Epcot’s United Kingdom Pavilion Welcomes Acoustic Group Quickstep

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November 25, 2015

While walking through the United Kingdom Pavilion at Disney’s Epcot, just off Tudor Lane, you can now hear the acoustic performance of the band Quickstep. They are a four person group with sounds drawing from Scottish, English, and Irish traditions.

You can hear their performances featuring sounds of fiddle, flute, highland bagpipes, a traditional Irish frame drum and more each week, Wednesday to Sunday.

Great entertainment to check out while enjoying Holidays Around the World and a special Holiday treat!

This holiday season has brought the announcement of many new entertainment options throughout the Walt Disney World parks. If you would like more information on planning a vacation to Walt Disney World email me at [email protected], to ensure you don’t miss out!

Photo credit Disney Parks Blog

Former Disney World Employees Sue Disney for Discrimination

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Disney News

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November 25, 2015

We recently told you about quite a few Disney World employees that were fired and had to train their replacements. To add insult to injury their replacements were from overseas. Mainly from India and here on H-1B Visas by an outsourcing firm.

So far 27 of the 250 employees that were fired have filed Title VII discrimination complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. They are claiming their American citizenship and their age as the basis for their termination. Attorney Sara Blackwell also added hostile work conditions to the suit as well. Blackwell says she plans to file a class action lawsuit, but each employee can decide to file on their own and separately.

Once a complaint is filed the EEOC will review and investigate to decide whether or not said discrimination happened. Filing complaints with the EEOC at the first steps that are taken before a lawsuit can be filed against Disney. The EEOC can also file it’s own lawsuit based on the results of their findings.

Disney is not the only corporation that has used this type of work visa, many others have as well.

Some former employees are also filing complaints with Florida, stating that Florida’s anti discrimination laws were not followed. They have until January 30, 2016 to file a complaint with the state of Florida.

Gamer’s Guide to Everything gets renewed!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 25, 2015

Gamers Guide to Pretty Much Everything logo

Disney XD has ordered a second season of its popular live-action comedy series “Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything,” starring Cameron Boyce as a teenage pro-gaming phenomenon whose thumb injury forces him off the elite gaming circuit and back to public school. Production on the series will resume in Los Angeles, California, in the spring for a premiere in 2016.

The premiere of “Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything” (7/22/15) was Disney XD’s #1 series debut in the network’s over 15-year history (includes Toon Disney) among Boys 6-11, and launch to date, is the network’s #2 live-action original series of all time across target Boy 2-11 and 6-11 demographics.

“Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything” was created by Devin Bunje and Nick Stanton (“Zeke & Luther,” “Turbo Fast”), who also serve as executive producers. Executive Producer Jim O’Doherty (“Grounded for Life,” “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “Kickin’ It”) also serves as showrunner of the series. Starring alongside Boyce as Conor’s friends are Murray Wyatt Rundus as Wendell, Felix Avitia as Franklin and Sophie Reynolds as Ashley.

In season one, airing Wednesday nights on Disney XD, gaming phenom Conor teams up with three unlikely friends to form their high school’s first-ever gaming league, and together they encounter everyday challenges in their quest to level up. Popular video game influencers such as Stampy Cat, Markiplier and CaptainSparklez have also made cameos on the show. In season two, the team sets its sights on a global championship, and the foursome will face new challenges and new rivals along the way.
Stay tuned for more!

Cardmember Early Access Starts Now at The Disney Store!

By

Danielle

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November 25, 2015

Good news Disney Chase Visa card members! You now have early access to the best Disney Store deals with an extra 20% off before the general public! Valid in store and online starting today you can save even more on Hundreds of Items at Disney Store!

This is a limited time offer and you can use Code: THANKS to save an additional 20% off* of select purchases when you use your Disney Visa card. Don’t forget you can get free shipping on purchases of $75 or more too.

So what are we waiting for? Let’s beat the Black Friday rush!

Happy Shopping!

*excludes Shipping & Handling, Disney Theme Park Passes, Disney Vacation Club®, Disney INFINITY, Playmation™, Disney Electronics, DVDs, Blu-ray™, CDs, Video Games, Books, Art & Collectibles, Jim Shore, Lenox, Enesco Busts and Figurines, Olszewski, Precious Moments, Vinylmation, Limited Edition and Limited Availability merchandise, Dooney & Bourke, Alex and Ani, Vera Bradley, PANDORA, MagicBand, Duffy and ShellieMay the Disney Bears Collection, Tommy Bahama

Art Awakens Celebrates Star Wars: The Force Awakens

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 25, 2015

To celebrate the upcoming release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Lucasfilm is joined by Gallery 1988 and HP Inc., to present “Art Awakens.”

During a recent art exhibit in Los Angeles, Gallery 1988 featured a Star Wars exhibit featuring top professional and up and coming contemporary artists. New and original pieces from the exhibit are now being auctioned off to support UNICEF Kid Power, in the name of Star Wars: Force for Change. All original pieces featured in the gallery along with select prints are now up for auction through eBay for Charity.

New and original works from artists Joshua Keyes, Alex Pardee, ScottC., Lorraine Loots, Eric Tan, Brandi Milne, Rich Kelly, Kris Lewis, Travis Louie, Naoto Hattori and Dan Mumford, and many others were on display.

Along with the originals showcased above, five amateur winners of the 2-month long Art Awakens Fan Art Competition, which kicked off on August 11, had their art showcased in the professional gallery exhibit. The winners were chosen by a judging committee that included members from Disney, Lucasfilm and the legendary visual effects house Industrial Light & Magic, and others. The five fan-art winners were flown to Los Angeles to attend the VIP opening night gallery reception at Gallery 1988 on November 13th. One winner was awarded with the HP Technology Award for their innovative use of technology to create their artwork and received a Star Wars Special Edition Notebook.

Sales from the auction were used to support UNICEF Kid Power, the world’s first Wearable-for-Good™, which gives kids the power to save lives. By getting active with the UNICEF Kid Power Band, kids go on missions to learn about new cultures and earn points. Points unlock funding from partners, parents and fans; and funds are used by UNICEF to deliver lifesaving packets of therapeutic food to severely malnourished children around the world. Two exclusive Star Wars: Force For Change UNICEF Kid Power bands will go on sale November 29, 2015.

Check out a few of the art pieces below. Will you be bidding on one or more of these incredible collector’s pieces?

074 a copy

076 copy

072 b copy

068 a copy

058 c copy

020 a copy

033 copy

008 copy

016 a copy

018 copy

080 a copy

Screen Matt Taylor copy

Disney Find- Handcrafted Disney Pendants

By

Danielle

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November 25, 2015

I love wearing a beautiful Disney pendant to express who I am! I fell in love with the pendants from designer sugahNspice on Etsy. She creates floating lockets and character silhouette pendants.

She also has a wide range of beautiful character silhouette pendants that are just divine. I especially love the Haunted Mansion Hitchhiking Ghosts pendant. I also love the expression and personalization you can put into her floating lockets. She has tons of pre-designed lockets for you tho choose from, but also offers empty lockets and sets of charms so you can make your necklace uniquely you. Her charms are full of magic and whimsy, and she even hand pours the enamel and resin herself! Right now, the entire shop is 15% off, so it’s a great time to grab a few gorgeous baubles, no coupon code needed.

Here are some Floating Locket pendants I think you’ll adore:

These are some of the beautiful Silhouette Pendant pieces:

So many to choose from! Which is your favorite, the floating lockets or the character silhouette pendants?

Happy Shopping!

Celebrate the Holiday Season at LEGOLAND Florida

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 25, 2015

LEGOLAND Florida really knows how to throw a Holiday party and Christmastime is no exception! Get ready for the LEGOLAND Florida Christmas Bricktacular! This year there are more lights, more shopping, more activities and more fun than ever before! At night, the exclusive yuletide fireworks display will be the backdrop for the 30 ft. tall Christmas tree! Life sized Lego Santa and his reindeer will welcome you to the party,

Included with park admission, Christmas Bricktacular takes place on select dates through December and provides a fun and interactive place for kids to enjoy holiday festivities in a playful way only LEGOLAND Florida Resort could imagine. In addition to creative holiday photo opportunities and festive décor throughout the park, activities will include:

Meet-and-greets with LEGO Santa and LEGO Toy Soldier
A LEGO Christmas mosaic guests can assemble with our Master Model Builders
A Santa-themed scavenger hunt in Miniland USA with a chance to win a LEGO prize pack
A station where kids can write a LEGO letter to Santa and send it to the North Pole

Still looking for the best LEGO gift for under the tree? Don’t worry! LEGOLAND Florida has it all right there! Including lot of Hard-to-find sets! Here is a list of the best shops in the park for toys, accessories and clothing!

The Big Shop – Everything for the LEGO fan including LEGO toy sets, exclusives, apparel and souvenirs.
Pick-A-Brick Factory Store – Choose from hundreds of LEGO pieces, accessories and more to customize your own creations.
Minifigure Market – Build your own LEGO Minifigures from a huge assortment of themed pieces.
LEGO Studio Store – A one-stop shop for LEGO sets inspired by popular TV shows and movies such as “The LEGO^® Movie^™.”
Heartlake Mall – Featuring sets and products from the LEGO Friends, LEGO Elves and Disney Princess^™ lines.

A bonus feature for those who are social media gurus: you can share your favorite Christmas Bricktacular photos with #BricktacularFL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and tag @LEGOLANDFlorida for a chance to win a special LEGO prize. So start snapping those photos!

2015 Christmas Bricktacular Presented by Shutterfly^® Dates:

December 5-6 (Saturday & Sunday)
December 12-13 (Saturday & Sunday)
December 19-20 (Saturday & Sunday)
December 26-30 (Sunday-Wednesday)

LEGOLAND Florida is a great place to celebrate the holiday season. Top off your visit with a stay at the AMAZING LEGOLAND Florida Hotel. This park is one of my favorites and I cannot wait to experience all they have to offer! Are you thinking about a visit to LEGOLAND Florida? Let me help! contact me at [email protected] for more information on this and all of the Orlando vacation destinations!

PHOTO / LEGOLAND Florida, Merlin Entertainments Group, Chip Litherland

Epcot’s Holidays Around the World Offers International Treats

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 25, 2015

Whose ready for some holiday treats? Holidays Around the World begins November 30, 2015 at Disney’s Epcot. The event showcases holiday music, dance, and storytelling from countries around the world, as well as introducing some amazing international treats.

Taste the holidays around the world by trying things like:

Mexico – Sweet tamales
Norway – Traditional rice cream and frozen peppermint trifle
China – Kaikouxiao
Germany – Classic holiday fruit bread – Stollen, Glühwein, a hot spiced wine; Werther’s Original specialty drinks and treats, and a German artisanal cheese plate.
Italy – Prosecco sparkling wine and Panettone (Italian Christmas bread).
Japan – A savory grilled Kurobuto pork sausage with pineapple and onions and Hitachino Ginger Beer.
Morocco – honey chocolate baklava.
France – A classic Buche de Noel au Chocolat (chocolate Christmas log) and a special glace à la cannelle et noix de pecan caramélisées (cinnamon ice cream and caramelized pecans).
United Kingdom – Hot applejack cider.
Canada – Pecan maple bark.
Fountainview in Future World — Mickey Santa Hat Cupcake.

Are you looking for more of a meal? Check out Promenade Refreshments for a spin on the traditional American holiday meal: warm turkey sandwich on cranberry bread with mashed potatoes and gravy. Follow it up with a peppermint sundae, chocolate grasshopper, hot chocolate or hot chocolate with Godiva Coffee Liqueur and Red Hook Winterhook Ale.

Looking for a treat for the Candlelight Processional? Check out The Sugar and Spice Shop opening November 27th at American Adventure. You can choose from classics like peppermint bark, gingerbread cookies, chocolate chunk cookies, holiday tree sugar cookies, hot chocolate (including an option with peppermint Schnapps), and eggnog (or an option with Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon).

Starting on December 1st while your picking up your snack at American Adventure you can also take a look at the edible U.S. Capitol Building and Washington Monument made from 50 pounds of gingerbread!

The holidays are a great time to visit Walt Disney World. Here are some more great things that you can check out during a holiday visit: Osborne Spectacle of Lights, Holidays Happen Here Dance Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and the first holiday season at Disney Springs. If you are interested in taking a vacation to check it all out contact me at [email protected] to take advantage of free travel planning services and to get your questions answered.

Photo Credit Disney Parks Blog

‘Paint the Night’ Parade Dining Packages Coming to Disneyland

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 24, 2015

Beginning January 11, 2016 at Disneyland park, you’ll be able to make dining reservations with reserved viewing for the ‘Paint the Night’ parade. Two restaurants will be offering dining packages-Blue Bayou Restaurant and Aladdin’s Oasis.

The dining package at Blue Bayou includes a three-course meal and the parade viewing area will be on Main Street U.S.A.

The Aladdin’s Oasis dining package gives you the choice of three entrees and the option to eat at the restaurant or take your meal to-go. Parade viewing for this package will be located near “it’s a small world”.

Reservations for the dining packages aren’t available yet so check back for more information! The ‘Paint the Night’ parade is just one of the spectacular new shows at Disneyland for the Diamond Celebration. Contact me today for help planning your next magical vacation to experience this parade for yourself!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Introduces Holidays Happen Here Dance Party

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 24, 2015

The Holidays Happen Here Dance party is coming to Hollywood Studios beginning on December 1, 2015.

From 5:00pm until park closing head on over to the Center Stage in front of The Great Movie Ride for your chance to participate in a DJ character dance party!

This is a great year to check out Hollywood Studios during the Holidays. Along with dancing at Holidays Happen Here, you can check out the last year of Osborne’s Spectacle of Lights at Hollywood Studios and a second character dance party, Club Disney, arriving at Sunset Showcase on December 5th! You can also dine with Minnie during the Holidays..

Any thoughts on which character we might see at Holidays Happen Here?

The Holidays have always been my favorite time to visit Hollywood Studios. The lights, the music, the special treats, and the “snow” falling from the rooftops. As a Michigan girl I love seeing winter holidays celebrated minus the cold and ice! As a travel magician with World of Magic Travel, I would love to help you plan a winter getaway to Disney. Contact me at [email protected] for more details.

Starbucks Released New Christmas Collection at Disney World and Disneyland

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 24, 2015

Disney Parks Starbucks locations has released a new holiday collection, exclusive to Disney Parks. The new line features “You Are Here” mug ornaments, and a new Disney Starbucks Christmas mug. This collection is exclusive to Disney Parks and is now starting to show up on places like Amazon and Ebay.

The ornament mugs are mini-versions of the full size “You Are Here” mugs that have been sold in the parks for the last year. Each ornament mug is priced at $12.95 at the parks, which is reasonable enough to not feel totally guilty buying the whole set. Two Starbucks cup ornaments featuring the Disney print are also available.

Of course you can also order them from Amazon if you have no way to pick them up from the parks. Here are a few links but keep in mind they have been marked up.

Disney Parks Starbucks You Are Here Mug Christmas Tree Ornament SET of 4: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios

Disney Parks Starbucks Clear Cold Cup with Straw Christmas Tree Ornament

Disney Parks Starbucks White Ceramic Travel Tumbler Christmas Tree Ornament

Once your tree is decked out with all the new ornaments, you deserve to take a hot-chocolate break with this new Christmas mug. The Disney castle pattern reminds me a bit of “it’s a small world” and I really love the classic bright red and green motif.

Disney Starbucks Holiday Christmas Mug Limited Edition

Disneyland also received “You Are Here” mug ornaments as well as a selection of Starbucks ornaments to celebrate Disneyland’s 60^th anniversary.

Starbucks Disneyland 60th Diamond Celebration Birthday/Anniversary + Disney Parks Ornament Approx. 3″ Park Exclusive

Starbucks Disneyland 60th Diamond Celebration Birthday/Anniversary Ceramic Ornament Approx. 3″ (Gift Boxed) Park Exclusive

I love that the new ornaments and mugs are here just in time for Christmas shopping and decorating – I only wish that Disney sold them on the Disney Store or that I could pick them up in the Shop Disney Parks App but I guess Amazon will do for now.

What do you think of the new collection? Let us know in the comments!

Simple Gals Candle Company is Having a Black Friday Sale!

By

Danielle

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November 24, 2015

SimpleGalsShops, who make the SCENTsational Disney inspired wax melts, will be having a hot Black Friday sale! The sale will take place 12 am -11:59 pm on the November 27, 2015.

The entire store will be 30% off, and that means the fabulous hand poured scented wax melts will be only $2.80*! The 8 oz, 12 oz and 20 oz candles will be starting at $8.32** each! I can never decide which melts I want, so this will be a perfect time to stock up on favorite scents, and try out some new ones!

So far they’ve all been wonderful, here’s a list of just a few of my faves:

Be Our Guest
Main Street U.S.A. (Smells just like popcorn and cookies to me!)
Le Brew (Just like the signature drink at Gasont’s Tavern)
Mermaid
Pineapple Whip
MVMCP
Mistress of Evil
Mickey

Those are just a handful, there’s tons more over at their shop here! So don’t forget November 27 at 12 am the sale is on!

Happy Shopping!

*3 for $10 is not included in this sale

** Quantities are limited