Levi’s Store and more to Join Disney Springs Shopping Lineup

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June 30, 2016

Disney announced today the newest store to join the world class shopping at Disney Springs Town Center will be Levi’s. The new store will open later this summer, and Disney had this to say about the newest additions we can come to expect at Disney Springs Town Center:

Opening later this summer, the Levi’s Store will offer denim for the entire family – yes, kids can get jeans here, too! And for anyone who wants to have their clothing tailored, the Tailor Shop at the front of the store will allow shoppers to get their favorite shorts, T-shirts, truckers and accessories personalized by a team of craftsmen. (This offering is exclusive to just a handful of Levi’s locations worldwide, so I’m extra excited that it’s coming to Disney Springs!)

Don’t want to wait for more new shopping? You don’t have to. Opening soon in Town Center are Superdry, Sugarboo & Co., Shore, Columbia Sportswear and Coca-Cola Store Orlando, all joining the most recent additions that include LACOSTE, Free People and JOHNNY WAS.

Superdry, a cool British brand, offers high-quality wardrobe staples like jackets, knits, leather goods and leisurewear at affordable prices. Sugarboo & Co., “dealer in whimsy” and carrying “fine quality art and fanciful goods” – which roughly translates to “uplifting art, whimsical paper products and charming home goods that I want to decorate my condo with.” (At least I think that’s what it means.) Shore, known for its made-in-America apparel and eclectic branded lifestyle merchandise mix, is opening its second-ever store – the first is based in Sarasota, FL – with plans to offer some limited-edition products available only at Disney Springs. Columbia Sportswear, a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, features rugged and stylish apparel, footwear and equipment that’s “tested tough.” Coca-Cola Store Orlando, a completely immersive retail destination, allows guest to experience the world most iconic beverage brand in a building modeled after a 1920s bottling plant.

Of course, all of this shopping requires fuel, so if you want to try the newest restaurant, you’ll be thrilled to learn that Frontera Cocina by celebrity chef Rick Bayless is now open.

We’re looking forward to these new additions to the Town Center. Which store ar eyou most excited for?

If you’d like to plan a trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World, but don’t know where to begin, 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.

photo credit: Disney Parks Blog

Epcot Food & Wine Festival Drink Around World Showcase Checklist

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Danielle

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June 30, 2016

Can you believe that the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is only a couple months away already? It’s time to for us to get prepared. These Drink Around World Showcase Checklists from PrettyPrintsandPaper on Etsy are awesome way for you to start.

These laminated passports are a perfect way for you keep track of all the delicious drinks. There’s a spot for each kiosk as you make your way around the Epcot World Showcase! These are laminated and even come complete with a lanyard and sharpie, so you don’t have to assemble anything. These are also mailed ready to throw into your suitcase and go! While sampling from the many different kiosks, you can simply write in the beverage. You can write the type of drink, or the special name for it. Please remember that Disney is a place for families so please drink responsibly.

You can get yours here!

Will you be doing the Around the World Showcase crawl? Do you also like to keep track of what you’ve sampled to eat too?

New Disney Pin Trading Scavenger Hunt Coming to Magic Kingdom

By

Chip

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June 30, 2016

Starting today in the Magic Kingdom is an all new Disney Pin Trading Scavenger Hunt featuring Steampunk artwork! Here is the scoop according to the Disney Parks Blog:

“We’re excited to introduce a pin trading-themed scavenger hunt this summer,” Jeanne says. “For years, guests have told us how much they enjoyed pin pursuits once offered at Disney Parks. We applied their feedback and lessons we learned from other recent scavenger hunts to create this new activity. Ultimately, we wanted something that the whole family could enjoy during a summertime visit to Magic Kingdom Park.”

The first step for this PinQuest is to purchase an adventure kit which contains a lanyard to showcase your pins; a decoder medal for use with PinQuest pins; and a lanyard pouch to hold the map included in the adventure kit. The lanyard pouch also holds PinQuest clue cards which are sold separately.

There are six different PinQuest clue cards. Each clue card has a question that needs answered and shared with a NavigatEAR Cast Member in a particular location. Once solved, you can redeem the clue card for a PinQuest pin using the perforated ticket on the bottom of the clue card.

Continue the hunt by using the decoder medal from the adventure kit. Line up the arrows for each pin to determine your next destination within Magic Kingdom Park.

After purchasing all six clue cards and receiving stamps and pins from each location, guests should return to either Frontier Trading Post in Frontierland or Curtain Call Collectibles on Main Street, U.S.A. At those designated locations, guests who have completed the entire Magic Kingdom PinQuest are eligible to purchase a QuestEAR pin completer pin (shown above).

All items for this PinQuest are available while supplies last. These items will not be sold online or via the Shop Disney Parks mobile app. You’ll need separate admission to Magic Kingdom Park in order to participate.

“Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” Fireworks will Stream Live

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 30, 2016

The special Fourth of July fireworks display called “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” will be streamed live via the Disney Parks Blog beginning at 8:50pm ET on July 4th. Tune in a few minutes early to learn more about firework spectaculars at Walt Disney World Resort.

A new blog post containing the live stream will be ready and waiting at the top of Disney Parks Blog on July 4th. The live stream of fireworks is part of #DisneyParksLive.

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Disney Destination vacation. All of my planning services are 100% FREE and can help save you both time and money!

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Enjoy a New Year’s Eve celebration like no other at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

By

Chip

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June 30, 2016

Ring in the New Year at Disney’s Contemporary Resort with Countdown to Midnight special event!

The Countdown Experience
Starting at 8:00 PM on December 31, 2016, Disney Countdown to Midnight gives Guests like you the opportunity to ring in the New Year at an extraordinary event held within the convention center at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

The fun begins as you head to the heart of the party in the Fantasia Ballroom, where you can indulge in an assortment of libations—including adult beverages for Guests 21 years of age and older—before moving and grooving to dance tunes from our interactive DJ, featuring music spanning from the ‘60s to today!

Then, after a delightful culinary experience boasting “best-of-the-best” bites and wine pairings from such restaurants as California Grill, Flying Fish Cafe, Cítricosand Narcoossee’s, you’re invited to soak up the sounds of the group Alter Ego as they perform their extravagant music- and dance-filled revue.

The evening continues as you stroll outside to catch a unique musical act playing songs of today—complete with a retro twist—and then concludes as the New Year’s Eve “Fantasy in the Sky” Fireworks Spectacular lights up the night from Magic Kingdom park, officially celebrating the arrival of 2017!

Plus, to help you capture memories along the way, be on the lookout for a variety of themed photo backdrops and props.

It’s all incredible, and it’s all included with the price of your ticket—but tickets are limited! Be sure to act soon before this special event sells out…

Schedule and Pricing
Disney Countdown to Midnight is an all-inclusive, all-ages event available for $225 per Guest (tax and gratuity included), and takes place from 8:00 PM on December 31, 2016 to 1:00 AM on January 1, 2017.

To purchase a ticket, you can book online or by calling (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

For more information click here.

Know Before You Go

View important information about Disney Countdown to Midnight, including event check-in times and more.

Official check-in for the event will begin at 7:00 PM at the convention center at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The event itself will start at 8:00 PM
Additional information regarding transportation and parking will be provided to event Guests in the coming months.
Guests must be at least 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Please keep a valid form of identification on hand at all times to verify your age.
Guests who do not cancel their reservation within 48 hours of the event will forfeit the entire ticket price.
All menu items and event experiences are subject to change without notice.

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Disney Destination vacation. All of my planning services are 100% FREE and can help save you both time and money!

Photo Credit: Disney

Wreck It Ralph 2 Officially Announced By Disney

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 30, 2016

Last month, the voice of Ralph in “Wreck-It-Ralph” John C. Reilly gave mention that there could be a sequel in the works form Walt Disney Animation Studios. This morning via a Disney Facebook live announcement from Rich Moore, Phil Johnston, and John C. Reilly it was officially announced that a “Wreck-It-Ralph 2” is now part of the Walt Disney Animation Studios upcoming film slate!

After this year’s “Moana“, their next film slated was “Gigantic” for March 9, 2018. However, the Facebook Live announcement for “Wreck-It-Ralph 2” said that their release date was March 9, 2018. Will this mean “Gigantic” is getting delayed to a possible fall 2018 slot, or maybe even a later year? Also on Disney’s official slate is a “Frozen” sequel, which has a script, but an official release date has yet to be announced.

You can check out the official live announcement on the Disney Facebook page here.

“Wreck-It-Ralph” is a movie I can watch over and over again without getting tired of it, so I am definitely excited to see what Walt Disney Animation Studios has in store for “Wreck-It-Ralph 2”!

Captain America: Civil War Coming to DVD and Blu-ray on Sept. 13

By

Danielle

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June 30, 2016

Marvel’s epic continuation of the Avengers saga continues in “ Captain America : Civil War‘. The box office hit will be coming to Digital HD on September 2 and Blu-ray on September 13.

Marvel’s Captain America : Civil War has conquered both audiences and critics. The film debuted at $179.1 million. That’s the fifth-biggest domestic opening of all time. It also continues Marvel Studios’ winning streak as the 13th consecutive film to debut at #1 at the domestic box office.

Viewers can join the nonstop action and pick their side—Team Cap or Team Iron Man.

Rogers and Stark are joined by a star-studded lineup of beloved Marvel Super Heroes:

Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson)
Bucky Barnes aka Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan)
Sam Wilson aka Falcon (Anthony Mackie)
Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes aka War Machine (Don Cheadle)
Clint Barton aka Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner)
Vision (Paul Bettany)
Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen)
new recruit Scott Lang aka Ant-Man (Paul Rudd)
New Commer T’Challa aka Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman)
Newly apart of the MCU Peter Parker aka Spider-Man (Tom Holland).

More than 60-minutes of thrilling, exclusive bonus material includes:

An inside look at the evolution of lead characters Steve Rogers and Tony Stark.
A behind-the-scenes exclusive on the making of Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War”
Never-before-seen deleted scenes and hilarious outtakes.
Plus, home audiences can learn more about the latest additions to the MCU.
An exclusive, first look at Marvel’s “Doctor Strange”.

There are many more exciting things featured in this collection, You can Pre-order Captain America: Civil War today.

Halloween on the High Seas with the Disney Cruise Line

By

Chip

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June 30, 2016

Disney Cruise Line will treat guests sailing this fall to a wickedly good time as the ships transform into a ghoulish wonderland filled with frightfully fun events and activities, special decorations, unique menu items in the restaurants and themed parties.

In 2016, Halloween on the High Seas takes place on most voyages aboard the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Magic from September through October. This extra-spooky celebration features Halloween-themed parties, lively entertainment and elaborate décor, including The Pumpkin Tree, which magically transforms throughout the cruise. Other special experiences include:

Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party, a celebration with games, dancing and lots of candy! Beloved Disney characters, wearing special Halloween costumes just for the occasion, will join guests for this fun-filled costume party.
A Nightmare Before Christmas—Sing and Scream, an interactive movie experience where guests are part of the action, followed by a meet-and-greet with Jack Skellington and Sally.
Haunted Stories of the Sea, where the bravest cruisers gather under the stars to hear some true—or not so true—tales of the sea told by a mysterious sea captain storyteller.
Creepy Cabaret, Halloween-themed music performed live in the atrium by a band of ghostly musicians.
Halloween Isn’t Just For Kids: For adults, the nighttime entertainment district becomes the ghoulish setting for a costume contest and a Villainous Takeover on the dance floor.
Spooky Movies: To get guests into the spirit of the season, Halloween-themed movies will be shown on Funnel Vision by the family pool and in staterooms.
Ghoulish Delights: Disney Cruise Line chefs have conjured some very special treats for Halloween, including chocolate cake with pumpkin filling, spider cakes and “Spooky Juice.”
More spooky fun includes mask-making and a ghostly takeover of ship announcements!

To celebrate Halloween, the Disney Dream sails three- and four-night Bahamian cruises departing Sept. 2 to Oct. 31; the Disney Fantasy sails seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises departing Sept. 3 to Oct. 29; and the Disney Magic sails five-night Canadian Coast cruises, and seven- and eight-night Bahamian cruises departing Oct. 2 to Oct. 29.

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Disney Destination vacation. All of my planning services are 100% FREE and can help save you both time and money!

Celebrity Narrators Announced for the 2016 Candlelight Processional

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 30, 2016

The list of Celebrity Narrators participating in the 2016 Candlelight Processional at Epcot is now available. A celebrity narrator tells the biblical tale of a savior born to a virgin in Bethlehem. Gorgeous choral pieces performed by an orchestra and various choirs are interwoven with the narration, inspiring the audience with songs of hope and joy.

This year, an exciting lineup of celebrities—including a few new faces and voices—are lending their dramatic talents to this year’s production, including:

11/25-27 – Steven Curtis Chapman
11/28-12/1 – Neil Patrick Harris
12/2-12/3 – Whoopi Goldberg
12/4-12/12 – TBA
12/13-12/15 – Meredith Vieira
12/16-12/18 – TBA
12/19-12/21 – Joe Morton
12/22-12/27 – TBA
12/28-12/30 – Cal Ripken, Jr.

For the hearing impaired, an American Sign Language interpreter translates the legendary account, allowing Guests of all kinds the opportunity to enjoy the event.

Shows take place 3 times per day at 5:00 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:15 PM, except on December 4, 2016 when shows take place at 6:45 PM and 8:15 PM only. Celebrity narrators, dates and other entertainment are subject to change without notice.

Consider reserving a Candlelight Dining Package that includes breakfast, lunch or dinner along with guaranteed seating at the Candlelight Processional.

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Disney Destination vacation. All of my planning services are 100% FREE and can help save you both time and money!

Photo Credit: Disney

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are now Available to Book

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 30, 2016

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are now available to book for the annual Candlelight Processional held at Epcot on select dates from November 25 through December 30, 2016. The seasonal holiday event will be held three times daily at 5:00pm, 6:45pm and 8:15pm and a celebrity narrator will lend their dramatic talents to each night’s performance. Seating for guests who have not reserved a Candlelight Dining Package will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

When you reserve a Candlelight Dining Package, you’ll be able to indulge in a leisurely holiday meal with your friends and family—and have peace of mind that a guaranteed priority seat is waiting for you at this highly sought-after Christmastime event.

Dining Package Pricing

Candlelight Processional dining packages include appetizer, entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage at select Epcot full-service restaurants (or one full buffet where applicable). All dining packages include guaranteed seating for the Candlelight Processional. Dining Packages do not include theme park admission—separate park admission is required. Dining Packages are not available on Sunday, December 6 at 5:00pm.

*The following restaurants will also serve a Breakfast Dining Package:

The Garden Grill Restaurant: $39.00 for adults; $23.00 for children
Trattoria Al Forno: $27.00 for adults; $14.00 for children
Captain’s Grille: $31.00 for adults; $17.00 for children
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall: $54.00 for adults; $32.00 for children

To reserve your Candlelight Dining Packages, please call (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463 beginning June 30, 2016 or book online.

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Disney Destination vacation. All of my planning services are 100% FREE and can help save you both time and money!

Photo Credit: Disney

Fishing no longer allowed at Walt Disney World

By

Disney News

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June 29, 2016

Since the unfortunate accident a few weeks ago at the Grand Floridian Resort in Walt Disney World there have been steps taken to ensure all of the guests are aware of all potential dangers in and around the water.

First Walt Disney World has installed rope fences with netting around the Seven Seas Lagoon. Next Disney has made sure the no swimming signs are more noticeable and have even added warnings about the wildlife. Finally the beaches are also more staffed and closed at night, except during fireworks.

Today it was announced that Disney World has recently banned fishing.

“No fishing” signs have been placed near the resorts with access to the water such as Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, the Fort Wilderness campground, and the Old Key West Resort.

Fishing is now forbidden at Disney World unless it is part of an excursion.

Have you fished at Walt Disney World before? How do you feel about the ban?

Source

Fourth of July Celebrations at the Disneyland Resort

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 29, 2016

Celebrate Independence Day this July 4th at the Disneyland Resort in California with special entertainment including a fireworks spectacular, parades and patriotic performances.

Disneyland park – Following the “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular at 9:30 p.m. will be a patriotic, pyrotechnic grand finale. And, be sure to catch the United States 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band earlier in the day at the following times and locations:

4:00 p.m. – Flag Retreat Ceremony in Town Square
4:20 p.m. – Pre-parade, immediately following the Flag Retreat Ceremony
7:00 p.m. – Fourth of July Concert at Fantasyland Theater

Disney California Adventure park – A Fourth of July-themed pyrotechnic water display will be featured before the 9:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. showings of “World of Color.”

Downtown Disney District – The breakout rock band of the United States 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band will perform on the Downtown Disney District main stage at 11:30 a.m.

In the local community, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and other Disney friends will participate in the Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade, also broadcast live locally on KABC. Disney characters will also take part in their local parade in Anaheim.

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Disney Destination vacation. All of my planning services are 100% FREE and can help save you both time and money!

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog