – Fried Green tomatoes with Shaved Country Ham, Iron Skillet Sweet Potatoes with Caramelized Sugar and his signature Fried Chicken and Doughnuts.

In the Southern Shine bar, Florida flavor reigns with distilled spirits made here in the Sunshine State as well as farm-fresh herbs and house-made elixirs used to enhance cocktails. In fact some of the sips , such as vodka from Winter Park Distilling and craft beer from Crooked Can in Winter Garden are locally made in our own back yard.

Dwayne McQuillen, the restaurant’s general manager, told me that the Southern Shine bar will offer nearly a dozen Florida-centric drinks. He recently gave us a preview and shared a few of the restaurant’s fresh Florida recipes.

This recipe for the Bootlegger uses Wicked Dolphin rum from Cape Coral, Fla., and homemade grenadine.

Bootlegger

Serves 1

1 rounded teaspoon blackberry jam
1 ounce Florida dark rum
1 ounce Florida light rum
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons grenadine
1 tablespoon simple syrup

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously and pour over ice.

Go ahead and make one, then tell us what you think!

If you’d like to plan a Disney vacation but don’t where know to begin, contact me today for more information, and to take advantage of my FREE Disney Vacation planning services. I specialize in Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii, as well as Adventures by Disney. Email me at [email protected] for a free quote, or you can find me on my Facebook page here.

Photo credit: Disney parks blog

Clever Star Wars Wall Art With a Touch of Harry Potter

By

Danielle

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June 10, 2016

Fandom mash-ups seriously crack me up. This Star Wars Wall Art has the perfect splash of Harry Potter added to it. Of course they made it epic with adding in a light saber and wand.

“I Am A Jedi Like My Father Before Me, Unless Hogwarts Sends Me A Letter Like My Mother” is the statement of this Star Wars Wall Art. This comes as 2 decals in the sizes listed: The Jedi part measures 40″ x 7.1″ and the Harry Potter part measures 40″ x 9.5″. Lightsaber and wand not included. This is a high quality removable decal made in the USA, and it comes on ready to apply, pre-spaced application tape and includes easy to use application directions. This high quality decal gives the look of being hand-painted without the cost, time, mess, and permanent paint on your wall. You can apply them to walls (smooth or lightly textured), nursery rooms, dorm rooms, mirrors, windows, doors, cars, books, lockers or almost any flat surface. Sadly this does not come with the awesome glowing lightsaber or wand. You can get those online also and mount them as shown though.

What do you think of this fun Star Wars Wall Art idea?

Plaza Restaurant at Magic Kingdom changing its Reservation Policy

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 10, 2016

In a move that goes in the complete opposite direction of the Jungle Book Skipper Canteen beginning to accept ADR’s, we are now hearing from WDW News Today that The Plaza Restaurant in Magic Kingdom will be doing away with ADR’s, and accepting walk-ups only. The restaurant will honor all ADR’s that have already been made, but will not be allowing any more to be made except for the hour between 11am and 12pm, from this point on. At this point, if you have a reservation within the next 180 days it will be honored, but otherwise the restaurant will only be accepting walk-ins.

With how hard Disney dining reservations have been to get lately, it seems like a good idea to have some wiggle room to allow a place for guests to walk-in without a reservation. We know that not everyone plans a trip out 180 days in advance, and often they miss out on that dining booking window, and are turned away at the hostess stand when asked about waiting for a table (it has happened to me personally before). Perhaps Disney is listening to it’s guests who have been complaining about the absurd impossibilities of getting into many of their restaurants.

What do you think of this new plan for the Plaza Restaurant?

If you’d like to plan a Disney vacation but don’t where know to begin, contact me today for more information, and to take advantage of my FREE Disney Vacation planning services. I specialize in Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii, as well as Adventures by Disney. Email me at [email protected] for a free quote, or you can find me on my Facebook page here.

Review of Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 10, 2016

Star Wars and Lego fans will be happy to hear there will be an all new Lego Star Wars television show coming to Disney XD, and we got to see the first episode so we can tell you all about what to expect! “Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures”, follows the adventures of the Freemaker family, three siblings who are scavengers that sell and build starships throughout the Galaxy.

The show, although following its own new story-line separate from the Star Wars cannon, takes place between the events of “Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi”. This felt like a great choice of time-frame to place it in the cannon, not only because the original trilogy is such a classic that all Star Wars fans know and love, but also because the show is able to have characters such as Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine.

As with past Lego Star Wars shows, there is a lot of humor. But what makes “The Freemaker Adventures” particularly unique is that this humor seems to not have the same parody humor as other Lego Star Wars, but rather reflect the style of humor we see in the actual “Star Wars” films. It felt like this show had a perfect balance of traditional Star Wars humor along with high stakes, making it a show appealing not only to the typical child audience of Disney XD, but something that an adult Star Wars fan would be sure to want to tune into, and even get hooked on.

The level of story telling within just 30 minutes of show is pretty impressive, and a true reflection of the immense talent of the crew at Wil Film, Lego Group, and Lucasfilm Animation who are they production companies behind the show.

It is definitely also a big treat for the hardcore Star Wars fans, since there are many subtle visuals to look out for, such as a Lego Max Rebo in the background of a scene, and a carton of milk with a Bantha on it–I’m sure the amount of references one can find of the Star Wars universe are nearly endless!

Whether you’re wanting to watch as a family, or on your own, this show caters to a wide range of audiences, along with any level of Star Wars fan. You can catch the premiere of the first four episodes on June 20th, beginning at 10 am, with an additional new episode airing Monday’s each week after.

New Frozen Stage Show is in the Works for Disney Cruise Line

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 10, 2016

It looks as though Disney Cruise Line will soon debut a new stage show production based on the movie Frozen. According to Playbill, rehearsals are scheduled to begin in Toronto at the end of the summer.

This is the third production based on the hit film. The musical Frozen is expected to make a spring 2017 debut in Denver with a Broadway premiere in 2018. Performances of Frozen – Live at the Hyperion began on May 27, 2016 at Disneyland Resort.

Sheryl Kaller, the Tony-nominated director of Next Fall, is attached to the production, according to a Disney casting notice. She will join forces with choreographer Joshua Prince (Beautiful, Shrek) and artistic and production editor Ed Whitlow.

According to the casting notice, Disney will hire a repertory company of “19 performers to portray roles in each of our musical theatre style productions.” The breakdown of characters includes, among others, the following:

“Elsa: Princess who becomes Queen; fearfully plagued by powers she hasn’t yet learned to control; lives a life of isolation separated from society and those she loves, including her sister. Vocal Range: Mezzo Soprano; mix/belt.”

“Anna: Elsa’s younger sister; persistent, daring and highly optimistic; at times reacts impulsively; longs to reconnect with her sister Elsa; readily believes she’s found her one true love in Hans. Vocal Range: Soprano; mix/belt.”

“Kristoff: Ice harvester; rugged blue-collar type; a little rough around the edges, yet endearingly awkward; not your typical Disney hero; protector and loyal. 6’0” and above. Vocal Range: Baritone.”

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

Photo Credit: Playbill

Video: First look at DVC Member Lounge in Epcot

By

Chip

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June 10, 2016

Opening this week Disney Vacation Club Members can enjoy an all new Member Lounge while visiting Epcot. Available for Members with paid admission to Epcot, the lounge is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The new lounge is tucked away on the second floor of the Imagination! pavilion, to get there just go into Imageworks look for the staircase or glass elevator near the photo booths.

The lounge is a great place to recharge you mobile phone or even yourself. There’s plenty of casual seating, complimentary beverages (including Coca-Cola Freestyle machines), device-charging stations, Wi-Fi, computer stations, a printer and mounted tablets pre-set to help you access the Disney websites. There’s even a play area for children where they can test their Disney Infinity skills or watch some of the latest Disney animated shorts.

Here is a video tour from our good friend Krista Joy.

Opening of Shanghai Disney becomes a TV special next Thursday!

By

Chip

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June 10, 2016

Disney will welcome viewers from around the world to experience an authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese celebration — the spectacular one-of- a-kind grand opening celebration of Shanghai Disney Resort, the first Disney resort in mainland China.

Showcasing the beauty of Chinese art and tradition, and bringing magical Disney stories and characters to life for kids and families, the music-filled television special, Grand Opening Celebration of Shanghai Disney Resort, will be presented THURSDAY, JUNE 16 (8:00-8:30 p.m.) simultaneously on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD and each channel’s App, and FRIDAY, JUNE 17 (10:00-10:30 p.m.) on Freeform, without breaks or commercials.

Actress and recording artist Sofia Carson will narrate the telecast. Bob Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, will be joined by nearly 3000 distinguished guests, celebrities and government officials at the largest, tallest and most interactive castle at the heart of any Disney Park, The Enchanted Storybook Castle. The occasion showcases creativity, choreography, acrobatics, costumes and technology in grand scale, with dazzling lights, Disney music, pageantry, special effects and fireworks.

The one and only Mickey Mouse will join in the enchanting celebration. World-renowned pianist Lang Lang will perform a custom arrangement of the musical sensation Let It Go and China’s television and movie superstar Sun Li will take center stage. Each is a Shanghai Disney Resort Honorary Ambassador.

The historic event includes the debut of an original song, Ignite the Dreamer Within, written especially for the grand opening of Shanghai Disneyland. Acclaimed composer and conductor Tan Dun, widely known for his stirring scores for the films Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero, will lead the Shanghai Symphony with an original composition of the new song, celebrating the occasions poetic message. Additional featured music includes Once Upon a Dream, Heigh Ho and Some Day My Prince will Come.

Produced by Disney Parks in partnership with IMG, the television special will be directed by the award-winning Hamish Hamilton. The gala concert from The Enchanted Storybook Castle stage is created by Disney Parks Entertainment in collaboration with Hasbas Entertainment.

LIFE Walt Disney: From Mickey to the Magic Kingdom

By

Danielle

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June 9, 2016

LIFE Walt Disney

Now this is a gorgeous book with an appeal to Disney Collectors. LIFE Walt Disney: From Mickey to the Magic Kingdom is a collectible book that collects the history of Disney reported through out the years in LIFE Magazine.

Disneyland is often referred to as the “happiest place on earth” and the character Mickey Mouse is long ingrained in our collective memory. The Walt Disney Company is one of the largest and most valuable companies in the world. But behind all of that was one ambitious small-town farm boy who failed as often as he succeeded, and finally found worldwide fame – thanks to a cartoon mouse.

Throughout the rise of Walt Disney, Life magazine was there, covering everything from the first Mickey merchandising to the launch of Walt Disney World in 1971, and now in this all-new special edition, Life revisits both the man and the magic in Life Walt Disney: From Mickey to the Magic Kingdom. Very few people know that as a young entrepreneur, he struggled with bankruptcy, borrowing money until he had a hit with the Mickey Mouse cartoons in the late 1920s. Beloved movies of today – Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi – bombed when first released, and it wasn’t until the astronomical success of Disneyland in 1951 that finally put his company into the black.

From early days to troubled times, and successes and failures too numerous to count that bring us all to the World of Disney that we all know and love today, Life Walt Disney is a fitting tribute to a creative force that has and will continue to influence countless generations for years to come.

This product is an authorized edition published by Time Inc. and sold through Amazon. It is available in paperback, or to take your reading on the go, a Kindle version.

Celebrate the Opening of Shanghai Disney Resort on June 16 at Disney California Adventure Park

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 9, 2016

Shanghai Disney Resort in China officially opens next week and guests at Disneyland Resort are invited to help celebrate the historic occasion.

On Thursday, June 16, head to Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and enjoy special entertainment and photo opportunities in honor of the opening of our newest world-class Disney destination. The festivities will feature colorful performances by local community groups, along with character appearances by Mulan and Mushu! Some favorite Asian-inspired food & beverage offerings, including pork bao, almond cookies and pot stickers, will also be available for purchase.

In addition, a button commemorating the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort will be given to each guest entering the Disneyland Resort theme parks, while supplies last.

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

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Special offer to experience Disney this summer from the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel

By

Chip

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June 9, 2016

This summer, guests of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel can visit the Walt Disney World Resort and Awaken Summer with all new experiences across all four Disney Theme Parks and still relax with the hotel’s Awaken and Relax offer.

Through August 25, guests who book with rate code AWAKEN can receive room rates starting as low as $165 per night as well as 20 percent off services at the luxurious Mandara Spa, offering vacationers a getaway with both convenient access to visit all four of the Walt Disney World Theme Parks and the ultimate way to rejuvenate.

During Awaken Summer, guests can be among the first to experience brand new attractions at all four Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks, including: Epcot’s Soarin’ Around the World (opening June 17) and Frozen Ever After the new attraction based off of the Disney animated film FROZEN (June 21); Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks (June 17); Magic Kingdom’s new castle stage show, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire (June 17), and Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s a new nighttime show, The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic (May 28).

Located within walking distance from both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot and offering complimentary transportation to all four theme parks, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel allows guests to maximize their time in the theme parks. In addition, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel guests receive the extended hours benefit, where each day, one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks is open extra time for guests to enjoy select attractions.

After traveling around the Walt Disney World Resort, guests can recover at the recently renovated Mandara Spa, which recently underwent a $1 million dollar renovation. The spa offers a selection of relaxation journeys featuring spa treatments inspired by different regions of the world. Guests can select from one of four signature journeys: Asia, India, Mediterranean and New World. These experiences complement other spa services offered by Mandara including massage, facials and salon services.

To book or for more details, visit www.swandolphin.com/offers or call 1-800-227-1500 and use the offer code AWAKEN. Taxes, resort services fee and gratuities not included. Not valid with any other special offers, promotions, or for existing reservations or groups; offer is based on availability.

Vince Camuto is Now Open at Disney Springs

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 9, 2016

The grand opening of Vince Camuto at Disney Springs took place on Monday, June 6th in the heart of Town Center. The designer store is the newest retailer to open shop at Disney Springs. The modern boutique offers stylish and trendy shoes, handbags, clothing, accessories and fragrances for both men and women.

Take a look at the photos below to see what Vince Camuto is currently featuring in their first central Florida location at Disney Springs.

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

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog and @VinceCamuto

Disney make Donation to China’s children’s hospitals to celebrate grand opening of Shanghai Disney Resort

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 9, 2016

The Walt Disney World Company announced today that they will be making a $3.1 million dollar (20 million RMB) donation to fund Disney-themed play spaces and therapeutic play activities at children’s hospitals across China. This was to celebrate the grand opening of Shanghai Disney Resort. The announcement was made by Bob Iger, Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

The donation is part of a five year program, which will provide more than 50 hospitals in China with play rooms and therapeutic play activities. Part of the donation will include Shanghai Disneyland theme park tickets to support children and their families as they undergo and recover from treatment.

The Shanghai Charity Foundation will administer the donations for children’s hospitals in and around Shanghai, and the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation will be administering for hospitals in the rest of China. The play curriculum and training will be under the control of Right To Play, a non-profit organization that uses the power of play to educate and empower children.

Bob Iger said:

“In honor of the grand opening of Shanghai Disney Resort, we are creating a bit of Disney magic where it is needed most. With our gift of 20 million RMB and tickets to our new theme park, we hope to bring happiness and laughter to children and families in hospitals across the country by creating opportunities to play and spend quality time together”

Jiang Zhongyi who is Director of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center said, “Over the past few years, the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center has built several children’s play spaces with support from The Walt Disney Company,”

Disney’s has been supporting children’s hospitals since the 1930’s when Walt Disney would visit with children, often accompanied by Disney characters and animators. Currently the donations include millions of dollars in grants and donations which provide play spaces, theme park tickets, first-run movies, care packages, in-kind support, and hospital visits from beloved Disney characters. The group Disney VoluntEARS have made more than 150 hospital visits and benefited more than 12,000 children and their families.

This makes me prouder to be a Disney addict, how about you?