Top 10 Indoor Rides in Walt Disney World

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August 15, 2015

At some point in everyone’s day in Walt Disney World you’ll find yourself needing a break from the sun, heat or even Florida rain showers. You can chose to take a load off at a restaurant, catch a show or do some souvenir shopping…or you can hop on a ride! That’s my favorite way to recharge my Disney batteries. Here are my Top 10 Indoor Rides in Walt Disney World.

Haunted Mansion, Magic Kingdom- Nothing beats the Haunted Mansion for me as far as indoor non-thrill rides go. The effects have gotten so amazing over the years that sometimes I wonder if I really did bring a ghost home with me. The theming is amazing and you’ll discover something new every time you ride.
Carousel of Progress, Magic Kingdom- This is more along the lines of a show than a “ride”. It’s a classic attraction nonetheless. One of Walt’s originals from the 1964 World’s Fair. I love the music, the animatronics, the set designs…it’s all magical and always will be to me. It’s a perfect way to spend a few minutes kicking back, especially if you are a fan of history.
Space Mountain, Magic Kingdom- This was my very first roller coaster. It holds a special place in my Mouse-Ear-Shaped heart. The shock of not knowing which direction your car is going to go next in the dark is enough to keep you going back again and again! I also enjoy the space themed queue and new games to play while you wait.
Toy Story Mania, Hollywood Studios- Hot temperatures will surely ignite your competitive side! Though there is almost always an impossibly long wait if you can snag a Fast Past + for this ride, you won’t want to miss it. It’s a 4D Toy Story adventure where you get to “take on” your travel companions. Do you keep score or just play for fun?
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Hollywood Studios– Another major thrill ride, not for the faint-hearted or very young. There may be some outdoor aspects to this ride- but I don’t count a quick aerial peek of the park as outdoor before you plummet!
The Great Movie Ride, Hollywood Studios- Hooray for Hollywood! This ride is a nice break from the heat with a trip inside the movies. It’s one thing to watch them and quite another to ride them! My favorite part is the compilation of clips at the end. What’s your favorite scene?
Spaceship Earth, Epcot- Great for all ages this ride up into the iconic Epcot ball takes you back to the beginning of man’s ability to record history all the way up to the future. It’s fun, slow moving and relaxing. A perfect choice for a few minutes out of the sun. There is also an interactive portion which is engaging and entertaining.
Living with the Land, Epcot- Education, intrigue (believe it or not) and fun for all ages. A boat ride through the gardens of Epcot will teach you some of the ins and outs of gardening. You’ll see a beautiful display of fresh live vegetable, flowers and fruit. I remember thinking on my first trip that it seemed like a semi-boring way to spend a few minutes but was pleasantly surprised at how fascinating it was!
Soarin’, Epcot- Sure to be somewhere on everyone’s Top 10 list. The perfect combination of thrill and fun and great for a large span of ages. The magic of this ride is how realistic it seems. If you find yourself craving oranges after you soar over the orange groves, don’t be surprised.
Dinosaur, Animal Kingdom- Most of the rides at Animal Kingdom are outdoors, naturally because the park highlights nature and its beauty. There are far less places to soak up the air conditioning during your day at this park but Dinosaur is a good choice. Parts of the ride can be intense so it may not be for your entire party.

What indoor rides are on your list? Where would you go first if you found yourself in a Disney rain downpour?

As a Travel Magician with World of Magic Travel and Disney lover I would love to help you plan your next awesome adventure! Contact me today via email or follow me on Facebook!

Disney Descendants Soundtrack Tops the Charts!

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 14, 2015

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The soundtrack from the Disney Channel TV movie “Descendants” topped the Billboard 200 chart this week!

“Descendants,” a fantasy film about the teen offspring of some of Disney’s animated villains, sold around 42,000 units in its first week of release, according to figures from Nielsen SoundScan although soundtracks haven’t been a big seller as of late the Descendants soundtrack featuring songs like “Rotten To The Core” and “Set It Off” has possibly changed that routine! Another Disney Channel movie of the summer Teen Beach 2 also did well peeking at 10 on the soundtrack charts making it a summer of wins in music for Disney Channel!

You can get your copy of The Descendants soundtrack at Walmart or ITunes right now!

The Billboard 200 chart tallies album sales, song sales (10 songs equal one album) and streaming activity (1,500 streams equal one album).

Stay tuned for more Descendants!

Coco is Revealed at the D23 Expo

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 14, 2015

Director Lee Unkrich (“Toy Story 3”) and producer Darla K. Anderson (“Toy Story 3”) revealed the title of their upcoming film today at D23 Expo 2015. Disney Pixar’s “Coco” is the celebration of a lifetime, where the discovery of a generations-old mystery leads to a most extraordinary and surprising family reunion.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

“Toy Story 4” Toy Story Celebrates 20 Years

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 14, 2015

Pixar Animation Studios’ John Lasseter, who’s one of Pixar’s three founders, was joined on stage by several award-winning artists and filmmakers, including Pete Docter (“Inside Out,” “Up”), Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL·E”), Lee Unkrich (“Coco,” “Toy Story 3”), Josh Cooley (“Cars 2,” “Ratatouille”) and Galyn Susman (“Toy Story 4,” ABC’s “Toy Story OF TERROR!”). Celebrating 20 years since “Toy Story” transformed the animation industry and the art of storytelling, the Pixar team welcomed iconic two-time Oscar®-winning songwriter and longtime Pixar collaborator Randy Newman, whose Pixar credits include “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Cars.”

Also joining in the celebration were writers Rashida Jones and Will McCormack (“Celeste & Jesse Forever”), who are part of the “Toy Story 4” team, though details of Buzz and Woody’s return to the big screen were mysteriously missing. “Toy Story 4,” which will be directed by Lasseter and produced by Susman, is slated for release on June 16, 2017.

I love Toy Story! I can’t wait for this!

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

“Finding Dory” Makes a Splash at the D23 Expo

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 14, 2015

Ellen DeGeneres (“The Ellen DeGeneres Show”), the voice of everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang, took a dip with D23 EXPO attendees this afternoon, celebrating Disney·Pixar’s upcoming film “Finding Dory.” Joining DeGeneres on stage this afternoon were Ed O’Neill (“Modern Family”), who lends his voice to Hank, a cantankerous octopus; Ty Burrell (“Modern Family”), the voice of Bailey, a misguided beluga whale; and Kaitlin Olson (“Always Sunny in Philadelphia”), who voices Destiny, a kind-hearted whale shark. Oscar®-winning director Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”), co-director Angus MacLane and producer Lindsey Collins (co-producer “WALL•E”) offered new details of the all-new story, which reunites Dory with friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past. What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak Whale? Also featuring the voices of Albert Brooks, Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy,

Just keep swimming!

“Finding Dory” swims into theaters June 17, 2016.

I can’t wait to see this!

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

The D23 Expo Gets Shaken up with Shakira as the Voice of Gazelle in Zootopia

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 14, 2015

Superstar Shakira is lending her Grammy-winning voice to Gazelle who is the biggest pop star in Zootopia, D23 EXPO fans learned via a taped message from Shakira today. Ginnifer Goodwin (ABC’s “Once Upon a Time,” “Something Borrowed,” “Walk the Line”), the voice of the film’s rookie rabbit officer Judy Hopps, saluted fans alongside directors Byron Howard (“Tangled”) and Rich Moore (“Wreck-It Ralph”), and producer Clark Spencer (“Wreck-It Ralph”). Hilarious new scenes from the film were unveiled, plus a tease of the all-new original song, “Try Everything,” written by singer-songwriter Sia and songwriting duo Stargate, and performed by Shakira.

“Zootopia” opens nationwide March 4, 2016.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

GIGANTIC TAKES ROOT at the D23 Expo

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 14, 2015

Things are looking up at Walt Disney Animation Studios – way up. “Gigantic,” Disney’s unique take on “Jack and the Beanstalk,” will feature music from Oscar®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, who greeted D23 EXPO fans in signature style—in song—alongside director Nathan Greno (“Tangled”) and producer Dorothy McKim (“Get A Horse!”). Set in Spain during the Age of Exploration, Disney’s “Gigantic” follows adventure-seeker Jack as he discovers a world of giants hidden within the clouds. He hatches a grand plan with Inma, a 60-foot-tall, 11-year-old girl, and agrees to help her find her way home. But he doesn’t account for her super-sized personality—and who knew giants were so down to earth?

“Gigantic” hits theaters in 2018.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

“Moana” Rocks the D23 Expo 2015!

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 14, 2015

Dwayne Johnson (“San Andreas,” “Furious 7,” HBO’s “Ballers”), who lends his voice to the mighty demi-god Maui in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana,” hit the stage at D23 EXPO 2015 this afternoon. Renowned directors John Musker and Ron Clements (“The Little Mermaid,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Aladdin”), and producer Osnat Shurer (Oscar®-nominated Pixar shorts “One Man Band,” “Boundin’”) shared dazzling early test footage and revealed plans for the film’s inspired music and the extraordinary team behind it.

Tony-winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (Broadway’s hottest new hit “Hamilton,” Tony-winning “In the Heights”), Grammy-winning composer Mark Mancina (“Speed”, “Tarzan” “The Lion King”) and Opetaia Foa’i (founder and lead singer of the world music award-winning band Te Vaka) blend their diverse and dynamic talents to help tell the tale of a spirited teenager who sets out to prove herself a master wayfinder. Foa’i capped the presentation with a show-stopping performance illustrating the magic of the movie’s music.

A little background:”Moana” introduces a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. She meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”), “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.

“Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.

Can’t wait for this. How about you?

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

T-Rexes From “The Good Dinosaur” Spotted at D23 Expo 2015!

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 14, 2015

Anticipation for Disney·Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur” was amplified when director Peter Sohn and producer Denise Ream shared breathtaking sequences with fans, including never-before-seen footage of a trio of T-Rexes in action. “The Good Dinosaur” features Arlo, a sheltered Apatosaurus who finds himself far from home among a host of intimidating creatures.

An Apatosaurus named Arlo must face his fears—and three impressive T-Rexes—in Disney•Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur.” Featuring the voices of AJ Buckley, Anna Paquin and Sam Elliott as the T-Rexes.

“The Good Dinosaur” opens in theaters nationwide Nov. 25, 2015.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

New at D23 Expo 2015! “Riley’s First Date?” Debuts

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 14, 2015

Pixar Animation Studios goes back inside the mind with an all-new short. “Riley’s First Date?” made its world premiere this afternoon at D23 EXPO 2015. Director Josh Cooley, along with “Inside Out” filmmakers Pete Docter (“Up,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and Jonas Rivera (“Up”), introduced the short, which revisits Riley, now 12, who is hanging out with her parents at home when potential trouble comes knocking. Mom’s and Dad’s Emotions find themselves forced to deal with “Riley’s First Date?”

The short will be included as a bonus feature in the digital HD & Blu-ray releases of Disney·Pixar’s “Inside Out,” which will be available digitally Oct. 13 and on Blu-ray Nov. 3, 2015

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

Three Pixar Films Coming To The Big Screen!

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 14, 2015

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Disney Pixar has three big films coming our way. Two of them sequels to favorite films. Coming to theatres this Thanksgiving 2015, “The Good Dinosaur” will take us on a prehistoric adventure with Arlo, an Apatosurus who becomes friends with a “human” and asks the question – what if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed and dinosaurs never became extinct? With just a few months before the release, this Pixar fan is excited to see and hear more about “The Good Dinosaur.”

Next summer will bring back to the big screen, one of my all time favorite Pixar characters, Dory. After more than a decade, Disney will bring new adventures and add to the list of characters originally seen in Finding Nemo. Taking place 6 months after “Finding Nemo” adventures “Finding Dory” will have Dory and Marlin off on another adventure to the Marine Biology Institute of California where Dory was born. Full of new characters including sea lions, a beluga whale and an octopus and the voice talents of Ty Burrell as Bailey, the beluga whale, and Dominic West and Idris Elba (unknown roles). “Finding Dory also brings us Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton as the voices of Dory’s parents and returning cast members, Albert Brooks (Marlin) Willem Defoe (Gil), Vicki Lewis (Deb/Flo) and of course, the one of a kind, and my personal favorite, Ellen DeGeneres (Dory).

The third film which comes out in June 2017, has us wondering about the plot. “Toy Story 4” insiders have shared that it will be a love story but with John Lasseter and Josh Cooley in the directorial spots we know we are in for another amazing story full of our favorite characters.

Which film are you most excited to see? This entertainment writer can’t wait to see all three, but at the top of the list will have to be “Finding Dory”.

George Lucas Has His Very Own Emoji

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 14, 2015

Today, during the Disney Legends panel at the D23 Expo, the Star Wars App was quietly updated to include a brand new emoji, of a newly inducted Disney Legend no less! That’s right, you can now send a tiny, adorable George Lucas emoji to all of your friends. This is truly a work of art. It captures the essence of Lucas, creator of both the Star Wars and Indiana Jones, in a highly stylized and insanely cute way. This emoji is perfect for punctuating tweets regarding your excitement for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, accompanying Snapchats of your stylish new beard, and sending text messages announcing a new bulk purchase of rustic flannel shirts.

A couple of weeks ago, Disney spoke to artist Truck Torrence, who goes under the name 100% Soft, and who was responsible for designing all of the amazing Star Wars emojis, all the way back to the emojis debut at Star Wars Celebration earlier this spring. Disney heard a Lucas emoji was on the way, so asked Truck about what it was like illustrating the ultimate Jedi Master.

“It was great because it comes down to three elements: the hair, the beard, and the plaid,” Torrence told us. “And so as long as I nail the hair, the beard, and the plaid, I was good. I had to finesse the hair for a while because he has that perfectly coiffed curl. So I had to really perfect that. I went through a few iterations of plaid before I figured what best suited him. But once I got all those three together, they were the holy trinity of George Lucas iconography.” Indeed they are! The Force is strong with this emoji!

Disney is sure you’ll agree that the George Lucas emoji turned out fabulously. It’s now part of the Star Wars App (available now on the App Store and Google Play). Download it and delight.

This is adorable!

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria