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Review – Aladdin on Blu-Ray Combo Pack

October 8, 2015

2015 06 01 18 28 03 Aladdin Blu ray Diamond Edition

Soar away on a magic carpet ride of nonstop laughs and thrills in one of the most spectacular adventures on all time! Now meticulously restored and enhanced – experience the wonders of “Aladdin” like never before, from the Academy Award winning music (Best Music, Original Song for “A Whole New World” and Best Music, Original Score, 1993) to the unforgettable moments of sidesplitting comedy and soaring adventure.

In the heat of an enchanted city, a commoner named Aladdin and his mischievous monkey Abu battle to save the free-spirited Princess Jasmine from the schemes of the evil sorcerer Jafar. Aladdin’s whole life changes with one rub of a magic lamp as a fun-loving, shape-shifting Genie appears and grants him three wishes, setting him on an incredible journey of discovery.

Enjoy this magic carpet ride of non-stop comedy on Blu-ray Combo Pack on October 13th.

I was singing at top volume to all my favorite songs from the film including A Whole New World, One Jump, and You Ain’t Never Had a Friend Like Me. Not to mention, I realized I can still quote the film word for word. The vivid and rich colors of Agrabah really come to live on the blu-ray making this Disney masterpiece even more enchanting.

This Blu-ray Combo Pack is full of amazing bonus features.

• The Genie Outtakes: This hilarious deleted scenes style feature provides a glimpse into the comedic genius of Robin Williams, voice of Genie. During his recording sessions William, adlibbed, improvised, and had fun creating his own dialogue. The Disney animators have put together some classic rough animations to go along with some of these very funny outtakes.
• Aladdin: Creating the Broadway Magic: This was my favorite bonus feature! Composer Alan Menken, along with many of the important people for bringing Aladdin to the stage, take you on a behind the curtain look at what it was like to create Aladdin for a live audience. I really enjoyed the candid interviews with the cast and crew as they discussed their struggles and triumphs.
• Unboxing Aladdin: Hosted by Disney Channel’s Joey Bragg, this features is aimed at the pre-teen crowd and offers some interesting information about hidden magic throughout the movie. For example, did you know that in Aladdin you can spot Mickey ears, The Beast, and Sebastian?
• Genie 101: Hosted by Scott Weigner, the voice of Aladdin, this feature takes a closer look at the many famous references that are made by Genie. The next time you watch the film, see if you can spot famous “cameos” from Robert DeNiro, Jack Nicholson, Rodney Dangerfield and many more.
• Disney Song Selection: This one is just what it sounds like; sing along to all your favorite musical numbers!
• So much more!: The combo pack also features as section called “Classic Bonus” that holds deleted scenese, deleted songs, a tour through the genie’s lamp, and more.

If you want to check out any of these bonus features and own one of the most loved Disney animated films, make sure you pick up a copy of Aladdin on Blu-ray combo pack October 13th.

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.

Celebrate the New Year at the Walt Disney World Resort with exciting Entertainment and Dining Options!

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 8, 2015

Are you spending New Year’s at Walt Disney World? Or maybe you were thinking about it but haven’t made your plans yet?

Disney has announced their entertainment and dining options for those ringing in 2016 at the Walt Disney World Resort and I am so jealous of everyone who will be there to experience some of these awesome programming and dining options.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Magic Kingdom will all be offering fireworks. As in year’s past, Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs will NOT have a firework show.

Here’s a look at some of Disney’s entertainment and dining celebrations planned for New Year’s Eve 2015 at Walt Disney World Resort.

Entertainment:

Epcot – Guests can celebrate all night long at Epcot. DJs and live music around World Showcase will keep the party rocking with beats from around the globe. Two showings of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” fireworks spectacular at 6 p.m. and 11:40 p.m., followed by a countdown and pyrotechnic salute to the New Year will top off the celebration.

Magic Kingdom – Guests can get a head start on welcoming 2016 at Magic Kingdom as New Year’s Eve fireworks light up the sky on two nights instead of one. Magic Kingdom will present a jaw-dropping presentation of “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks on both Wednesday, Dec. 30, and Thursday, Dec. 31 at 11:50 p.m.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Rock ’n’ roll into the New Year with a brilliant fireworks spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The show will be presented on Dec. 31 near the Hyperion Theater at midnight.

Dining:

Magic Kingdom – For guests with a sweet tooth, Tomorrowland Terrace will feature a New Year’s Eve fireworks dessert party twice nightly during the “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks spectacular Dec. 30-31. Reservations can be made up to two weeks in advance by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Epcot – Epcot World Showcase offers a variety of New Year’s Eve lunch and dinner options. (Admission to Epcot is required and not included in dining prices.)

Enjoy live music, premium tequilas, festive décor, and incredible views of the IllumiNations fireworks spectacular at La Hacienda de San Angel at the Mexico pavilion. This colorful celebration begins with seating at 9:30 p.m., and includes a five-course feast featuring a special Surf and Turf entrée. This event is $280.13 for adults and $73.46 for children ages 3-9 (includes tax and gratuity).
Delight in the culture, flavors and elegance of France courtesy of the revered French chef Paul Bocuse at Monsieur Paul at the France pavilion. This restaurant will offer lunch and dinner seatings featuring a three-course meal for $85 per person (plus tax and gratuity), as well as a four-course premiere dining event from 8:45-9:50 p.m. for $235 per person, or $295 with wine (plus tax and gratuity).
The Canadian-inspired eatery Le Cellier Steakhouse will offer a decadent, multi-course menu for guests to enjoy while exploring World Showcase. Reservations are available at 4:30, 6:45 and 9 p.m., with prices varying per seating.
Listen to classic Disney tunes and enjoy a never-ending custom New Year’s Eve dinner buffet at the Epcot World ShowPlace. This holiday dining location offers a family-friendly atmosphere with delicious menu items for guests of all ages. The experience also features photo opportunities with unique vignettes of classic Disney characters. Dinner is served from 4:30-10:30 p.m. Tickets cost $71.84 for adults and $44.37 for children ages 3-9 (plus tax).

Resorts – Guests can treat themselves to delectable dining on New Year’s Eve at several Walt Disney World Resort hotel restaurants.

With an elegant feast and delightful entertainment, guests can celebrate with class at California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. An exquisite gala includes appearances by favorite Disney characters, complimentary alcoholic beverages, and a magnificent view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. This dine-around style event features elaborate food stations for guests to enjoy throughout the restaurant. Dinner seating is at 8 p.m. and cost is $625 per person (includes tax and gratuity).
New Year’s Eve dinner at Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is an extravagant affair complete with ten courses and elite wine pairings throughout the evening. This once-in-a-lifetime experience features a harpist, lavish décor, a personalized menu, and a long-stem rose for ladies.
Narcoosee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa provides guests with a global dining experience with tantalizing seafood selections from around the world. With two dinner seatings, this evening is a delicious and memorable way to begin 2016. Prices vary per seating.
To begin the New Year with style, guests ages 21 and over can dance their way into 2016 at the Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk. This special-ticket event includes a live band, champagne toast at midnight, and plenty of dance space on the main floor for an evening of swinging fun. Tickets can be purchased for $37 per person. For an extra VIP New Year’s Eve experience, guests can purchase tickets for private access to the second floor balcony and a dessert party to the backdrop of Epcot’s fireworks spectacular. This special celebration is $80 for each adult.
For a celebratory New Year’s Day feast, guests can book brunch at Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Price is $44.72 for adults and $26.62 for children ages 3-9.
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel offers limited-time New Year’s Eve menus in two tasty locations.
For a scrumptious buffet accompanied by Disney Character greetings, guests can visit the enchanting Garden Grove Price is $48.98 for adults and $21.29 for children ages 3-9 (includes tax but not gratuity). To ring in the New Year with Italian fare, guests can enjoy a festive feast at Il Mulino, with reservations available from 7:15-11 p.m. This authentic Italian meal experience costs $105 for adults and $39 for children ages 3-9 (plus tax and gratuity).

Will you be celebrating the start of 2016 at Walt Disney World? What are you most looking forward to?

Does all of this sound like an incredible way to welcome 2016? Let’s get your holiday trip to Walt Disney World planned! 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

Top 5 Snacks at the 2015 Food and Wine Festival

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 8, 2015

Recently I shared with you my Top 10 Snacks I couldn’t wait to try at this year’s Food and Wine Festival. Well I am back from my trip (and probably 5 pounds heavier!) and I now I’m excited to share with you what ended up being my Top 5 picks that I think everyone should try this year.

5. Chicken Sausage with Creamy Polenta and Minus 8 Onion Jam, Canada Booth: I was really looking forward to the other two dishes at the Canada booth but decided all three were worth a try. The polenta was so good and there was just a tad bit of a kick. At first I thought the onion jam was too “onion-y” but it really worked well with the whole dish.

4. Crème Brûlée Vanille Chocolat: Vanilla & Chocolate Crème Brûlée topped with Caramelized Sugar, France Booth: So creamy and so rich! And deliciously vanilla and chocolate. The mix of the two really knocks this one out of the park.

3. Soufflé de Yuca: Yuca Soufflé topped with Griddled Cheese, Dominican Republic Booth: This wasn’t even on my list of things I really wanted to try but walking past and seeing “griddled cheese” I decided to stop. I’m really glad I did. This booth is back with a bang after going on hiatus since 2007. The souffle was good – I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect but the cheese – oh the cheese! Grilled goodness and lots of it! Don’t pass this one up.

2. Tacos de Camarón: Battered shrimp, Pico de Gallo, Pickled Onions, and Chipotle Mayonnaise, Mexico Booth: This was a close second to my top choice. I could have eaten 10 of these. They had a nice kick to them but weren’t overly spicy. The shrimp was deliciously breaded and everything blended together so well.

1. Seared sea scallop with Spinach-Cheddar Gratin and Crispy Bacon, Scotland Booth: Oh. My. Goodness! This was so, so good! The line was one of the longest I stood in (even on a rainy Sunday night) so I knew there had to be something worth trying there. It was creamy and rich and the bacon was perfectly crispy. This is another dish I could eat over and over again.

So these are just my opinions on the Top 5 Snacks at this year’s Food and Wine festival (and in full disclosure I was 23 weeks pregnant at the time of our visit) but I’d love to hear yours! Make sure you share your favorites here or on our Facebook page! You can our list of the Top 10 Drinks at Food and Wine here (since I was unable to try any of them out!).

Ready to try all of these amazing snacks (plus many, many more?) at this year’s Food and Wine Festival? Or maybe you’re thinking a trip next fall to experience Food and Wine at Disney World? Let me help you with your planning! 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

Disneyland Hotel Marks 60 Years of Magic

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 7, 2015

The Disneyland Hotel opened just three months after Disneyland park opened to guests. The opening of this hotel started a new trend in the tourism industry by welcoming families. Back then, hotels catered mainly to businessmen. The Disneyland Hotel was designed to accommodate and entertain children. It became Orange County’s first major hotel and started a building boom that would help transform the county. After 60 dazzling years, the Disneyland Hotel continues to welcome families from all over who want to make magical memories at the Disneyland Resort.

“On its very first night of operation, the Disneyland Hotel had only seven completed guest rooms and an eighth used as a registration room,” said Jon Storbeck, vice president, Resort Hotels and Downtown Disney District. “Six decades later, the Disneyland Hotel has welcomed millions of guests and families. It now features 973 rooms and the footprint of the resort has grown to include two theme parks, three hotels and the Downtown Disney District, making the Disneyland Resort a premiere family vacation destination.”

The remarkable evolution of the Disneyland Hotel includes these developments:

The hotel’s Embassy Ballroom opened in 1960 as Orange County’s first ballroom.
In 1961, Walt Disney officially linked the hotel and theme park together with a $1.9 million dollar extension of the Disneyland Monorail.
As Disneyland Park added attractions through the years, the hotel kept adding rooms. In 1962, the opening of the 11-story Tower Building (today’s Adventure Tower) added 150 rooms and became Orange County’s first high-rise.
The 319-room Marina Tower (today’s Fantasy Tower) opened in 1970, and included a new registration lobby.
Also in 1970, the 3.5-acre World of Water marina and the “Dancing Waters” show amphitheater opened.
The hotel opened its $7.2 million Convention Center in 1972, becoming the county’s largest self-contained hotel and meeting property.
At 13 stories, the 367-room Bonita Tower (today’s Frontier Tower) opened in 1978. It was Anaheim’s tallest building and also the nation’s first hotel structure with a solar heating system.
In 1992, Goofy’s Kitchen opened as a restaurant where families could dine with their favorite Disney characters.
In 2001, the 39-foot tall Mickey Mouse Sorcerer’s Hat was added as an entrance icon near the new monorail station at the Downtown Disney District.
The latest renovation project, in 2012, included beautifully remodeled guest rooms, a new pool and water play area, renovation of an existing pool, the new Tangaroa Terrace restaurant and Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tike Bar, and re-theming of the hotel’s three guest room towers – the Fantasy, Adventure and Frontier towers.

“Much of what made the Disneyland Hotel revolutionary for its time in the ‘50s is still part of the hotel’s spirit today,” said Pilar Hamil, general manager of the Disneyland Hotel. “We were the first major hotel in the U.S. that catered to parents with children—with thoughtfully designed accommodations, family-friendly recreation facilities and of course, a tram that left for Disneyland every five minutes. The hotel experience was designed as an extension of the guest experience at Disneyland park.”

Contemporary, carefree and perfectly appointed with modern decor, the iconic Disneyland Hotel now pays homage to the shared history of Disneyland park and hotel at every turn—from its midcentury design to original park attraction artwork. The luxurious guest rooms sleep up to four adults, with suites available for larger groups. Other amenities include an immersive pool area, themed dining experiences and quick access to both theme parks and the Downtown Disney District. Guests of the Disneyland Hotel, as well as guests at Disney’s Grand California Hotel & Spa and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, may enjoy admission on select mornings to either Disneyland park or Disney California Adventure park one full hour before the theme park opens to the general public.

This year, the Disneyland Hotel is sparkling with décor as part of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration. In addition, the hotel is offering a “60 Years of Magic” Tour, a complimentary guided walking tour that explores the growth of the resort hotels and Downtown Disney District. Exclusive to the Diamond Celebration, this journey through the resort’s history provides a glimpse into the imagination behind its fun, immersive experiences.

The Disneyland Resort is celebrating its 60^th Anniversary Diamond Celebration, featuring three spectacular after-dark shows – the “Paint the Night” parade, the immersive “Disneyland Forever” fireworks show and the all-new “World of color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney” water show. The exciting celebration, which also features sparkling décor, themed food and merchandise, will run through September 5, 2016.

Have you stayed at the Disneyland Hotel? Tell me about your experience in the comments!

I would love to help you plan an amazing trip to see the Disneyland Resort’s 60th anniversary celebration! My services are free and you can email me at [email protected] for a free quote!

Universal Orlando Follows Disney with Raising the Annual Pass Price AND Parking Fees.

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 7, 2015

We all knew it was coming once Disney raised their prices just a few days ago. As of today, Universal Orlando has raised the parking fee as well as the prices for the annual pass.

Let’s first talk about the increase in the annual pass price. What do you think about the increase in the prices? Do you think they should have waited until next year or was it the right move to change right along with Disney? The new annual pass prices are listed below.

Non-Florida Residents:

Power Pass with select black-out days$239.99 plus tax.
Preferred Pass without black-out days $334.99 plus tax.

Florida Residents:

Power Pass, with select black-out days $214.99 plus tax from $189.99 plus tax.
Preferred Pass without black-out days $294.99 plus tax from $259.99 plus tax.

Now let’s talk about my not so favorite subject, PARKING FEES! I find it very difficult to pay so much to park my car to visit a theme park that I just spent so much money on tickets for, and I know for those that drive I’m not alone. Don’t get me wrong I absolutely LOVE visiting the theme parks, but I hate paying for parking. Ok mild rant over….for now!

Universal Orlando daily parking fees per vehicle:

Regular Parking $20.00
Preferred Parking $25.00
RV/Bus Parking $22.00

Florida Residents *FREE after 6:00 pm with proof of residency!
Proof of Florida Residency: please provide one of the following:
Driver’s License
Florida State-issued ID card (must have Florida address)

*Restrictions apply, Not Valid Halloween Horror Nights, New Year’s Eve and Special Events

Valet parking is available for cars and vans:

Before 6:00 pm
$15.00 for 2 hours
$35.00 for over 2 hours
$45.00 for Red Carpet
After 6:00 pm
$15.00 for 2 hours
$30.00 for over 2 hours
$45.00 for Red Carpet
For Preferred Annual Passholders
$15.00*
$25.00 Red Carpet
For Premier Annual Passholders
Free*
$15.00 Red Carpet

*Excludes New Year’s Eve, Mardi Gras event nights, July 4th and Halloween Horror Nights event nights.

For more information about planning a magical Orlando vacation with an many On-Site Hotel+ Ticket Packages for the Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Parks, Busch Gardens Tampa, Nickelodeon Suites Resort, and Walt Disney World Resorts contact me anytime. I would love to help you plan the best family vacation ever!

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 Information, and Photographs property of Universal Orlando**

Disney’s “Old Yeller” Actor Kevin Corcoran Passes Away at 66

Disney News

October 7, 2015

Kevin Corcoran, the former Disney star and youngest brother in the 1957 classic “Old Yeller” has passed away at age 66. He lost a 5 year battle with colorectal cancer in Burbank California.

He was from Santa Monica, California and was one of 8 children. They all had acting careers in the 50s and 60s.

In the classic “Old Yeller” he played Arliss Coates, the younger brother of Travis.He also starred in The Shaggy Dog, Swiss Family Robinson and Bon Voyage, just to name a few.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Laura, and 4 siblings.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Disney Cruise Line 2017 Early Itineraries Announced and Booking Soon!

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 7, 2015

The Disney Cruise Line has announced its lineup of cruises for early 2017. Guests can look forward to the award-winning cruise line returning to popular destinations in the Caribbean and Bahamas on a variety of itineraries, most from popular and convenient Florida ports. Limited-time sailings include itineraries from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Galveston, Texas, complete the line-up for the first part of the year.

During these voyages, your will visit amazing tropical locations, immerse yourself into the island way of life and culture, sunbathe on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and shop to your heart’s delight in local marketplaces. Most itineraries feature a stop at Disney’s Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise in the Bahamas just for Disney Cruise Line Guests.

Let’s take a closer look at where our favorite ships will be sailing in 2017-

Disney Magic- January to April from Miami, FL- 5 Night Caribbean Cruises, 3-5 Night Bahamian Cruises and 4 Night Miami to San Juan Cruise
Disney Magic- April from San Juan, Puerto Rico- 7 Night Caribbean Cruises
Disney Dream– January to May from Port Canaveral, FL- 3-4 Night Bahamian Cruises
Disney Fantasy- January to May from Port Canaveral, FL- 7 Night Eastern and Western Caribbean Cruises
Disney Wonder- January from Galveston, TX- 7 Night Bahamian Cruises, 6 Night Galveston to San Juan Cruise
Disney Wonder- January from San Juan, Puerto Rico- 3 Night Bahamian Cruise to Port Canaveral, FL
Disney Wonder- January to April from Port Canaveral, FL- 3 and 4 Night Bahamian Cruises

As always, Disney continues to offer many thing included with your cruise fare, such as:

Adult-exclusive areas
Delicious dining options
24 hour complimentary room service
Complimentary soda, coffee and tea on deck
Broadway-style entertainment
First-run films
Disney Character meet and greets
Oceaneer’s Club just for kids
Private clubs for tweens and teens
Themed deck parties for families
Fireworks at sea (on most voyages)
Spacious staterooms
Top-notch Disney service

Gold and Platinum Castaway Club Members can begin booking these cruises on Oct. 7, 2015 and everyone will be able to starting on Oct. 8, 2015. Let me help you find the perfect itinerary for you and your family to escape winter and head to warmer places. And…don’t forget about the special $25 gift card promotion being offered by Chip & Co and Tricia Kohler- Independent Travel Agent with World of Magic Travel for the month of October. You can read all about that HERE! Email me today at [email protected] to begin planning your 2017 sailing!

Best Eats (and Drinks) at the 2015 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 7, 2015

It may have been 20 years since Epcot hosted its very first Food & Wine Festival, but one thing is for sure: this annual event has not gotten old! With new booths like Chew Lab, Cheese Studio, Sustainable Chew, and Wine Studio, along with the return of old favorites like the Dominican Republic, Disney sure knows how to keep things fresh. So on one Saturday afternoon, this blogger went eating and drinking around the world (hey, someone had to make the sacrifice for this article) to bring you this list of some of the best eats and drinks at the 2015 Epcot Food & Wine Festival:

Lechon Asado & Frozen Sugar Cane Cocktail featuring Ron Barcelo Blanco Rum (Dominican Republic)

After a long absence, it was great to see the Dominican Republic back in full force at the festival. The lechon asado was so tender and flavorful, and the sides that accompanied it – mangu (or mashed green plantains), pickled red onions, and avocado – were just the right partners to make it really sing. I kept going from the luscious lechon, to the smooth and creamy avocado and mangu, and then to the pickled red onions to add the perfect punch of acidity. And to top it off, we had the frozen sugar cane cocktail, which was probably our favorite drink of the night. Tip: if you want to try this cocktail, try to get it early as they were out when we returned for seconds later in the day.

Olive Oil-Poached Salmon with Fresh Corn, Bacon & Pepper Jam (Chew Lab)

The Chew Lab is definitely our favorite booth from this year’s festival. The olive oil-poached salmon was full of surprises. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the corn and bacon added a nice sweet/salty component to the dish. At this point, you might be asking: where’s the bacon? You might have guessed that I ate it before I took the picture (which would actually be a really good guess), but I didn’t! Since molecular gastronomy is front and center here at Chew Lab, the bacon is actually in snow form right on top of the salmon! But as cool as that is, the thing that really tied everything together was the pepper jam, which was a surprising sweet and savory compliment to the fish. Dear Disney, I really need that pepper jam in a jar, stat.

Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans and Tomato (Brazil)

This dish is a favorite for many, and for good reason. That pork belly is so delicious! It’s crispy on the outside, super tender on the inside, with good fatty richness and seasoned nicely throughout. I am not normally a fan of beans (there’s something about the texture of it that I just don’t get), but they did get it right here. The beans were cooked perfectly so that it was creamy but also texturally interesting. Finally, the tomatoes and herbs on top gave enough zing to cut through all the richness.

Frozen Caipirinha featuring LeBlon Cachaca (Brazil)

Following a close second to the sugar cane cocktail from Dominican Republic is the Frozen Caipirinha, a popular cocktail in Brazil. It’s made with cachaca, liquor made from fermented and distilled sugar cane. It’s refreshingly cool during the Florida heat, and it gives you a good punch of flavor without a heavy alcohol taste.

“Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce (Canada)

How can you go wrong? This is a must-have whenever we go to the Food & Wine Festival. The filet is tender and cooked just right, as you would expect a proper homage to Le Cellier to be. The truffle butter sauce and the sautéed mushrooms are also the perfect compliments for this classic steak.

New York Strip with Parsnip Silk, Balsamic Glaze and Arugula Foam (Chew Lab)

Speaking of steak, the New York Strip from the Chew Lab is nothing to sneeze at either. Calling it parsnip silk is pretty much right on, as the consistency was so smooth and fine. My mind immediately wants to liken it to mashed potatoes, but the flavor is much more delicate and is a nice foundation for the steak and balsamic glaze. As for the arugula foam? I’m not sure it presented bold flavors that made it stand out on its own, but I guess I can say the same for the non-foam version of the leafy green.

Seared Sea Scallop with Spinach-Cheddar Gratin and Crispy Bacon (Scotland)

The scallop and bacon combination is a no-fail in my book, so it came as no surprise that I fell in love with this dish. The scallop was nice and caramelized on the outside and sweet and chewy on the inside, and the bacon added a good crunchy texture. What was a nice surprise was the spinach-cheddar gratin – it definitely packed a punch, flavor-wise.

Haggis with Neeps and Tatties (Scotland)

If you thought this is the vegetarian version from past festivals, you’d be in for a surprise. This offering is a more traditional form of haggis, made from sheep offal. While the classic haggis is encased in sheep’s stomach lining, don’t worry because this version doesn’t quite go that far. Still, you get a very distinct offal, livery taste with this haggis – with the rutabaga and mashed potatoes providing a nice counterpoint. (And because I can’t resist, hidden Mickey hat, anyone?)

Crème Brulee Vanille Chocolat (France)

Last and certainly not least is the chocolate and vanilla creme brulee in France. I like to consider myself a creme brulee connoisseur of sorts (and by that I mean, I order a creme brulee whenever I see it on a dessert menu) so this was a must-have. What I love about this is just how crunchy they were able to make the sugar shell, and how creamy the custard mixture was. The vanilla part was nice and light, while the chocolate balanced out the vanilla sweetness. Definitely one of my favorite desserts from the festival!

And so with that, I turn it over to you. With all the yummy goodness at the Festival, I know I probably missed some of your favorites! What are your favorite dishes, desserts, and drinks from the 2015 Epcot Food & Wine Festival? What can’t you wait to try?

Hi, I’m Myra and I’m a huge Disney nerd and addict! I’m also an independent travel agent at World of Magic Travel, the preferred agency of Chip and Co. and Disney Addicts. If you would like to get a quote and take advantage of special events like the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, or if there’s anything I can do to help you book and plan your trip, visit my page or send me an email at [email protected]. My services are always free!

Disney Family Museum to honor Richard Sherman

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 6, 2015

Gala Fundraisers are a common event to raise funds and honor a distinguished member. The Disney Family Museum is joining in with their first gala fundraising event to honor non other than Richard Sherman. The museum which opened to the public in 2009, was created by Diane Disney Miller, the oldest daughter of Walt and Lillian Disney. The museum, located in the Presidio in San Francisco is a non profit organization which although dedicated to the life and work of Walt Disney is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.

The first gala fundraiser will honor Mr. Sherman on November 3, 2015 and help raise funds for its art education program. Set to receive the newly created Diane Disney Miller Lifetime Achievement Award, the award recognizes individuals who had made significant contributions to the fields of art, education, community involvement or technological advancements. Mr. Sherman, along with his late brother, Robert, are recognized for their incredible contribution to Disney movies. From Mary Poppins to the theme song “It’s a small world”, the Sherman Brothers’ music is a part of so many movies and park rides and attractions. Pictured above along side, Jason Swartzman (Richard) and B.J. Novak (Robert) who played the Brothers Sherman in Saving Mr. Banks.

The museum board is made up of three generations of Disney family members, and is headed by Ron Miller, who was married to the late Diane Disney Miller. In a recent email from the museum’s director of institutional advancement, Carma Zisman, we discovered the number of student visitors had doubled from 2013 to 2014 along with a rise in the attendance in 2015. The hope of the board is to bring in funds, a half million would be ideal, with all proceeds going toward the educational programs at the museum. Disney themed, the gala event will included a live concert by Richard Sherman and actress Jodi Benson (voice of Ariel). Currently the museum is hosting a feature exhibit entitled “Disney and Dalí: Architects of the Imagination,” about the relationship between the surrealist artist and the movie titan. The exhibition runs through Jan. 3rd and my hope is to be able to enjoy a visit.

Loretta Garcia, Entertainment Writer for chipandco.com invites you to share your thoughts about Richard Sherman. Follow us on our social pages to hear all the latest and greatest Disney news today.

Disney Cruise Line Releases Very Merrytime Cruise Details

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 6, 2015

With Halloween on the High Seas underway, the Disney Cruise Line recently announced the details for its lineup of holiday cruises beginning next month across the fleet. During these cruises, the ships will receive a magical, holiday makeover and while onboard, you can enjoy special holiday events including:

Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic, held in the ship’s atrium lobby on the first night of your cruise, join your favorite Disney characters singing holiday carols and lighting the three-deck-tall Christmas tree
Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball, also held in the atrium lobby, join with your fellow cruisers in welcoming Santa and Mrs. Claus, featuring Broadway-style entertainment, your favorite Disney characters and classic holiday songs. Everyone’s favorite Anna and Elsa will also join the party and cause a flurry of fun as a magical snowfall appears in the atrium.
Beneath the giant tree, children can gather to hear classic stories of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza, along with a storytelling with Mrs. Claus as she reminisces on some of her favorite Christmas stories
Throughout the ship, you will find Dickens-inspired carolers and at the end of your cruise, the littlest cruisers will have the chance to join the carolers onstage for a special farewell production.
The entire family can enjoy holiday-themed activities, such as building a gingerbread house and meeting Old St. Nick himelf!
Crafts for kids include decorating stocking and gingerbread cookies, making holiday cards and trying their hands at animation by making holiday animation cells.
The Deck the Deck Holiday Party is a must attend! Join you Disney friends in this tropical celebration with games like hula hooping and limbo under giant candy canes, dancing the Yuletide Slide and a conga line around the pool.
On the final night of your cruise, join the special holiday edition of the farewell celebration with Disney characters and the ship’s crew in a musical finale lead by Mickey.
When the ship stops at Disney’s Castaway Cay in the Bahamas, you will be greeted by snow flurries, a decked-out Christmas tree and meet and greets with your favorite Disney characters. Also enjoy the holiday inspired island music.

Some more holiday specifics-

Thanksgiving Day– enjoy a special Thanksgiving Day feast with visits from Mickey and Minnie in their Thanksgiving attire. NFL Football games will be broadcast live on the ships’ outdoor, jumbo LED screens located near the family pool for your viewing pleasure.
Hanukkah– services will be held each day, December 6 to 14
Christmas Eve– a midnight mass will be held
Christmas Day– join Santa Claus and his helpers by the atrium lobby tree where all the kids onboard will receive a special gift. There will also be a special musical performance from the children and a traditional Christmas Dinner will be served in the dining rooms in the evening. There will also be a Christmas service held during the day.
New Year’s Eve– join a special party, complete with music, sparkling wine in commemorative flutes and a midnight countdown.
Onboard the ship, special amenities are available for stateroom delivery. Purchased in advance of sailing, these include holiday-themed gift packages and treat baskets and even mini Christmas trees decorated with ornaments, red berries, mini carnations and a bow topper. Plus, during the holiday cruises, the Disney Cruise Line holiday merchandise collection and Disney Cruise Line ornaments will be available in the gift shops.

Sailings include:

Disney Magic sails four- and five-night Bahamian and Caribbean cruises departing November 11 to December 23.
Disney Wonder sails four-, six- and seven-night Bahamian and Caribbean cruises departing November 6 to December 24.
Disney Dream sails three- and four-night Bahamian cruises departing November 9 to December 24.
Disney Fantasy sails seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises departing November 14 to December 19.

To book your magical holiday sailing and to learn more about available staterooms and itineraries, email me at [email protected]. Now is a great time to create the best holiday ever and be sure to check out our special Disney Cruise promotion we are running for the month of October HERE.

Tickets On Sale for Latin Baseball Event at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney

Chip

October 6, 2015

Tickets are on sale for the Latin Baseball Festival featuring Puerto Rican Baseball regular-season games at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.

A variety of ticket options are available for the three-game regular-season series between Roberto Clemente League squads Cangrejeros de Santurce and the Indios de Mayaguez on Nov. 20-22, 2015 at Champion Stadium. Single-game tickets range from $17.50 for lawn seats to $30 for lower level seating. Two-game packages (Saturday and Sunday) are $45 (upper level) and $55 (lower level).

Group tickets are also available ($24-$27) as well as suites ($250-$2,000).

Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations and online at www.Ticketmaster.com.

Cangrejeros de Santurce, the designated home team in this series, is one of the marquee teams in Caribbean Baseball and the reigning champions of the Roberto Clemente League. The Indios de Mayaguez are the Clemente League’s sub-champion this past season. Among the marquee Major League Baseball players who played in the Puerto Rican Baseball League are Roberto Alomar, Bobby Bonilla, Ivan Rodriguez, Edgar Martinez, Juan Gonzalez, Bernie Williams, Ruben Sierra and Clemente.

The Latin Baseball Festival, which is a salute to Puerto Rico and follows National Hispanic Heritage Month, marks the first time Clemente League teams will play official regular-season games within the continental U.S. The league last played outside of Puerto Rico in the Inter-League Series in 2009 and played with the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League.

The Latin Baseball Festival builds on the rich history of professional baseball at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The complex is the long-time home of Atlanta Braves spring training and was a host site during the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006. In addition, the complex hosts a variety of youth and adult baseball events, including national elite-level youth tournaments, international amateur events as well as adult tournaments. Among the key youth baseball events is the Disney International Salute to Baseball, Disney College & High School Spring Training, Disney New Year’s Baseball Classic, Disney Turn Back the Clock Weekend and Disney Sun & Surf Baseball Bash.

Magnus Chase and The Gods Of Asgard Is Here!

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 6, 2015

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer is here and we here at Chip and Co couldn’t be more excited!

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he’s tracked down by an uncle he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. His uncle tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants, and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarök, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .

We here at Chip and Co were delighted to receive an early copy and I can’t say enough for how amazing this book is. If you loved Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series you will absolutely fall in love with Magnus and his friends. You can order the book at these links or pick it up at your local bookstore!

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-a-Million
Indiebound
Indigo
iBooks

Plus as little Halloween bonus for our readers we have an awesome pumpkin carving stencil! Pin it on your pumpkin, mark it, and cut then tweet us @ChipandCompany and show us how it turned out with the #ReadRiordan! As always you can follow Rick Riordan on Twitter @camphalfblood for more Magnus and #NorseCrashCourse and go to ReadRiordan.com for fun activities and more info on what Rick’s up to!

Stay tuned for more Percy Jackson!

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