Participate in Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure Using Your Own Smartphone

By

-

March 30, 2016

Guests who participate in the interactive Phineas & Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure at Epcot now have the option to use their own smartphone to play the game with. Guests previously had to only use the provided F.O.N.E (Field Operative Notification Equipment) interactive handheld device in order to participate in the past.

Join Agent P (Perry the Platypus) from Phineas and Ferb on this fun mission around the World Showcase and help him put a stop to some of Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s most evil plots. Visit a recruitment center at Odyssey Bridge or near the International Gateway to get started on your mission. You will be directed to the following pavilions throughout the World Showcase:

Mexico Pavilion
China Pavilion
Germany Pavilion
Japan Pavilion
France Pavilion
United Kingdom Pavilion

Participation in the Pheneas & Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure is included in the price of admission.

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Walt Disney World vacation including a visit to Epcot’s World Showcase.

Photo Credit: wdwnews.com

Top 5 Reasons to Wake Up Early at Walt Disney World

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

March 30, 2016

Wake up! Wake up! It’s time to go to Disney World!

When I am at Disney, I am like a child and this usually involves me jumping up and down on the bed of my travelling companion to rouse them bright and early. There is so much to see and do at Walt Disney World, and the morning is a great time to get to it before everyone else wakes up.

There are so many great reasons to get up early on your Disney vacation. Here are my top five reasons to wake up early at Walt Disney World.

The Magic Kingdom Welcome Show: this is definitely something that I try to catch at least once during every visit. This show starts about 15 minutes before the park opens and it’s a great opportunity to see some of your favorite characters dancing, singing, and welcoming you into the park. The Welcome Show ends with a countdown and fireworks are launched from the train station. For me, there is something truly magically about stepping through the tunnels and onto Main Street USA before the rush of mid-day madness hits. The streets are in pristine condition, Cast Members line Main Street USA leading to Cinderella Castle to wave and say hello. Just thinking about it gives me the warm and fuzzies.

Photo Opportunities: If you are looking for a family photo in front of the park icons, take your photo just as the park opens for the best shots. The streets are less busy because most guests are rushing to their favorite attractions and there will be less random people in the background of your pictures. Plus, your hair, make-up, and clothes will still be fresh! People looking at your vacation photos will think you looked that great all day.

Dining Reservations: Dinner reservations are great, but there is something really fun about eating breakfast at the Disney parks or resorts. Whether you are dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table, Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey’s, or Garden Grill, Disney sure does know how to cook up an amazing breakfast spread. If you have breakfast reservations at a park for before the park actually opens (ex: Magic Kingdom opens at 9am, but your breakfast reservation is at 8am), you even get to enter early! Talk about the royal treatment!

Less Crowded: There are many guests who like to sleep in and head to the parks a little bit later in the day. If you are an early riser, the morning is a great time to ride all your favorite attractions before the lines get too long. I once rode The Tower of Terror three times in a row bright and early one morning just because there was only a 5 minute wait each time. Now, I’m not suggesting you make yourself feel sick like I did – but you are definitely able to ride quicker in the morning hours.

Tee Time: If you are a golf enthusiast – the early morning is a great time to schedule a quick round. Most courses at Disney open as early as 6:00am. Another bonus of booking an early tee time is the temperatures of the course are a lot more forgiving before noon.

Whether you are a natural early riser or just want to make the most of your Disney vacation, there is always something to do every morning at Walt Disney World. What are your favorite ways to spend the morning at Disney? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Monica is an Alumna of the Disney College Program. When she is not walking down the middle of Main Street USA you can find her wandering the World Showcase, or enjoying a Dole Whip while racing to her favorite attractions. When she is forced to endure life outside of Walt Disney World, you can find her in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she lives and works. You can visit her Disney lifestyle blog here.

Disney’s adds no smoking policy to Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars films

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

March 29, 2016

walt disney screencaps pinocchio walt disney characters 35410126 4362 3240 1

Back in the day it was not uncommon to see your favorite cartoon or live action TV or movie star smoking a cigarette or cigar. Well Disney has now extended their no smoking policy to three of its most popular subsidiaries, Marvel, Lucasfilms and Pixar. The only exception to this rule will be historic smoking figures in the films.

Disney has had a policy for a long time for their own company and no one is really surprised that this policy has been given to these other companies however some characters are written as smokers and will now have to be completely changed.

Although some characters will have to be altered this is actually a really good thing. Surgeon General has said children who see smoking in TV shows and movies are more likely to develop the habit themselves.

This new policy came to surface after a Q & A session Bob Iger had with a critical care nurse in a Shareholder meeting.

I cannot see anyone being against this policy but why not give your opinion on this subject below!

New “Alice Through the Looking Glass” Full-Length Trailer!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

March 29, 2016

Released just today on the official “Alice Through the Looking Glass” Facebook page is a brand-new, full length trailer.The film, just like the first Disney live-action “Alice in Wonderland” released in 2010, has the same unique style.

However, from this new trailer, we can see that the CGI is even more stunning in the sequel! The film is mostly returning cast members, as well as some new, starring Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Rhys Ifans with Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen, and Timothy Spall. Talk about an amazing line-up of talent! The new trailer also features P!nk’s cover of “White Rabbit.” You can check out the new trailer below:

Hello, Alice! Watch the brand new trailer and prepare to go #ThroughTheLookingGlass on May 27.

Posted by Disney Alice on Tuesday, March 29, 2016

In other exciting “Alice” news, today on the “Alice Through the Looking Glass” Facebook page there will be a live Q & A session with Johnny Depp (Mad Hatter), and the director of the film James Bobin at 2pm PST.

The film will be released May 27, 2016, and tickets are available here.

Is the Frozen makeover in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion debuting on May 28?

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

March 29, 2016

We know everyone is not-so-patiently awaiting the opening of the new Frozen attraction in Norway at Epcot World Showcase, Frozen Ever After. We’re dying to know when it will happen too! If you happen to be trying to make FastPass+ selections for May 27 or beyond in your My Disney Experience account, you may have noticed that you cannot select a FastPass+ for the Anna and Elsa meet and greet at Princess Fairytale Hall at Magic Kingdom OR for the Cinderella and Rapunzel Meet and Greet option. This on its own has guests speculating that the end of Magic Kingdom Meet and Greets means that they are moving to their new home in Norway immediately following May 27th.

Now, we’re not too sure about that evidence all on its own, but that combined with the fact that WDWmagic.com reporting today that the Stave Church in the Norway Pavilion will be closing for a short refurbishment does start to get our Frozen senses tingling! The closure begins on April 18 through to May 27, reopening to guests on May 28 2016.

The Church currently houses an exhibit about the inspiration behind the animated movie Frozen, and opened in November 2013.

So, if you can no longer get a FastPass+ to meet with Anna and Elsa in Magic Kingdom, starting on May 27, does that mean that on May 28, when the Stave Church re-opens that all of the Frozen aspects of Norway (including Frozen Ever After and the Meet and Greets at the Royal Summerhus) will open too? What do you think? Are you as excited for this possiblity as we are?

Contact me today for more information, and for a free quote for your own trip to meet Anna and Elsa! You can email me at [email protected] , or you can find me on my facebook page here.

Anna and Elsa photo courtesy of: Disney

BB-8 ANA Jet Arrives Today at LAX!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

March 29, 2016

You may have been seeing some news stories of some “Star Wars” themed planes as of late, with two other Star Wars-themed planes previously having taken flight in recent months. Yesterday, the third and final Star Wars plane had its inaugural flight. This plane is BB-8 themed, and belongs to Japan’s largest airline company, ANA. The plane left the Osaka Itami Airport yesterday, and landed today at LAX in Los Angeles, CA. But wait, there’s more! A VIP guests came along on the flight, and departed the plane at LAX; BB-8 himself!

Not only is the outside themed to BB-8, but so is the inside, where you can see BB-8 headrests, BB-8 paper cups, and flight attendants even wearing BB-8 aprons. The BB-8 themed ANA JET plane will have many more flights to come, some departing from the U.S., including Los Angeles, Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, and Houston. Looks like now is the perfect time for you to travel if you’re a Star Wars fan!

If you can’t get enough of BB-8, be sure to check out the “Building BB-8” featurette on the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Digital HD copy (release date April 1st) or on Blu-Ray Combo Pack (April 5th).

Personalized Disney Tumblers With a Little Bit of Sparkle

By

Danielle

-

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

-

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

-

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

By

Disney News

-

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

-

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

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

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