Disney Finds – Stay warm with Mickey & Minnie

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January 27, 2015

With part of the country under a blanket of snow I thought for today’s Disney Find I would highlight a very cool set of Disney Blankets or Snuggies.

I love this Mickey Blanket pictured above!

Made of soft, thick, luxurious fleece with oversized loose fitting sleeves, the Youth Comfy Throw with Sleeves by The Northwest Company lets shoulders, arms and upper body remain protected from the cold while leaving arms and hands free to use a laptop, TV remote, read a book, talk on the phone; or enjoy a snack. It measures 48″ x 71″ and is on sale for around $15.

If Mickey is not your thing, how about a Minnie Blanket? Made of the same soft material this Minnie Blanket measures the same size and is actually a few dollars cheaper at around $13.

So stay warm this winter with Mickey or Minnie, and as always to learn more click the links above.

What do you think? Which do you like better? Let me know in the comment box below.

Meet Strange Magic’s Characters – Dawn and Sunny

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 27, 2015

Walt Disney Studios invited your favorite Chip and Co, Entertainment Writer to meet Dawn and Sunny from Strange Magic, the new Lucasfilms and Disney movie in theatres, January 23,2015.

Along with a group of fellow writers, we had the opportunity to meet and greet, Meredith Anne Bull (Dawn) and Elijah Kelley (Sunny), my two favorite characters in the movie.

Meredith was asked what it was like to have the older sister watching over her in the movie? Meredith shared that she had an older sister who was 8 years older and she could relate to that part.

One of the funnier responses was from Elijah who when asked why he took the part, responded with “money” “filling up my little piggy bank” then went onto share that he liked the opportunity to do something that he could take his family without having them cover their eyes and ears for some of the scenes.

Asked if there might be a sequel, Elijah nominated one of the youngsters as the president of the sequel club and asked him to start a campaign for a sequel. Regarding some of the more adult parts of the movie (jokes and adult banter). Elijah commented that kids now a days are a lot smarter than we think they are and asked what the young man saw in the movie? Laughter was the only answer Elijah received from the group.

Meredith and Elijah both commented about the works of George Lucas and how big an impact it was to be in one of his films. Elijah shared he had previously worked with George in “Red Tails” and said he did have to try out many times for the part only to find out a few weeks ago that George wrote the part just for Elijah.

Elijah and Meredith both said it was a honor to work with George Lucas. Meredith talked about how excited she was to tell her brother who was a big fan and how much respect they all have for Mr. Lucas.

One of the youngsters (also named Elijah) asked if they were in another animated movies, who would they want to work with (other actors?) Elijah Kelley came up with Bill Hader and Antonio Banderas as potential costars and then brought up Chris Pratt and Shaq and went on to say young man would go ahead and write and direct that movie.

My favorite question was to Elijah. “How does it feel to be the man behind the voice that empowers kids to not let people bully them if they are small? Elijah’s answer was perfect “fear is something that everybody has it’s when you succumb to fear that it becomes a problem” “the fact that Sunny is so small in stature and never succumbs to fear even though he’s scared out of his mind in every single moment that he’s in but he decides to get it done and I think that’s what kids should take away from him. He doesn’t let anything stop him from his goals.”

Elijah Kelley and Meredith Ann Bull were a true pleasure to meet. The energy that radiates from Elijah was just magical. Meredith who is a beautiful and talented young lady and with a calmer disposition, made for a perfect balance of personalities.

Strange Magic based on A Mid Summer Night’s Dream brings us new characters to fall in love with. Sunny is in love with Dawn and sets out on a mission to get some love potion to make Dawn fall in love with him. Of course, things don’t go as planned and chaos and scary adventure through a dark forest are what Sunny has to look forward to. Dawn is cute, and bubbly and along with all the characters in Strange Magic and the various love stories, make Strange Magic a hit. Add one of the best soundtracks since Guardians of the Galaxy and Strange Magic moves up to the top of my list of favorite movies. In theatres starting January 23, 2015.

Loretta Garcia, Entertainment Writer for Chip and Co bringing you the latest Disney (and Lucasfilms) movie news.

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SeaWorld’s “Wild Days” Events will be Over Soon!

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 27, 2015

I had the pleasure of attending SeaWorld’s “Wild Days” media event recently. We had a chance to meet Julie Scardina, in case you have not heard of her she is huge in the animal world. She has been on TV numerous times. She is also SeaWorld’s Animal Ambassador and Corporate Curator. She sat with a small group of us and talked about her love for animals, which you can see in her face when she talks about them. I think she knows more about animals than the internet! She was very detailed in her answers and there is nothing she could not answer.

After the meet and greet we got reserved front row seats for the show. My daughter and I loved the show. It started with people saying why they were inspired to work with animals. It all started with that one visit to SeaWorld when they were younger that inspired them to dedicate their life to animals. Then Julie shared some penguin facts with us and brought out 2 of the cutest penguins named Pete and Penny. Where ever one went the other one followed. Then we were introduced to some beautiful owls. They ranged in size from very small to the biggest one I have ever seen. The show ended with a parade of Flamingos that walked around the entire theater.

SeaWorld is having some awesome events and shows for “Wild Days”. Check them out:

Jan 31 – Feb 1 Bindi Irwin

Feb 7 – 8th Jack Hanna

If you can get there to check it out, you should!

“Wild Days” is included with your park admission.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

I am an Independent Travel Agent with World of Magic Travel Services. Do you want to check out the adorable Dolphins or the majestic Killer Whales? I can help you make that happen. Contact me at [email protected] for your FREE no obligation quote.

Disney’s Strange Magic Movie Review

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 27, 2015

Lucasfilm Animation and Walt Disney Pictures gives us brand new characters to love and reminds us that – Looks don’t matter…it’s what’s inside that counts.

Strange Magic is the musical fairy tale inspired by “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Full of some of my favorite music covering the last six decades (which had me singing under my breath), it tells the story of the adventures of fairies, goblins, elves and imps and their adventures over the battle for a love potion.

Strange Magic introduces us to Marianne (Evan Rachel Wood) fairy princess who is getting ready for her wedding day. Betrayed by her fiance, Marianne decides she will never love again. Meanwhile sister, Dawn (Meredith Anne Bull) seems to fall in love with every one she meets, while Sunny (Elijah Kelley) is head over heels in love with Dawn. Confused yet? Meanwhile, Bog King (Alan Cummins) is the leader of the Dark Forest and hates anything remotely resembling love. He has taken the Sugar Plum Fairy prisoner and ordered the destruction of all the primroses in the Forest. Primroses, of course are the key ingredient for the love potion made by the Sugar Plum Fairy. Sunny, in love with Dawn, is tricked into going into the Dark Forest to rescue the Sugar Plum Fairy and get her to make some of her famous love potion. And so begins the adventures of Sunny, Marianne, Dawn and the Bog King, who along with the rest of the characters in this funny musical learn the magical lessons of love. Along the way, we also meet other interesting characters including the not so cute (in my opinion) IMP, the little thief who steals the love potion and creates chaos. Or maybe not? To find out what happens, grab your favorite movie companion and check out Strange Magic at a theatre near you.

Loretta Garcia, Entertainment Writer for Chipandco.com bringing you the latest and greatest movie reviews.

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Changes are on the Horizon for Walt Disney World Tickets

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Anonymouse

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January 27, 2015

Hiya boys and girls! Drum roll please……. Yes I am back! I know you missed me but I am here to give you some more Walt Disney World juicy gossip! Chiperoo was enjoying a relaxing cruise while he has all of his minions doing his dirty work!

Word around the water cooler is that the “No Expiration Option” will be going bye-bye. Not a lot of people used this option so that might be why. However, this could be a huge issue to those of you that do use this feature. If this change happens it said to be going down in February, so you have until next month to get tickets with the “No Expiration Option”.

Keep in mind nothing is official yet and this rumor has been flying around for a few years now. So if it does happen, you will know as soon as we know!

P.S. I also hear that ticket prices will be going up at the same time!

Well that’s all the Disney gossip I have right now. For my past gossip articles be sure to check them out here. Got any good gossip/rumors please email me at [email protected] or on my Facebook page.

Do It Your Disney – Mickey and Minnie Planters

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 26, 2015

If you are like most of the country, you are facing some pretty chilly weather right about now. It’s hard to think towards spring when the ground is covered with snow and your face stings from the cold. I needed a little winter pick-me-up yesterday, so I put together this fun and easy Do It Your Disney project. Save these planters for the first blooms of spring, or use them as a desk organizer like I have. These Mickey and Minnie inspired pottery pieces are sure to make your day a little brighter.

The steps are simple! First, grab your supplies:

Terracotta planters of any size you would like, and terracotta planter bases
Paint: red, white, yellow, and black
Assorted paintbrush sizes
Circle and oval stencil (optional)

I started by first painting a black stripe around the top of my planters. Let each step of painting dry before moving onto the next step to prevent your colors from smearing or mixing.

While this is drying, move onto the bases of planters and paint those yellow. To fully cover the terracotta and achieve the color I desired, this took me three coats of paint with the yellow. Come back to complete your extra coats while other steps are drying.

Move back over to your planter and paint the remaining outside area red. I used two coats of red paint on mine. At this time, you can also paint the inside of your planter black (or any other of the colors that you would like).

After you have painted the base colors on your planters, allow plenty of dry time before painting the white detail. You don’t want to end up with pink polka-dots! I gave myself about three hours of a break here to allow for the paint to fully absorb and dry.

Once you are ready to paint your dots, decide how big you would like your pattern to be. If you have a steady hand and a lot of patience, you can try to free hand these. I used a stencil for mine. I traced all my dots on with a pencil and then filled them in with the paint. Again, it took me about three coats of white paint to fully cover the red background and achieve the look I was going for.

Voila! Mickey and Minnie planters! If you would like, you could hot glue the bases onto the planters. I just left mine resting though. Until spring peaks into head through the frozen ground, these beauties will be adorning my desk and organizing my office supplies.

This whole project took me less than a day to complete. You could modify this idea to represent your own favorite characters as well. Daisy and Donald maybe? Anna and Elsa? I would love you hear what you think of these!

How do you Do It Your Disney? Let us know your crafty ideas in the comment box below!

Monica is an Alumni 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.

Disney Finds – Bath Aquatics & Blushing Orange Bath Collection

By

Chip

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January 26, 2015

Tell me I am not the only one who collects and use the Shampoo, Conditioner, body wash and lotion from the Disney Parks. There is nothing like getting the Bath Aquatics & Blushing Orange Bath Collection every day in my hotel room. I store them up and use them whenever I travel to non Disney places or when I need to feel like I am back “Home”.

If you are running low or just can’t live without these products you can pick them up from the Disney Store. Cost is around $29 and every time you use them they will magically whisk you away back to a time when you were back home at Walt Disney World.

To check them out or to order just click the link above.

Do you collect the soaps too? Let me know in the comment box below.

Is Pirates of the Caribbean Looking at a Lengthy Refurbishment?

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 26, 2015

Pirates of the Caribbean, Magic Kingdom. © Disney.

Rumors are swirling about this beloved ride! It looks as if a six months refurbishment will be taking place this summer for Pirates of the Caribbean! It will run approximately until the end of 2015. The hopes are that it will reopen for the busy holiday season!

Disney is hoping to address many issues related to this attraction. Animatronics issues, audio and ride systems issues and boats taking on water are just a few of the things Disney is hoping to take care of.

Disney has not announced or confirmed any closure at this time. We will be sure to keep you up to date on the latest information as we receive it!

My name is Jen and I am a writer for Chip and Company. I am also an Independent Consultant with World of Magic Travel, the preferred agency of Chip and the Disney Addicts. Email me at [email protected] to book your next “MAGICAL” vacation!

101 Dalmatians Diamond Edition Sensational Dalmatian-al Sweepstakes

By

Chip

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January 25, 2015

Enter for a chance to win a trip to London in the Sensational Dalmatian-al Sweepstakes!

Grand Prize Includes:

Round Trip Flights
Hotel Accommodations
Tour of the City

To enter click here.

Don’t forget, Disney’s 101 Dalmatians on Blu-ray, Digital HD, Disney Movies Anywhere, DVD and On-Demand will be released just in time for Valentine’s Day, February 10, 2015!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to Disney Movie Rewards Members who are legal residents of the 50 US/DC & Canada (excl. QC) 13 years and older only. Sweepstakes starts 1/20/15, ends 5/30/15. For Official Rules, including eligibility, odds, free method of entry, and prize description, clickHERE.

Need tickets to Disney World? Check out these offers!

By

Chip

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January 24, 2015

2015 01 20 09 05 20 Add New Post ‹ Chip and Co — WordPress

We have 3 special offers for you from our friends at Undercover Tourist!

First you can purchase a Walt Disney World Park Hopper 3 day ticket and they will automatically upgrade it to a 4 day ticket, free of charge! Buy 3 Days, get 1 day FREE – Disney World Park Hopper Tickets

If you need some more time at the parks you can Save $20 off Adult gate admission! Purchase a Walt Disney World Park Hopper 4 day ticket and they will automatically upgrade it to a 5 day ticket, free of charge!

Finally if you want to stay even longer you can save $14 on 6-Day Disney World Park Hopper Ticket. Includes admission to one or more of the following theme parks for each day of the ticket: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

To learn more and to order just click the links above!

When I have to order tickets from Disney World, Universal Studios or Sea World I use Undercover Tourists. I have been ordering for years and never had 1 issue. Give them a try today.

Ticket Price Increase Coming Soon to Walt Disney World and Disneyland

By

Anonymouse

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January 24, 2015

Hey Gang, Anonymouse here as usual bringing you all the latest gossip from around the World and Land.. 😉

So as it should be no surprise, the rumors are already starting to brew about Walt Disney World and Disneyland Ticket Price Increases coming in mid February 2015. While Disney still has not officially confirmed this information, our sources are telling us that along with the small price increase, some big changes are also coming for ticket options.

The addition of the Water Park-Hopper ticket will be introduced which is a great option for single-day water park tickets, but it’s also being discussed that it may be available as an add-on for other tickets as well. However, the largest change is going to be discontinuing the “non expiring” ticket option, which allows you to keep any unused days on your Disney Parks tickets for later use. Now those of you who already have this option on your tickets need not worry, Disney Parks will still honor those tickets, but the option will not be available to guests purchasing new tickets in the coming month.

**Already booked Vacation Packages and purchased tickets will not be affected and will be honored at all Disney Theme Parks

As soon as we hear more information we will bring it straight to you.

Well that’s all the Disney gossip I have right now. For my past gossip articles be sure to check them out here. Got any good gossip/rumors please email me at [email protected] or on my Facebook page.

Hope you all have a Magical Day! ºoº

Top 5 Reason to Visit Walt Disney World During the Late Winter and Early Spring Months

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 24, 2015

We are approaching my favorite time of year to visit Walt Disney World. And while I’d NEVER turn down a trip to Walt Disney World, if I had to pick a time to visit it would be between January and March. Here is why!

1. The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival! Epcot is truly transformed during this free (with admission to the park) event. The topiaries are incredible and the food kiosks are on par with what is offered during Food and Wine in the fall. In 2015 the festival runs from March 4th thru May 17th. You really don’t want to miss this event.

2. The weather, while a tad unpredictable is much more pleasant in my opinion. The average temperature between January and early March is around 73 degrees. The rainfall is also at it’s lowest throughout the year. While it can be a little chilly in the morning and evenings, I’ll take that over the crazy hot Florida summer. I just make sure to pack a light jacket and a few pairs of pants so I’m ready for anything.

3. The crowd levels are totally manageable. With the exception of a few weeks/weekends around Federal Holidays (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and President’s Day specifically) up until Spring Break starts in mid-March, Walt Disney World has lower than average crowds, making it pretty easy to see and do everything you want without waiting in line too long.

4. Walt Disney World has historically offered some great promotions during this time. They are currently offering up to 30% off select rooms with travel dates between March 2nd and June 15th of 2015. Plus, if you upgrade to a package with a minimum 4-day park ticket you’ll get an extra day free. Great rates are also available from February 22 through March 1st! You can find out all of the details here!

5. I go from 100 days to 60 in the blink of an eye! From October to the beginning of January I’m kept busy by fall fun and the holidays and finally ringing in the new year. While my planning brain is never turned off, the days just seem to pass faster!

My name is Alissa and I am a Writer for Chip and Company. I’m also an Independent Consultant with World of Magic Travel, the preferred agency of Chip and the Disney Addicts. Email me today at [email protected] to book your next “Magical” vacation to your favorite destination.