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

By

-

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

-

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

-

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

-

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!

Try the Grey Stuff with this Cute Belle Inspired Necklace

By

Danielle

-

April 29, 2016

Try the grey stuff, it’s delicious, don’t believe me? Ask the necklace! This beautiful Belle Inspired Necklace from the Etsy shop SpiffingJewelry has one of my favorite song lyrics hand stamped on it.

This gorgeous necklace, fitting for Belle her self has an aluminum pendant that is hand stamped with “Try the grey stuff, it’s delicious!”, and a dainty brass spoon embellishment to really tie it all together. The pendant is flanked on both sides with sterling silver chain finished with a lobster claw clasp, with a choice of three different chain lengths. I love the creativity of this necklace, not only is it inspired by a popular quote from Beauty and the Beast, it also has a subtle elegance to it. With such subtle look it can be wearable for many occasions, from an every day piece, to Disneybounding, to a night out with friends. This designer uses a different technique from traditional engraving, which carves a light groove into the metal. The stamping is used for this piece, where each individual letter, number and symbol is stamped by hand, one at a time with a hammer and steel stamp. That’s a lot of love and care put into each letter! You can find this fabulous jewelry piece at the designer’s Etsy shop here!

Would you wear this stunning Beauty and the Beast inspired necklace?

Sprinkles Cupcake shop & ATM set to open May 15th in Disney Springs

By

Chip

-

April 29, 2016

Sprinkles is proud to announce it will open its newest location on May 15th in Disney Springs, an exciting new waterfront district for world-class shopping, unique dining, and high-quality entertainment at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

As the 20th location for the brand nationwide, Sprinkles at Disney Springs will feature both the traditional bakery offering freshly baked cupcakes and an assortment of ice creams and cookies, as well as the brand’s unique Cupcake ATM that dispenses freshly baked cupcakes and cookies for customers who want a sugar rush on the go! Following closely on the recent opening of its first Florida location in Tampa, Sprinkles at Disney Springs signifies the company’s continued mission to bring the popular dessert experience to Central Florida and beyond.

“Disney Springs was a natural fit for us when deciding where in Orlando to open our doors,” said Candace Nelson, founder of Sprinkles and judge on Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars.” “With its widespread appeal to vacationers and locals, Disney Springs is an ideal spot for everyone with a sweet tooth to converge. We’re excited that guests will soon be able to experience our cupcakes, ice cream and cookies, and of course our Cupcake ATM.”

Sprinkles Cupcakes are handcrafted from the finest ingredients and are available in a variety of flavors including Banana, Carrot, Salty Caramel, Strawberry and Sprinkles’ bestseller, Red Velvet. The Orlando menu will also feature Sprinkles signature cookies and ice cream, both of which come in a range of flavors such as Butter Pecan, Rocky Road and Cap’n Crunch; and Snickerdoodle, Salted Oatmeal Cornflake and Peanut Butter Pretzel Chip. Sprinkles also keeps an eye towards customers with specific dietary needs, offering vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free cupcake, cookie and sorbet options.

A highly unique aspect to Sprinkles is its exclusive Cupcake ATM, which offers guests tasty treats even when the bakery is closed. The Cupcake ATM is one of the bakery’s most popular offerings, with Sprinkles at Disney Springs becoming the 12th ATM location. The Cupcake ATM can hold up to 400 cupcakes at a time and is constantly restocked throughout the day to ensure freshness. The Cupcake ATM will also carry dog-friendly cupcakes.

Sprinkles will be open daily from 10 a.m. to midnight. The Cupcake ATM will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Delivery will also be available within a 100 mile radius via online and phone ordering.

For more information on location, menus, pricing and more about the brand please visit http://sprinkles.com/.

Star Wars: Force for Change coming to Disney Parks Starting May 4th, 2016

By

Chip

-

April 29, 2016

Star Wars: Force for Change returns to Disney Parks starting May 4th, 2016. This years theme celebrates the December 16th release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Here is the news from the Disney Parks Blog:

This year, Disney will offer t-shirts for adults and youth that feature the logo for the upcoming film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. These shirts are the first products for the new film created especially for Disney Parks.

Twenty-five percent of the retail sale price of this product will be donated to U.S. Fund for UNICEF in support of UNICEF Kid Power. UNICEF Kid Power gives kids the power to save lives. By getting active with the UNICEF Kid Power Band, kids can go on missions, earn points and unlock therapeutic food packets for severely malnourished children around the world.

The shirts will be released at the following locations:

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland park – The Star Trader and Star Wars Launch Bay
Downtown Disney District – D-Street and World of Disney

Walt Disney World Resort

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Tatooine Traders and Star Wars Launch Bay
Disney Springs – Star Wars Galactic Outpost and Once Upon A Toy
Magic Kingdom Park – Merchants of Venus

These items will not be available on the Disney Parks online store or via the Shop Disney Parks mobile app.

To learn more about Star Wars: Force for Change, please visit ForceForChange.com.

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF does not endorse any brand or product. No portion of the purchase price is tax-deductible.

Source

New Artists Announced for Viva La Musica at SeaWorld Orlando

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

April 29, 2016

Viva la Música is sizzling at SeaWorld Orlando with new flavors and some of the hottest Hispanic artists in the industry. This fiery, festive celebration runs for two more weekends – May 7 and 14 and is included with park admission.

On Saturday, May 7, musician, composer, singer and trombonist, Willie Colón will perform some of his all-time hits at SeaWorld.

Then on Saturday, May 14, Latin music legend Wisin will hit the stage and perform some of his record-breaking hits such as “Adrenalina” and “Que Viva la Vida.”

Viva la Música activities begin at 12 p.m. each Saturday at the Bayside pathway, with concerts starting at 3 p.m. at Bayside Stadium.

Foodies and music lovers can enjoy this family-friendly annual festival with new authentic cuisine prepared by SeaWorld’s Executive Chef Hector Colon; live concerts by these internationally acclaimed Hispanic artists and bands; and unique merchandise from local artisans that reflect the true spirit of Latin culture.

FLAVORS TO TASTE

Chef’s signature creations – New this year at Mango Joe’s is the Hamburguesa Cubana, a hamburger made with a chorizo, ground beef and pork patty. Plus, guests who visit Seafire Grill, Cypress Bakery and Mango Joe’s will find an array of Latin infused limited-time dishes.
New, savory and authentic dishes this year include:

o Piononos – Sweet plantain stuffed with traditional seasoned ground beef

o Morcilla – Traditional Latin American blood sausage

o Sorullitos – Caribbean-style fried polenta sticks

o Frituras de camarones – Skewered shrimp fritters with fried plantains

o Lechón asado – Traditional roasted pork rubbed with Caribbean spices

Some of the guests’ returning favorites include piraguas (shaved ice with tropical flavors), bacalaítos (fried salted codfish pancakes), pinchos (skewered grilled meat with fried plantains) and tripletas, a hearty sandwich made with roast pork, chicken, steak and cheese topped with potato sticks and a special sauce.
Food Sampler Package – For $25, guests looking to try an assortment of new flavors can choose from five samples of select dishes and also receive 15 percent off all food and drink purchases on the event pathway.

Pastries, desserts, beers, margaritas, mojitos, cuba libres, wine and a special house-made sparkling red sangria are also available throughout the event pathway.

SOUNDS TO HEAR

Every Saturday during Viva la Música, upbeat concerts from internationally renowned stars of reggaeton, salsa, merengue and more will take the stage at SeaWorld Orlando’s Bayside Stadium for exciting live concerts.

Scheduled performances include:

Saturday, May 7: Willie Colón
Saturday, May 14: Wisin

Floor Seating Package – Starting at just $15, guests can reserve concert floor seats right in front of the stage act.

*BONUS! – Guests looking to pair their savory cuisine with the perfect Latin beats can purchase the Food Sampler + Front Row Seating Package – Starting at $45, guests can reserve a front row seat (just inches away from the artists), plus enjoy all the benefits of the food sampler package.

SIGHTS TO SEE

Jardín – Returning this year is the Viva la Música garden, providing a more relaxing environment for the entire family, but still just steps away from the main fiesta. Seating and Domino tables are available for guests to relax and enjoy in this area as well.
Mercados – Sprinkled across the event pathway will be small shops stationed with original merchandise inspired by the Latin culture and created by local artisans and artists including handmade oil paintings, organic jewelry and much more.
Festive Latin Atmosphere – The Bayside pathway will come alive with bright colors, Caribbean décor, dance floors and DJs spinning live music hits.

The best way to experience Viva la Música and all of SeaWorld’s special events throughout the year is with a SeaWorld Orlando Annual Pass. From now until April 24, guests who purchase a SeaWorld annual pass will also receive access to Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark for free. With an annual pass, guests will also be able to return this summer for the opening of MAKO – Orlando’s tallest, fastest and longest rollercoaster.

Top 5 Random But Necessary Must Pack Items for Disney World

By

Catie

-

April 29, 2016

Last week I wrote about packing for the ever-changing Disney weather – and I hope that advice was helpful to you as you plan for your next trip to Walt Disney World! When it comes to packing for Disney, I have a LOT of experience – and I have some seemingly random items that you will want to pack to help make your trip go more smoothly.

Read on for my Top 5 Random But Necessary Must-Pack Items for Disney World:

Bags – LOTS Of Them: I’m talking plastic bags here – shopping bags, and Ziploc baggies in assorted sizes too. They come in handy for a LOT of things – keeping your valuables safe during rain or wet rides is a big one, and they can also store half eaten snacks, or hang on to those pressed pennies, or keep your Disney pins and backings in one place. There are so many uses for bags while at Disney that you just need to trust me on this and make sure you bring some along to the Parks

Conditioner: Yes, the WDW Resorts provide toiletries – some of them have combined shampoo/conditioners and others have separate bottles of each, but I personally like to bring my own. Why? Well – mostly because the water in Florida tends to make my hair really dry and brittle – between the showers and the pool, Disney is not kind to my hair. So I like to bring my own conditioner from home so I can make sure I am not dealing with a tangled hot mess of hair on vacation. Good idea to have the kiddos use some too – since de-tangling a little one’s hair can be painful for both parent AND child!

Empty Water Bottles: I toss a few of these into my checked luggage (I keep them empty so they don’t weigh down the bag, plus no liquid = no chance that they can explode in the suitcase!) and I fill them with water/ice each morning before I head off to the Parks. Of course there are water fountains at WDW, or you can purchase (expensive) bottled water – but I prefer bringing my own, makes things a lot easier, and helps us all stay hydrated when that Florida sun comes out to shine!

Gum: Little known fact – they do not sell gum at ALL on WDW property – which may seem strange, but it makes sense when you see how clean they keep the Parks. They don’t want messy sticky gum everywhere, and who can blame them? If you’re big on gum, stock up and bring it along with you (it’s especially helpful to keep your ears from popping when on an airplane!)

A Portable Medicine Cabinet: Most people think to bring their daily prescriptions and vitamins/supplements, but what about other medications you might need while away? You can purchase some over the counter items at the Park stores, but they are expensive, and generally come in very small quantities, so should you find yourself with a migraine at the Magic Kingdom, it might cost a pretty penny for enough Excedrin to get you through the day and evening. Tylenol, ibuprofen, band aids/Neosporin, Tums/Pepto Bismol, Nyquil, DayQuil, and Sudafed – those are all things that I like to bring along with me “just in case”

I deem these items “necessary” not because you can’t get them while at WDW, but because bringing them from home has made mine and my family’s life much easier on several occasions. Toting along these little random “comforts of home” helps ensure I have the happiest vacation ever!

Premiering Monday, June 20 on, Disney XD LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures’ Premieres Monday, June 20 on Disney XD

By

Danielle

-

April 29, 2016

Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures is to premiere Monday, June 20 on Disney XD. The show will air at 10:00 a.m. EDT) and is set between the events of “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi”.

The action comedy series follows the Freemakers, a family of sibling scavengers who operate a salvage and repair shop in space. The series will also feature familiar characters and locations from the filmed Star Wars saga. During the series premiere week, Disney XD will debut a new episode each day, beginning Monday, June 20 through Thursday, June 23. You can catch the first episode on Video on Demand and the Disney XD app if you’re a tablet, phone, set top box or computer viewer as well on Monday, June 20.

Synopsis:

The series stars three Freemaker siblings who scour the galaxy for useful debris that they use to build new vehicles of their own design. Rowan, the spunky Force-sensitive 12-year-old with a thirst for adventure, is voiced by newcomer Nicolas Cantu. His quick-witted older sister, Kordi, voiced by Vanessa Lengies, manages the family business and is the glue that holds the family together. Ace pilot and charming rogue Zander, voiced by Eugene Byrd, is the oldest brother and the family’s self-proclaimed starship connoisseur. Lucasfilm’s Matthew Wood voices R0-GR, also known as Roger, a refurbished battle droid from the Clone Wars adopted by the Freemaker family.

The humorous and action-packed tale of good versus evil begins when Rowan discovers the Kyber Saber, an ancient artifact with a powerful connection to the Force. Their world is turned upside down as they are thrown into an epic struggle against the Empire to restore peace and freedom to the galaxy. Throughout their adventures, the Freemakers learn the true value of what it means to be a family.

This new LEGO Star Wars adventure seems like a great way to dive deeper into the Star Wars mythology, and also keep the younger generations interested in the Star Wars legacy. I can’t wait to sit down and watch this with my little guy!

ABC to Bring Back Match Game with Alec Baldwin as Host

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

April 29, 2016

One of America’s favorite TV game shows of all time “Match Game” will be having a revival, this time in primtime! The game show has been on NBC and CBS in the past, then ABC in the 1990’s. On Sunday, June 26th it will be making a 10-episode revival as part of the Sunday Fun & Games TV block, along with “Celebrity Family Feud” and “The 100,000 Pyramid” in a primetime TV time block 8-11pm EDT.

The extra special part about the “Match Game” revival? Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor Alec Baldwin will be the host, as well as serving as executive producer. Baldwin will be donating his appearance fee towards the Hilaria and Alec Baldwin Foundation, which support artists and the arts. Baldwin is just as excited as we are, and had this to say about the revival:

“I am beyond grateful to ABC and Fremantle Media for the chance to host a summer series of the legendary ‘Match Game.” Hilaria and I are thrilled to donate this fee to arts related charities. And we look forward to having a lot of fun.”

“Match Game” is a game show that features two contestants that try to match the answers of six celebrities in a fill-in the missing blank game.

The show will be in the 10-11pm EDT portion of the Sunday Fun & Games ABC Primetime spot.

Earffel Tower Officially Removed from Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

April 29, 2016

Our friends at WDW Magic have informed us that overnight, one of the last remaining landmarks of Disney’s Hollywood Studios has officially been taken down and removed. The water tower donning a set of Mickey Ears that was for so many years an icon of the park (along with the recently removed Sorcerer’s Hat), is gone. Dubbed the “Earffel Tower”, it stood alongside the Sorcerer’s Hat and the Chinese Theater for years as notable icons of the park.

We are curious to see if anything will be replacing it as a sort of icon when Toy Story Land opens in its place. It’s been around since Disney’s Hollywood Studios was called MGM, and we sure are a little heartbroken to see it go. However, as Walt would say:

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.

We know that change needs to happen in order for new and wonderful things to appear, like Toy Story Land. Will you miss the Earffel Tower?

If you’re interested in planning a trip to experience the new upcoming “lands” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, 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 Parks Blog