CDC Investigating Possible Norovirus outbreak on-board the Disney Wonder

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May 1, 2016

Caribbean Cruise Disney Wonder Logo

The CDC is closely monitoring the situation on board the Disney Wonder as last week 92 of the 2600 passengers and 5 of the 991 crew members reported reported being ill which is being blamed on the Norovirus.

In response to the outbreak Disney has taken the following actions:

Disney is increasing cleaning and disinfection procedures according to their outbreak prevention and response plan
Collecting emesis and stool specimens from passenger and crew gastrointestinal illness cases for testing at CDC
Preparing the infection control turnaround sanitation barrier for the disembarkation today in Miami, FL and submitting to the VSP for review,
Disney sent additional medical, hotel, and sanitation personnel to oversee and assist with implementation of the sanitation and outbreak response procedures.

Disney has emailed the passengers of the upcoming voyage letting them know of the recent outbreak, and letting them know that guests and crew are their highest concern!

Click here to read more about this incident.

Photos Revealed of the Millennium Falcon on Star Wars: Episode VIII Set

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 1, 2016

When the first footage of Star Wars: Episode VIII was revealed in February, we saw that the film starts off where Episode VII left off–with Rey and Luke Skywalker meeting face-to-face on the Skellig Michael island:

In a Daily Mail exclusive, more sneak peeks of Episode VIII were revealed, with photos of the Millennium Falcon on the Pinewood Studios set in Buckinghamshire. In one of the photos, in addition to the iconic Millennium Falcon, we can see what looks to be like a recreation of the steps Rey walked up on the island at the end of Episode VII:

For photos, you can check out the Daily Mail article here.

Star Wars Episode VIII is expected to finish filming mid-July this year, with a December 15, 2017 release date. To tide us over during the wait for the next Star Wars Episode, here’s a look at the Millennium Falcon in action in “The Force Awakens“:

Photo Credit: Daily Mail

New Gourmet Mexican Restaurant to open in Disney Springs being renamed Frontera Cocina

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 1, 2016

Rick Bayless is opening a new gourmet Mexican restaurant in Disney Springs, and it seems they haven’t been able to decide on a name. It was first announced as Frontera Fresco, but a few months later renamed again to Tablas Frontera, in February. Now we are seeing another name change to Frontera Cocina is announced.

No word on whether or not the new name change will also come along with a menu/theming change that was announced along with the name Tablas Frontera in February.

Frontera Cocina is set to open this summer in the newly opened Town Center district of Disney Springs.

If you’re interested in booking a trip to experience the new Disney Springs, 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.

Upcoming Special Events for Disney Vacation Club Members

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 1, 2016

Mother’s Day Brunch

Disney Vacation Club Members and their guests are invited to attend a special Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 8, 2016 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The event will be held from 11am to 1pm at the Fantasia Ballroom and pricing is $53.95 per adult and $29.95 per child plus tax and gratuity. The brunch is inspired by the Disney Pixar film The Incredibles and will feature the following:

Incredible Mom Pledge led by a Disney Ambassador—families are invited to participate in an oath to honor and love their Moms
Appearances by some Characters from The Incredibles—an event photographer will be on hand to capture your special moments with them and provide you with a complimentary take-home photo
A Mother’s Day card-making station—supplies will be available for kids to create a keepsake card for Mom
Incredible Mom Song on the Spot—a strolling musician will chat with families during brunch and improvise a song, honoring the Moms in the room

Reservations are required and can be made now by calling Member Services at (800) 800-9800. Full payment is due at the time of booking and there is a 48 hour cancellation policy. Party size limit is 16 guests and a valid DVC membership and photo I.D. is required at check-in.

Independence Day Dessert Party

Disney Vacation Club Members and their guests are invited to attend an Independence Day Dessert Party on Sunday, July 3, 2016 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The event will be held at the Convention Center Porte–Cochére from 8:00pm until 10:00pm. Pricing is $35 per adult and $22 per child plus tax and gratuity. It will include live entertainment, delicious desserts, character appearances, games and more:

A tasty array of red, white and blue dessert samplers, patriotic punch and assorted non-alcoholic sips—alcoholic beverages available via cash bar for those Guests 21 years of age or older
Carnival games
A “front porch” view of Disney’s Celebrate America – a Fourth of July Concert in the Sky at Magic Kingdom Park starting at 9:00 PM
Photo opportunities with Mickey and Minnie decked out in patriotic attire—plus, a complimentary take-home print

Reservations are required and can be made now by calling Member Services at (800) 800-9800. Full payment is due at the time of booking and there is a 48 hour cancellation policy. Party size limit is 16 guests and a valid DVC membership and photo I.D. is required at check-in.

Neighborhood Beach Bash

This summer is heating up as the milestone anniversary year continues with the return of the Disney Vacation Club Neighborhood Beach Bash, coming to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park at Walt Disney World Resort on select dates in June and July. This complimentary event for Members and their Guests will feature exciting entertainment and activities, tasty snacks, and access to select attractions – all after regular park hours!

Get ready to rock with a park-wide nighttime beach party at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon from 9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m., on the following evenings:

•   Thursday, June 23, 2016 – Event is at capacity
•   Wednesday, June 29, 2016
•   Wednesday, July 6, 2016
•   Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Experience after hours access to select attractions and many of the park’s fantastic water slides. Jam out during a DJ dance party, participate in family fun beach activities and enjoy delicious refreshments and treats.

Reservations are required and can be made now by calling Member Services at (800) 800-9800. This event is open to members who a have a valid Resort reservation at Walt Disney World Resort on an event date or a reservation at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort or with a Disney Cruise Line sailing out of Port Canaveral, Florida within one day before or after an event date.

Disney Vacation Club Jubilee Celebration

DVC members and their guests are invited to a special soiree brimming with nostalgia on Sunday, July 17, 2016 from 4:00pm until 6:00pm at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Pricing for this event is $35 per adult and $22 per child plus tax and gratuity. The event will be held in the Sequoia Ballroom and will feature the following unique experiences:

A dance party with a live DJ playing a mix of modern and retro tunes
Disneyland Park trivia
Carnival-style games
An opportunity to meet a few unique Characters
Convenient print-on-demand stations to create complimentary print souvenirs
Classic Disneyland refreshments—alcoholic beverages available via cash bar for those Guests 21 years of age or older
Special décor spread throughout the room:
- Vintage Disneyland attraction posters
- Photo locations representing each of the park’s original “lands”—Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland

Reservations

Reservations are required and can be made beginning May 20, 2016 by calling Member Services at (800) 800-9800. Full payment is due at the time of booking and there is a 48 hour cancellation policy. Party size limit is 16 guests and a valid DVC membership and photo I.D. is required at check-in.

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

Source and Photo Credit: Disney Vacation Club

Disney World wins Disability lawsuit

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 30, 2016

Disney won a lawsuit earlier this week in which a plaintiff was suing Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts saying that the Disable Access Service Card (DAS) violates the American with Disabilities Act. Not only winning the judgement granted, the court also required the plaintiff to pay all of Disney’s legal fees.

In 2014, 16 children and young adults with autism along with their guardians and parents filed ADA violations in federal court.

Disney’s disability program changed from GAC (Guest Assistance Card) program to DAS (Disability Access Service) to stop so many non disabled people from scamming the system. The lawsuit claims that the new system often results in having to wait on long lines causing meltdown behaviors and that cast members who used to be caring and helpful are now inadequate and “robotic”. There is also claim that the new system makes it impossible for the autistic individuals to keep up with their routine, order, and consistency which is very important for people with autism.

Judge Ann Conway said in a statement:

“The Plaintiff was given an opportunity to experience Magic Kingdom in a similar manner as guests that do not need accommodations, Non-disabled guests visiting Magic Kingdom for rides and attractions have to wait more than an hour to experience them,” “Comparing this to Plaintiff’s experience, DAS (Disability Access Service) and readmission passes allow him access to those same rides in a fraction of the time thus, DAS and readmission passes afford Plaintiff a similar, or better, experience as those not needing them.”

Glad to have this case behind them a Disney representative said:

“We fully comply with all ADA requirements and believe that the legal claims are without merit,”

Do you feel like this case was handled correctly? Comment below!

Possible New Name for DVC Resort: Copper Creek Cabins and Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 30, 2016

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has been undergoing an extensive refurbishment with construction already underway on its new waterside cabins. According to WDW News Today, the Disney Vacation Club portion of the resort will have a new name: Copper Creek Cabins and Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Construction on the resort is expected to continue through 2017. Disney is yet to make a formal announcement on its plans for the new waterside cabins but I have a feeling it will be worth the wait!

Copper Creek is “derived from the Copper River in Alaska, which produces salmon that are served for a short period annually at the resort’s Artist Point restaurant.”

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

Source: WDW News Today

Disney Finds – Mickey & Minnie Shower Heads

By

Chip

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April 30, 2016

Put a little fun into your daily routine with this adorable Mickey & Minnie Mouse Shower Heads. This is the perfect for the Disney Addict in your life. Comes with 15 Spray combinations with Oxygenics pressure-boosting technology. It has a rubber grip designed to reduce slipping, a comfort control lever that adjusts water pressure, 15 total spray combination settings and a 3-way diverter so you can use each shower head individually or together. It’s a shower experience unlike any other.

Cost for these shower heads are not too bad. For the Mickey Mouse Shower Head it will run you around $36, and the Minnie Mouse Shower Head will run around $43. Keep in mind prices will fluctuate so if you check it later it may go up or down.

Don’t forget to complete your Disney Bathroom with some of these great items too!

Sephora is Coming to Disney Springs-Projected Opening May 15th

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 30, 2016

The magic of beauty, meets the magic of Disney all in one place!

Some of you may already know the partnership Disney has with Sephora and its recent release of the Limited Edition: The Disney Minnie Beauty by Sephora Collection. This collection is selling out quickly, and in high demand already, but there is good news…Sephora at Disney Springs will have reserve stock. Pictured below is one of the products offered in the collection, a set of makeup brushes with some Minnie style added in.

With over 5,000 Sq.Ft in space, Sephora will have endless beauty options to choose from, with a wide variety of over 200 brands and 13,000+ products (fragrances, skincare, hair care, makeup products and accessories) your options are practically limitless. Sephora was a store first of its kind allowing consumers to choose from an open sell model, several different brands in one place, allowing customers to also sample and try some of the products.

Make it to Disney Springs in time to see all the fun openings in store!

Do you need help planning your trip to see all the new happenings at Disney Sprngs? As an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner for MickeyTravels, I would be happy to help you plan your trip! Contact me anytime [email protected], or on my Facebook page. Vacation planning services are 100% free.

Photo Credit: Sephora

You can now get Married in the East Plaza Garden in the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 30, 2016

Up until now, if you chose to get married at Walt Disney World, your ceremony options were at some of Disney’s Stunningly Beautiful Deluxe Resorts (Such as The Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Boardwalk, to name a few), and a few other beautiful off-resort locations, limited to Epcot, but in beautiful settings in each country’s pavilion in the World Showcase at Epcot. Imagine getting married in Italy or France, while also still experiencing the magic of Disney!

However, today Disney Fairytale Weddings dropped a huge bomb of an announcement that every single woman who dreams of getting married at Disney World will want to know more about:

You can now get married with Cinderella’s Castle as your backdrop in the East Plaza Garden at Magic Kingdom.

On their Ever After Blog today, Disney announced:

The East Plaza Garden at Disney’s Magic Kingdom is a venue like no other where you can now say your vows with your beloved sweetheart in the ultimate fantasy setting. Located at the end of Main Street U.S.A., the East Plaza Garden provides the perfect setting for a ceremony fit for royalty. Not only does Cinderella Castle provide a stunning backdrop for your nuptials, but you can arrive to your ceremony in style with Cinderella’s Coach and for your wedding party a classic turn-of-the-century Main Street Vehicle.

With Disney Fine Art Photography capturing all the special moments of your ceremony, it will surely be a wedding you will never forget. If you’ve been dreaming of “I do” at the Happiest Place on Earth, look no further! Ask your Disney Wedding Consultant for more details on how to make this fairy tale ceremony at East Plaza Garden a reality.

I don’t know about you, but I am ready to ask my husband for a wedding re-do, just so I can have a ceremony in the most magical place on Earth, in front of my favorite castle! How about you? Have you dreamed about getting married in front of Cinderella’s Castle like I have?

photos: Disney Weddings Blog

Zootopia Coming to Blu-Ray, Digitlal HD, and Disney Movies Anywhere in June

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 29, 2016

For those of you who have seen “Zootopia” in theaters, you know it’s an incredible film (you can read our review here). The movie has had huge critical acclaim, and even has achieved some records. “Zootopia” had the biggest opening weekend box office numbers for a Disney Animated film ($75 million), and is now the second highest grossing Disney Animation Studios film, so far having brought in a whopping $318 million domestically, and $908 million worldwide.

You can bring home the adventurous tale of Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) and Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) on June 7th; it will be released on Blu-Ray, DVD, Digital HD, and Disney Movies Anywhere. The at home release will be full of bonus features, including:

Conversations with the filmmakers and artists who created “Zootopia”
Alternate opening
Deleted scenes
Never-before-seen characters
A look at the Easter Eggs within “Zootopia” that reference other Disney Animation Studios films.

You can check out an early look at the hidden Easter Eggs bonus feature in this video:

I can’t wait to see this unique and visually stunning film again at home, be sure to stay tuned closer to the release date for our review of the Blu-Ray and its bonus features!

Enter to win a trip to stay at a Disney Springs resort!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 29, 2016

You can now enter to win a vacation at one of Disney Springs Resort, you only need to enter once, a monthly drawing will be made on the 15th of each month.

Here are the contest details:

3 day, 2 night accommodations at one of the Disney Springs™ Area Hotels
Complimentary transportation to all Disney Theme Parks
You’ll also receive our monthly e-news updates about the happenings at Walt Disney World Resort® and theDisney Springs™ (formerly Downtown Disney Resort®) Area Hotels!

The resorts include; B Resort & Spa, Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel, Buena Vista Palace, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Lake Buena Vista, Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Holiday Inn Orlando – Disney Springs™ Area, and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista.

There are some restrictions:

Restrictions and black-out dates may apply.
A drawing will be done on the 4th of each month for the preceding months.
Winners will be notified via email on or about the 15th of each month.
Only valid email addresses count as entries.
Only one email per person may enter.
Final cut-off is the last day of each month at 11:59 PM EST.

Make sure to visit the website here and enter for your chance to win!

Good luck to everyone out there!

Disney Magical Dice, Disney’s first mobile board game is now available for iOS and Android

By

Danielle

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April 29, 2016

Today Netmarble Games Corp. announced that Disney Magical Dice, Disney’s first mobile board game, is now available globally in 155 countries including the U.S.! The game invites gamers to play as beloved Disney characters as they travel through the virtual board game, exploring different maps and Disney-themed cards, avatars, dice, and landmarks.

In Disney Magical Dice players will roll the dice to gain squares and take control of the game in a variety of ways. Acquiring other players’ squares will be an effective attack, while building landmarks will be the ideal defense strategy. Magical Dice will have a ‘fun to play’ in-game tutorial that allows players of all skill levels to easily enjoy the game. To celebrating the launch of this new game, the game is giving players 3 premium card packs between April 28 and May 27 when they connect their individual Facebook account to the game, and 10 diamonds every day when at least one game is played per day between April 29 and May 3. Up to 200 diamonds will be also awarded to players when friends are invited into the game. Diamonds will be the rare currency (and able to be purchased with real currency) that can be used to purchase various items within the item shop, including premium costume cards which will transform avatars into Disney characters.

Players will be able to invite friends through using Bluetooth, or by connecting through their Facebook accounts. You’ll be able to play with your friends together in real-time. The game has exciting PvE and PvP game modes, to give an interactive player platform for fans.

Exciting Disney Magical Dice features, include:

Your Favorite Disney and Pixar Characters: Players can play as their favorite Disney and Pixar characters, including: Goofy, Daisy Duck, Dale, Chip, Donald Duck, Rapunzel, Maleficent, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Snow White, Cinderella, Stitch, Aladdin, Alice, Woody, Buzz, Tinker Bell, Peter Pan, and Captain Hook.
Fun Disney themed maps and landmarks: Mickey & Friends allows players to play the game with the popular and familiar original Disney characters including landmarks of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip & Dale, and Donald Duck. Fantasyland includes various objects from Disney’s stories including the magic mirror, glass slipper, and pumpkin carriage as landmarks and more!
PvE Game Mode: Players can participate via the PvE stage-based practice mode that mixes a simple storyline with Disney characters. A tutorial introduces game rules, allowing players to adapt to the gameplay in an easy and engaging manner. Fans can play against various Disney characters in the different stages and earn their costume cards as rewards.
Ready, Set, Play: In the PvP game mode players are matched up in real-time competition. Various modes include Free-For-All and Team Mode (2v2), and feature three different classes (Rookie, Minor, Major) for players to choose from depending on their experience with the game.
Card Collection & Card Power-Up: Disney Magical Dice invites you to expand your collection of Disney character costume cards while naturally learning about how to strengthen your cards through Power-Up and Fusion.
Player Strategy: Quality dice and card stats are influential in helping players win Disney Magical Dice. There are different stats for each dice and some dice stats are added to your card stats. Extra help comes in the form of magic beans. Players can collect magic bean through various in-game rewards and expert league victories.
Competition via Rankings: Trigger the competitive nature of players through international and friend leaderboards. Various rewards are awarded in short intervals for the different ranks that players achieve.

So get ready to join a cast of Disney Characters in Disney Magical Dice! Embark on an epic adventure! Collect cards and Roll the magic dice to journey across fantastic Disney worlds! Available for Apple and Android devices now!