Counter Service In Downtown Disney – Where To Grab A Quick Bite

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October 16, 2014

I love checking out all the different places to eat at Walt Disney World – they offer some of the most unique and delicious cuisine, and there are TONS of dining options available too. Sometimes though, you aren’t really in the mood to stop and eat a sit down meal (maybe you’ve got that Park momentum going and there are rides calling your name?) – and you want a quick bite. Luckily – just because you are opting for “fast food” doesn’t mean that we are looking at lame typical theme Park food – Disney Counter Service restaurants serve up tons of amazing meals! I have thus far written about where you can grab a quick bite at the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot – and today I am heading over to Downtown Disney to check out the quick service eateries:

Earl Of Sandwich – This may be a chain (aka not Disney exclusive) – but don’t let that deter you from grabbing breakfast, lunch or dinner (or all 3! here). The bread is baked fresh in house daily, and the sandwich options are plentiful and mouth-watering – egg and cheese (with or without ham or bacon!) at breakfast time, and specialties like buffalo chicken, thai, spicy tuna, club, roast beef, and the famous holiday turkey (turkey, stuffing, gravy and cranberry) for lunch and dinner. If you aren’t in the mood for a sandwich, check out their fresh muffins, bagels and parfaits in the morning, and an assortment of salads later in the day. Or you can skip right to dessert – peanut butter/vanilla/chocolate frosting sandwiched between two fresh brownies sound good? Well – it is. REALLY good. There’s a decent amount of seating here – both inside and out, but it can get VERY crowded during peak meal times, so plan accordingly!

Wolfgang Puck Express – Belgian waffles, breakfast pizza, tomato basil and goat cheese omelet – with dishes like those for breakfast, it’s hard to believe that this is a quick service restaurant not a sit down! But it’s true – you can get these and other awesome menu items “to go”, which just goes to show that just because you are short on time doesn’t mean you have to skimp on quality! The menu here is BIG – there are tons of entrees to choose from for all meals – lunch and dinner offer an assortment of salads, sandwiches pizzas, and meals like bacon-wrapped meatloaf, rotisserie chicken, spaghetti and meatballs, and more! The dining room is loft-like and sophisticated, with indoor and outdoor seating and plenty of food-related décor

Cookes of Dublin – Located adjacent to Raglan Road Irish Pub, this counter service location is a traditional “fish and chips” location – and when you walk in you might actually think you stepped into Dublin! It’s a small place with not many tables – so you will definitely want to plan to check this spot out at an “off time”. Choose from menu items like fish and chips (with optional bacon cheese dipping sauce!), a fried hamburger, and a fried candy bar too! Oh, and there are some non-fried items available too – mostly salads and sandwiches, and they have some great desserts too – black forest roll and a baked meringue to name a few. If you’re looking for some Irish fare but don’t want to brave the long wait next door at Raglan Road, they Cookes is the place for you!

The Smokehouse – This is a relatively new dining location for Disney, and it is actually a counter service eatery that is part of the House Of Blues restaurant – so if you like their food, then you will definitely want to check out the menu here too. Pulled pork, pulled chicken, beef brisket, St. Louis style ribs, and smoked turkey legs are all on the menu here. You’ll find plenty of outdoor seating in the courtyard behind the restaurant, with strings of lights that make nighttime here even more magical – oh and I did I mention they have live outdoor music too? Ribs and blues – doesn’t get much better than that!

I love all that Downtown Disney has to offer – a movie theater, bowling alley, bars, restaurants, and my favorite – plenty of SHOPPING! I don’t like to stop long once I’m in the shopping frame of mind – so grabbing a bite at one of these counter service restaurants is a perfect way to enjoy some amazing food in a reasonable amount of time so I can get back to enjoying the stores!

Frozen Characters coming to Build a Bear

By

Chip

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October 16, 2014

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Coming this Friday to Build a Bear workshops… Frozen!!!

We have exciting news staring this Friday Disney fans can pick up Olaf at select Build a Bear Workshops with Anna & Elsa bears starting on November 1st, 2014.

Releasing at the same time will be all the fun dresses, clothes, accessories and more.

Are you excited to see Frozen coming to the Build a Bear Stores? Let us know in the comment box below.

Victoria & Albert’s – Ranks as one of the Top 5 Restaurants in United States

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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October 16, 2014

Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has some amazing news to share!

If it isn’t enough to hold the AAA Five-Diamond Award (1 of only 2 in the state of Florida) every consecutive year since 2000 – Victoria & Albert’s now has something more to celebrate with their most recent honor of being awarded as one of the Top 5 Restaurants in the United States by TripAdvisor’s 2014 Traveler’s Choice awards.

TripAdvisor daunts the world’s largest travel community, with over 280 million unique visitors to their site. More than 170 million reviews are left by guests and visitor’s which range over 4 million different accommodations, restaurants and attractions.

Although it comes as no surprise as this award winning dining experience offers timeless and graceful setting, impeccable service, World-Class wine collection, innovative and stunning dishes all which come together to create this unforgettable dining experience.

Chef Scott Hunnel, maître d hotel Israel Perez and Pastry Chef Erich Herbitschek continue to feature elegant culinary masterpieces each night at the Walt Disney World Grand Floridian Resort, offering only top seasonal ingredients from local markets and around the world.

This amazing new honor now joins the ranks of Victoria & Albert’s multitude of accomplishments such as:

AAA Five Diamond Award
Forbes Travel Guide Four Star
Mobil Travel Guide Four Star
Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence
James Beard Foundation – Nominee for Best Chef in the South – Scott Hunnel
Santé Restaurant Awards – Grand Award Winner Culinary Professional of the Year – Scott Hunnel
Florida Trend Golden Spoon Hall of Fame – American Regional
ACF-Certified Executive Chef – Scott Hunnel

Victoria & Albert’s is currently offering Dinner from 5:00 PM – 9:20 PM. This dining experience is Disney Platinum Dining Plan eligible. Reservations are highly recommended.

Have you eaten at the notorious Victoria & Albert’s? Leave us a comment below, let us know what you think.

Disneyland Resort Holiday Season Begins Nov. 13th with these fun events!

By

Robbie

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October 14, 2014

Disneyland gets even merrier beginning Thursday, Nov. 13, when the traditional warm and festive Disneyland Resort holiday celebration begins, bringing themed entertainment, sparkling decorations, delicious treats and holiday shopping to locations throughout the Resort.

The season, Nov. 13 through Jan. 6, 2015 (ending with Three Kings Day) will welcome the return of the breathtaking “World of Color – Winter Dreams” holiday spectacular and “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” holiday celebration in Disney California Adventure Park along with beloved Disneyland Park holiday traditions.

At Disneyland, the popular “A Christmas Fantasy” parade will be presented daily, with Disney characters celebrating the holidays and a special appearance by Santa Claus who, through Dec. 24, will also be greeting guests and listening to holiday wishes at Big Thunder Ranch. Over in Disney California Adventure, guests may find Santa in a familiar department store setting, greeting guests at Elias & Co. on Buena Vista Street.

Guests won’t want to miss the special seasonal transformations of “it’s a small world” into “it’s a small world” Holiday or Haunted Mansion into Haunted Mansion Holiday. And nighttime in Disneyland during the holiday season is highlighted by the lights of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle and the “Believe…in Holiday Magic” fireworks show followed by a holiday snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A., New Orleans Square and “it’s a small world” mall.

Returning to Disney California Adventure after its successful 2013 debut, “World of Color − Winter Dreams” is hosted by Olaf the snowman from Walt Disney Pictures’ hit animated feature “Frozen.” The holiday version of the popular nighttime “World of Color” show features classic winter scenes from such beloved Disney films as “Bambi,” “Fantasia,” “Toy Story” and, of course, “Frozen.”

Both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks get spectacular seasonal makeovers with towering Christmas trees, wreaths and, in Disney California Adventure, festive – and often whimsical – holiday décor in Cars Land, “a bug’s land,” Paradise Pier and Buena Vista Street. “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” at Paradise Gardens in Disney California Adventure is a daily celebration inspired by the warmth and joyous spirit of Latino culture and holiday traditions, with festive music and dancing, vibrant colors, delicious food, Disney character appearances and the lively “Disney Viva Navidad! Street Party.” “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” will conclude with a five-day celebration of the traditional Three Kings Day, Sunday through Tuesday, Jan. 4 through 6.

In the Downtown Disney District, guests may take a break from their holiday shopping and dining to go skating on “Olaf’s Frozen Ice Rink,” part of the seasonal Downtown Disney Winter Village where shoppers will find additional holiday gift items on sale from the windows of the charming village houses. Disneyland Resort hotels join in the holiday festivities with twinkling lights and ornaments, special entertainment and holiday dining with themed menus. Expanded hours at both Disneyland Resort theme parks extend the family fun and offer more time for guests to enjoy all there is to see and do at the Disneyland Resort.

Disney DIY – Halloween Decor And More!

By

Catie

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October 14, 2014

The autumn season is upon us! And that means beautiful leaves, crisp air, apples, pumpkins, and of course – HALLOWEEN! Some of you are probably lucky enough to get to celebrate the spooky holiday at Walt Disney World and some of you probably are even luckier and will get to attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and enjoy all the festivities and fall fun that Disney has to offer! For those of you who don’t get to celebrate at the Place Where Dreams Come True – fear not, as you can still make sure you have a Disney Halloween with these DIY Disney Halloween decorations and recipes!

Mickey Mummy Cupcakes – wouldn’t these be perfect to bring in for a school party?

What you’ll need
Batch of baked cupcakes
Wax paper
Confectioner’s sugar
Rolling pin
Marshmallows
Kitchen scissors
White frosting
Chocolate nonpareil candies
Chocolate-covered raisins

How to make it
Working atop wax paper dusted with confectioners sugar, use a rolling pin to flatten a bunch of marshmallows.
Use kitchen scissors to cut the rolled marshmallows into thin strips. Set the strips aside for now.
Frost the cupcakes. Press a pair of nonpareil candies (white side down) into the frosting at the top of each cupcake to resemble Mickey ears. Then add a pair of chocolate-covered raisin eyes.
Randomly place marshmallow strips over each cupcake, leaving the eyes exposed, to resemble a mummy. Gently press the strips into the icing just enough to make them stick in place. When the cupcakes are sufficiently covered, use the kitchen scissors to trim the marshmallow around the perimeters, as needed.

Wouldn’t these Hitchhiking Ghosts be the perfect food table decoration for your Halloween bash?

And perhaps a Jack Skellington Garland will add just the right amount of “spook” to your festivities!

There’s plenty more Halloween Crafts and Treats to check out here!

Last year I wrote about Disney themed costumes and pumpkins, which would also be perfect along with these if you’re planning to host your own “not so scary” Halloween party! Personally I am thinking of going as Minnie this year – what about you? Planning any Disney Halloween fun?

Seasonal Delights for Thanksgiving at Disneyland Resort

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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October 13, 2014

Disneyland will be hosting Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 27 at resort restaurants. Serving Turkey and all the trimmings, from cranberry relish to pumpkin pie, and for dessert, maple bacon funnel cake.

Thanksgiving Feasts can be found at the following locations in Disneyland.

Carnation Café’s will serve slow-roasted turkey with turkey Bourbon gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, apple-cranberry stuffing, cranberry-orange relish, veggies and a classic dinner roll. Dessert is pumpkin pie.
Plaza Inn serves the traditional slow-roasted turkey with gravy and sage dressing, mashed potatoes, veggies and a roll.
Blue Bayou Restaurant’s menu will offer turkey roulade, truffle-infused chicken giblet stuffing, roasted garlic Boursin mashed potatoes and veggies.
French Market Restaurant, has Andouille sausage stuffing with the turkey,
River Belle Terrace adds cornbread and roasted garlic-thyme mashed potatoes to their turkey breast with stuffing.
Café Orleans has something different – crepes with turkey, butternut squash, cipollini onions and peas with giblet stuffing, cranberry coulis and orange oil.
Quick holiday snacks are also available — turkey tortilla soup at Harbour Galley and holiday tamales at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante.
Desserts, include maple bacon funnel cake at Stage Door Café, and we can’t pass up the pumpkin pie (at Carnation Café, Village Haus Restaurant, River Belle Terrace and Café Orleans).

In Disney’s California Adventure park:

Ariel’s Grotto offers traditional meals with slow-roasted turkey breast and gravy, apple stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and veggies.
Flo’s V-8 Café is cooking herb-roasted turkey with mashed potatoes and stuffing, veggies and cranberry relish.
Wine Country Trattoria goes italian with focaccia stuffing with herb-roasted turkey and garlic mashed potatoes, served with haricot vert and orange-cranberry relish.
One of my favorites is a loaf of turkey-shaped bread from Boudin Bakery, available at Pacific Wharf Café, Mortimer’s Market and Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta.
Ready for Dessert? Pumpkin pie at Wine Country Trattoria, Flo’s V-8 Café and Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta are all excellent choices.

Disneyland Hotels:

Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel is offering a three-course menu with starters like butternut squash soup, crispy shredded skirt steak and maple clabbered cream; the entrée is roasted turkey Wellington with pecan stuffing, cranberry relish, Swiss chard and wild mushroom gravy, and the dessert choices are sweet potato pot de crème, cinnamon gelato, marshmallow meringue and apple crisp.
Goofy’s Kitchen has brunch and dinner with turkey, orange-cranberry sauce, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, vanilla-scented roasted sweet potatoes with brown sugar and marshmallows, herb stuffing, butternut squash soup, pumpkin pie and cranberry cobbler.
At Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Chef Andrew Sutton offers his fabulous four-course Country Wine Feast for the holiday at Napa Rose.
Storyteller’s Café, adds turkey, gravy and cranberry sauce, beef with Cognac au jus and creamed horseradish, brioche bread stuffing with sweet Italian sausage, roasted golden beets with Feta and holiday sweets, including lots of pies, to their menu for the day.
Disney’s PCH Grill at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel,will offer Thanksgiving tastes such as turkey, gravy and stuffing, cranberry relish and roasted veggies, along with salads soups, beef, salmon and more.
Disneyland Hotel ballroom once again hosts the annual fall Thanksgiving dinner – turkey, prime rib, stuffing, sweet potato soufflé, cranberry-orange relish, poached shrimp, king crab legs and all the trimmings. Pumpkin and pecan pies, tarts, cookies, freshly made crepes and a chocolate fountain are waiting for you.

For reservations, call 714-781-DINE.

My name is Loretta Garcia and I am the Entertainment Writer for Chip and Company. Follow us on Facebook and our website for all the greatest Disney news, travel promotions and fun updates.

Disney Dining Plan: Making a Snack Credit Seem Like a Meal

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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October 13, 2014

The Disney Dining Plans can be a great deal and save you a lot of money when it comes time to chow down on all of the delicious foods at the Walt Disney World Resort – especially if you are able to book using a promotion for free or reduced-priced dining.

The standard dining plan includes one quick service meal, one table service meal and one snack per person per day (plus a refillable mug that can be used at any resort). My husband always worries that he won’t have enough food and will be STARVING during the day, mainly on days we start out with a character breakfast and plan on a quick service dinner later that evening.

With that in mind, I have hunted down the “heartiest” snacks on the Disney Dining Plan. These snacks are sure to give you that extra boost of energy and keep you full until your next meal!

1. Chicken Fried Rice at Yak and Yeti Local Food Cafes (Animal Kingdom – Asia): This is probably number one on my list for most filling snacks at WDW. It is really delicious and just filling enough to get us from breakfast to dinner without leaving us too full to enjoy the faster rides at the park.

2. Croissant Jambon Fromage at Boulangerie Patisserie les Halles (Epcot World Showcase – France): Who doesn’t love a ham and cheese croissant sandwich? Ask them to warm it up just a bit to get the cheese all gooey and melted. Honestly, my mouth is watering just thinking about this yummy snack!

3. Curry Chicken Pockets at Joy of Tea (Epcot World Showcase – Japan): This snack comes with two pockets that have just the right curry flavor without being too spicy. And the “pocket” it’s wrapped in is the perfect light and flaky pastry topped with a few sesame seeds. If you’re really, REALLY hungry this might not be a big enough snack, but if you’ve just got to make a few more hours until dinner this is a great option.

4. Baked Potato or Baked Sweet Potato at Liberty Square Market (Magic Kingdom – Liberty Square): A baked potato with cheese and sour cream was my lunch of choice when I was younger so this is the perfect lunch substitute for me. The baked sweet potato can be topped with a cinnamon-sugar mix (or regular margarine if you prefer) and is a very nice-sized snack.

5. Chili Cheese Fries (or just plain Chili) at Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe (Magic Kingdom – Frontierland): Who doesn’t love Chili Cheese Fries?! This is the perfect, not-so-good for you snack that doubles as a small meal. Plus, the topping bar at Pecos Bill’s is amazing. Adding some jalapenos gives it the perfect kick! If you’re on the other side of the park, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe (Magic Kingdom – Tomorrowland) also has Chili Cheese Fries as a snack option and a topping bar that includes sauteed onions, which I think are a fun addition to the fries.

6. Soup of the Day at Rosie’s All-American Cafe (Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Sunset Boulevard): Okay, so several places offer soup for a snack credit, including Cosmic Ray’s, Pecos Bills and Sunshine Seasons but this is probably the best use of a snack credit for a meal at the Studios. The soup can vary from day-to-day but the vegetable soup is a must try! It’s really hearty and a great mini-meal.

Now, we don’t use our snack credits for a meal every day. There are too many other amazing snacks at WDW that we don’t want to miss out on. But, we always like know where to go just in case hunger strikes before it’s time for dinner.

Do you have a favorite “snack” that you use as a meal? Share your picks in the comments below!

My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks on Blu-ray & DVD 10/28

By

Chip

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October 13, 2014

There’s a brand new full-length film in the ever-popular My Little Pony canon. Following a theatrical run in the fall of 2014, where the film opened with enthusiastic reviews to packed crowds in over 400 theaters, My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks will be released October 28 in the U.S. and Canada from Shout! Factory Kids, in collaboration with Hasbro Studios, as a single-disc DVD, and in a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo. Bonus features include an Audio Commentary, 8 Prequel Shorts and Sing-Alongs.

In My Little Pony Equestria Girls, released in fall 2013, Twilight Sparkle’s crown was stolen from the Crystal Empire, and she pursued the thief, Sunset Shimmer, into an alternate world where she finds herself turned into…a teenage girl! To regain her crown and return to Equestria, Twilight had to learn how to fit into this strange, new world and defeat Sunset Shimmer in a competition to become crowned Princess of the Fall Formal at Canterlot High.

Now, the girls of Canterlot High are back, and this time they’re rocking guitars! In My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks, Canterlot High (CHS) is hosting a musical showcase, and Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy are going to be performing with their new band, The Rainbooms. But when The Dazzlings, a new girl group, arrive at CHS and convince everyone to turn the friendly showcase into a Battle of the Bands, tensions mount between the competing musical acts. A now-reformed Sunset Shimmer realizes that The Dazzlings may not be ordinary girls and are after something far more sinister than just being named Best Band at Canterlot High. The Rainbooms call on Princess Twilight to restore harmony to their world to help them perform a musical counter-spell so that they can win a battle that now determines the fate of the entire school.

Here are some fun My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks exclusive versions at select retailers below:

Comes with coupon: Save $4 when you buy any one Hasbro Equestria Girls toy and this DVD!

Target has an exclusive version of the My Little Pony Equstria Girls Rainbow Rocks DVD, which has a Rainbow Rocks bracelet inside, and a coupon to save $4 when you buy any one Equestria Girls toy and the DVD.

Only at Walmart, the My Little Pony Equstria Girls Rainbow Rocks DVD includes My Little Pony music on CD for the first time, a digital copy of the movie, and a coupon to save $4 when you buy any one Equestria Girls toy and the DVD.

(songs included are listed on the CD)

Kmart is offering an exclusive version of the My Little Pony Equstria Girls Rainbow Rocks DVD that contains an exclusive Limited-Edition Rainbow Rocks Backstage Pass, and a coupon to save $4 when you buy any one Equestria Girls toy and the DVD.

My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com, ShoutFactory.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com, and will be in stores everywhere October 28.

For more information on My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks, please visit www.mlpeg.com.

Are you ready for some crazy, wacky FUN with Disney’s Floors?

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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October 13, 2014

The library lady in me does cartwheels when Disney takes a fantastic book and turns it into a movie, and word on the street is Disney will soon be turning Patrick Carmen’s (of 39 Clues and Guys Read fame) book Floors into a feature film.

The book Floors is about a kid named Leo Fillmore whose dad is the maintenance man at the Whippet Hotel. Leo thinks he know every nook and cranny of that place. Leo, and his buddy, Remi, find themselves engulfed in a mystery to save their hotel-home that leads them from floor to floor and through a series of cryptic boxes that are left just for him. Leo finds himself solving some amazing puzzles, making friends with the strangest of people, and discovering places he never knew existed! The hotel is full of unbelievable places like a flying farm room, pinball room, caves, ponds, a duck infestation, and an entire floor that’s haunted. Add all that together and you have a great recipe for an exciting and fantastic family-oriented adventure.

But, Leo is not the only one who has emotional ties to this strange hotel. Enter Merganzer D. Whippet, owner and creator of the very strange Whippet Hotel. Merganzer’s father dies when he’s 15, and his last words to his son were, “You will prosper in the field of wacky inventions….” words that Merganzer, who was never close to his father, takes to heart. His amazing imagination, along with his late father’s extensive wealth, have made it possible for him to make this unbelievable place a reality. Merganzer disappears suddenly, and it’s up to Leo and Remi to sort everything out and find out who is out to sabotage the hotel.

Eccentric guy. Crazy, fantastical ideas come to life. Sound just a bit familiar? I think so too! Looks like that rascal Willy Wonka may get a run for his money….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI-YxT1_O3o

Deadline.com says, “In the vein of Night At The Museum and Willy Wonka, (the movie) tells the story of an emotionally stunted son who inherits the coolest and craziest hotel in the world from his estranged and eccentric father. He must go on a fun-filled adventure inside the hotel to stop it from self-destructing.” Sounds fun to me!

Seeing as how the title Floors is not likely to strike excitement in the hearts of most movie goers, look for Disney to rework the title into something more fitting for this quirky, adventurous journey.

Although Patrick Carmen is the author, the screenplay will be adapted by Jason Filardi (17 Again, Bringing Down the House). Carman is said to be staying on board as a producer.

If you enjoyed the wackiness of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, you will most certainly enjoy this.

There are currently three books in the Floors series which leave a big opening for Disney to develop and continue an ongoing live action movie franchise. Sounds like it might would make a pretty cool theme park ride too…Hey Disney…hint, hint!

Have you read the book? Do you plan to read it before the movie comes out? Tell me what you think.

Amazon.com has a free sample you can download to the Kindle or the Kindle App.

World of Magic Travel Magical Monday Savings

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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October 13, 2014

World of Magic Travel and Chip & Co bring you a special Monday Savings!

Today through Thursday, if you transfer your Disney Bookings to one of Our Travel Magicians, you’ll receive a $25 Disney gift card at time of travel.

**Certain restrictions apply: Your vacation must have been booked within the last 30 days and must not be paid in full.

Just complete the reservation transfer form here and one of our Travel Magicians will contact you shortly!
Have a Magical Monday ºoº from the team at World of Magic Travel ~”Because everyone deserves a little Magic!”

The Disneyland Resort Monorail – a colorful history

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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October 12, 2014

This past September marked the 55th anniversary of the Disneyland Monorail, which opened in 1959 as part of the first major expansion of Disneyland Park that included the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the Submarine Voyage. The Monorail was a dream by Walt Disney to explore new ways of transportation and was thought to be a sort of “highway in the sky” in the early planning stages of Disneyland Park. To this day, Disneyland is the only place that has the famous Disneyland Monorail Mark VII.

Disneyland Resort still allows guests to ride with the driver in the front car of the Monorail. Walt Disney World discontinued that practice after a tragic accident killed an operator on July 5, 2009. Walt Disney World refers to the Monorail as transportation, while the Monorail at Disneyland Park is referred to as an attraction. There is only one stop on the Monorail at Disneyland Park, which is in Downtown Disney and it is not a major mode of transportation for guests. We always ride with the driver when we visit Disneyland Park, and I would recommend it for anyone who loves this attraction!

Learn about the history of the Monorail here:

*List via Disney Park Blog

Contact me at [email protected] or comment below and let me know what you love about the Monorail!

After Hours Experiences at Disney’s Epcot

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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October 12, 2014

Epcot at night is a magical place all its own. Viewing the countries of the World Showcase at night gives a new perspective. Epcot now gives guests two opportunities to those willing to pay for some extra time in the park.

Epcot After Hours Wind Down – After the lights are out and the smoke has drifted away from the Illuminations: Reflections of Earth fireworks, guest can visit La Cava del Tequila in the Mexico Pavilion, Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room in the United Kingdom Pavilion, Spice Road Table in the Morocco Pavilion, or Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in the Italy Pavilion for wonderful, representative snacks and beverages. Cost: $35 per guest (this does not include taxes or gratuities).
Epcot Food and Wine Nights LIVE! – Tuesday and Thursday nights, September 19 through November 10, 2014, beginning at 9:45 pm and continuing until 1:00 am, guests can join in this street party that takes place between World Showcase Plaza and the United Kingdom Pavilion. Guests will enjoy live music and entertainment, hosted by a DJ, as well as six complementary menu items from a variety of Food and Wine Festival kiosks. Cost: $79 per guest (tax not included).

If you arrive for Epcot Food and Wine Nights LIVE! after 9:00 pm, you do not need an Epcot admission ticket. However, those attending the After Hours Wind Down to need a valid theme park admission. Alcohol is only served to those with valid ID indicating that they are 21 years or older.

Are you interested in the night life at Epcot?

I’m Jeri. I’m a wife, a mom, a nana, and a lover of all things Disney. I love writing about Walt Disney World planning for ChipandCo. I’m also an Independent Travel Agent with World of Magic Travel, the preferred travel agency of ChipandCo. If you’re looking for a little magic in your next Disney vacation, contact me at [email protected]. I’d love to help you plan!