STK Orlando in Disney Springs announces Opening Date and now taking Reservations!

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May 9, 2016

Disney Springs is starting to shape up nicely as a place to dine at amazing new restaurants after a day of shopping at their all-new stores that have opened, or are set to open in the near future. One of the newest restautrants to open their doors to Disney Springs guests is STK Orlando. The all new Disney Springs Restaurant STK Orlando is set to open May 25th, 2016 and is now accepting reservations. STK Orlando is located in the waterfront area of the Landing in Disney Springs

The new STK will be located within the waterfront setting of The Landing at Disney Springs. STK’s unique ambiance blends the elements of a modern steakhouse with a sleek lounge, including a DJ, emphasizing a social, fun environment. At approximately 14,000 square feet, the Orlando outpost will be one of the largest STK locations. STK Orlando will have two dining floors—including a main level and the only rooftop dining venue in Disney Springs.

Reservations can only be made via phone currently at 407-917-7440, but eventually also through their website at STKhouse.com.

If you don’t know where to begin with planning your Disney 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.

Photo credit: Disney

California Native Jennifer Serna takes First Place in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 9, 2016

This past Mother’s Day weekend was a fun-filled race weekend at Disneyland resort in California. On Friday runners ran the Neverland 5k, Saturday the Tinker Bell 10k, and on Sunday, runners competed in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon. First time RunDisney participant Jennifer Serna from Fullertown, California flew by other runners and she raced her way to the finish line to take first place in the half marathon with a time of 1:25:49. Following behind her was Kellie Nickerson of Albuquerque, New Mexico, finishing as the second place female finisher, clocking at 1:29:41.

“It was a surreal experience. All the cast members and locals were supportive,” Serna said. “Running through the park was really fun and exhilarating, I didn’t even feel like I was running.”

A resident of Fullerton, Calif., Serna works for a running shop and participated in the race as a Mother’s Day celebration, running in honor of her daughter and to support her local running club.

Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the Tinker Bell Half Marathon at the Disneyland Resort is one of the top three largest women-focused races in the nation. Approximately 950 runners participating in this year’s race have run all five years. In 2015, Southern California resident Lenore Moreno set the Tinker Bell Half Marathon record, completing the race in 1:15:55.

Grandmothers, mothers, daughters, aunts and nieces were some of the 10,700 runners who spent their Mother’s Day racing along an entertainment-filled 13.1-mile course through Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Parks, as well as by several Anaheim landmarks.

In total, there were more than 24,000 runners from across the nation and 32 countries. Finishers received a commemorative Tinker Bell “wings’’ medal. The Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend is one of eight annual runDisney events and one of two women-focused events. The other is the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which takes place in February at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla. Both events are designed to celebrate and promote women’s empowerment, women’s health and an active lifestyle. And both are among the nation’s largest race weekends geared towards women.

Have you ever run the Tinker Bell Half or the Princess Half? If you haven’t, have you ever thought about trying a runDisney event?

If you’d like to plan a trip to experience a run Disney event, 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. I have even run many run Disney weekend events!Contact me today at [email protected] for a free quote, or you can find me on my Facebook page here.

Captain America: Civil War Becomes One of the Biggest Opening Weekend Box Offices

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 9, 2016

This past Friday, Marvel’s latest film “Captain America: Civil War” came to U.S. box offices, with a $181 million opening weekend! It was of course on the top of the weekend box office’s charts, finally bumping “The Jungle Book” to second place.

In previous weeks, “Civil War” opened in international box offices, so far bringing in $496 million. That means just since its first weekend in domestic theaters, the film has earned a whopping $678 million worldwide!

This huge May opening weekend has become the fifth biggest domestic opening of all time, and overall the third highest grossing Marvel Studios film (“Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Avengers” still take the lead). With “The Jungle Book” having up till this point been the highest on the box office charts every day since its April 15th opening, I think “Captain America: Civil War” will definitely be following suit, with an incredibly long time in the top spot.

I thought this film was incredible, and with so much synergy of the Marvel Universe and the Avengers it almost felt like an Avengers 2.5! You can check out our official review of the film here.

What did you think of “Captain America: Civil War”? Are you Team Cap or Team Iron Man?

First look at TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland

By

Chip

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May 9, 2016

2016 05 09 10 50 41 First look at TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland YouTube

Some lucky cast members and guests were able to check out the all new TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland. While not officially opening till next month we have sneak peek of this awesome ride!

Here is a look at the overall ride, including the light cycles and the loading area.

Next we have a POV ride along:

In 1982, Disney made filmmaking history with TRON, the first production of its kind to mix live-action with computer-generated visuals and backlit animation. Loved by legions around the world, it went on to inspire video games, comic books, an animated series and the 2010 big-screen sequel, TRON: Legacy.

Today, Shanghai Disneyland honors the franchise with one of the coolest and fastest indoor roller coasters in any Disney theme park—TRON Lightcycle Power Run.

Sneak Peek This Week of Animal Kingdom’s Summer Awakening

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 9, 2016

It looks as though guests of Animal Kingdom will get a sneak peek this week of part of the new Harambe Wildlife Parti and Discovery Island Carnivale offerings that are scheduled to officially open over Memorial Day Weekend.

Harambe Village Acrobats – Africa

Wearing costumes of grass, beads, bells and feathers set against a mosaic of African prints, this troupe of skilled performers move with the synchronicity of circus performers as they drum, dance, tumble and climb into man-made pyramids and break away into spinning, tumbling towers.

Showtimes: 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm and 5:00pm

Discovery Island Sunset Serenatas – Discovery Island

In late afternoon when the sun is beginning its descent at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, listen for the distinctive drumming of Latin and world-beat rhythms as they fill the air around Discovery Island.

Showtimes: (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday) 1:35pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm

(Tuesday) 2:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Walt Disney World vacation. All of my vacation planning services are 100% FREE.

Photo Credit: Disney

Finding Dory Characters Now Appearing in Turtle Talk with Crush in Epcot

By

Chip

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May 9, 2016

Little dudes and dudettes can now talk with some of the new characters from Pixar’s Finding Dory in Epcot’s Turtle Talk with Crush.

Here are some of the new characters you will get a chance to meet:

Destiny the whale shark
Hank the septopus
Bailey the beluga whale

They will be joining some of your old favorites:

Dory
Marlin
Squirt
and Nemo!

Check out a video below:

Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” reunites everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang, Dory, with her friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past. What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak whale? Directed by Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”) and produced by Lindsey Collins (co-producer “WALL•E”), the film features the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton.

Here’s a look at the latest trailer for the film:

Join the Disney Institute for a one of a kind event!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 8, 2016

Disney Institute Logo

The Disney institute will be hosting, for the first time, a customer experience summit in the Walt Disney World resorts. This event will give all that participate a unique behind the scenes view of the brand that is Disney, a company that has always ensures the guests are heart of everything they do, and their customer service bypasses all the rest. This one of a kind event is aimed at helping all that attend transform the way the feel about their own personal experiences.

The Customer Experience Summit will take place at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa from Aug. 22-25, 2016. The multi-day summit is a fully immersive learning event that will offer attendees a first-hand look at Disney business insights and best practices in leadership, service and employee engagement. Guests will learn how these critical customer experience elements can be adapted and applied to their own customer interactions.

The Summit will also offer guests unique field experiences throughout the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks where they will observe the Disney customer experience concepts, in action. Disney senior executives will share real-world examples of how they bring the Disney approach to life every day. The Summit keynote speakers include:

George A. Kalogridis, president, Walt Disney World Resort.
Karl Holz, president, New Vacation Operations and Disney Cruise Line.
Paul Richardson, senior vice president, human resources, ESPN and chief diversity officer, The Walt Disney Company.

“This is a great chance for participants to learn from senior Disney executives how we create and deliver a customer experience that consistently exceeds expectations,” said Jeff James, vice president and general manager, Disney Institute. “The summit will be unlike any other, actively engaging attendees in our parks and resorts operation.”

For more details and to register visit: DisneyInstitute.com.

Registration fees include conference materials, guided field experiences within the operation and select meals.

To find upcoming Disney Institute business training and professional development experiences, including those offered in Spanish, as well as our year-round courses offered at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, the Disneyland Resort in California and Aulani – A Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii, visit: DisneyInstituteCourses.com.

Shakira voice of Gazelle in Zootopia Gives a Mother’s Day Shout-Out!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 8, 2016

Pop artist Shakira who voices Gazelle in “Zootopia” gives a shout out to all of you moms out there in the clip below.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Her character also sings the song in the film “Try Everything” that you can’t help but dance to!

The hit movie has already brought in over $900 million worldwide, and you can bring it home on Blu-Ray, DVD, Digital HD, or Disney Movies Anywhere on June 7th:

Dazzle Brightly With a Cute Glitter Disney Mom Tank

By

Danielle

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May 8, 2016

I’m a Disney Mom, and proud of it! That’s why I fell in love with this sparkly and delightful Disney Mom Tank from BellaDesignsStl on Etsy!

This shimmery exclamation of Disney mom-hood has “MOM” spelled out with an adorable Minnie Mouse head as the “O”. The glitter is a no flake, so you can wash and dry it with out having to worry about losing your sparkle. There are a few different shirt colors, so you can get your favorite color to truly express who you are. I love the option of adding the number of kids you have to the end of the “MOM” like the “MOM” squared option pictured below. This tank is made of a soft terry material so it will be comfy, cool and pretty for visiting the Disney Parks, or also great for Disney Addict moms like myself for everyday wear. I’m a Disney Mom, and proud of it, so I let everyone know! I’d even sport this shiny tank at the gym.

Color Options Below:

Which color shirt would you pick to show off your Disney Mom Pride?

How To Survive Those Looooooong Stretches Between Disney Trips

By

Catie

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May 8, 2016

I wish I could afford to go to Walt Disney World every year – heck I would go there every day if I could and never tire of it! But the reality for me (as for a lot of you, I’m sure) is that the expense of a WDW vacation is a luxury that I work hard to be able to afford every few years, and that means there’s some pretty LONNNGGGG stretches between Disney trips for me. So how do I survive until I can get my next “Disney Fix”? Read on to find out:

Disney Movie Nights: This is one of my favorite ways to keep the “Disney Magic” alive in my house – we all take turns picking a movie, and then get some snacks and activities to go along with it. Check out our ideas for Finding Nemo, Cinderella, and Up themed movie nights. This is an easy way to get everyone in your family involved in combatting the Disney withdrawal symptoms

Saving: Even if you don’t have any Disney trips planned yet, you can always start a WDW vacation fund – here’s a DIY to help you create a spot to stash all that loose change (for future use at WDW!). Or if you’re not really the crafty type, could always start an official Disney Vacation Savings Account. Check out more ways to save here – and remember – it’s never too early to start saving towards your Disney dream vacation

Reading: I like to stay on top of all that is new in the Disney “World” – so obviously I am reading Chip and Co every day without fail, and I also like to check out the Disney Parks Blog for updates, too. Beyond that, I make it a habit to purchase at least 1 new WDW guidebook every year, and to read up on changes and reviews in my free time. It’s important to me to stay abreast of the changes happening at Disney – as I want to know what to expect when I go, plus – it’s fun to read about all the ways they are making things even better for their visitors

Planning: Once you actually book your WDW vacation, there’s plenty of planning you can do. You can figure out what to pack (tips on that here!), where to eat and what places to make ADR’s for, what rides and shows you might want to see, and you can even work on a trip itinerary, too!

If you’re patiently (or impatiently!) waiting to go on your next WDW trip, hopefully you can make the wait seem a bit shorter (or at least slightly less painful!) with these tips. If you have any other tips, I would love to hear them, and would also love to know – when’s YOUR next Disney trip?

Snacking at Disneyland for Under $5

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 7, 2016

The Disneyland Resort has countless tasty snacks to try (all the more reason to visit again and again). Here’s a round-up of just a few tasty treats that are some of my favorites, and they’re all under $5! I should warn you though, reading this article will make you hungry and increase your craving to go to Disneyland:

1. Dole Whip (or Dole Whip Float) at the Tiki Juice Bar: A trip to Disney just doesn’t feel complete without this refreshing tropical treat! A delicious pineapple soft serve while enjoying the Tiki Room is just summer-time perfection (and it’s even dairy free!) (Cost: $4.19)

2.Cinnamon-Apple Baton at Troubador Tavern: This is located right outside the Mickey and the Magical Map show. This is super flaky and full of flavor–it’s like an apple pie croissant! And perfect to snack on while you’re waiting for Magical Map to start (or if you’re waiting in line for Small World) (Cost: $3.99)

3. Cream Cheese-Filled Pretzel at Refreshment Corner: Also known as “Coke Corner”. The combo of sweet and savory is delicious. Disneyland’s soft pretzels are already incredible, but when you add cream cheese to the mix it’s even better! (Cost: $4.39)

4. Breadsticks at Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port: I think this snack is major bang for your buck! It is very filling, and the breadsticks taste so fresh. They come with a large marinara dipping sauce. (Cost: $4.99)

5. Churros: These are at numerous carts throughout the park, and is a must-have for almost every visit! You can smell the sugar and cinnamon throughout the park, and I have to say I personally think they are the best churros I have ever had. The taste and the large sized churro you get is well worth the price! (Cost: $4.25)

In addition to these, Jolly Holiday is always baking up something new, changing season to season their bakery case always is offering something mouth-watering and beautiful! What are some of your favorite snacks you have to get when you arrive at Disneyland?

Cast Members at Shanghai Disney Begin Trial Operations

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 7, 2016

Time is quickly approaching for the awaited grand opening of Shanghai Disney Resort. The resort will welcome its first guests on June 16th.

In preparation for the big day Cast Members have begun a trial operations to prepare as it gets closer! During this time those invited will get to experience select features of the resort. Not just anyone can be a guest during trial operations though, it is cast members, stakeholders, partners of the resort.

This is always such a big part in opening any new Disney resort location, as of course they want to make sure everything is running perfect for when guests first get to experience the new magic that lies ahead.

The new resort will have 6 themed lands throughout the park, two hotels, and a shopping district.

Looking to plan your own visit to a Disney Destination? As an authorized Disney Vacation Planner for MickeyTravels I would be happy to help you. My services are 100% free of charge. Contact me anytime at [email protected] or visit my Facebook page.