D23 Expo 2015 Announces Hall D23 Presentations Lineup

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May 12, 2015

D23, announced the lineup of the highly anticipated presentations at D23 EXPO 2015, August 14–16. The Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, will kick off the Expo on Friday, August 14. Later that day, The Walt Disney Studios will give fans a sneak peek at all the latest from Disney Animation and Pixar. On Saturday morning, The Walt Disney Studios will preview the coming slate of live-action films from Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. Then on Saturday afternoon, fans will get a preview of what’s in store at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts during a presentation hosted by Parks Chairman Bob Chapek.

To showcase these Expo favorites, Disney is creating “Hall D23,” a new 7,500-seat venue located in Hall D of the Anaheim Convention Center, so that more guests than ever can see the presentations live and in person.

The Schedule of Hall D23 Events and Presentations includes the following (times and additional announcements forthcoming; all events subject to change):

The Disney Legends Awards Ceremony will take place Friday, August 14. The ceremony, hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, will once again honor those who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy. The creativity and innovation of these visionaries and artists have earned them a place among such names as Dame Julie Andrews, Howard Ashman, Annette Funicello, Sir Elton John, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Dick Van Dyke, Barbara Walters, and Robin Williams. At the D23 EXPO in 2013, Tony Baxter, Collin Campbell, Dick Clark, Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Jobs, Glen Keane, and Ed Wynn were inducted.

In two separate Hall D23 sessions, The Walt Disney Studios will unveil an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at its upcoming film slate. At Friday’s session, fans will go in-depth with the talented filmmakers at Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios to get a sneak peek at films such as Zootopia and Finding Dory. On Saturday, live-action titles such as Alice Through the Looking Glass and The Jungle Book and films from Marvel and Lucasfilm, along with some very special guests, take center stage.

On the afternoon of Saturday, August 15, join Bob Chapek, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, for a behind-the-scenes peek at the magical experiences and entertainment coming to Disney’s parks and resorts around the world.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Until June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

Are you going?

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

New Souvenir Sippers Coming to Cars Land For Diamond Celebration

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 11, 2015

Coming soon to the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land are these brand-new oil can sippers. Dinoco is the oil company from Disney-Pixar “Cars” and can be seen on the gas pumps and oil cans outside of Flo’s V8 Café. These fun souvenir sippers will be available for the Disneyland 60th Anniversary Celebration starting on May 22nd.

The current souvenir sippers in Cars Land are the cone sippers. If you’re a fan of those, make sure you pick one up before they disappear!

I’m super excited for these sippers! They are so cute and clever and I might need to head to California Adventure just for these! For more information on souvenirs coming to the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, contact me today!

Enter The Disney Movie Rewards 101 Dalmatians Diamond Edition Sensational Dalmatian-al Sweepstakes

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 11, 2015

Enter the Disney Movie Rewards Sensational Dalmatian-al Sweepstakes. You could win the grand prize, which consists of a trip for 4 to London, England.

The Grand Prize Includes:

Round Trip Flights
Hotel Accommodations
Luxury Tour of the City

But wait there’s more:

101 First Prize Winners will get, 101 Disney Movie Rewards Points.

101 Second Prize Winners will get, a 17 inch Patch Plush Toy from the Disney Store.

Enter here!

Good luck!

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

Disney Finds – Mickey Mouse Heart Necklace

By

Chip

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May 11, 2015

Filigree Heart Mickey Mouse Necklace

For the one who is the center of your heart, Disney’s Filigree Mickey Mouse Heart Necklace is a sparkling way to let them know. Crystal Mickey Mouse icon hangs inside the filigree heart and pendant suspended by a beautiful rope chain.

I was really surprised that this necklace is under $30! To learn more and to order yours from the Disney Store just click the link above!

24-Hour Summer Kick-off Celebration

By

Chip

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May 11, 2015

2015 05 11 08 35 33 24 Hour Summer Kick off Celebration Walt Disney World YouTube

It’s almost time to kick off the “Coolest Summer Ever” at Walt Disney World Resort with this year’s 24-hour celebration. As we watch the clock and count the days until the party begins on May 22, Disney is sharing some of our favorite sights and sounds from past all-nighters.

What Comes Free (and What Doesn’t) With a Disney Cruise

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 11, 2015

When planning a Disney Cruise it’s smart to know what to budget for, and what not to worry about. I have compiled a list of the complimentary things on board your cruise and what will cost you extra. If you have any questions about any of this, feel free to contact me at the email below!

What Comes Free:
1. Meals– All your family dining is free aboard a Disney Cruise. Go ahead and order than appetizer and dessert …it’s free! Ordering room service is also free as long as it’s not pre-packaged. For example, the Fruit & Cheese plate is free (great bed time snack!)

2. Deck 11 Activities– the pools, mini golf, water slides, hot tubs, basketball courts, ping-pong, and shuffleboard on deck 11 are always free.

3. Fitness Center– Relax with some early morning yoga, or check out the awesome ocean view treadmills.

4. Beverages– The soda stations are free and available for unlimited refills including soda, coffee, iced tea, and ice water.

5. Castaway Cay– Debarking and exploring the island is part of your cruise. Play and swim at the beaches, run the trails, splash down water slides, drop the kids off at Scuttles Cove childcare center while you work on your tan, and then enjoy the free BBQ lunch.

6. Kids clubs– Oceaneers Lab, Edge and Vibe are all kid and teen clubs that cost nothing to check out.

7. Entertainment– Broadway style shows, Disney movies, Pirate Night and Fireworks are all part of your Disney Cruise fare.

What is NOT Free:

1. Alcohol– Tips are automatically included on your drink charge too. Ask the bartenders or your stateroom host about the new Wine, Tequila, Rum and/or Margarita Tastings they offer.

2. Bottled Water– If you’re not a fan of the free water on board, you will have to pay for bottled.

3. Arcade– Although the kids clubs offer many FREE video games, there is also a pay-per-play arcade on board to check out, but it’s pretty small.

4. Sports Simulators– For about $12 per half hour you can check out the amazing simulators. Kids love these! Try your hand at virtual soccer, baseball, hockey and basketball. Golf costs more.

5. Senses Spa Treatments– Enjoy a massage or facial for an extra cost. I highly recommend Senses, it’s worth every penny. Be sure to make a reservation in advance for any treatments.

6. Dining at Remy or Palo– These signature, adults only restaurants are not included in your cruise fare. You must have a reservation to enjoy these romantic, gourmet restaurants.

7. Castaway Cay Rentals– On-island bike rentals, boat rentals, kayaks, the stingray experience and water bikes are extra.

8. Souvenirs– There are many gift shops to explore on the ships to find the perfect cruise souvenir.

9. Gratuities– Please tip your servers and stateroom hosts. You can do this in advance by selecting a set amount and adding it to your room charges.

I hope this list of freebies and extras will help you plan the perfect cruise and put your mind at ease. There are no hidden charges onboard, and Disney provides you with all the essentials plus more!

I would love to help you plan a Disney Cruise vacation within YOUR budget. They can be very affordable when booked far in advance. I specialize in Disney Cruises and Vacations with children at World of Magic Travel. You can contact me by clicking HERE and sending me a message or an email at [email protected]. Bon Voyage Cruisers!

Southern California’s Lenore Moreno Shatters Tinker Bell Half Marathon Record at Disneyland Resort

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 11, 2015

Pixie power and persistence pushed Lenore Moreno to smash a race record by almost 9 minutes in the fourth annual Tinker Bell Half Marathon presented by PANDORA Jewelry at Disneyland Resort. Looking much like a pixie herself, the five-foot, 24-year-old West Covina, Calif. resident flew by her competition, finishing in a mere 1:15:55. The former race record was 1:24:11. She was also nearly nine minutes ahead of second-place finisher Ann Mazur of Charlottesville, VA (1:24:10). Anne-Marie Nuno of Irvine, Calif. came in third (1:24:21).

“Just being inside Disneyland, I think that’s what gave me that push and helped me to forget about how long this half marathon was and just to enjoy the moment,” Moreno said. “I couldn’t have done it anywhere else. Passing under that castle was just magical.”

Moreno started running as a freshman in high school. She continued in college and dreamed of running in a runDisney race but school always got in the way. She finally realized her dream, making history this Mother’s Day. She even had a message for her mom.

“I love you! Happy Mother’s Day!” Moreno said.

Grandmothers, mothers, daughters, aunts and nieces were some of the 13,000 women who spent their Mother’s Day racing along an entertainment-filled 13.1-mile course through Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Parks, as well as by several Anaheim landmarks. Among them, was the Evans family from Irvine, Calif. Cheryl and Coco Evans, wearing identical Tinker Bell costumes, crossed the finish line together.

“Doing this race with me is priceless,” said mom Cheryl Evans. “It’s a memory that will last a lifetime. I’m so happy!” (Additional sound and video of the Evans family can be found at the link below.)

More than 32,050 runners competed in various events during the weekend that included the Never Land 5K, the Tinker Bell 10K, runDisney Kids Races, a health and fitness expo and the inaugural Pixie Dust Challenge, which involved runners completing the 10K on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday.

Academy-award winning actor and producer George Clooney also came to Disneyland Resort this holiday weekend with his family for the world premiere of Disney’s new mystery adventure “Tomorrowland”.

In total, there were more than 16,000 runners from across the nation and 22 countries. Finishers received a commemorative Tinker Bell “wings’’ medal. The Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend is one of eight annual runDisney events and one of two women-focused events. The other is the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which takes place in February at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla. Both events are designed to celebrate and promote women’s empowerment, women’s health and an active lifestyle. And both are among the nation’s largest race weekends geared towards women.

Runners can register for any runDisney race weekend at www.rundisney.com.

Martin Freeman Joins The Cast Of Capt. America: Civil War

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 10, 2015

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Martin Freeman will be joining the Marvel Studios’ cast in the upcoming film, Captain America: Civil War. Although Marvel still has not released what Freeman’s role is, he will be working with Chris Evans, who is back as Capt. America.

Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios and producer of the films said “Martin’s range from the dramatic to the comedic has consistently impressed us,” Freeman is a familiar face in and well-known for his roles as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit and his Emmy award-winning role as Dr. Watson in the BBC series, Sherlock.

Capt. America: Civil War starts up where Age of Ultron ends and forces the superheroes to choose sides between Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) or Captain America as the two battle each other.

This Entertainment Writer is torn between Iron Man and Capt. America – whose side are you on?

Captain America: Civil War is the third installment to the Capt. America series and will be in theaters, May 2016. Follow us on chipandco.com for all the Marvel and Disney news.

New Disney Baby Golden Books Inspired Line at Target

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 10, 2015

Who does not remember Golden Books? They were my favorite books as a child. They had the cutest pictures and stories. Target has a line of Disney Baby Golden Books themed newborn clothes and accessories. The line includes jumpers, dresses, rompers and bibs ranging from $5 to $15.

Check out some of this adorable, and affordable line:

You can find the collection online and in Target stores.

It is such an adorable line!

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

Disney Finds – Minnie Mouse Chia Pet

By

Chip

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May 10, 2015

2015 05 10 08 33 10 Amazon.com Chia Pet Planter Minnie Mouse

How many people remember Chia Pet’s? I remember having one when I was much younger. While shopping on Amazon I found this very cool Minnie Mouse Chia Pet. I mean how adorable is she? You might have missed my post earlier this week for the matching Mickey Mouse Chia Pet, details in the link.

It comes with handmade pottery planter, Chia seed packet for 3 plantings, convenient plastic drip tray, planting and care instruction sheet.

Not bad for $14 which is just a little more than Mickey.

To learn more and to order as always click one of the links above or click here.

Top 10 Tips for a Perfect Summer Disney Trip

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 10, 2015

If you are lucky enough to be going to Disney over summer vacation, take note! I have listed the Top 10 tips to make the most of your trip.

Going to Disney is a perfect way to add extra special magic and memories to your summer! Sometimes it is hard to be in a magical mood when it’s around 100 degrees though. Hopefully these tips will get you prepped for your summer trip.

1. Plan ahead! Book ADR’s 180 days out. Disney dining is part of the experience. It’s also nice to sit down and rest during the day as it can get pretty hot. A mid-day Table Service reservation during the hottest time of the day is smart!

2. Leave some room for spontaneity. You DEFINITELY should schedule FastPass+ times to take advantage of skipping some long lines, but if you set a schedule for the whole day you will be missing some magical moments. I’ve made this mistake in the past. Now, I let the kids stop and watch the ducks, sit in the shade, and watch all the street performers. If we miss a FastPass, no big deal. You can pick more later.

3. Take care of your feet. Wear the most comfortable shoes you own, because you will be putting a few miles on them every day. Take some mole skin and band-aids into the Parks with you, and maybe extra, dry socks. My kids wear Crocs because they are breathable and comfy. Wear your shoes around at home before your trip to break them in.

4. Prep for all weather. I recommend the $1 ponchos from Wal-Mart as they are small enough for a purse and disposable. You can buy reusable Disney ones, but the thought of folding up 5 wet ponchos and trying to save them doesn’t sound appealing to me. Also, that mid-day Florida sun is bright. I always bring my kids hats and sunglasses or else they are squinting in every picture and can’t see what’s going on. If you use sunscreen, pick up a trael-sized, water-resistant kind like Burt Bees or Babyganics. Don’t bother carrying bulky umbrellas. You can always duck into a gift shop or The Hall of Presidents to wait it out.

5. Add Memory Maker to your reservation! No more worrying about who is going to take the picture, if the camera/phone is dead, where the charger is, buying memory cards, etc. With Memory Maker you just walk up to a PhotoPass Photographer (they are all around, check the Park Maps for locations) get your family pics, then have them scan your Magic Band. Go on your MyDisneyExperience App to view, share, or download them. The price is well worth the on-ride pictures alone!

6. Souvenir shop at the end of the day. Carrying around your purchases all day can be a hassle. We wait until Park closing to go back and pick out that one special souvenir for each kid. You can have the purchases sent back to your resort room for free, but it could take overnight and you’ll have to fill out some papers. It gives the kids something to look forward to, and prevents them seeing something else even better right around the corner.

7. Stay organized! Take photos of your plane tickets, reservation number, hotel door number, etc. The MyDisneyExperience app stores your itinerary for you, including dining and FastPass+ times, shows, wait times for attractions, where characters are meeting, parade times, and Park hours. Make sure you bring an external charger too. I like to print out my itinerary in a tiny font and keep it in my wallet just in case.

8. Stay cool! Grab a Dole Whip, Mickey ice cream bar, or check out Casey Jr.’s Soak and Splash Station in Magic Kingdom, or play in the water fountain at Epcot. My kids ask to go back to the resort and swim every day at about 3:15 like clock-work (as soon as the 3:00 parade is over) so we usually go back for a few hours to cool off, and rest. But, our favorite way to cool off is to go to a Disney Water Park! Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are AWESOME, and you must try them if you go during the summer! Ask me how to add them on to your tickets!

9. Stay hydrated and healthy. Either bring a water bottle to refill, buy a bottle of water (you can use dining plan snack credits) or ask any quick service restaurant for a free cup of ice water. Guests can bring drinks into the Park too. That’s too bulky for my minimalist style, so drink mix packets work too. Don’t forget to take your vitamins for a few weeks before your vacation to build up your immune system as you will encounter many germs. Lastly, take the time to wash your hands before you eat.

10. Explore the Night Life. Disney comes alive at night with shows and activities such as Wishes, Illuminations and Fantasmic! We love the Main Street Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom, and the Electrical Water Pageant. Nightly Disney Movies are shown at the resorts, usually out by the pool at sundown. Go to Fort Wilderness Campground and make s’mores at the campfire with Chip and Dale! Downtown Disney has many shops and restaurants to explore too. A different Park offers Extra Magic Hours each evening, and stay open 2 hours later!

What is your advice for summer time travelers? I’d love to hear your secret tips for dealing with the hot Florida sun.

If you need help planning your Disney Vacation of any season, contact me today for a free price quote and trip planning services. Email me at [email protected] or follow me on my Facebook Page. I will help you plan and book a magical Disney Trip or Cruise within your budget. Stay cool this summer!

Zootopia Welcomes Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 9, 2015

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Walt Disney Studios welcome Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman to the cast of Zootopia. Jason Bateman will voice the lead role of the scamming fox, Nick Wilde. Ginnifer Goodwin will voice the female lead role of the optimistic bunny, Judy Hopps.

Director Bryon Howard said, “We knew that ‘Zootopia’ would only succeed if we found the perfect actors to play our main characters,” With Ginnifer, she is the ideal kind hearted bunny and Bateman’s sarcastic yet charming humor make him the only choice for Wilde.

Zootopia which opens nationwide, March 4, 2016, brings us the story of a city where modern mammals big and small, live and work side by side. The arrival of Officer Judy Hopps, the first bunny on the police force full of big tough animals makes things difficult. Determined to prove herself worthy, she teams up with fast talking scam artist fox, Nick Wilde to solve a mystery.

Directed by Bryon Howard and Rick Moore with co-director Jared Bush, Zootopia has the making of a cute movie for Disney fans to look forward to next spring.

Loretta Garcia, Entertainment Writer for Chipandco.com bringing you all the entertainment news and updates.