Personalized Disney Tumblers With a Little Bit of Sparkle

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March 29, 2016

Warm weather is moving in and I can’t wait to spend my days poolside with a cold drink in my hand. I love Tumblers with a straw for icy beverages around the pool, especially a personalized one that is just my own. Now if you pair personalized with a cute Disney twist like these Personalized Mickey & Minnie Tumblers from FloridaKeysMomma on Etsy, it’s perfect!

These simply but sleek looking tumblers are They are 16 ounces and double walled, to keep beverages cool with minimal spillage. They can come personalized with any name you like and feature a classic Mickey Head, or a Minnie Head that is adorned with a glittery bow! Oooo glitter AND Minnie Mouse? Yes, please! I love how the Mickey and Minnie heads show through from behind the name, such a fun touch. If you love these as much as I do be sure to check them out here: Personalized Disney Inspired Tumblers.

Which would you use, the classic Mickey or the Sparkling Minnie?

Disney Favorites Star in New LEGO Minifigure Series

By

Chip

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March 29, 2016

Eighteen of The Walt Disney Company’s most beloved characters star in an entirely new LEGO Minifigure series out May 1^st! Ranging from Walt Disney Studios classics to favorites from Disney Pixar, the first images of all 18 Disney characters in LEGO Minifigure form will be released Tuesday, March 29^th at 10am ET – including some pretty stellar shots of the minifigure characters posing at Walt Disney World.

The full series includes:

Disney classics including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck

1950s Disney characters, including Alice and the Cheshire Cat from Wonderland, Peter Pan and Captain Hook from Neverland and villain Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty™
Disney movie favorites Ariel and Ursula from the Little Mermaid™, Genie and Aladdin from Aladdin™ and Stitch from Lilo & Stitch™
Toy Story™ favorites Buzz Lightyear and Alien from Pizza Planet
Never-before-seen in the LEGO world, Mr. Incredible and Syndrome from The Incredibles™

Available May 1^st, the collectible Disney minifigures will be sold in toy stores, shop.LEGO.com and in LEGO Stores nationwide for $3.99 each.

Ursula Image 1488×838

Syndrome Image 1488×838

Peter Pan Image 1488×838

Stitch Image 1488×838

mr incridible Image 1488×838

Minnie Image 1488×838

Mickey Image 1488×838

Maleficient Image 1488×838

Alien Image 1488×838

Ariel Image 1488×838

Buzz lightyear Image 1488×838

Captain Hook Image 1488×838

Cheshire Cat Image 1488×838

Daisy Image 1488×838

Donald Image 1488×838

Genie Image 1488×838

Alice Image 1488×838

Aladin Image 1488×838

New Magic Band Walt Disney World Annual Passholder Box and Sliders

By

Danielle

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March 29, 2016

Have you seen the the new boxes and sliders for the Walt Disney World Annual Passholder Magic Bands? Not only do the Annual Passholder bands come in a nifty new box that slides open, but there is a new band slider for them as well.

The black boxes with the almost “Tron” like motif are gone, and in it’s place are new boxes with a very vintage Disney feel. Warm gold and burnt orange remind me of classic Walt Disney World colors, and this box SLIDES open! Once open your new Annual Passholder bands are tucked within, and new sliders are hidden beneath the bands and cardboard filling. I really love the touch of the sliding box, it makes them feel more like a collectible and when the inner box is turned on it’s side, it kind of acts as a display stand.

One thing I noticed about the bands is compared to last years they are not only longer, but the hard curved piece at the top is wider, giving a bit more comfort to wider wrists. When putting my old passholder band in the box to take a comparison picture, it didn’t even fit as snugly as the new ones did.

The new sliders were a fun surprise as well, since the start of passholder Magic Bands the slider has been a select color each year, with a black “Mickey Ear Hat” icon on it and dated with the year. The new ones have a more stylized look with a full color Mickey Mouse head, and no year listed on the slider. The bright orange color was definitely enticing. All in all I loved the new look of the sliders, but I have to wonder if they’ve stopped dating them, does that mean we won’t have a new color to look forward to each year? Hopefully not only will the continue to include the cute little sliders with each renewal, but each year will still bring a new color too.

I’m quite happy with the subtle updates to the Magic Bands, which do you prefer, the old style or the new?

Guardian of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt builds a giant cross to celebrate Easter

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Disney News

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March 28, 2016

2016 03 28 21 45 00 chris pratt @prattprattpratt • Instagram photos and videos

HAPPY EASTER!

A photo posted by chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) on Mar 27, 2016 at 5:57pm PDT

Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt took a break this weekend from filming Guardians of the Galaxy 2 to erect this giant cross to celebrate Easter. He posted step by step photos on his Instagram and at the time of writing this article had almost 250,000 likes. The cross stands 20′ tall! What a wonderful blessing for all those who can see it.

Happy Easter!

Photo credit Chris Pratt Instagram Page

D23 Expo 2017 Dates Announced

By

Chip

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March 28, 2016

D23 has announced that the D23 Expo 2017 will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center in California the weekend of July 14-16, 2017. This event is held every two years and celebrates the magical world of Disney. Recent developments along with the future of the Disney theme parks, television, gaming, music and films, including Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar will all be discussed at the Expo. Advanced tickets for this ultimate Disney fan event will be available through the D23 Expo website beginning July 14, 2016. Ticket prices have not been released yet.

Below are some details about the 2017 event from the D23 website:

Highlights planned for the fifth D23 Expo include the Disney Legends Ceremony, which honors the talented men and women who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy; an all-new exhibit curated by the Walt Disney Archives; D23 Expo’s costume contest, Mousequerade, showcasing the most creative designs by fans; the D23 Expo Emporium, where Disney fans can buy, sell, and trade Disney collectibles, memorabilia, merchandise, and more; and the D23 Expo Design Challenge. (Details on the Design Challenge and Mousequerade are coming soon.)

The 2017 Expo will feature a massive show floor full of immersive experiences and special opportunities to see what’s next for Disney around the world—and guests may run into their favorite Disney stars, characters, Imagineers, animators, and filmmakers. StagePass, the popular ticket distribution system that allows attendees to obtain guaranteed seats for some of Expo’s most popular presentations, and StorePass, which allows priority entry to select shopping venues at the event, will once again enhance the guest experience. Hall D23, the popular presentation and performance venue featuring more than 7,000 seats, will return, as will Stage 23, Stage 28, and Center Stage.

The fifth event follows the success of D23 Expo 2015, where guests were treated to appearances by such celebrities as Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Evans, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Dwayne Johnson and watched performances by Ne-Yo, Sabrina Carpenter, the cast of Teen Beach 2, and stars of Disney’s shows on Broadway. Fans previewed costumes from Star Wars: The Force Awakens and were the first to hear about the new Star Wars-themed lands coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. They also enjoyed a look back at Disney’s rich history through extraordinary panels, presentations, and exhibits and discovered the newest entertainment, technology, and products coming from Disney.

D23 Members will receive special pricing on both one- and three-day tickets to the event, which is open to the general public. D23 Gold and Charter Members will also be entitled to special benefits at the 2017 Expo. Gold Members will also have an opportunity to purchase the Sorcerer Package, which provides a host of special benefits and amenities. Ticket prices will be announced this summer.

Source and photo credit: www.D23.com

Writers Stop To Remain Open With A Revised Menu

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 28, 2016

Writer’s Stop in Hollywood Studios will remain open and feature a new menu and operating hours beginning April 3, 2016. The coffee shop on Commissary Lane was originally scheduled to close on April 2nd along with a list of other attractions located along the Streets of America.

Writer’s Stop will now open beginning at 11:30am until 1 hour prior to the close of the adjacent Sci-Fi Dine-In restaurant. Coffee will still be served along with a new menu of appetizers and a selection of beer and wine. Fingers crossed that pastries, including the popular Carrot Cake cookie, will continue to be offered.

If you would like to visit the Writer’s Stop then contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Walt Disney World vacation.

Photo credit: examiner.com

Marvel Encourages Women to ‘Be a Hero’ with New Her Universe Activewear Line

By

Chip

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March 28, 2016

Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media today announced a Marvel Super Hero makeover for women’s activewear via a new collaboration with fangirl fashion company, Her Universe. The stylish line for teens and millennial women is inspired by the forthcoming movie Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War and will launch this month at Kohl’s stores and Kohls.com.

The capsule collection featuring looks based on Black Widow, Iron Man and Captain America will be tagged “Be A Hero” and offer more than 30 pieces, including tanks, sports bras and leggings, available in sizes XS – XL and 1X – 3X.

“Collaborating with Marvel on activewear is a dream come true,” said Her Universe Founder Ashley Eckstein. “These Marvel characters inspire me to try and ‘Be A Hero’ in my everyday life, and being active is an important part! We’re incredibly proud of this collection and hope that girls will be inspired to wear these designs from the gym to the street.”

The line is part of a major expansion into women’s fashion from Marvel, including launching @StyledByMarvel on Instagram, where female fans have flocked to keep up with Marvel style, attracting 275,000 followers in just 18 months.

“Activewear is a huge trend with young women and a natural fit for the Marvel brand,” said Paul Gitter, senior vice president of licensing, Marvel at Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. “We’re excited about the potential of this new collection to connect with female fans and continue to drive our fashion business.”

“Through this exclusive collection we are providing our customers with key pieces that will inspire them to find the hero in themselves while being active,” said Amy Kocourek, Kohl’s executive vice president of Junior’s, Children’s, Accessories and Jewelry. “This first-ever line of athletic wear is highly relevant for teens and millennials, and empowers fans to express their authentic selves.”

Launching today on YouTube.com/HerUniverseChannel is a workout video featuring Ashley Eckstein and Heidi Moneymaker, stunt double for “Black Widow.” The video highlights the all-new Marvel by Her Universe activewear collection, along with super-cool workout moves inspired by three Avengers: Captain America, Iron Man and Black Widow.

For more information on the products mentioned in this release, visit your local retailer or shop the “like 2 buy” link in the @StyledByMarvel profile on Instagram. Fashion-forward apparel offerings for women and teens are available at Kohl’s, as well as retailers like Disney Store, JCPenney, Macy’s, Target and Walmart.

Enjoy Discounted Rates at The Swan and Dolphin Resort

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 28, 2016

The Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort is offering a special rate for stays between August 22 and September 30 with the discount code VALUE. The recently renovated standard rooms at the Swan start at $159 a night and a standard room at the Dolphin begins at $149 a night. Keep in mind there is also a $25 nightly resort fee. The resort is within walking distance or boat launch to both Hollywood Studios and Epcot. Guests can stroll on over to Epcot and enjoy the International Food & Wine Festival, which begins on September 14 or visit their own Food & Wine Classic.

Although the Swan & Dolphin Resort is not fully owned and operated by the Walt Disney Company, guests can still enjoy many special Disney benefits including:

Extra Magic Hours
Fastpass+ benefit
Complimentary scheduled transportation to Disney theme parks and attractions
On-site character dining
On-site tickets and information
Advanced tee times on championship Disney Golf Courses

The following Disney benefits are not available to guests staying at the Swan & Dolphin Resort:

Magical Express transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport
Complimentary Magic Bands
Disney Dining Plan

If you would like to take advantage of this limited time special offer at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, then contact [email protected] or call the Reservation Center directly at 407-934-4000. Don’t forget to mention the discount code VALUE.

Steven Tyler visits Hollywood Studios to ride Rockin Roller Coaster

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 27, 2016

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If you happened to be at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Saturday, you may just have had the opportunity to see Steven Tyler walking through the line of Rocking Rollercoaster! Apparently Saturday was Tyler’s birthday, and he decided to check in on “his” ride at Hollywood Studios to celebrate.

A video posted by Steven Tyler (@iamstevent) on Mar 26, 2016 at 5:56pm PDT

“JUST CHECKING IN ON MY ROCKIN ROLLERCOASTER! STILL THE BEST RIDE IN THE PLACE,” the Aerosmith frontman and “American Idol” judge shared on his official Facebook & Instagram pages.

Tyler turned 68 Saturday, and we sure think riding a roller-coaster named after you is a great way to spend the day!!

The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith opened in 1999. The indoor dark coaster launches riders 0-57 mph in 2.8 seconds while listening to Aerosmith hits.

Holograms of Tyler and the rest of the band are featured in the pre-ride show, where guests get a short “meet-and-greet” with the band before their manager rushes them off to a concert. Tyler then suggests to give guests a ride to their show and backstage passes.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is the fastest coaster at Walt Disney World and the second fastest attraction, behind Epcot‘s Test Track.

If you’re unsure of where to begin planning your Disney Parks vacation, contact me today to take advantage of my FREE vacation planning services! I specialize in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii, as well as Adventures by Disney. Contact me today at [email protected] for a free quote, or you can find me on my facebook page here.

Photo credit: Steven Tyler

Zootopia Joins the Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 27, 2016

As of March 26th Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde from Zootopia have joined the Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party at Magic Kingdom. Be sure to check the daily times guide at the park for show times and catch a preview in the video below:

If you would like to see the Zootopia characters in the Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party then contact [email protected] to start planning your next Walt Disney World vacation.

Video credit: Big Fat Panda

Joy and Sadness coming to Epcot Character Spot on April 3rd

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 27, 2016

A while back we mentioned that Joy and Sadness would be making appearances for Meet and Greets at the Epcot Character Spot in April. We are happy to announce that they officially have an arrival date of April 3rd! Before you join the two emotions at Headquarters for a visit, you’ll get to journey through Riley’s long-term memory, catching a glimpse of her Islands of Personality along the way.

Joy and Sadness are the newest characters to Join Baymax from Big Hero 6 in the newly re-imagined Epcot Character Spot (Innoventions West)!

I know I’m excited to meet them during my next Disney trip, how about you?

If you’re unsure of where to begin planning your Disney Parks vacation, contact me today to take advantage of my FREE vacation planning services! I specialize in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii, as well as Adventures by Disney. Contact me today at [email protected] for a free quote, or you can find me on my facebook page here.

“The Finest Hours” Blu-Ray and Digital HD Release Date

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 26, 2016

Just announced! “The Finest Hours“, an action thriller based on a true story of a small boat rescue of epic proportions will be released on Digital HD, Blu-Ray Combo-Pack Disney Movies Anywhere, and DVD on May 24th.

The Digital HD, Blu-Ray Combo pack, and Disney Movies Anywhere release will have many bonus features, including:

AGAINST ALL ODDS: THE BERNIE WEBBER STORY – An all-new documentary featuring eye witnesses of the heroic rescue
BROTHERHOOD – Cast members reflect on their friendships during the filming of the movie.
TWO CREWS – Chris Pine and Casey Affleck share insights into Bernie Webber and Ray Sybert, men who led the two crews portrayed in “The Finest Hours.”
WHAT IS YOUR FINEST HOUR? – A Coast Guard member recounts an incredible rescue.
THE FINEST INSPIRATION: THE U.S. COAST GUARD – Meet the people who put their lives on the line for others.
DELETED SCENES:o A Desperate Idea
o The Story of How They Met

The DVD bonus features will include the “Brotherhood” and “The Finest Inspiration” features.

The film, released by The Walt Disney Studios, is directed by Craig Gillespie (“Million Dollar Arm”), and stars Chris Pine (“Star Trek” films, also previously did the Disney film “Princess Diaries 2”), Casey Affleck (“Interstellar”), Ben Foster (“3:10 to Yuma”), Holliday Grainger (“Cinderella”), John Ortiz (“Silver Linings Playbook”); and Eric Bana (“Lone Survivor”). It is based on the true story of an amazing small-boat rescue done by the Coast Guard in 1952, where four men in only a 12-seat boat venture off into a hurricane off the coast of Cape Cod to heroically rescue men who are stranded out at sea.

Stay tuned for our review of the Blu-Ray Combo pack closer to its May 24th release date. I can’t wait to check out this heroic, adventurous true story, as well as the bonus documentary and featurettes!