Have you tried this? Pick a pearl in Epcot

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May 30, 2015

Have you ever wanted to try something new at Disney World? There are so many things you can do and see but on a recent trip I tried something a little different. I love souvenirs and totally admit to being a dorky pin collector and admirer of Disney jewelry, so I was drawn naturally to the prospect of choosing my own oyster and harvesting the pearl at the Mitsukoshi department store in Japan at Epcot.

To participate you pay around $17.00 and you select an oyster from a tank. You do not actually handle the oyster, instead a very enthusiastic cast member fishes the oyster out and with a great ceremony that includes teaching you to count down from three in Japanese, cuts the oyster open revealing your treasure.

The cast member then measures your pearl and gives you a brief description of the bead. For example my pearl was 7 1/4 mm (which is larger than average, she explained to me) and of a pinkish hue. Once done measuring,the cast member plays you a brief congratulatory beat on the drums and sends you to select a setting for your pearl. Keep in mind you do not have to purchase a setting. You can simply have them box the pearl and that in itself can be your take away.

Have you tried this? Pick a pearl in Epcot — My pearl!

I chose to set my pearl in a Cinderella coach pendant. The pendant I selected was about $40 but it makes a lovely and very wearable souvenir. There were certainly more affordable settings, some for under $20 so do not let the price of my setting deter you from checking this activity out. When I wear it I can recall this experience at Disney vividly and I love how it looks!

This is a fun little experience that will take about 20 minutes from selecting an oyster to having your pearl set if you choose to do so. It gives you a neat glimpse into Japanese culture and you leave with a cool reminder of your vacation! If you are visiting the Boardwalk area there is another pick a pearl booth near the Beach Club resort.

Harambe Market at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is now open

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 30, 2015

Harambe Market, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is a busy marketplace alive with the flavors of African street foods. Now it has been expanded!

That Market was built around a Colonial-era train depot design complete with a 1960s water tower, Harambe Market invites Disney guests to sample true flavors of Africa. There are 4 themed shops offerthat fresh meals, snacks and beverages like those found in an African street market.

Each quick-service shop window built into colorful store fronts reflects the shop owner’s personality and offers plenty of guest dining options, including:

Kitamu Grill featuring skewered chicken and a kebab flatbread sandwich.

Famous Sausagesshowcasing a corndog made with a South African boerewors sausage dipped in curry-infused corn batter.

Chef Mwanga’s spice-rubbed Karubi Rib paired with green papaya-carrot slaw.

Wanjohi Refreshments (wanjohi means “brewer” in Swahili) quenches thirsts with craft draft beers like Safari Amber Lager; six South African wines by the glass, The Starr of Harambe frozen drink with Starr African rum and mango puree in a souvenir mug, red Sangria with Van der Hum tangerine liqueur, and non alcoholic tangerine lemonade or fountain beverages like Sparberry from Zimbabwe.

Check it out:

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“Boats, trains and travel led to the discovery of exotic spices that were traded and brought from foreign lands,” Chef Lenny DeGeorge says. “These foods have been tailored for the locals. With the ribs, we have a ras el hanout spice blend, which has about 20 different spices mixed in. The berbere spice is on the chicken skewer and the kebab sandwich. We used madras curry powder in the corndog batter.”

Walt Disney Imagineering developed the authentic Harambe Market concept during travel and research in Africa, says Walt Disney Imagineering art director Joan Hartwig.

“When guests come to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we want them to be excited by the adventure of experiencing different cultures,” she says. “For Harambe Market, we had the opportunity to travel in east Africa and bring back details that our guests will be able to experience here. So when guests finish their safari, they can come to a real east African marketplace and sit down and enjoy the authentic flavors of Africa.”

With the recent addition of the Festival of the Lion King theater district and the new market, Harambe Village has nearly doubled in size and “you feel like you are actually in a real village in Africa,” says Walt Disney Imagineering show producer Emily O’Brien.

“You have the whole gamut of experiences, with the central area, the theater district, specialty vendors and a great market. Guests will really feel like they’ve been transported to another place for a really fun experience.”

Harambe Market offers shaded tables for dining, and area shops sell wares from Africa. The marketplace will offer direct access to Kilimanjaro Safaris, the Wildlife Express train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch and a path to Asia attractions like Expedition Everest.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park is currently undergoing the largest expansion in its history.

I want to go, how about you?

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

Star Wars is Coming to Disneyland but not MagicBands

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 29, 2015

The more things change, the more they stay the same, and with Disneyland’s 60th anniversary upon us, Walt Disney co. executives have hinted at some new attractions coming to the Anaheim Park. They have also shed some light on a few things that will not be making an appearance.

In a recent interview, new Chief Operating Officer Tom Staggs said that Disney has plans to introduce characters from the Star Wars franchise in both large and small ways. He didn’t offer many details but one thing he made clear was that Disneyland would not be removing any favorite features in order to make room for the Star Wars additions.

“We will look at ‘Star Wars’ to be a plus while not taking away from things that people love,” he said.

Since the acquisition of the Star Wars franchise in 2012, fans have speculated how Disneyland would incorporate the films characters and storylines into the park. Though they have yet to offer many specifics we know Disney chief Bob Iger told Wall Street analysts that there’s “a fair amount of design and development (taking place by the company’s Imagineers) to greatly increase ‘Star Wars” presence in multiple locations around the world,”

Now as for what’s not coming to the park? It appears that MagicBands will not be added to the park anytime soon. According to Mary Niven, vice president for Disneyland Park, the wristband which uses microchip technology to let guests use the bands in place of theme park tickets, hotel room keys and even credit cards won’t work for Disneyland. She said that with many of the visitors being local residents who do not stay for long periods at the nearby hotels and that it just doesn’t suit Disneyland’s guest demographics. They may not be getting magic bands, but according to Staggs, “We will bring variations on MyMagic+ to our parks and other businesses around the world,” so it may not be in the immediate future, but its still not out of the realm of possibility.

Tell us what you think. Do you think MagicBands would work at Disneyland Resort?

Could Disney World Soon Have a Variable Ticket Price?

By

Anonymouse

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May 29, 2015

Aloha! I have been a very busy little bee lately, I hope you read my 24 Hour gossip from yesterday. Today’s gossip is not the fun kind that I love so much! I really hope they don’t do this but you never know! The question is how much would you pay to go to Disney World? I think I pay too much already. Don’t get me wrong it is worth every dollar but I only have so many dollars! You would think the more prices go up the less people would go but it seems to be the opposite. So, I guess they figure why not! Maybe the prices will go so high that Chiperoo will no longer go. A girl can dream!

This rumor has been floating around for a few years now and it has recently resurfaced. Disney has been sending a survey around basically asking people how much they would pay and if this would work for them. They might want you to pay even higher prices during the busiest times!

The picture is quite confusing I know but I will try and break it down for you. There will gold, silver and bronze.

Gold tickets can be used any day of the year.
Silver tickets will be valid most days,with the exception of peak and holiday weeks.
Bronze tickets will be valid only during off-peak weekdays.

Multi-day tickets spanning 2 or more seasons have to be purchased at the highest season’s price.

At $125 for a one day ticket to the Magic Kingdom, gold is the most expensive, silver is $10 cheaper and bronze is the least expensive.

Slower weekdays would be the cheapest and going at the current rate of $105 for Magic Kingdom. But, during busy times like Christmas and over summer the price goes to $125 per day.

Keep in mind Disney sends out surveys like this all the time and some never make it to reality and some do.

Nothing is official until it comes from Disney!

Any who this all the Disney gossip I have for now. For my past gossip articles be sure to check them out here. Got any good gossip/rumors please email me at anonymouse@chipandco.com or on my Facebook page.

Samsung Releases the Galaxy S6 Edge Iron Man Limited Edition Phone

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 29, 2015

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced the Galaxy S6 edge Iron Man Limited Edition in collaboration with Marvel. Samsung and Marvel have joined forces in celebration of the technological innovation and creative visual storytelling in Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron to introduce this limited edition of the Galaxy S6 edge.

“We are excited to be able to offer our world-class Galaxy S6 edge smartphone designed especially for Iron Man fans through our continued collaboration with Marvel,” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics. “The limited edition Iron Man Galaxy S6 edge embodies the power of the iconic Avenger with a dual-curved edge design and advanced features that will provide Marvel fans with the ultimate entertainment experience.”

The Galaxy S6 edge Iron Man Limited Edition package is equipped with a vibrant red and gold Iron Man-themed Galaxy S6 edge including 64GB of storage and matching wireless charger, as well as a clear cover that enhances the device’s exclusive design.

The Galaxy S6 edge Iron Man Limited Edition will be available in Korea on May 27, 2015, with China and Hong Kong in June.

Cool phone right?

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

Cobra’s Curse Spinning Roller Coaster Coming to Busch Gardens Tampa in 2016

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 29, 2015

A lot of new roller coasters on the horizon. So far the latest one will be located at Busch Gardens Tampa. It has a great name, Cobra’s Curse! It will be a spinning roller coaster with a whopping 70-foot descent.

After ascending on the elevator like vertical lift, riders will come face-to-face with an 80-foot snake icon and trek over the park’s Serengeti Plain. Cobra’s Curse will have a max speed of 40 mph and lots of spinning ride time. The ride will last 3.5 minutes and will also have a themed queue. The seats will also rotate. It is being sold as a ‘family”ride where you can “discover the mysteries of an Egyptian archeological excavation.”

Some other fun facts:

There are 8 cars per ride with 8 riders per car
The ride will over 2,100 feet or track

Check it out:

“This isn’t your ordinary spin coaster,” Dean said. “In true Busch Gardens style, we’re putting a twist on this attraction and taking riders on an unforgettable and exciting journey.”

Mack Rides GMBH & Co. began construction in January on the 2.65-acre site in the park’s Egypt area.

The coaster will have a 42″ height minimum.

This not for me. What do you think?

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

‘Eat to the Beat’ Concert Series at 2015 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Line Up

By

Chip

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May 29, 2015

In January, we let you in on the dates for this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Did you know this year is the 20th anniversary of the festival!

Just released was the lineup for 2015’s “Eat to the Beat” concert series.

Here’s the full list. Hope your favorite is on there!

David Cook – September 25-27, 2015
Wilson Phillips – September 28-29, 2015
Christopher Cross – September 30-October 1, 2015
Starship – October 2-4, 2015
Smash Mouth – October 5-7, 2015
The Pointer Sisters – October 8-9, 2015
38 Special – October 10-11, 2015
Rick Springfield – October 12-13, 2015
Sugar Ray – October 14-16, 2015
The S.O.S. Band – October 17-18, 2015
Air Supply – October 19-21, 2015
Fuel – October 22-23, 2015
Tiffany (NEW!) – October 24-25, 2015
Dennis DeYoung – October 26-28, 2015
Jo Dee Messina – October 29-30, 2015
Everclear (NEW!) – October 31-November 1, 2015
Boyz II Men – November 2-4, 2015
Sister Hazel – November 5-6, 2015
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – November 7-9, 2015
Hanson – November 10-12, 2015
Maxi Priest (NEW!) – November 13-14, 2015
Chaka Khan (NEW!) – November 15-16, 2015

Please note: Daily show times take place at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM. Entertainment and appearances are subject to change without notice.

Be sure to check back to the Chip and Co for updated info on this year’s festival.

Disney Finds – Disney’s Mickey Mouse Jelly Belly Dispenser

By

Chip

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May 29, 2015

2015 02 13 16 43 22 Amazon.com Disneys Mickey Mouse Jelly Belly Dispenser Jelly Beans Grocery

In our Disney Find for today I take a look at this functional collectors item.

Disney’s Mickey Mouse Jelly Belly Dispenser – This whimsical tribute to classic Disney characters Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto makes the perfect gift or desk conversation piece. The Mickey Mouse Jelly Belly Dispenser is adorned with Mickey’s famous ears on top, and Mickey Mouse himself stands at the ready on the side of the dispenser, lever in hand. Push the lever and watch the gears turn delivering a prefect sweet treat down the chute (no batteries required). Each machine comes with a 28 gram sample bag of 20 Assorted Flavors and holds up to 650 grams of jelly beans.

All Jelly Belly jelly beans are OU Kosher. Gluten free, peanut free, dairy free, fat free and vegetarian friendly.

Cost is under $20. So get them while they last!

5 Reasons why you should stay at a Walt Disney World Resort!

By

Catie

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May 29, 2015

When it comes to planning your WDW vacation, there are tons of things you have to think about. Like when to go, for how long, how to get there, and where to stay. Picking a place to stay can be tough, especially with so many great Resorts to choose from – both at WDW and off site as well. Non Disney Resorts tend to be a little cheaper, and that appeals to many families looking to save money on what can be a pricey vacation – but I personally will always spend that little bit extra and stay at Walt Disney World. WHY you might ask? Well, read on to find out what it’s like to stay at the WDW Resorts, and why you should consider doing it too:

Getting There: Airport transportation can be a pain – making sure everyone is ready, getting a cab/shuttle, leaving with enough time for check in etc…well, Disney has taken all the work off your shoulders with their Magical Express airport shuttle service. When you make your Disney Resort reservations, you simply indicate that you want to use the Magical Express service, and that’s it – airport transportation is done! You input your flight information, and based on that, you’re issued passes for the shuttle as well as luggage tags (they deliver your checked luggage right from the airport to your hotel room – no baggage claim needed!) and when you arrive at the Orlando Airport you simply head to the Magical Express check in area and hop on a bus that takes you right to your Resort. When it’s time to go home, you will receive a notice stating what time you have to be ready to board your Magical Express back to the airport (generally its about 2 hours before your departure time). Disney Cast Members can help get you checked in for flights and can also assist with your baggage too. If you decide that you want to rent/bring a car to WDW, you will be able to park for free at the Disney Parks and at your WDW Resort

Staying There: There are tons of WDW Resorts to choose from – there’s Deluxe, Moderate and Value – and each level has several options. All of them have amazing Cast Members who are there solely to make sure your stay is a great one. They are polite and helpful, and will answer any questions you have. The front desk concierge Cast Members can help with dining questions, making ADR’s, Park questions, and Magic Band/Fastpass+ troubleshooting too. Every Resort has multiple pools and at least one pool bar, and they all offer various dining options to help ensure that you never leave for the Parks hungry! When you get up into the Moderate/Deluxe options, there are more restaurant and shopping options available, and more ameneties, along with bigger, nicer rooms too (hey, you pay more, you get more – makes sense, right?)

Getting To The Parks: The internal Disney Transportation System is extensive – it includes monorails, buses, and boats – all of which make getting to the Parks and other points of interest a breeze! Every Resort offers direct transportation (most by bus) to all 4 theme parks, the 2 water parks, and Downtown Disney. Once you’re at any of those places, you can easily transfer to another bus/boat/monorail if you need to get to a different Disney Resort (for that character meal perhaps?). The transportation runs both before the parks open and after the parks close daily – so you don’t have to worry about missing the boat (literally), and if it’s really busy, they will send more buses to help keep things moving

Utilizing The Perks: Not only are you mere minutes from the Disney Magic when you stay at a WDW Resort, but there are also plenty of other perks too – like Extra Magic Hours, package delivery right to your room (so you don’t have to lug around that giant stuffed Mickey your son just HAD to have all day…). Read more about the perks of staying on property here

Bottom Line: Will you save some money by staying at an off-site Hotel? Maybe so, but you can’t beat the Disney Resort experience – the Resorts are so beautifully themed and the service is amazing – plus the experience of staying at WDW means that your Disney Magic never stops!

Book a Stay at Disney’s Aulani and Receive Free Transportation

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 28, 2015

Aulani-A Disney Resort and Spa, is a fabulous place to experience the magic of Disney while enjoying the beauty of Hawaii. Disney has released a great offer and there’s no better time to book a trip than now!

For a limited time, you can receive free transportation from the airport to Aulani, plus a free 1-day mid-size Alamo car rental. Just book a stay of at least 4 consecutive nights for stays August 16, 2015-December 21, 2015 (November 25-28, 2015 is excluded). Book by October 26, 2015 in order to take advantage of this great deal!

Aulani-A Disney Resort and Spa is a beautiful resort and is on my bucket list of places to visit some day. If you’d like help booking this amazing offer please email me here! I’d be happy to assist you!

Could There be Another 24 Hour Event Coming to Disney?

By

Anonymouse

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May 28, 2015

Did you make it the full 24 hours this year? I did about half! Hi ya ladies and gents, it is I Anonymouse delivering the best in Disney Gossip.

Let me get right to it because this is HUGE! Rumors have been swirling lately that there is yet another Disney 24 hour event on the horizon, and very soon! As soon as July 17th!

Yes I said July 17th of this year!!! I don’t have much more info about this right now but you know that as soon as I know you will know. Just don’t tell Chippy, he gets cranky after the first 12 hours!!

So, will I see you there?

Any who this all the Disney gossip I have for now. For my past gossip articles be sure to check them out here. Got any good gossip/rumors please email me at anonymouse@chipandco.com or on my Facebook page

Universal Orlando’s New Water Park Will Open in 2017

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 28, 2015

Soon Universal Orlando will have their very own Water Park. It will be called Volcano Bay and it will be at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. This will be their 3rd park! However, it will be the 5th water park in Central Florida and the 2nd that is owned by NBCUniversal.

It was originally supposed to open in 2016, but plans have changed and it will now open in 2017.

The park will be built on 53-acre tract of land. The new water park will have will have a lazy river and a rapids ride, according to plans that were submitted in February. A drawing of the park shows a smoking volcano with a platform near the top of it. A clear tunnel near a platform and outside wave pools. There will be 2 slides, a green and a yellow, according to the drawing.

“Universal’s Volcano Bay will be a place for the entire family,” the park said in its release. “It will be a whole new generation of experience that reimagines what it means to be a water park.”

Universal Orlando said that construction has already begun!

Looks fun and different! Would you go?

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria