Marvel & Harley-Davidson Partner For New Superhero Motorcycles

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September 3, 2016

Just when you thought the superhero battle was all but decided, we find our choices go far beyond #TeamCap and #TeamIronMan. Marvel has partnered with Harley-Davidson Australia to create a line of custom hero-themed motorcycles.

The new line of 27 bikes includes models from Marvel’s Avengers characters like Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man and Spider-Gwen, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Black Panther, Ant-Man and Wasp. It also includes two favorite Guardians of the Galaxy, Drax and Groot. As well as The Punisher and Ghost Rider.

And if you’re feeling less hero and more villain, there’s also the Thanos Street Glide Special.

With awesome news, come some bad news. The bikes are part of a giveaway for residents of Australia and New Zealand. No word yet on if they might make their way to the North America.

On the Harley-Davidson site the motorcycles are each associated with a superhuman trait and you can choose accordingly. Visit the site to scroll through images of all 27 bikes.
For example, the Thor Breakout represents the “Fearless” trait and is described as follows:

“Great strength and endurance are just two characteristics of this Marvel Super Hero that never gives up. The Norse God of thunder and lightning also wields one of the greatest weapons ever made, the enchanted hammer Mjolinor, which fills rivals with trepidation. Like Thor, the Softail Breakout® is one of the originals. Honest, classical, fearless of the latest challenger, this Harley-Davidson also has plenty of power in reserve – just waiting for you to put down the hammer!”

Animal Kingdom snake biting lawsuit thrown out of Pennsylvania court

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 3, 2016

A while back we brought you the news of a Pennsylvania family who was suing Walt Disney World over being bit by a poisonous snake at the Animal Kingdom, we are now finding out the case was thrown out by a Pennsylvania federal judge.

U.S. District Senior Judge Robert F. Kelly is stating the court does not have jurisdiction for the case. He granted Disney it’s motion to dismiss on the case which was first filed with the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and then brought to the federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania since it was inappropriate for Michael Barth and his wife to file there.

Judge Kelly said Disney is not incorporated in the state and there is no Disney operation in PA, these are requirements of the lawsuit.

Judge Kelly said in a statement:

“Here, the paradigm bases do not apply because defendants are neither incorporated nor have their principal places of business in Pennsylvania, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is a Florida corporation that has its principal place of business in Florida. Since plaintiffs cannot show general jurisdiction under the two paradigmatic bases, plaintiffs must show that this is an exceptional case where defendants’ ‘affiliation with the state are so continuous and systematic as to render it essentially at home’ in Pennsylvania. Plaintiffs fail to allege sufficient facts suggesting that defendants are essentially ‘at home’ in Pennsylvania.”

James Radmore, the plaintiff representative claims since Disney has stores in PA and owns ABC network and the affiliated 6ABC in Philadelphia there is business being conducted in PA, he also feels with Disney in the homes daily (via cable) that there shouldn’t be any jurisdiction issues. Judge Kelly argued that the plaintiffs haven’t shown how the affiliated companies render general jurisdiction in PA.

The representative for Disney, Fred Marczyk of Drinker Biddle & Reath has not responded.

In case you missed the initial new post back in January you can read it here.

Halloween Popcorn Buckets Return to Walt Disney World Parks

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Lisette R

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September 3, 2016

Autumn and Halloween Popcorn Buckets have returned for the Fall season to the Walt Disney World Parks. There are two Specialty Buckets and one Autumn Bucket. If you enjoy collecting the seasonal popcorn buckets as souvenirs, you will want to check these out.

The refillable Autumn Popcorn Bucket features Frightened Mickey, Frightened Goofy and Frightened Donald on the front side. The back side of the bucket has images of some fun grinning ghosts. This particular bucket is the refillable option and comes with a black cover.

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There are two Halloween Specialty Buckets. Vampire Mickey sports his vampire teeth with his black and purple vampire cape. Zero, Jack Skellington’s Ghost Dog from The Nightmare Before Christmas, is splendid with his jack-o-lantern nose. He is featured on a black haunted house. The Halloween Specialty Buckets are not refillable.

The Autumn and Halloween Popcorn Buckets are available now at the Walt Disney World Parks. You do not have to attend the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party to purchase one of these buckets. They will be available throughout the Autumn season.

Which Autumn or Halloween Specialty Bucket will you choose? Please leave your comments in the box below.

Dory Just Keeps Swimming Back To Theaters For Labor Day Weekend

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 3, 2016

Movie fans’ favorite forgetful fish Dory is making an encore appearance in more than 2,900 theaters nationwide this Labor Day weekend.

“Finding Dory” returns to theaters Sept. 2. Welcoming moviegoers to revisit the film with clownfish Marlin and Nemo, septopus Hank, whale shark Destiny and beluga whale Bailey as they team up to help our darling blue tang, Dory reunite with her long-lost parents.

Directed by Andrew Stanton, produced by Lindsey Collins and featuring the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Hayden Rolence, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy, “Finding Dory” originally opened June 17, 2016, and became the highest grossing animated film of all time domestically.

Watch the live videos from the 2016 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

By

Chip

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September 3, 2016

Our lovely writer Lisette was at the first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party of the 2016 season and she was able to get us some live videos from the event. In case you missed the videos last night here they are for your viewing pleasure.

We hope you enjoy the videos from the Chip and Co Facebook page!

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Special Entrance

Mickey’s Boo To You Halloween Parade

Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party dates are:

September 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 29, 30.
October 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31.

So there is still time to pick up tickets for this really fun event!

Disney World Refurbishment Schedule for September 2016

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 3, 2016

The following is a comprehensive list of attractions, resorts and restaurants at Walt Disney World that are currently undergoing refurbishment during the month of September or will be during the months ahead:

Magic Kingdom

Swiss Family Treehouse – Reopening Sep 24, 2016
It’s a Small World – Reopening September 15, 2016
Big Thunder Mountain – Reopening November 18, 2016
Monorail – modified service and/or routes through Summer 2016. Read more here.

Hollywood Studios

Rock “n” Roller Coaster – October 27 – November 9, 2016
Pizza Planet – Reopening as PizzeRizzo in Fall 2016

Epcot

None

Animal Kingdom

Dinosaur – Closed until October 16, 2016
Dino Institute Shop – Closed until October 16, 2016

Disney Springs

Planet Hollywood – Reopening as Planet Hollywood Observatory in Fall 2016
Fulton’s Crab House – Reopening as Paddlefish in Fall 2016

Water Parks

Blizzard Beach – Annual Refurbishment October 23 – December 24, 2016
Typhoon Lagoon – Annual Refurbishment December 25 – March 11, 2017

Golf Courses/Miniature Golf

None

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Yacht Club Resort: Room refurbishments from October 29 – June 23, 2017. Guests may see or hear work in progress and certain pathways may be unavailable. Work will be limited to 9:00am – 5:00pm in an attempt to minimize disruptions.

Yacht & Beach Club Convention Center – Expansion work until February 1, 2018. Work will be limited to 9:00am – 9:00pm in an attempt to minimize disruptions.

Boardwalk Villas: Room refurbishments until October 31, 2016. Guests may have an interruption to water service during the overnight hours.

Pop Century Resort: Computer Pool closed from October 31 – December 23, 2016. Hard goods refurbishments from November 2 – March 26, 2018 between 10:00am and 4:00pm.

All Star Sports: Grand Slam Pool closed from October 10 – December 2, 2016. Guests may use the Surfboard Bay Pool, located near the main lobby.

Port Orleans French Quarter: Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory Refurbishment – Closed until Late Fall 2016 More Info

Bay Lake Tower: Soft goods refurbishment until September 24, 2016

Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Vallage: Soft goods refurbishment until January 2017

Wilderness Lodge & Villas: General resort refurbishments through 2017. Hidden Springs leisure pool, beach, marina, playground and Teton Boat & Bike Rental closed. Cub’s Den (children’s activity center): Unavailable through 2017. Sturdy Branches (Health Club): Unavailable July – October 2016.

Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel: Guest room renovations through September, 2016. Work is scheduled to take place between 7:00am – 6:00pm daily. No guests will be accomodated in the renovation area in order to minimize impact.

Contact me, Laura Bourget, to start planning your Walt Disney World adventure. I’m a Travel Agent with MickeyTravels, along with a writer for Chip and Company, and would love to help book and plan your next magical vacation. Email [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to get started!

The ABC Network extends it’s Oscar Run through 2028

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 2, 2016

The Walt Disney Co. broadcast network and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Wednesday that they had renewed their domestic TV rights deal for another eight years, keeping the Oscar telecast firmly on ABC for another decade. The previous pact was set to expire in 2020.
ABC has been the exclusive home of the Oscars since 1976.

The new arrangement carries symbolic weight as the 2028 telecast will mark the 100th anniversary of the event.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Gang from Zootopia & Wreck it Ralph join Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 2, 2016

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Tonight kicks off the beginning of the Halloween Season with the very first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party of the year at the Walt Disney World Resort! Disney has announced there will be some new fun and exciting additions to this year’s party lineup:

This year’s event will feature many spectacular returning guest favorites, including “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade,” “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular,” and “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks. But there are a few new additions to keep an eye out for.

“Zootopia” Clawhauser Stars In This Year’s Exclusive Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card – This year’s exclusive card is “Clawhauser’s Tricky Treat,” and when an “apprentice” uses this card to cast a spell in the game, dozens of magical donuts appear. (Learn how you can pick up your game card in this previous blog post).

“Zootopia” Nick and Judy Join The Creepa Crew – The Creepa Crew, which entertains guests waiting on Main Street, U.S.A. will be led by two of the Zootopia PD’s finest, BFFs Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps.

The “Boo to You” Parade Will Give You A Sugar Rush – Vanellope von Schweetz from “Wreck It Ralph” will bring in the candy this year during the “Boo To You” parade. Spy her and her squad of dancers toward the end of the parade.

As a reminder, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party requires a separate ticket (a party specific ticket) that can be purchased here and is available for the following dates.

September – 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 29, 30

October – 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31

It’s not too late to book a trip to experience the Halloween Fun at either Disney Park! 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.

Alicia Keys Partners With Disney On Song For “Queen Of Katwe”

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 2, 2016

Walt Disney Studios is partnering with 15-time Grammy® Award-winning recording artist Alicia Keys, on their upcoming film “Queen of Katwe,” which opens in limited release September 23 and expands wide September 30, 2016.

The multi-talented singer/songwriter/producer’s new original song, “Back to Life,” appears in the film and on the motion picture soundtrack from Walt Disney Records, which also features the buoyant score from Golden Globe® nominee Alex Heffes (“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” “The Last King of Scotland”). “Back to Life” was written by Alicia Keys, Carlo Montagnese and Billy Walsh and produced by Illangelo and Keys.

“’Queen of Katwe’ moved me in every way,” says Alicia Keys. “The film beautifully depicts Uganda with such honest attention to detail—the colors, the sounds, the people—all vividly brought to life. But most soulfully, it’s the story of this fearless, brilliant girl Phiona who embodies the message that the rise to success first begins with opportunity, and the belief you have in yourself to pursue something bigger. The song ‘Back To Life’ that I wrote for this film alongside collaborators Illangelo and Billy Walsh, is about pushing past that little voice of doubt in our heads so we can instead, electrify the world. When we allow women to find and express their power and potential, the world changes for the better. I encourage people to see this film, be moved by Phiona’s story and then go back into their own communities and encourage a girl who will rise like a flower that breaks through the concrete to see the sun!”

Disneyland 2017-2018 Ambassadors Announced

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 2, 2016

Disney Parks Blog Announced that the 2017-2018 Ambassador Team has been announced!

Today, during a celebratory cavalcade down Main Street, U.S.A., cast members Mikey Trujillo and Alexa Garcia were introduced as the 2017-2018 Disneyland Resort Ambassador Team, representing the Resort and its 29,000 cast members.

After a rigorous interview and selection process, Mikey and Alexa were selected to continue the tradition Walt Disney started in 1965 as support for public appearances, interviews and other special requests. The Ambassadors will spend two full years bringing the magic of the Disneyland Resort into the community and beyond as emissaries of goodwill. Also included in their full-time roles, the pair will represent the Resort at a variety of events, such as VoluntEARS activities, cast recognition ceremonies and special promotions, in addition to serving as Disneyland Resort spokespersons and hosting dignitaries and VIPs.

Mikey began his career at the Disneyland Resort in 2012, and is now a Guest Relations Host and VIP Tour Guide. He has served many local charities and organizations as a part of Disney VoluntEARS, including Giving Children Hope and the Orange County Food Bank. He resides in Anaheim, Calif., and enjoys drawing in his spare time.

Alexa began her Disney career in 2009, and is now a Guest Service Specialist at The Walt Disney Travel Company. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University, where she earned her degree in Communications Studies and Studio Arts, Garcia actively volunteered during her college career with many local nonprofits. She lives in Anaheim, Calif., and actively serves with Disney VoluntEARS.

We at Chip and Co. would like to congratulate Mikey & Alexa on receiving this magical honor!

Did you know you can now book 2017 packages at Disneyland and Walt Disney World? 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: Disney Parks Blog

Specialty Treats Available During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 2, 2016

The first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party of the season kicks off tonight at Magic Kingdom! In addition to ghoulishly delightful entertainment, character experiences and PhotoPass opportunities, there will also be lots of deliciously creepy treats available to purchase.

Here is a look at the specialty treats located throughout the park during this year’s party.

Main Street Bakery

Chocolate Worms and Dirt Cupcake
Vanilla Spider Cupcake
Halloween Sugar Cookie

Plaza Ice Cream Parlor

Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich

Gaston’s Tavern

Enchanted Pumpkin Spiced Cupcake

Storybook Treats

Candy Corn Ice Cream Cone

The Friar’s Nook

Ghoulish Strawberry-Lemonade Slushy

Throughout the Park

Candy Corn Cotton Candy
Vampire Mickey Popcorn Bucket
Halloween Popcorn Bucket
Halloween Hot Mug
Poison Apple Stein

Which treats do you plan on trying at this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? I’m a sucker for candy corn so I can’t wait to try the Candy Corn Ice Cream Cone at Storybook Treats!

Contact me, Laura Bourget, to start planning your next Disney Destination vacation. I’m a Travel Agent with MickeyTravels along with a writer for Chip and Company and would love to help book and plan your next magical vacation. Email [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to get started!

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Fall Flavors at the Beaches and Cream Soda Shop

By

Lisette R

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September 2, 2016

When you hear the words “Beaches & Cream” do they bring to mind Fall Flavors? You are more likely to think sandy beaches, ice cream, and sunny summer days. The season of Autumn is about to make its appearance. Lucky for us we can enjoy some flavors of fall year round at the Walt Disney World Resort’s Beaches and Cream Soda Shop.

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop is located at the Beach Club Resort facing the main pool. As you walk up to the outdoor check-in desk, you can peruse the full menu posted on the wall near the entrance door. Reservations are highly recommended due to the popularity of this restaurant.

Look closely at the menu to find the Autumn Flavors amongst the summer fun options. The entrée I am referring to is the Grilled Cheese and Tomato Bisque. When I was a child, one of my favorite Autumn meals was a grilled cheese sandwich, with a bowl of tomato soup. The dessert on the menu, boasting Autumn Flavors, is the Grilled Banana Bread and Peanut Butter. There is nothing like fresh-made banana bread during the Autumn season.

The Grilled Cheese and Tomato Bisque sandwich provides an amazing flavor combination. If you enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich, then you must try one at Beaches and Cream. Made with six cheeses, and grilled to perfection, the Beaches and Cream Grilled Cheese Sandwich will have you hooked from the first bite. The Tomato Bisque is fresh, hot, and creamy. You may even find yourself tempted to dip your grilled cheese into the bisque. Just be sure to taste each item separately first to sample the amazing flavors of each on their own. The portion size is quite adequate.

If you feel the need for a sweet dessert loaded with fall flavors then you must have the Grilled Banana Bread and Peanut Butter. The combination of banana bread, peanut butter, and caramelized bananas is amazing.

I recommend you bring a friend with you when you head to Beaches and Cream. You can easily share the Grilled Cheese and Tomato Bisque. The cast is more than willing to split the meal and bring it out on two plates and bowls. I can assure you that if you eat the entire meal yourself you likely will discover you do not have room for dessert. Alas, this was my dilemma.

Autumn brings with it cooler temperatures and great comfort foods to warm your belly. When I think of the Autumns of my childhood I remember the smells of Autumn. From fresh-made banana bread baking in the oven, to homemade soups cooking on the stove, and the smell of crisp leaves when opening the door to head outdoors; Autumn is a joyfully scented and flavorful season.

What flavors do you enjoy during the Autumn season? Please leave your comments in the box below.