New Trailer Released Today for “Captain America: Civil War”

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March 10, 2016

There’s been lots of exciting sneak peeks of “Captain America: Civil War” building up to today (#TeamIronMan posters, a live Tumblr cast Q & A), the brand new trailer and a new poster, and yes, even tickets available for sale, which can be purchased here.

The film looks to be very exciting for Marvel fans, with the return of two beloved superheroes Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), in the surprising positions of having opposing views from one another. We also got another treat from the new trailer: our first peek of Spiderman! The first time Spiderman has been seen in a Disney film. The film comes out May 6th, and you can check out the new trailer below:

10 Free Things at Disney Springs

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 10, 2016

Disney vacations can be expensive, but they do not have to break the bank! Check out my list of 10 freebies at Disney Springs.

Free Chocolate: If you are craving something sweet, but don’t want to drop any cash then head over to Ghiradelli’s Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop. Cast Members here hand out free samples throughout the day. This is a great way to get a sugar buzz without spending any money at all!

Goofy’s Glaciers: Located in Goofy’s Candy Co. you can sample any flavor of Goofy’s Glaciers that you want. When I went in October, the store was practically empty of other guests and we each tried about three different flavors. This is a great way to cool down, sugar up, and not spend a dime.

Live Music: Disney Springs is packed with restaurants including House of Blues, Paradiso 37, and Raglan Road that all play live music throughout the week. If you are planning on eating dinner anyway, you might as well enjoy some free entertainment to go along with it.

Play with LEGOs: Whether you are three or 93, there is something really fun about playing with LEGOs. The LEGO Store at Disney Springs lets you express your creativity and build something unique.

Watch a Demonstration: Arribas Brothers and Art of Disney are both locations where you can watch true artists at work. Stop into Arribas Brothers for a glass blowing demonstration, or wander through AoD to catch an artist sketching a favorite Disney character or scene.

Parking: Unlike the parks, Disney Springs offers free parking! There isn’t really much more to say about that except AWESOME!

Splash Pad: Outside of Goofy’s Candy Co. there is a splash pad for kids of all ages to cool down. Water squirts and jumps from one pad to the next – try to catch it or try to dodge it. Just make sure you have some extra dry clothes on hand.

Pin Trading: Pin Trading is always free at Disney, but not as many guests are looking to trade at Disney Springs. Head into World of Disney to trade pins with Cast Members and enjoy some window shopping while you’re at it.

Enjoy the Breeze: Disney Springs is located on Bay Lake which provides and beautiful view and cool breeze to relax by. I especially love grabbing a bench by the lake in the early evening and taking a couple of moments to relax and enjoy the moment before heading off to my next Disney adventure.

Take a Photo: Disney Springs is filled with plenty of photo opportunities. Whether you are using your own camera skills or ask a PhotoPass Photographer to get the whole family in the shot, photos make a great (free!) souvenir.

What are your favorite freebies at Disney Springs? Is there anything that I missed? 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.

GoGo squeeZ Named Official Applesauce of Disney

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 10, 2016

Parents and children alike enjoy the convenience and natural goodness of GoGo squeeZ applesauce.

The brand was recently named the official applesauce of Walt Disney World and Disneyland and will be served at all locations throughout the resort that offer applesauce cups.

GoGo squeeZ is also the sponsor of Butterflies On the Go during the 2016 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.

Contact [email protected] to plan your next Disney vacation where you can snack on the official applesauce of Walt Disney World!

Alamo Rent-A-Car sweepstakes – I wanna Disney Parks Vacation from Alamo!

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 10, 2016

Are you ready to win a five-day/four night vacation to Disneyland in California or Walt Disney World in Florida? Well Alamo Rent-A-Car, the official care rental of Walt Disney World and Disneyland is sponsoring a sweepstakes with six grand prize vacations! The sweepstakes is called “I wanna Disney Parks Vacation from Alamo”

The contest features six weekly entry periods from March 2, 2016 until April 12, 2016, with one winner selected at random each week. You can enter once a week by visiting here

Six prize packages will include a five-day, four-night vacation to either Walt Disney World® Resort or Disneyland® Resort, including airfare; deluxe accommodations; Park Hopper® passes; VIP tour-guide service for six hours; a $500 Disney gift card; and a $250 VISA gift card.

Create Your Own Rendition of the Classic Disney Song “I Wanna Be Like You:” Create a short video singing your own original version of the classic Disney song “I Wanna Be Like You” from Disney’s animated classic film The Jungle Book.
Register for the Sweepstakes: Visit Disney.com/IwannaDisneyVacationSweeps on your desktop or mobile device or download Disney’s Applause App for free from iTunes or Google Play and click on the Alamo “I Wanna Disney Parks Vacation from Alamo” link in the app. Follow the instructions and prompts to register.
Upload Your “I Wanna Be Like You” Video Rendition: After completing the sweepstakes registration online or within the Disney Applause app, follow the instructions to upload your video and click “submit.”

For more information and a copy of the official rules, visit the Alamo Rent A Car “I Wanna Disney Parks Vacation from Alamo” sweepstakes website at www.Disney.com/IwannaDisneyVacationSweeps.

About the Sweepstakes
The sweepstakes is open to all legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 25 years and older and a registered member of Disney.com or websites on Disney.com. Void where prohibited by law. Total approximate retail value for all prizes: $52,416.48. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Disney Online is the sponsor of the sweepstakes.

Good luck to all the contestants!

photo credit: Disney.com

Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend Renamed Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 10, 2016

The superhero roster for Disneyland’s 2016 Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon in November has expanded and so has its name. In order to accurately reflect the new line up of superheroes, RunDisney has updated the name of the event to Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend. Open registration will begin on April 12, 2016 at 12pm EST. Early registration for DVC members and Annual Passholders will begin on April 5, 2016 at 12pm.

Embrace your inner super hero during the following weekend events:

Captain America 5K: Friday, November 11, 2016 at 5:30am

Dr. Strange 10K: Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 5:30am

RunDisney Kids Races: Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 9:00am

Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon: Sunday, November 13, 2016 at 5:30am

Infinity Gauntlet Challenge: A combined total of 19.3 miles throughout the Disneyland Resort and streets of Anaheim. Complete both the Dr. Strange 10k on Saturday and the Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon on Sunday within the pacing requirements and earn an additional medal. Registration for the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge is required to receive the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge Medal.

If you plan to run in the 2016 Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend and would like to extend your event to include a Disneyland vacation, then contact [email protected] to start planning today!

Photo credit: RunDisney

Is Disney going to be offering Premium parking at the parks soon?

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 10, 2016

The rumor mill is sparking up some new conversations about parking at Walt Disney World Parks. WDWMagic.com reported today the possibility that Disney may soon be offering Premium Parking spots, allowing guests to park closer to the entrance of the parks, for an additional fee. Rumor has it this would be available for an additional $15 on top of the regular parking fee for non-resort guests.

Would you be willing to pay that much extra just for a closer parking spot?

Photo credit: Disney

Huge (and exciting) changes to Run Disney’s Wine and Dine Half Marathon weekend

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 10, 2016

Earlier this week registration for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon was pushed back, and now we know why! It looks like BIG changes are coming to the popular runDisney weekend this year!

If you’ve run the Wine and Dine Half Marathon before, you’ve probably gotten accustomed to the fact the race was late at night, followed by one fantastic after-party at Epcot where you could enjoy the Food & Wine Festival, that lasted until the wee hours of the morning. In fact, that’s the reason we’ve always gone to this race weekend without our kids! Well, this year Run Disney has certainly changed it up! Not only will the Half Marathon now be on Sunday morning instead of Saturday night, but they are also adding a 10k race and a NEW 2-course challenge (10k and half marathon), named Lumiere’s Challenge! The post-race party will still be an evening event, and will be held the night of the race, starting at 8pm.

Here are the updated dates/times for the races:

Friday, November 4-6:30 am- Mickey’s Holiday 5k

Saturday, November 5- 5:30 am- Wine and Dine 10k

Sunday, November 6- 5:30am- Wine and Dine Half

Sunday, November 6- 8pm-1am- Post-Race Party

runDisney Health & Fitness Expo:

Thursday, November 3, 2016
Friday, November 4, 2016
Saturday, November 5, 2016

Registration for the 2016 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend will open March 29, 2016 at Noon ET.

If you’re interested in running the wine and Dine half and need help with the vacation portion of your race, contact me to take advantage of my free vacation planning services! Send me an email at [email protected] for a FREE quote!

Star Wars Day at Sea Cruises to return in 2017

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 10, 2016

Good news for those Disney fans who weren’t able to sail on a Star Wars Day at Sea cruise on their limited sailings in 2016! You’ll now have the chance to do it in 2017, when Disney Cruise Line will once again be offering Star Wars Day at Sea on select sailings on the Disney Fantasy from January to April. This time around, they will be offering both Eastern and Western Caribbean 7-night itineraries! You will have the chance to catch up with Star Wars fun onboard in 15 sailings embarking from Port Canaveral, so now is the time to book!

Each sailing features a full day of dark side and light side fun, including official appearances of Star Wars characters, a deck party and fireworks, Jedi training for kids, at-sea screenings of Star Wars films, unique food and beverage offerings, and special merchandise.

Read on to find out more details about the intergalactic entertainment you can enjoy during Star Wars Day at Sea, and let us know in the comments what your family is most excited to experience, either for the first time or again if you’ve already joined us this year …

Force-filled Fun for Everyone

Characters from across the Star Wars galaxy are onboard for interactions, photos and also may be seen patrolling the decks.
Kids and families enjoy friendly competition during Star Wars trivia games, putting their knowledge of the film and television sagas to the test.
Guests are encouraged to bring their costumes and participate in the costume celebration held in the ship’s atrium.

Younglings Use Their Power

In “Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple,” Force-sensitive children learn the ways of the Jedi and use their new-found skills in a final face off with Darth Vader.
Star Wars-themed arts and crafts, games, and activities are offered throughout the day in Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab youth clubs.

Star Wars Deck Party and Fireworks

An exciting evening blasts off with a deck party filled with music, a galactic dance party and appearances of Star Wars characters on the deck stage.
The grand finale is a spectacular display of pyrotechnics, lighting and sound effects set to a medley of Star Wars music.

Merchandise, Food and Beverage

Event merchandise exclusive to Star Wars Day at Sea is available on each sailing, including a range of collectible items, apparel and trading pins.
Specialty Star Wars-themed beverages, including non-alcoholic offerings, as well as snacks, dinner menu items and desserts, please the palates of everyone from Padawans to rebel pilots to Tusken Raiders.

Film Screenings

Guests can watch “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” the first in a new series of standalone Star Wars films, to be released on Dec. 16, 2016, as well as all seven films in the Star Wars saga.

If you’d like more information on the dates for these cruises, contact me and I can help you plan your Star Wars Day at Sea! My Disney Vacation Planning services are always free to you, so email me at [email protected] today for a free quote!

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Upcoming Live Tumblr Q&A with the Captain America: Civil War Cast!

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 10, 2016

For all of you Marvel fans, we have some very exciting news: this morning (March 10th), there will be a LIVE Tumblr Q & A following the premiere of the new trailer of “Captain America: Civil War“, at 10am PST.

Stars of the film Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, Sebastian Stan, Chadwick Boseman and The Russo Brothers will be available to answer fan questions via this link.

“Captain America: Civil War” will be opening May 6th, it will be quite an interesting Marvel film, seeing Steve Rogers and Tony Stark taking opposing sides, with Captain America leading a new team of Avengers and Iron Man in favor of the Avengers becoming under government control.

Stay tuned for more information about the upcoming film as the trailer premieres, and you can even check out new #TeamIronMan posters that were released just yesterday (a couple of them shown below):

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Zootopia Magic Bands are coming soon

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 10, 2016

Disney’s Zootopia is a quick new favorite as it is breaking records in the box office! Now you can show your love of Zootopia while at Walt Disney World with the new Zootopia Magic Band.

It is currently available in the Shop Parks app for $27.99 before becoming available in the Disney Parks on March 11^th.

Do you want to visit Walt Disney World with a Zootopia Magic Band? As an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner for MickeyTravels, I would be happy to help you plan your trip! Contact me anytime [email protected], or on my Facebook page. Vacation planning services are 100% free.

Picture Credit: Shop Parks App

Team IronMan Posters For Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 9, 2016

The next movie to join the wonderful Disney/Marvel Saga will be “Captain America: Civil War,” coming to theaters May 6th.

The film, starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and Sebastian Stan will be what I like to refer to as an “Avengers 2.5,” where two heroes from the Marvel universe will be together in one film, where Steve Rogers is leading a newly assembled team of Avengers, while Tony Stark surprisingly is in opposition to Rogers and taking the side of the government’s decision to oversee the Avengers.

Today Disney released these teaser posters that represent #TeamIronMan, you can check all of them out in the gallery below!

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New “Finding Dory” Poster Revealed

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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March 9, 2016

Today on the ELLEN show we got another glimpse of the upcoming “Finding Dory“, opening in theatres June 17, 2016, with a brand new poster! (pictured above) The new film has some of the same voice cast, as well as lots of new characters and cast members, including Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy, Diane Keaton. The film has Dory as its main focus, where she remembers that she has a family somewhere out in the big blue, and she goes off on an incredible journey to find them.

The latest trailer for the film premiered last week on the ELLEN show, check it out below in case you missed it!