Adventures in Babysitting to be the 100th Disney Channel Original Movie

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April 26, 2016

The Disney Channel is about to hit a major milestone–the premiere of its 100th original movie! The movie, “Adventures in Babysitting“, stars some pretty big Disney channel names; Sabrina Carpenter from “Girl Meets World” and Sofia Carson from “Descendants“.

The movie is inspired by the 1980’s “Adventures in Babysitting” film that tells the story of two teenage girls who are incredibly different from one another. The two teen girls are both competing for the same photography internship, one is the reliable Jenny (Sabrina Carpenter) and the other, the living-on-the-edge kind of girl Lola (Sofia Carson). The two girls accidentally swap phones, with Lola volunteering to do a babysitting job that a family meant to contact Jenny to do. Things go a little haywire, and the film follows the girls’ hectic night that involves sneaking out to a concert, among other adventures in the big city.

AIB 138736 4437

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The movie premieres June 24th at 8pm (EDT), with many sneak peeks leading up to the big 100th Disney Channel Original Movie debut:

Friday, May 20th: The “Adventures in Babysitting” original song “Wild Side”, preformed by Carpenter and Carson, will be available for digital purchase. The video for “Wild Side” will also premiere on Disney Channel the same day.
Friday, June 3rd: A preview of the film’s first 10 minutes will be available exclusively on the Disney Channel and Freeform Apps, as well as the Disney Channel YouTube and Facebook page.
Friday, June 17th: Advanced viewing of the movie are available on VOD and users of the Disney Channel App.
Friday, June 24th: The official premiere date of “Adventures in Babysitting” at 8pm (EDT) on Disney Channel. Following the new movie will be the premiere of Disney Channel’s new original series “Bizaardvark“.
Saturday, June 25th: “Adventures in Babysitting” will be available to purchase on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, and Google Play.
Tuesday, June 28th: The movie will be available on DVD, and will include bloopers and a magnetic phone frame.

The latest trailer for “Adventures in Babysitting” can be viewed below:

Having enjoyed the 1980’s one as a child, it will be fun to watch a new version of “Adventures in Babysitting” with my daughter!

Flirty and Fun Disney Princess Ankle Socks

By

Danielle

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April 26, 2016

A cute pair of Disney socks is always fun. These Disney Princess Ankle Socks are available at Torrid, and right now Select Tights & Socks are 2 for $20 at Torrid.com!

It’s not easy being a princess, but hey, if the socks fit! These ankle socks sport three different Disney Princesses; Cinderella, Ariel, and Snow White. They feature a more pastel style color theme than the usual bright colors on Disney socks too! The stretchy soft knit has “happily ever after” quality. Since they’re on sale 2 for $20, you could also grab the jewel tones ankle sock set featuring five beautiful princesses; Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, Rapunzel and Ariel. These beautiful Disney ankle socks will be sure to give your soles a makeover fit for a princess!

Kilimanjaro Sunset Safari FastPasses available for booking now

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 26, 2016

We mentioned recently that Animal Kingdom’s park hours were going to be extended until 11pm daily, starting May 27th. Included in the new nighttime offerings is a Sunset Safari at Kilimanjaro Safaris where you will get a chance to see what your favorite animals are up to late into the evening. If you happen to be in your My Disney Experience account making FastPasses for May 27th at Animal Kingdom, you may have noticed that the safari times now extend until very late in the evening.

Guests staying at a Disney Resort Hotel can start making their FastPasses immediately.

I personally can’t wait to be able to go on an evening safari, what are your thoughts?

If you’d like to plan a trip to experience the new Nighttime offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, then 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.

Casting for New Show: “Jungle Book: Alive with Magic”

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 26, 2016

Disney is casting a group of four musical performers for Animal Kingdom’s new show “Jungle Book: Alive with Magic.” Musicians must be proficient using Indian style instruments such as the Tabla, Sitar, Bansuri, Dilruba and Ravanahatha and will perform live on stage with vocalists and dancers.

The show is inspired by Disney’s hit movie “The Jungle Book” and will be filled with music and special effects that will celebrate the new film with an Indian influence.

The interim show will debut at Discovery River over Memorial Day weekend and continue until “Rivers of Light” is ready to open. “Rivers of Light” was expected to open on April 22nd but has since been delayed with no anticipated date of completion.

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Walt Disney World vacation.

Source credit: WDW Magic

Beaches and Cream now offering alcoholic Floats and Shakes

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 26, 2016

Beaches and Cream, located at Disney’s Beach Club, is now adding alcoholic floats and shakes to their already amazing selection of frozen treats that draw guests in like crazy when they visit. Next time you visit, you can give a few of these new creations a try!

S’mores Shake (Chocolate and vanilla ice cream, Amarula Cream liquer, creme de dark coco, and topped with marshmallow, chocolate sauce, and graham crumbles)
The Classic Root Beer Float (Coney island hard root beer with vanilla ice cream)
Grashopper Float (Guinness with mint chip ice cream)
Tropical Sunrise Float (Ace Pineapple hard cider with rainbow sherbet)
Stout Float (Guinness with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce)

You can also get other adult beverages such as beer, hard cider and hard sodas such as

Coney Island Hard Root Beer
Heineken
Guinness
Bud Light
Schofferhofer Pink Grapefruit
Ace Pineapple Hard Cider
Rekorderlig Pear Hard Cider
New Belgium Fat Tire

I’m not sure about you, but I think any of these new treats sounds amazing, and I’m sure they’ll be a huge hit with guests. Which one would you try first?

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.

SeaWorld’s Viva La Musica Heats Up Orlando

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 26, 2016

Viva La Musica is sizzling back into action at SeaWorld Orlando. The Latin Festival is bringing some hot new flavors and some of the hottest Hispanic Artists in the industry. The festive celebration that’s heating up Central Florida will run Saturdays April 23, May 7 and May 14 and is included with your Park Admission, which makes this even hotter!

On Saturday April 23, Latin Grammy Winner, Victor Manuelle will dazzle guests as he performs hit songs like “No Quería Engañarte” from his multi-platinum albums. Viva La Musica activities will begin at Noon each Saturday at the Bayside Pathway, with concerts starting at 3p.m. Don’t miss the Authentic Savory Cuisine, prepared by Executive Chef Hector Colon from Puerto Rico, which includes everything from Blood Sausage to Shrimp Fritters. There will be plenty of entertainment even as you head over to Festival Stage where local dance studio Salsa Heat will be showing you some Latin dance moves and heat this event up even more. Want to learn a few moves? No problem! They are happy to teach you and bring you in on the fun!

There is no shortage of fun at this look into the Latin Culture. It’s a Festival for everyone in the family! So head on down to SeaWorld Orlando for some hot beats, delicious food and learn some new moves, along with the rest of the run SeaWorld has to offer, like the soon to open Mako!

Florida Residents, don’t forget your Annual Pass for only $14/month! With all the fun they include with park admission, hard to stay away!

China Eastern Airlines Debuts New Shanghai Disney Themed Plane

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 26, 2016

In preparing for the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort a Chinese-owned Airbus A330 plane has been repainted with a wonderful Mickey and Minnie design to celebrate the grand opening of the Shanghai Disney Resort on June 16th, 2016.

This is following the signing by SDR and China Eastern Airline in a long term partnership. This now makes China Eastern Airlines the official park sponsor and presenting sponsor of Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction. This now gives China Eastern the opportunity to co-brand at the airport and on Disney themed planes.

SDR is a partnership between The Walt Disney Company and Shanghai Shendi Group. Shanghai Shendi groups holds 57% of the share and Disney holds 43%. Shanghai Shendi Group is made up of two owning companies, Shanghai International Theme Park Company Limited and Shanghai International Theme Park Associated Facilities Company Limited and a management company International Theme Park Associated Facilities Company Limited.

As one of the world largest airlines consisting of 401 planes currently flying, China Eastern will be the airline bringing guest to Shanghai as well as offer promotions for Shanghai Disney Resort guests.

Are you excited about the opening of Shanghai Disney Resorts and riding on these newly painted planes? Comment below!

Photo courtest of Shanghai Disney Resort

Disney Confirms 8 New Films are coming!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 26, 2016

With the huge success of “The Jungle Book” (grossing $192,213,247 domestically so far), it seems Disney thought now is the perfect time to give us some updates on some of their fairy tale live action films we haven’t heard much news on. In addition to some updates on previously announced projects, Disney also announced a few new titles in the works, as well as tentative release dates!

Cruella – I had just written last week that Emma Stone was the fan rumor to play the famous villain, well it looks like fan fantasy has become reality! Emma Stone has been confirmed to play Cruella DeVil! Kelly Marcel is writing the script.
Dumbo – It was announced last year that Tim Burton would be directing the “Dumbo” film, it’s now been announced that the script writer will be Ehren Kruger.
The Jungle Book 2 – A couple of days prior to the release date, Jon Favreau had been in talks with Disney to do a sequel. Now it seems to be in the works, with Jon Favreau returning to direct, and Justin Marks returning to write.
Jungle Cruise – I’m pretty excited for this, it’s been awhile since we’ve seen a movie based on an attraction! Dwayne Johnson will star in it, with John Requa and Glenn Ficarra writing.
Maleficent 2 – This film made it to Disney’s top 10 highest grossing live action films, so it’s no surprise they will be making a sequel! Angelina Jolie will return to reprise her role, with Linda Wolverton writing.
Mary Poppins Sequel – Can you believe it? I think I’m most surprised (and excited) about this project! Emily Blunt will be starring, along with “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Rob Marshall is directing.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms – Earlier this year it was said Disney would release a Nutcracker film, but now we have an official title! The movie will be directed by Lasse Hallstrom and written by Ashleigh Powell.
A Tinker Bell Movie – Starring Reese Witherspoon, and written by Victoria Strouse.
A Wrinkle in Time – It will be exciting to see Disney put their spin on one of my favorite books I read as a child! Ava DuVernay is directing, with Jennifer Lee writing.

At last year’s D23 Convention, Disney showed fans a release schedule over the next few years. Yesterday, Disney released along with these project announcements an updated release schedule:

UNTITLED DISNEY FAIRY TALE (Live Action) on 7/28/17 (originally had been set for 12/22/17)
UNTITLED DISNEY FAIRY TALE (Live Action) on 4/6/18
UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION on 8/3/18
UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION on 12/25/18
UNTITLED DISNEY FAIRY TALE (Live Action) on 12/20/19

So perhaps some of these titles will go into those date slots! Which are you most excited to see? Which announcement are you the most surprised by?

Jodie Benson Performing in The Little Mermaid: Live in Concert

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 26, 2016

Earlier this month it was announced that there will be an incredible event at the Hollywood Bowl. “The Little Mermaid: Live in Concert“, starring Sara Bareilles as Ariel, Rebel Wilson as Ursula, Titus Burgess as Sebastian, John Stamos as Chef Louis, Norm Lewis as King Triton, Darren Criss as Eric, and Joshua Colley as Flounder. It was scheduled just for June 4th, but shortly after advanced ticket sales began a June 3rd date was added.

We now just got word that a third concert date was added for Monday, June 6th! The even bigger announcement? The June 6th performance will feature Jodi Benson reprising her role as Ariel! The performance will have additional special guest stars Susan Egan (Meg from “Hercules”, the original Belle on Broadway’s “Beauty and the Beast”), and Brad Kane, who did the singing voice of Aladdin in “Aladdin”.

Benson couldn’t be happier to get to re-visit the role of Ariel, which she originated. She had this to say about the concert:

“I’m so thrilled and incredibly blessed to be invited once again to sing at the Hollywood Bowl—and this time as my beloved Ariel during this unique commemoration of our movie, The Little Mermaid,” said Benson. “It’s such a special honor to celebrate my 30th anniversary with the Walt Disney Company by standing on the Hollywood Bowl stage and singing the beautiful music of the brilliant Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. I am truly honored and eternally grateful to Howard and Alan and our directors, Ron Clements and John Musker, for allowing me to bring Ariel to life and to be ‘part of your world’ for all of these many amazing years.”

The concert will accompany the celebrity singers with a live orchestra, with “The Little Mermaid” movie playing on the Hollywood Bowl screens. Tickets go on sale to the general public April 27th at 10am at Ticketmaster.com for the June 6th concert, the June 3rd & 4th concert tickets are already available.

Big Changes Coming to Skipper Canteens Menu in the Magic Kingdom

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 26, 2016

The menu at Skipper Canteen will soon be revamped with items either being completely removed or shifted to other restaurants throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. When Skipper Canteen first opened its doors in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom last December guests were over the moon excited about a new dining option. The “World Famous Jungle Cuisine” sounded exciting, different and the idea of same day reservations sounded appealing to those who prefer not to over plan their day.

The atmosphere of the restaurant was fun and airy yet most of the seats were empty when I peaked inside during our last visit. The kids were not impressed with the exotic choices on the menu, especially Trader Sam’s Head-On Shrimp, which is heading over to the new signature restaurant Tiffins in Animal Kingdom. Hence, we decided to pass and grabbed the typical burgers and fries for lunch at a quick service location instead.

Apparently we were not the only guests at Magic Kingdom who felt this way and Disney has taken notice. It has not been announced yet when the changes to the menu will take place but it is believed to be soon and they will be drastic. Perhaps “World Famous Jungle Cuisine” is just a bit too adventuresome for the Magic Kingdom Theme Park. It will be interesting to see what sort of new offerings will be revealed at Skipper Canteen but the new menu will certainly be on my must-see list during our next Disney visit. Maybe we’ll actually get to eat inside next time.

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Walt Disney World vacation where you can check out the new menu at Skipper Canteen for yourself!

Will Tower of Terror Get a New Guardians of the Galaxy Overlay?

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 25, 2016

With Star Wars Land now under construction, it only makes sense that Disney would also take advantage of its Marvel Studios partnership in the parks, too.

There have long been rumors of a Marvel mini-land opening at Disney California Adventure, and it has often been speculated that it would be located at the end of Hollywood Land. According to WDW News Today, Disney is looking to opt out of its Twilight Zone license in California. There now seems to be rumor of the likely possibility of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride at Disney California Adventure getting a “Guardians of the Galaxy” overlay as part of a possible Marvel area of the park!

With Tower of Terror being an incredibly popular ride, it would seem to make sense that Disney re-themes it with a Marvel flare, rather than deconstruct the massive hotel to rebuild a whole new ride structure. Perhaps instead of an elevator shaft it will be re-themed as though guests are riding the Milano! Nothing has been confirmed yet by Disney on a re-theming or construction of a Marvel area of the park, but often times fan rumor on Disney news becomes truth!

It has been reported unlikely that a “Guardians of the Galaxy” overlay would take place at other Tower of Terror ride locations.

What do you think of a change to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror? What other Marvel attractions do you think would be interesting to see?

Labyrinth Coming Back to the Big Screen

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 25, 2016

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the epic Jim Henson classic “Labyrinth”, starring David Bowie as The Goblin King.

To commemorate the cult classic’s 30th anniversary, there will be special screenings of the film throughout the country at select theaters via Fathom Events on September 11th and 14th. As if seeing the film on the big screen wasn’t cool enough, there will also be exclusive content shown at the screenings.

Then, coming to us September 20th will be a release of a 30th anniversary Blu-Ray, DVD and 4K, and Ultra HD. The special at-home release will be jam-packed full of special bonus material, including a making-of documentary, commentary by puppet designer Brian Froud, and a 24-page “digibook” with rare behind-the-scenes photos and footage. You’ll also be able to see a discussion that include “Labyrinth” star Jennifer Connelly and Jim Henson’s family about the puppetry and making-of this film. There will also be a special remembrance of David Bowie, who passed away in January this year. Closer to the release, Amazon will offer a special limited edition mirrorbox packaging of the Blu-Ray.

Growing up having watched the “Labyrinth” countless times, it will be exciting to be able to see it on the big screen in adulthood, and learn more about the making of this film!