Celebrate Thanksgiving With Special Offerings in Walt Disney World

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November 5, 2015

Can you believe November is here already? With 70 degree weather and beautiful skies in PA today, I definitely cannot! But…before we know it, we will be trading that warmth and sun for cold and snow. What better way to take in some warmth before winter arrives than by celebrating Thanksgiving in Walt Disney World. If you already have a trip planned, here are some of the special events and offerings taking place throughout Walt Disney World during Thanksgiving this year:

Special, holiday menus featuring:
- roasted turkey breast with all the trimmings plus traditional Norwegian meatballs and pan-seared salmon at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
- poppy seed lavash, house-made naan, and apple-cranberry achar at Sanaa
- roasted heirloom beets with candied walnuts and mulled apple cider at Artist Point
Epcot will be featuring special Thanksgiving menus during lunch and dinner at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Biergarten Restaurant, Coral Reef Restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Restaurant Marrakesh, and Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room, as well as quick service at Sunshine Seasons.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios will also be featuring special menus at 50’s Prime Time Cafe (I have a feeling this food is going to be just like home!!!), Hollywood & Vine and The Hollywood Brown Derby.
Animal Kingdom will offer a holiday menu at Tusker House

If you are looking to spend some time at your resort, or a neighboring resort, you can also find special menus at the following Disney resort restaurants:

Artist Point and Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Port Orleans Resort Riverside
California Grill, Chef Mickey’s and The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Captain’s Grille and Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Citricos, Grand Floridian Café, Narcoossee’s and Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
End Zone Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Flying Fish Café and Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort
Mickey’s Backyard Thanksgiving Feast and Trail’s End Restaurant at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Jiko – The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas-Disney’s Kidani Village
Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Olivia’s Café at Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Sanaa at Disney’s Kidani Village Resort
Shutters at Old Port Royale at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
The Turf Club Bar and Grill at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

As with any Disney dining location, advanced reservations are HIGHLY recommended. There is still time to make those Thanksgiving Day dining plans. If you don’t have your trip booked yet, never fear, I am here to help find you a package to meet your family’s needs. Email me at [email protected], but, don’t delay…there’s less than left until Thanksgiving!!!

Help Star Wars Fan’s Last Wish Come True

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 4, 2015

Star Wars Fans far and wide have launched a request for help. Fellow fan Daniel Fleetwood from Texas is a huge Star Wars fan like many of us except for one part that sets him apart. Daniel has been diagnosed with a rare form of connective tissue cancer. Given a life expectancy of two months, he has already beat that time frame, however his wish is to make it to the December 18th premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Daniel doesn’t believe this is going to be possible and his wish is to be able to see an early screening of the film before release. To help Daniel, the Star Wars community is reaching out and asking everyone to share Daniel’s story on your social media page using the hashtag #forcefordaniel. We believe the powers at LucasFilms and Disney will make the magic happen for Daniel as we remember back in 2012 when J.J. Abrams honored a similar request.

As fellow Disney Addicts and Star Wars Fans, Chip and Co will be sharing Daniel’s story on all our pages and asking everyone to share our article and be a part of the magic of granting Daniel’s wish. Don’t forget to include #forcefordaniel in your posts and follow chipandco.com for updates to Daniel’s story.

Frozen Ever After Ride will Arrive in Epcot in 2016

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 4, 2015

There were some more details for the new Frozen Ever After ride at Epcot recently released. The animatronic figures will use rear-projection technology that will make their faces look more lifelike. The same technology was used on Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disneyland and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at the Magic Kingdom in Florida.

You can expect to hear your favorite songs from the movie as well as some other songs with some slightly different lyrics. There were no new songs written just for the ride.

The ride begins with the queue of course, it is being referred to as scene 1. You will be entertained while strolling through the queue. You will walk past Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post, where he will wipe away steam from the windows and greet you with his famous “Yoo-Hoo!

Once on the ride you will board a Viking log. You will Sven helping set up for the Winter in Summer festival, you will glide past Olaf who will be ice skating, Marshmallow will make an appearance, and last but not least you will visit Troll Valley. This is where Grandpappy will tell you the story of when Kristof and Princess Anna met.

The story that you will follow throughout the ride starts with a Winter in Summer celebration where Queen Elsa uses her amazing magical powers to make it snow on what appears to be a warm sunny day in Arendelle. Eventually you will get to Elsa’s Ice Palace, where she will make it snow. She will sing everyone’s favorite, “Let it Go”. The ride will end with a fireworks show and the main characters sending you on your way.

“What we try to do is take you back to the movie without retelling that story,” said Kathy Mangum, the lead Imagineer on the new attraction.

The newly reimagined Norway pavilion at Epcot will have a Royal Sommerhus which based on a historic Norwegian log cabin. This is the spot where you can meet Elsa and Anna, they will sign autographs and take pictures.

Disney is planning more Frozen magic for other parks in the future. There is a “Frozen” musical planned for Disney California Adventure in 2016 and an Arendelle type land is supposed to open at Tokyo DisneySea in 2017 or 2018.

I can’t wait for this ride. What do you think?

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

Nickelodeon HALO Awards Special Event at Universal Orlando, November 7th!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 4, 2015

WALK THE MOON PERFORMS AS PART OF THE NICKELODEON HALO AWARDS

As part of the Nickelodeon HALO awards on November 7th, WALK THE MOON will take the stage at the Music Plaza stage located in Universal Studios Florida. This will be a special performance from the band behind the hit song “Shut Up and Dance!” They will join Nickelodeon as well as this years host, Nick Cannon in honoring all the young leaders from all across the country.
This is the seventh year that Nickelodeon has recognized the real life kids that’s done amazing things in their communities just by “Helping and Leading Others,” HALO!

Best part it’s free with your Universal Studios theme park admission ticket, but you want to arrive early so not to miss out! Dress to impress too because you just might be on television. The special Universal Studios television taping starts at 7pm, but The Music Plaza stage will be open as early as 5pm. This will be a limited performance of 6 songs.

My name is Leigh Saleh. I’m a Travel Agent with World of Magic Travel. I’m a Universal Orlando Specialist, SeaWorld Parks Specialist, Legoland Florida Specialist and a Disney Destination Specialist as well as many more destinations including cruise lines. Email me today at [email protected] to book your next “Magical” family vacation to your favorite destination.

You can also visit my Facebook page, click here for more details, and updates on special offers to your favorite travel destinations. You will also find a ton of pictures from Walt Disney World,Disney Cruise Line, SeaWorld, Universal Orlando, and Legoland Florida.

*Official Photographs property of Nickelodeon/Universal Orlando and YouTube video property of Walk The Moon **

New Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card ‘Olaf’s Snowgies’ To Debut at MVMCP

By

Danielle

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November 4, 2015

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party starts November 8, and if you’re a Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom fan you can get your very own special-edition ‘Olaf’s Snowgies’ card! This event-exclusive card will only be available on Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party nights.

This limited edition card features a sledding Olaf with a heap of Snowgies sledding down a mountain side. Those adorable little snow balls will be a hero spell with “Charming” stats. The “Olaf Snowgies” card will be distributed in addition tot he regular Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card packs. You can pick up your own at either the Magic Kingdom Firehouse, or the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom location behind the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe. You will need to register for the game using your party ticket, and show your wrist band in order to receive one of these cute little cards.

The party starts November 8, 2015, so hurry to get your tickets before they sell out!

Dream a Little Bigger with the Enhanced Disney Dream!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 4, 2015

During the month of October, the Disney Dream took a break from sailing and underwent a much anticipated dry dock, making her return more exciting than ever! Check out the latest enhancements onboard this Disney Cruise Line ship…

Disney’s Oceaneer Club

This hot spot for kids ages 3 to 12 now provides an out-of-this-galaxy, force-filled experience for kiddos. Here, kids can check out the Star Wars: Millennium Falcon play area inspired by the legendary starship and join the Rebel Alliance in assisting with controlling the vehicle. They can man the cockpit and pilot the spaceship through hyperspace and jump to different locations throughout the galaxy at lightspeed! Kids are also able to participate in Star Wars themed crafts, activities and games and check out the latest episodes from Disney XD’s Star Wars Rebels. Finally, young Jedis can take part in the popular Jedi Training experience to perfect their lightsaber techniques.
Also found in the club is a new, Disney Infinity area, featuring high-tech interactive games. Kids can experience a new way of playing together through virtual and immersive activities. Disney characters come to life on a huge screen, controlled by the kids. You can also check out the complete set of Disney Infinity characters on display and unlock special content, found only onboard the Disney Dream, to continue all the fun had at sea in the comfort of home. The life-sized Disney Infinity Base gives kids the chance to become the figures and join in a group gaming experience like they have never done before. Kids are fully immersed in the Toy Box for a world of fun!

Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats

If you have a sweet tooth, you will not want to miss checking out this sweet spot onboard. Here you can find handmade gelato and ice cream, candy galore and other tasty treats for purchase. The smell of fresh-baked waffle cones infuses deck 11 and the shop can be accessed from inside Cabanas restaurant and by the pool deck. The theme of the shop is based around the Sugar Rush race car game found in Wreck-It Ralph and features racing decor set around a candy motif. Different flavors of gelato and ice cream are featured daily and specialty sundaes are big enough to share- some featuring EIGHT scoops of ice cream!!!

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Deck 5 now features a spot for young princesses, knights and pirates to receive magical makeovers. The salon offers little ones, ages 3 to 12, the chance to be transformed into royalty with the help of one of the talented fairy godmothers-in-training. On Pirate Night, the boutique transforms to the Pirates League and offers swashbuckling makeovers for the ENTIRE family!

Adult-Exclusive Areas

All of the above enhancements are absolutely amazing, but, adults can also look forward to some serenity for themselves. Deck 13, exclusively for adults, features a new water feature- Satellite Falls. This circular splash pool with built-in benches and gentle, falling rain curtain, provides a cool, calm. comfortable area for adults to relax. Adults can also find loungers to relax in the sun or shade around the upper deck.

You can see a video here.

Does all of this sound truly amazing? I know I can’t wait to sail on the Disney Dream! With many itineraries coming up, I’d love to help you find the perfect one for your family. Email me at [email protected] to start planning you Disney nautical adventure! Happy Sailing!

Doc McStuffins: Pet Vet DVD Review

By

Danielle

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November 4, 2015

Doc McStuffins is back with a new prescription of cuddles and fun in the new Doc McStuffins: Pet Vet DVD coming November 3, 2015.

Over the Halloween weekend, we got the awesome opportunity to review the newest installment of Doc McStuffins adventures, and I must say we loved the new twist on Doc’s toy doctor skills. Doc McStuffins: Pet Vet is about Doc’s brand new veterinary practice in her backyard clinic where she treats toys and stuffed animals. This DVD features 5 pet-themed episodes and highlights lessons on caring and having responsibility for your pets, as well as illustrating the rewards of good pet care.

We watched the Pet Vet episodes with our trusty Stuffy dragon curled up tightly, while munching on popcorn and left over Halloween candy. These new episodes introduced us not only to good pet care, but new toys too. Doc looks great in her new veterinarian scrubs, and her clinic even has a whole other vet tech room!! How big is this play house?! My son loved the Stuffy centered episodes where he takes care of his new pet pal Squibbles. Squibbles is a cute orange puffy fuzz ball, that is already on our must have new toy list. Of course it’s not all about toy pets, we even get to meet Coleslaw, Doc’s class hamster, who comes home to visit for a weekend.

As with most Disney Junior DVDs a fun bonus came inside, which makes the show even more interactive. Doc McStuffins: Pet Vet came with an adorable little “bandage collar” and a pet check list & certificate. The check list has 3 Pet Vet activities that once completed you can fill out their certificate of as “purrrrr-fect checkup!” The blue collar features the Doc McStuffins signature bandage, with a paw print, and closes with velcro. The collar goes nicely on your favorite toy pet, but our kitty Freyja was ESTATIC to model for us, hee hee hee.

This DVD gets our Paw-some Seal approval! Be sure to check it out, and let us know what you think. We’d also love to see your toy pets modeling their new collars too!

Wyndham Lake Buena Vista in the Disney Springs Resort Area set to unveil $10 million renovation

By

Chip

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November 4, 2015

A stunning multi-million dollar renovation for this Disney Springs Resort Area Hotel is nearly complete.

By Mid-November, the result will be a spectacular new look and feel for the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort and the soon-to-be-introduced Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista.

“We are delighted that the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista and the Wyndham Garden located in the Disney Springs Resort Area will now offer features and amenities that appeal to all types of travelers,” said longtime General Manager Jay Leonard. The two properties will accommodate everyone from affluent leisure vacationers and value-minded tourists to corporate travelers and associations with needs for exceptional meeting space.

The 19-story Wyndham Lake Buena Vista features 232 guestroom accommodations, including seven parlor suites, 42 rooms with one king bed and 183 rooms with two queen beds. The Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista includes 394 guestroom accommodations comprising 330 rooms with two double beds and 64 rooms with one king bed.

Groups and associations will appreciate the 25,000 square feet of function space, the 12,000-square-foot ballroom and 21 function rooms.

A lake house retreat concept ties together the property’s redesign, led by global hospitality design firm The Gettys Group. The lobby space will be reenergized with a fresh, neutral color palette accented with vibrant turquoise and pops of chartreuse. Distressed wood paneling, white granite, custom wood screens and bead board paneling are a few of the finish details that will be incorporated into the lobby spaces. The concept extends throughout the public spaces – from Sundial Cafe to the Eclipse Lobby Lounge to the Lakeview Restaurant.

The Wyndham properties are adjacent to Lake Buena Vista and have gorgeous water views. The guest rooms and suites of the Wyndham Skyview Tower will offer guests a true sanctuary with generously appointed accommodations and all of the amenities that could be found in a central Florida vacation lake house.

The textures and patterns selected for the guest rooms and suites are reminiscent of those found in nature. Custom case goods and lighting, plush seating in neutral-toned upholstery fabrics, luxurious pillow-top bedding and modern bathroom fixtures are all just part of the numerous upgrades to the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista.

he two Wyndham properties are Official Walt Disney World Hotels, located in the Walt Disney World Resort. As such, continuous shuttle service to all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks is available. A Disney Character Breakfast is featured three days a week, and an on-site Disney Store is offered for those seeking last-minute souvenirs. Walt Disney World Theme Park admissions can be purchased online through the hotel website or by visiting the Guest Services Desk in the hotel lobby.

Meanwhile, there is plenty of activity to take part in without even leaving the Wyndham property. The Oasis Aquatic Pool Playground features two pools with many interactive water attractions for children, a hot tub and plenty of space to stretch out in the Florida sun. The Oasis Bar & Grill, located poolside, is perfect for cooling off and refueling for the next adventure. The resort also offers a state-of-the-art fitness center, along with tennis, basketball and sand volleyball courts.

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Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is right around the corner!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 4, 2015

Halloween is over and that can only mean one thing…..the holiday season is upon us! One of my favorite Disney World traditions is the annual Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party held at the Magic Kingdom and believe it or not the first one is this Sunday, November 8th! This amazing party will be held on select nights through December 18th, so make sure you get your tickets now before dates start selling out! This is a Christmas Party that cannot be missed!

Earlier this month we were told that Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother would be back to start the party but today we learned that she has stepped aside to allow Queen Elsa from Arendelle the honors once again this year! The night begins with Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff as they perform “A Frozen Holiday Wish” on the Castle Forecourt Stage! It is during this special performance that Elsa presents her gift to the kingdom and transforms Cinderella’s castle into a glistening ice palace right before your eyes! Truly a sight to behold!

Mickey, Minnie and the rest of the gang are ready for another season of exciting live entertainment and party fun! If you love gingerbread men, elves, reindeer and even marching solders, then “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” needs to be part of your plans! This very special holiday parade will have it snowing on Main Street, U.S.A. and ends with a very special guest in a sleigh (Ho, ho, ho!) not to mention some other beloved guests! You can even visit with Santa at Town Square!

There is entertainment and fun happening throughout the park during the entire event, like select locations offering Cookies and Cocoa! If you love music and holiday songs, you need to head over to Tomorrowland where you will be able to see a performance of “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” on the Rockettower Plaza Stage! Once the show ends, make sure you stay where you are and check out the amazing a capella group VoicePlay! This acclaimed group has appeared on “The Sing-Off” and will entertain you with unbelievable harmonies and incredible “music without music” sounds that will leave you speechless! They will be singing their way into your hearts in between performances of “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas”, both are a must do while at the party!

You may think that this is enough to make the party unforgettable, but there is more! Check out Club Tinsel, a toe tapping dance club that takes over Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe with appearances by Phineas and Ferb! If you prefer live performances, you can check out “Celebrate the Season”. This magical event will even have all of your favorite characters (some hard to find!) stationed throughout the park dressed in their holiday finest ready to snap a special picture with you and your family! As the magical evening comes to an end you will need to open your ears and look to the sky as music and fireworks take over for a special showing of “Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season”!

Have you ever been to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? What was your favorite part? Let us know in the comments, we love to compare notes!

This is a great way to start off the holiday season and if you plan on being in Disney World this you should make it a point to attend! If you need help planning a last minute trip or want to get a jump on next year’s planning, let me know! My services are completely free and I will handle all of the details so you don’t have to! Shoot me an email at [email protected] and let the magic begin!

Disney Love

By

Chip

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November 4, 2015

2015 11 03 21 19 01 T Shirts Disney Love TeePublic

On sale now on Tee Public is one of the cutest t-shirt designs I have ever seen. This reminds me of my fiance and I when we dress for the parks. You can own Disney Love in a variety of colors and styles. Just click here to learn more.

The Winter 2015 Issue of Disney Twenty-Three Unlocks the Power of the Force

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 3, 2015

D23 is celebrating the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Disney twenty-three unlocks the power of the force to give fans a look behind the making of the newest installment in the Star Wars saga. The issue opens with “guest editor” C-3PO admitting he is unfamiliar with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club (“…although I am very familiar with the R2 series of droid, I am less familiar with the D23 line. Would it be R2-D23?”) and continues with candid interviews with the original Star Wars leads—Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford—looking back (and ahead) at the ongoing strength of these out-of-this-world films.

Director J.J. Abrams—whose long-standing history with Disney goes back to the TV show Felicity—sits down for a revealing Q&A, and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy talks about inheriting one of the most beloved franchises of all time. Plus, Imagineer Scott Trowbridge gives fans a peek at what’s in store for guests at the parks, following Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger’s announcement at D23 EXPO 2015 of Star Wars-themed lands coming to Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

And the Star Wars adventures continue. Also included in the publication, available exclusively to D23 Gold Members:

Stories behind the movie poster artwork for all seven films
An exclusive interview with Star Wars Rebels executive producer Dave Filoni, who talks about his first, nerve-wracking meeting with George Lucas
The incredible collectibles—past and future—that allow guests to bring the movies into their homes, including the story of the groundbreaking BB-8 toy
A salute to George Lucas by Star Wars authority Steve Sansweet

Plus, there’s plenty of Disney magic in the winter issue of Disney twenty-three including:

The story of how the new Disney•Pixar film The Good Dinosaur came to rule the Earth
A look back at the creation of Fantasia, as it celebrates its 75th anniversary
How The Finest Hours went from an unbelievable true story to a gripping new film
Regular features including A Walk with Walt, D Society, and Ask Dave

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in mid-November.

You can join D23:

Gold Membership ($74.99)
Gold Family Membership ($99.99)
General Membership (complimentary)

Go to d23.com for more details on how to join.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

Tsum Tsum Tuesday Brings Christmas, Never Land and Frozen Fever, With a new Sneak Peek

By

Danielle

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November 3, 2015

The new Tsum Tsum Tuesday collections have launched! Christmas, Neverland and Frozen Fever are now available at Disney Store online and Disney Stores around the country. With the new collections comes a sneak peek at the new Winnie the Pooh collection arriving December 1, 2015.

The Christmas and Frozen Fever sets have jingled into stores and online, with Peter Pan mini Tsum Tsums in tow. As predicted the Tsum Tsum Christmas collection is a boxed set of 8, with the Sensational 6 with Chip & Dale retailing for $39.95. They all have adorable matching green scarves to keep them warm this holiday season. As always Disney Store Online has given us a peek at the next collection in the series. Although Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger, Kanga and Roo have been around for a while now, most of the others haven’t been released yet, or were Japanese only. Now the rest of the gang will be joining the crew on December 1, 2015. I hope it’s not a blustery day, because I’ll need to get the whole set!

Which kawaii cuties did you pick up today?