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Top 6 Holiday Gift Ideas for the Disney Addict who has Everything

December 11, 2015

Season’s Greetings, fellow Disney Addicts! It’s that time of year, and there are only 2 weeks left to shop for holiday gifts for all of your loved ones! Do you have a Disney Addict in your life that pretty much has everything already and you’re stumped on what to gift them? Well, we’re here to save the day! Here are 6 great gift ideas that are sure to please even the biggest Disney collector:

#6 – a Disney Ugly Christmas Sweater – The ugly Christmas sweater trend has become super popular recently, but because the trend has only caught on in the last couple of years, perhaps there’s a chance your Disney Addict might not have a Disney one yet! Depending on their personal sense of style, this may be a great gift for someone that loves Disney and also has a fun, trendy, quirky take on fashion. Boscov’s has a really cute red & green Mickey & Minnie juniors sweater on sale for only $15.99. There’s also a blue Olaf juniors sweater from the same retailer for the same low price! Be sure to check out 80’s Tees for some men’s Star Wars designs, including a t-shirt with a Darth Vader graphic print designed in the ugly sweater style. But that’s not the only place with cool men’s Star Wars-inspired ugly sweaters – Kohl’s has several different designs for really good prices! Think Geek has 2 exclusive designs (unisex) for $49.99 each……..and then there’s always eBay!

#5 – Disney Kitchen Appliances and Dinnerware – Maybe your Disney Addict has lots & lots of Disney merchandise in their home, which presumably includes some mugs and probably a few souvenir cups and popcorn buckets from the theme parks. But do they have any Disney appliances or kitchenware? There are tons of wonderful items for sale from different retailers. The Disney Store website has several options for kitchenware – plate sets, bowl sets, trivets, dish towels, tumblers, wine glasses, placemats, coasters, aprons, salt & pepper shakers, etc. You name it, they’ve got it! Many of these items are labeled as “Disney Parks Authentic,” meaning they are sold at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts. The Marketplace Co-Op in Disney Springs FL has most of the same items you see at the DisneyStore.com, with kitchen collections inspired by favorite theme park attractions. Some of my favorites are the Mickey Mouse trivet for $14.95 and the adorable salt & pepper shakers for $16.95. Check out the teacups and the peter pan ones! Aren’t they so cute? There are also a lot of great kitchen appliances available for sale from places like Kohl’s, Amazon.com, Target, and more! My son loves waffles, so I couldn’t resist getting him an Olaf waffle maker on Black Friday. Can’t wait to make some after he opens it on Christmas! Currently Target has the best price for it at $14.99, and there are Mickey waffle makers, too. Check out this super cool Mickey waffle-on-a-stick maker for $29.99. Who wouldn’t want that? For Olaf fans (like myself), Target also has an awesome Olaf snow cone maker for $19.99, a Mickey toaster ($29.99), a classic Mickey kettle popcorn maker ($59.99), a Minnie Mouse mug warmer ($14.99.) For a Star Wars fan, make sure you look at ThinkGeek.com, because they have an incredible amount of kitchen merchandise inspired by the movies. There’s an exclusive R2-D2 measuring cup set (currently on sale for $11.99), light-up lightsaber chopsticks ($14.99), a lightsaber flatware set ($19.99), an X-Wing knife block ($99.99), a Darth Vader toaster ($49.99), Millennium Falcon and Death Star wooden cutting boards ($29.99 and $14.99 – sale price), Stormtrooper and Darth Vader silicone oven mitts ($14.99 each), and SO MUCH MORE! There’s even a Han Solo – frozen in carbonite – mini fridge ($159.99)!!!

#4 – NEW Star Wars: The Force Awakens merchandise – Ok, surely the Disney Addict who has everything doesn’t already own all the brand new merchandise that’s been flooding stores preceding the December 18th release of this highly anticipated film sequel! Perhaps the most coveted and talked about item was the new BB-8 app-enabled droid by Sphero that debuted in September for “Force Friday.” It sold out everywhere very quickly at a retail price of $149.99 and then eBay was the only place to get it, but prices were spiking up to around $400! This bluetooth-smart droid, an already very popular new character being introduced in the new movie, features authentic movement guided by your smartphone or tablet device, and has a mind of his own and an adaptive personality that evolves as he interacts with you and listens & responds to your voice. You can put him in drive mode to take control, message mode to create & send virtual holographic videos, or patrol mode to watch him patrol around autonomously. Good thing this little BB-8 is now back in stock for you to purchase as the perfect gift! Get him – before he sells out again – at Bed, Bath, & Beyond, the Apple store, Brookstone, Best Buy, or Sphero.com. There’s a lot more love out there that droid, with all kinds of BB-8 merchandise everywhere. Check out Think Geek, Target, and Kohl’s to find some of the best selection. Some of my top picks for a gift for a female are: Think Geek’s exclusive jewelry – the Kylo Ren lightsaber necklace ($29.99) or the BB-8 ring ($39.99) – and the Star Wars: The Force Awakens purses ($69.99 each), and also the new Rock & Republic brand Star Wars clothing from Kohl’s. For guys, Kohl’s has a “Climatesmart” moisture-wicking long sleeve tee in 2 different Star Wars: The Force Awakens designs on sale for only $25, plus some Star Wars-themed versions of classic board games like Battleship, Monopoly, & Risk.

#3 – Cook your Disney Addict a Disney meal with recipes from favorite theme park & resort foods – Does your Disney Addict loved one really enjoy indulging in all the great food when you visit the Disney resorts on vacation? Well why not bring some of the magic to your home and create your own version of their favorite Disney park foods using recipes modeled after the original classics? How sweet and romantic a gesture that would be! I’m sure they long for these favorite foods and crave them in between trips to “Home,” so they would probably love for you to re-create them as a gift! One treat that is on everyone’s favorite list doesn’t even require you to cook, and that’s the ever-popular Dole Whip! In most places, you can actually find pineapple soft serve that’s very similar at your local frozen yogurt shop, but you can also make it at home and it’s very simple. Here is a recipe from the Disney Food Blog for making Kona Cafe’s amazing Tonga Toast at home! It is definitely my favorite breakfast at Disney World. Perhaps you can make it a breakfast-in-bed surprise on Christmas morning, complete with lilikoi juice (also my favorite! aka “POG” juice, served at both Ohana and Kona Cafe or known as “Jungle Juice” at the Tusker House in Animal Kingdom), which is easy to make. It’s just a blend of equal parts of passion fruit juice, orange juice, and guava juice. With it being winter and all, perhaps a nice warm soup would be welcome, like the beloved Canadian cheddar cheese soup from Epcot’s Le Cellier. Here’s another recipe from the Disney Food Blog you can use to make it at home. The internet is full of recipes for Disney foods like this if you just take the time to search, or you could always find a Disney cookbook to help guide you!

#2 – Plan a trip to Disney, of course! – What does every Disney Addict always want? Another trip “Home”! A true Disney Addict can never have too many of these precious vacations to the Happiest Place on Earth, so how about surprising them this Christmas with a new one? Or perhaps you could gift them with a Disney cruise instead! For any help you may need with planning such an epic gift, may I suggest using a World of Magic Travel agent such as myself? You get all of my expert advice and planning services for free, (yes, that’s right – FREE!), so why not hire an extra hand to help you out and save you time? I’m always here for you, to answer any and all of your questions!

#1 – a special Disney experience – Do you already have a trip to Disney planned with your Disney Addict? Even the most experienced Disney vacationer has not seen and done it all. There are too many things to do, at Disney World in particular – the possibilities are just endless – and there are always new opportunities popping up all the time, like the new FerryTale Wishes fireworks cruise on the Seven Seas Lagoon or the new Club Disney dance party at Hollywood Studios. Perhaps the perfect gift to enhance your upcoming Disney vacation is a special experience your Disney Addict has never tried before. Some more great examples are: the dinner shows such as the Spirit of Aloha luau at the Polynesian Village Resort, or the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue at the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, a dessert party like the Illuminations Sparkling Dessert party at Epcot, a tour like the Keys to the Kingdom at Magic Kingdom park, or the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom, a spa experience at Senses at the Grand Floridian Resort, an In-Room Celebration, tickets to see Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba in Disney Springs, and a ride in the hot air balloon at Disney Springs, called Characters in Flight. Or how about upgrading your tickets to visit a water park while at Walt Disney World? They have both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.

What do you think of our holiday gift idea list? Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments section below. Happy Holidays and good luck shopping!

Thank you for reading! If you’re interested in booking a vacation to Walt Disney World, please contact me at [email protected]. As an agent with World of Magic Travel Services – the preferred travel agency of Chip & Co. – I offer complimentary planning services so that all you have to do is show up and enjoy your magical vacation!

Marvel’s Agent Carter Season Premiere Postponed

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

December 11, 2015

Marvel’s Agent Carter season premiere has been postponed by the State of the Union Address. The premiere scheduled for January 12th will be shown one week later on January 19, 2016. Fans of Agent Carter are in for some changes in the second session’s 2-hour episode on ABC (9 to 11 pm, ET).

In her battle against Atomic Age threats, Agent Carter will be moving from New York to Los Angeles, where she will find new friends, a new home and maybe even a new love, but with the good will come the bad as she faces new threats and dangers to the people she is sworn to protect.

Don’t miss Hayley Atwell as Agent Peggy Carter, James D’Arcy as Edwin Jarvis, Enver Gjokaj as Chief Daniel Sousa, Wynn Everett as Whitney Frost, Reggie Austin as Jason Wilkes and Chad Michael Murray as Chief Jack Thompson in brand new episodes beginning, January 19, 2016.

Disney Find- Vintage Infinity Scarves

Danielle

December 11, 2015

Scarves are no only functional, they are fashionable too! Add a little Disney spice to the chic modern look of an infinity scarf and you’ve got these chic little beauties from CANDYPANTSclothing on Etsy!

Check out some of their vintage Disney scarf creations here:

Order now and get 10% off with Code: CANDY10! These scarves would make the perfect gift for any Disney fan in your life!

Disney Junior’s Animated Series “The Lion Guard” Premieres Debut January 15, 2016

Danielle

December 11, 2015

The animated series “The Lion Guard” will premiere FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 (9:30a.m., EST/PST) on Disney Channel with encore showings throughout the week on Disney Junior and Disney Channel. It’s story which follows “The Lion King” epic, was introduced through a Disney Channel Original Movie last month will continue in a made for preschoolers TV series.

The show has been a success with Kids 2-5 and continues the tale of The Lion King, following the adventures of Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, and his diverse group of friends, each with a unique skill, as they unite to protect the Pride Lands.

A full-length preview episode titled “The Rise of Makuu” will be available on WATCHDisneyJunior.com, the WATCH Disney Junior app and iTunes on Monday, December 14.

Each episode of “The Lion Guard” incorporates Swahili words and phrases and includes original songs. The Education and Science experts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park serve as consultants, inspiring original stories based on their first-hand experiences, and advising on the characteristics, behaviors and habitats of various African animal species.

Our family is already in love with this new adventure, and can’t wait to watch the television series beginning next month!

Top 5 Disney Games You Must Own

Danielle

December 11, 2015

Every Disney Addict loves to have Disney inspiration in their every day life. These Disney takes on popular classics are a great way to share family time with a Disney twist, and make great gift ideas too!

5.) Scene It? Disney Edition

Scene It? Disney, features real clips and characters from everyone’s favorite Disney and Pixar movies, like Toy Story, Lilo & Stitch, and The Lion King! Separate trivia questions for adults and kids are guaranteed to keep your family smiling play after play.

4.) World of Disney: Eye Found It Board Game

Discover hidden treasures on the colorful, six-foot long game board. Rich with whimsical artwork and favorite Disney characters, this game is a guaranteed family favorite. Join Mickey Mouse and friends on an exciting race through 12 exquisitely illustrated Disney realms, from Radiator Springs and Alice’s Wonderland to Peter Pan’s Never Land and Winnie the Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood. Throughout the race, everyone searches for iconic Disney objects and gets a chance to say, “I found it!”

3.) Star Wars Risk Game

Recreate the final moments of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi across a TIE fighter-shaped game board and determine the fate of the universe through 3 concurrent battles. You can even play as the Light Side or the Dark Side!

2.) Pictopia-Family Trivia Game: Disney Edition

You can discover playful trivia spanning decades of Disney magic, from animated classics and blockbuster movies, to television hits and dazzling theme park destinations. It’s a game of teamwork–with a competitive twist!

1.) Disney Monopoly Game

The ultimate in game nights, Monopoly! Throw Disney into it and you’ve got a recipe for the best game ever. Monopoly: Disney Theme Park Edition III Game lets you relive the excitement of all your favorite attractions at Disney Theme Parks; from The Haunted Mansion attraction to the Disney Monorail; with this very special edition of the classic Monopoly board game.

Are any of these on your must have list for your next family game night? I know Monopoly is on mine!

Disneyland vs Disney World – Which Is The Best Place For Me To Visit?

Catie

December 11, 2015

There are always debates in my house on where we should go next – Walt Disney World in Florida, or Disneyland in California? There’s a lot to consider when choosing between the two, as they are VERY different, but both still offer that same brand of Disney Magic. Read on to learn about some of the differences and to decide which one might be the right vacation spot for you:

Size: WDW is WAY bigger than Disneyland (43 square miles vs 160 acres), and that means Disneyland has fewer attractions, but it also could potentially mean less walking (not to sound lazy – but walking all day every day for 5 or more days straight at Walt Disney World can really tire a girl out!). Size might not matter a lot to most people, but if you’re looking to spend a whole week in Disneyland, you might find that you have to branch out to some activities outside of the two theme parks (as it might be a stretch to fill a whole week JUST at Disneyland). Which brings me to…

The Parks: Disneyland has 2 – Disneyland Park and the much newer California Adventure – which opened in 2001 and recently went through an overhaul – adding new attractions and the all new CarsLand (themed after the popular Cars movies). Disneyland Park is home to many classic attractions, and it has many similarities to WDW’s Magic Kingdom. Speaking of WDW – you’ll find 4 theme parks as well as 2 water parks there too – so if you’re looking to do a different park every day or like to mix it up and try new things every day, then WDW might be the better choice for you as it is more diverse in it’s offerings

Disneyland – the Original Disney Park: History and nostalgia are definitely a factor in choosing where to go – and Disneyland is the older of the two locations (it’s celebrating its 60th anniversary this year!). It’s also the only one that Walt himself was there to see on opening day, making Disneyland Park truly “the land that Walt built”. Many of the attractions there now were there when the park opened – and others have been carefully selected and added over the years to make this a truly magical place

Where To Stay: Disneyland offers 3 onsite Hotels, whereas Walt Disney World has 27 Resorts on Disney property. While some people might appreciate the LARGE variety of places to choose from – others might prefer choosing from a short list of 3 at Disneyland, plus the Hotels at Disneyland are a lot closer to the action too – walking distance from the Parks, whereas very few of the 27 WDW hotels are actually within walking distance to any of the 4 parks (meaning you will need to wait for a bus/monorail/boat to get you to the Parks). Speaking of transportation…

Transportation Options: Walt Disney World has multiple ways to get around – buses, monorails & boats are all available to shuttle guests to and from the Parks, Resorts, and Water Parks. WDW also offers a free shuttle service from the Orlando Airport called the Magical Express. Disneyland has a monorail, but no boats or buses – mainly because they don’t need them – as their hotels and 2 theme parks are all within walking distance of each other. Disneyland offers the Disneyland Resort Express service from local airports – but it’s not free like the magical express (BUT it doesn’t require reservations, whereas the magical express does)

Planning: Walt Disney World offers the relatively new Magic Band system – which is essentially a bracelet that does it all – it acts as your WDW Resort room key, your credit card, your fastpass + ticket, and it stores your meal reservations too. Disneyland currently doesn’t have a Magic Band system in place – but they are slowly catching up – they now offer the option to make ADR’s, and they have an official Disneyland App too – where you can purchase tickets and view ride wait times. Books about both locations are available as well as tons of online info to help you plan too

Hopefully reading about the differences between WDW and Disneyland will help you make a decision about which place is best for your and your family to vacation – I personally grew up going to WDW every year and have only been to Disneyland once, and would LOVE to have the chance to go back to Disneyland, as I love the idea of it being completely designed and overseen by Walt himself – it makes me feel like I’m experiencing an amazing part of Disney history!

The Dazzling Adventures of the Disneyland Resort are Spotlighted in a Float for the 2016 Rose Parade

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

December 10, 2015

This coming New Year’s Day the Disneyland Resort will have a dazzling float in the 127th Rose Parade. The parade will be broadcast live from Pasadena, CA at 8 a.m. (PST). The theme of the parade is “Find Your Adventure” and the Disneyland Resort float features some of the most exciting adventures that await guests at the Happiest Place on Earth.

At the center of the float will be a sparkling Sleeping Beauty Castle along with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse welcoming everyone to the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration. On either sides of the castle are two adventures that are brought to life at the Disneyland Resort. One side features Elsa’s ice castle accompanied by Anna, Elsa, Olaf and Kristoff. On the other side is a thrilling adventure dedicated to the Star Wars films and exciting new Star Wars experiences at Disneyland.

The 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration has dazzled guests since it began in the spring of this year. The sparkling décor and spectacular entertainment, including the after-dark “Paint the Night” parade, “Disneyland Forever” fireworks and “World of Color – Celebrate!’, will continue to thrill guests through September 5, 2016.

The Disney animated film “Frozen” was released in 2013 and has since become extremely popular. Guests at the Disneyland Resort have been able to relive the adventures of Anna and Elsa in many ways, including character encounters at Disney California Adventure Park, floats in “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade” and “Paint the Night” in Disneyland, a live “Frozen” show at Fantasy Faire in Disneyland, and a “Frozen” sing-along celebration. In the summer of 2016 an all-new “Frozen”-inspired stage musical will open in the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure.

Season of the Force recently debuted in Tomorrowland at Disneyland and features new Star Wars themed experiences as well as enhancements to popular attractions. Star Wars Launch Bay allows guests to encounter favorite characters, take a peek behind-the-scenes of the Star Wars films, and find special exhibits and collectibles. Space Mountain has been transformed into Hyperspace Mountain and Star Tours features a new destination from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Other highlights include a short film connecting iconic scenes from the Star Wars saga called “Star Wars: Path of the Jedi”, and a reimagined “Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple” show featuring new characters and a new villain.

The appearance of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration float in the 2016 Rose Parade marks the continuation of a tradition Disney relationship with the Tournament of Roses that began in 1938.

Will you be watching the Rose Parade this New Year’s?

For more information about the many adventures you can experience at Disneyland, or to book your next magical adventure, email me at [email protected].

A Holiday Resort Tour at Walt Disney World

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

December 10, 2015

While the theme parks themselves are amazing during the holiday season, there are wonderful holiday experiences that don’t require a ticket, like a visit to Disney Springs to see it all decked out for the holidays.

My favorite thing would have to be a little resort hopping to see all the holiday decorations and really get in the holiday spirit.

The cozy, rustic charm of Wilderness Lodge just screams Christmas to me. The themeing of the resort in general really lends itself to a holiday celebration. The huge Christmas tree in the lobby is a main focal point and will certainly get you in the Christmas spirit. Use of other natural elements, like pine-cones and antlers really add a woodsy vibe to the resort. And what could be more relaxing than a rest in a rocking chair while starring at a crackling fire. And it’s only a quick boat ride away from Magic Kingdom!

The Grand Floridian Resort is a must do at Christmas time. The resort really embodies its Victorian elegance at the holidays. The highlight of which is the l ife-sized gingerbread house. This house takes months to prepare and is made of many real ingredients – just like the ones you’d make at hoe. Plus it’s where you can order holiday treats! The Gingerbread House surely is the focal point but all around the resort are touches of the holiday so make sure you don’t miss them – including the large Christmas tree on display in the lobby.

While the Polynesian Resort does not have a large Christmas tree or an edible display, the decorations you will find at the tropical resort are beautiful. Everything is themed to fit in at this tropical resort. While a visit there won’t have you singing White Christmas, you’ll certainly feel the holiday spirit!

The HUGE Mickey Mouse Christmas wreath on the outside of the Contemporary Resort is just the thing to get you in the holiday spirit and Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven at the Gingerbread Holiday Ice Castle in the Grand Canyon Concourse is certainly impressive. Add in the large tree outside and the smaller trees that decorate the lobby and Christmas is in full swing at the Contemporary resort! It is without a doubt worth a visit on a Christmas Resort Tour of Walt Disney World. Don’t forget to pick up your snowman building marshmallow kit!

In General, Disney’s Beach Club Resort is my favorite resort on property. Christmas doesn’t boast an extravagant display although the carousel horse, which is an edible display, is certainly unique! What is worth a visit, however, is the tropical theme trees that you can find thorough the resort. The ornaments are stunning and have provide me with an inspiration or two as we decorate our own home at Christmas.

Next door at the Yacht Club, the holiday display is an amazing Christmas village featuring a working train. Honestly, this is a sight to see – it is intricate and ornate and fits in with the upscale theme of this resort. The rest of the resort decorations are beautiful as well and follow long with the nautical theme you’ll always find at Yacht Club.

The Boardwalk Inn boasts an exciting new addition this year – Ginger’s Bread and Cookie Shop. The sweet shoppe has 124 Mickey’s and is made from 350 pounds of gingerbread, including a Mickey weathervane.! This is certainly the focal point at this resort but that is not where the decorations end – garland and trees and other festive holiday ornaments fill the lobby with Christmas cheer! It is like you walked into a turn of the century Christmas celebration!

And let’s not forget the Swan and Dolphin Resort. Constructed entirely of chocolate, the big feature is the Holiday Santa Scene with a chocolate Santa sitting in his chair, a 7-foot tall, 400-pound chocolate nutcracker, chocolate fireplace, chocolate Christmas tree and chocolate toy train. The lobby also boasts at 45 ft Christmas tree that is the location for an indoor snowfall and tree lighting (on select nights). And don’t miss a chance to check in with the main man himself – Santa Claus – and the Missus dressed for their Florida vacation! They are greeting guests on select nights.

While the parks provide plenty of holiday entertainment and experiences, there are also so many things to do that don’t require a theme park ticket. While it may be cutting it a little close to book your trip for 2015, now is the perfect time to start planning for Christmas 2016! And booking a Walt Disney World Resort package usually only requires a $200 deposit. So what are you waiting for – there is so much to see and do around the Walt Disney World Resort at the holidays it’s time to start planning!

The holidays magical at Walt Disney World. And now is the perfect time to start planning your 2016 holiday vacation. I would love to help you with all of your travel needs. I am a Travel Magician with World of Magic Travel, the preferred agency of Chip and Co and the Disney Addicts! Email me today at [email protected] to start planning your “Magical” vacation! –Alissa

Four Seasons Orlando at WDW Resort Celebrates the Holiday Magic

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

December 10, 2015

Keeping with tradition of eccentric and amazing holidays celebrations in Walt Disney World Resort, The Four Seasons Resort has some fabulously merry additions to your stay! From décor to events this resort is aiming to please everyone from the age of one to ninety-two.

Sweet Tooth?

You’re in luck! The Four Seasons is offering many festive holiday-flavored treats at it’s eateries. Start off with some peppermint bark, gingerbread cookies and delicious seasonal gelato flavors- that includes candy cane and cinnamon stick! Yum! If you get to Lickety Split you’ll be able to indulge in traditional Italian holiday bread (panettone di Milano), pistachio and cranberry bark, pecan toffee and sweet and minty chocolate cookies. At sweet shop Scoop, found in The Hideout, you can snag complimentary ice cream and cookies every Friday and Saturday afternoons for resort guests. If you are more of a creative spirit you can even take a cookie decorating class…complete with eating your art in the end.

Holiday Dinners

Isn’t the food one of the best parts of the season? There will be extensive offerings of brunches, dinners and buffets for both Christmas Day, New Years Eve and Day. Special pricing applies and reservations are absolutely required so don’t miss out! There will be cooking demonstrations with the chefs on December 21 and 28th.

Dressed Up

It won’t just be “Holiday Best” for the Disney Princesses– the décor in the Resort is among the most beautiful! This year the Four Seasons has an enormous Gingerbread house in the lavishly decorated plum and gold lobby. 12 foot tree big enough for you? They have that too! Take in the sights while you sip complimentary hot chocolate and cider around the tree. Décor will be on display through January 3 so don’t miss out!

For the Kids

Kids For All Seasons is an onsite complimentary camp for ages 4-12 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. They will be presenting specialized holiday themed activities for your children! A candy cane scavenger hunt, timed lazy river race and balloon art will be available, to name a few. Weekly holiday films are also offered. Go and enjoy The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and write your letter to Santa! Or perhaps you prefer Home Alone or Elf? Not a problem, those are being shown as well.

Grown Ups Only

If you have time to drink a cocktail you certainly have time to learn to make one! Complimentary Mixology classes will be held on:

December 22 3:00-4:00 pm, Plancha’s Slow Mulled Wine

December 29 3:00-4:00 pm, PB & G’s Egg Nog with a Twist

There will also be Wine Mixers for 21 and older guests in the Winter Garden Atrium on Thursdays from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. On Christmas Eve the mixer will feature holiday wines and on New Years Eve it will feature sparkling wine.

The Lobby Bar will dedicate it’s TVs and menus to the football fans so you don’t miss the big game! If you prefer to get outdoors you can play 18 holes at the Tranquilo Golf Club. Don’t forget to book your loved one a spa treatment at The Spa. Wouldn’t your wife LOVE a Mistel-toes mani/pedi? If you aren’t sure what to get and you have a few minutes to shop you can hit Wardrobe and Fable for that last minute present. You can also treat someone to a gift card redeemable at The Spa, Golf course, dining or shopping at boutiques.

This Christmas and New Years are not the time to hesitate! The attractions at the Four Seasons in Walt Disney World Resort are ready to cater to you and yours this holiday season but only for a limited time!

If you would like more information or a free quote for a lavish stay at the Four Seasons in Walt Disney World Resort Orlando email me today! You can find me on Facebook too!

New acts coming to Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba in 2016!

Chip

December 10, 2015

We have some exciting news to announce about Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba at Walt Disney World – Disney Springs.

The new year will bring with it exciting new additions to the show: a high-energy performance unlike anything previously seen in La Nouba, along with new techniques mastered by only a handful of artists worldwide.

More details will be announced in the coming weeks. So Stay tuned to Chip and Co for more information!

Review of Coral Reef Restaurant in Epcot

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

December 10, 2015

When I’m getting ready to make dining reservations for Epcot, the first thing that comes to find is the World Showcase. I mean, there is really something for everyone there! The food is fantastic and the atmosphere cannot be beat. From Le Cellier, to Restaurant Marrakesh, I have never had a bad meal in the World Showcase.

On our most recent trip to Walt Disney World, I decided to branch out of my comfort zone a little, and book something in Future World. Deciding between the Garden Grill and Coral Reef was difficult – I had never eaten at either. I know the Garden Grill tops the list of many favorite restaurant lists. But for me, the atmosphere promise of Coral Reef won out. I mean, who wouldn’t want to enjoy a nice meal in front of a full sized aquarium?

We normally aren’t big seafood eaters at home (mostly because I have no experience cooking seafood), so I thought this would give us a great chance to open up our palettes a little bit and enjoy something that we don’t often have the chance to taste.

So, was Coral Reef worth the gamble? ABSOLUTELY!

I booked our dining reservations as soon as our 180 day window opened and I was able to get us a dinner reservation at 6:20pm, which is a perfect dinner time for us. When booking dining reservations, you often have to adjust your eating schedule to the availability of the restaurant, so I was very happy that we would not have to veer far off course. That day of vacation, we spent the morning on the Keys to the Kingdom Tour, which ended at 1:00pm, so we had plenty of time to head back to our resort, have a little rest, and then get ready for dinner. We decided before our trip that we wanted to dress up a little bit for this meal. This was the only table service dinner we had booked, so we thought it would be nice to make it an occasion and really enjoy the experience.

We got to Epcot around 4:30pm so that we could stop and see our pals Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy at the Character Spot (I booked a FastPass+ for this ahead of time). The pictures turned out great and we didn’t have to worry about looking haggard from a day trapesing around the park. We also took a spin on Spaceship Earth (one of my favorites!) before dinner. It was so nice to leisurely walk around Future World before our reservation.

We arrived at Coral Reef about 15 minutes before our reservation to check in. Coral Reef has a lovely sitting area while you wait for your table to be ready. You cannot hear the bustling sounds of the dining room while you are waiting, and it was nice to take a moment to sit down, hold hands, and just relax. We didn’t have to wait long though, our table was ready right on time!

From previous experiences at restaurants (on and off Disney property), when you are a party of two, sometimes you get pushed to a small back table. While I totally understand that large families need large tables, I sometimes feel as if we are being pushed aside, next to a broom cupboard or something. However, this was not the case at Coral Reef! We had one of the best tables in the restaurant!

The dining room is set up in tiers, so that everyone is able to view the aquarium without looking around other guest’s heads. We were seated on the first tier, front and center to the aquarium, in a large booth the provided us more than enough room. Really, it was so great! There was never a lull in conversation or entertainment because we had a whole wall of ocean life to keep us amused and captivated. Fish of all kinds, sharks, and stingrays – there was always something swimming by to say hello.

Service was prompt despite the restaurant being full, and although our waiter seemed a little frazzled and apologized several times for delays in service (really, we didn’t even notice or mind!), we were very happy and well taken care of.

Now, on to the food! Oh, the food!

We knew that we were planning on splurging on how cost and calories for this meal, so we didn’t hold back. Usually when we dine out, we each order an entrée and water and we are happy. Not this time! Appetizer, drinks, entrees, and dessert (more on the dessert later!). We wanted it all!

So, what exactly did we order? Let me reminisce a little and I will try not to drool on my keyboard!

Appetizer: Creamy Crab Dip for Two, with fresh spinach and croutons.

This was so good! Warm, rich and creamy, this was the perfect starter course. We had to check ourselves before we started to lick the bowl clean.

Drinks: Aaron order a Bahama Mama which was really yummy (of course I had a sip!). I forget the name of my drink, but it was purple and had a light up cube (hey, I was on vacation, so why not, right?!) and was delicious!

Main Course:

Aaron ordered the Seared Mahi Mahi – with Laughing Bird Shrimp, Hearts of Palm, Jasmine Rice, Cilantro, and a Coconut-Lime Sauce.

I ordered the Pan-seared Verlasso Salmon – with Mushroom Risotto, Baby Greens, and Pinot Noir Reduction.

These two entrees definitely made our list of best dishes we have ever had! The Mahi Mahi was cooked perfectly and the coconut lime sauce balanced so well against the jasmine rice. Neither one of us is a big fan of shrimp, but I can tell you that there was nothing left on that plate by the end of the meal. And my salmon! I dream about this salmon! Again, the fish was cooked perfectly and the mushroom risotto with the pinot noir reduction was pure decadence. Usually I am one to eat my meals very quickly, but I took my time to savor this for every last bite.

Dessert: The Chocolate Wave with Raspberry Gelato.

A perfect ending to a perfect meal. We were planning on ordering this from the beginning, but our waiter ended up delivering this to us without us asking, free of charge, to apologize for the wait (that we didn’t even notice). We are not ones to ask for or to expect freebies, and it was so nice to be treated to this wonderful dessert!

When we talk about our vacation, we always bring up this meal. I can honestly say that we will 100% be returning here during our next vacation, whenever that may be.

Have you ever eaten at Coral Reef? Let me know how your experience was 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.

5 Fab Gifts for the Star Wars Fan in Your Life

Danielle

December 10, 2015

Christmas is just around the corner, and if you’re like me there are just some loved ones that it’s hard to decide what to get them! With Star Wars: The Force Awakens opening in just a few days, I thought it might be fun to put together a list of items any Star Wars fan would love!

5.)Ultimate Star Wars Book

The Ultimate Star Wars book is an in depth look at the characters and world of Star Wars, and the perfect primer to the new movie coming out later this month.

4.) Star Wars Monopoly

Monopoly is purely a classic, that everyone knows, and most love (I might be a crazy competitive Monopoly player… might, okay probably, okay I am). The classic board game has gotten many new themes over the years, but the Star Wars version has to be one of the most unique maker overs the game has seen. Not only are the game pieces like fun little mini figures, but the board is round! There’s also a Star Wars Risk Game, for the hard core board gamer.

3.) Millennium Falcon Lamp – Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Customizable

Never tell me the odds… of sitting in the dark with this galactic Millennium Falcon lamp. A perfect accent to any Star Wars lover’s room, and you can even customize it too! I may not be able to do the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs, but I can blast off into my imagination with a good book while cozied up by the warm glow of this legendary starship.

2.) BB-8 4GB USB Flash Drive – Star Wars: The Force Awakens

BB-8 4GB USB Flash Drive - Star Wars: The Force Awakens

This cute little droid has already stolen the hearts of long time fans, and new fans alike. Take him everywhere while he keeps your pictures, documents and more safe with this 4GB flash Drive!

1.) A Lightsaber

Yoda Force FX Lightsaber - Star Wars

This one just seems obvious to me. Every Star Wars fan should have a lightsaber, no matter what age! This Yoda Force FX Lightsaberand Kylo Ren Force FX Lightsaber are an epic grown up version of the fun plastic ones we had as kids. You can still get the toy lightsabers with realistic sounds though!

Are any of these fun Star Wars items on your Christmas Wish list this year?

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