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Is Memory Maker Right For Your Walt Disney World Vacation?

MemoryMaker
MemoryMaker

MemoryMaker

Walt Disney World introduced Memory Maker in late 2013, allowing guest unlimited digital photos taken at Disney PhotoPass locations through out the resort.  These photos can then be downloaded to your personal computer and printed at any photo processing center or used any way you’d like.  Even better, Memory Maker includes ride photos, dining photos and now video from the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Memory Maker is sold at select retail locations at the Walt Disney World Resort for $199 or it can be purchased online, at least 3 days in advance, for only $149. **Update: As of December 3, 2014 the advanced purchase price of Memory Maker has increased to $169.

My family purchased Memory Maker for our trip earlier this year and I cannot say enough good things about it.  Our trip was 8 days long and I have over 400 photos of my family from all over Walt Disney World.  It also allowed my husband and I to experience every second of character Meet and Greets with our then 12 month old. We didn’t have to worry about bringing our nice camera into the parks or making sure our cell phones were charged and ready to go.  We loved it so much that I’ve already purchased it again for our trip in early 2015.

Now I understand that this product might not fit every Disney-goer and their perfect vacation.  But unless you’ve used it, how are you going to know if it’s right for you?  And who wants to spend all that money if it’s not worth it, right?!  That’s where I come in.  I’ve complied my lists of Walt Disney World visitors I think this product is perfect for and those who might be better off skipping it.  If you fall somewhere in between you’ll have to make the call yourselves, but at least you’ll have a little information to get you started.

Memory Maker is PERFECT for you if:

  1. This is your first trip to the Walt Disney World Resort.  Chances are you’ll want those iconic shots in front of Cinderella’s Castle, Spaceship Earth, the Sorcerer’s Hat and The Tree of Life and throughout the theme parks.
  2. You’ll be at Disney World for several days. The longer you’re there, the more photos you’ll have and the more cost effective it becomes.
  3. You’ll want all the ride photos, and videos, you can get your hands on.  Instead of purchasing a photo from each attraction separately, just add them to your Memory Maker.
  4. The little ones you’re traveling with can’t wait to meet every character possible and want the photos to remember each experience.  The PhotoPass Photographers are great at capturing the reactions as your party makes their way to the characters, the interactions with the characters and, if you want, a staged pose.
  5. You’re traveling with a large group and may split up. You can link everyone you’re traveling with (even if you’re not staying in the same room) to one Memory Maker account.  This means that even if Mom is somewhere with the camera, Grandma and Grandpa can still make sure their photo with their grandchildren and Mickey are captured.
  6. You want to take advantage of as many Magic Shots as possible.  I mean, who wouldn’t want a photo of them cuddling baby Simba or laughing at Stitch.

You might want to SKIP Memory Maker if:

  1. This is your second trip to Walt Disney World this month.  Or even your second or third of the year.  If you’re a regular you are probably more concerned with how fast you can have a Dole Whip in hand than you are with getting yet another photo of you riding Space Mountain.
  2. You’ll only have a day or two in the parks.  At that point the $199 (or $169 *Updated) price tag just might not make sense.
  3. You don’t plan on many character Meet and Greets.  I honestly think that is the main reason to purchase Memory Maker and if those are experiences you don’t plan on having you may want to think about skipping the package and buying a few photos individually.
  4. You’re just not a fan of photos.  This seems like a no-brainer but in the heat of the moment you may think Memory Maker is a good idea for you but later realize you don’t really like being in front of a camera.

Have you purchased Memory Maker for a recent trip?  What did you think of it?  Would you suggest it to a friend?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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.

Marvel releases synopsis for “Avengers: Age of Ultron”

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avengers age of ultron set photos reveal iron man quicksilver just chillin is this what will happen in the avengers age of ultron

avengers

Marvel has officially released the synopsis for “Avengers” Age of Ultron.   We have a long wait until next summer’s debut, but one thing is for sure, Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) will be a key character in the movie.

Here is a sneak peak at the official synopsis.  “Marvel Studios presents Avengers: Age of Ultron, the epic follow-up to the biggest Super Hero movie of all time. When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

The cast of Characters include – Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johannsson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) Agent Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) and ULTRON (James Spader).

Two powerful and mysterious newcomers will be joining the cast –  Pietros and Wanda Maximoff (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen) as well as Paul Bettany in the role of  Vision.

The action packed return of The Avengers will be back on the big screen on May 1, 2015.

My name is Loretta and I am the Entertainment Writer for Chip and Company.  Follow us on Facebook and our website for all the fun, news and updates on your favorite Disney Parks and Entertainment.

New Castaway Cay Marathon added for 2015.

CastawayCayChallenge
CastawayCayChallenge

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Walt Disney and Disneyland Resorts are famous for their Marathons, which sell out within hours.  Adding to all the fun marathons, offered is the all new Castaway Cay Challenge coming in 2015.

The excitement starts with The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend which takes place Jan. 7-11, 2015 at Walt Disney World Resort. Followed by the Castaway Cay 5K on Disney Cruise Lines’ private island in the Bahamas during the 4-night Disney Dream cruise sailing Jan. 12, 2015 from Port Canaveral, Fla.

To earn your medals, simply run one of the race events at the Walt Disney World Marathon (5K or more) and the Castaway Cay event.  If you can’t make the cruise you can still sign up to conquer the Dopey Challenge which includes the 5K, 10K, half and full marathon for a total of 48.6 miles in 4 days of races.   Also available is the Goofy Challenge – 39.3 miles and includes the half and full marathon.  Or sign up for any of the races, Kids’s races, Family Fun Races, 5K, 10K, Half and Full Marathon.   Details including registration and race information is available at runDisney.com.

I think I will start with the Tinkerbell marathon at Disneyland  next May, before trying to conquer the Walt Disney World Marathon.

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

“INTO THE WOODS” Movie Poster Released

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F01BE299 F680 48C0 A17A 2580A92D8115

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“Into the Woods” new movie poster has been released by WD Pictures.  Based on the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, “Into the Woods” takes several favorites and combines them together to explore the consequences of the characters’ wishes.  Although the poster is a bit scary, the movie is a musical that follows the classic tales of Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone), and Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy)—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife (James Corden & Emily Blunt), their wish to begin a family and the witch (Meryl Streep) who has put a curse on them.

Produced by Rob Marshall, John DeLuca, Marc Platt and Callum McDougall and Directed by Rob Marshall, “Into the Woods” is based on the musical play by: Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine and is set for U.S. theatre release Christmas Day, 2014.

I know where I will be Christmas Day.   My name is Loretta and I am the Entertainment Writer for Chip and Company.  Follow us on Facebook and our website for all the fun, news and updates on your favorite Disney Parks and Entertainment.

Heading to Orlando? Try using Garden Grocer to have Groceries delivered to your room

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banner ggsalad

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Convenience Starts Here! Whether you are heading to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, or even Sea World using GardenGrocer.com provides you with the convenience of ordering quality products online. GardenGrocer.com is truly your one stop – online grocery shop.

GardenGrocer.com has been serving residents and visitors to the Central Florida area for over six years. Offering dependable and friendly service, great prices and a wide selection of over 4,800 of your favorite products makes Garden Grocer the perfect choice for your grocery needs. Our goal is to provide you with delicious options to make your stay in Central Florida a memorable one.

That’s why, whether you’re coming to Orlando for a convention or going to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort or SeaWorld for a vacation, GardenGrocer.com is available to deliver groceries to your hotel, resort or vacation home.

Just relax and enjoy the convenience of having groceries delivered to your door!

Not only does Garden Grocer have the everyday items that you and your family use back home, they also carry specialty items like:

  • Kosher
  • Gluten Free
  • Organic

So people with specialty dietary requests they got you covered!

If you have questions about their service check out their Q & A Page as they cover everything. From what is Garden Grocer to tipping and how your delivery is packaged.

I am proud to announce our partnership with Garden Grocer here on Chip and Co. GG is the only Grocery Delivery Service in the Orlando area that we support and use! Myself and many of my writers have used their service in the past and highly recommend them to anyone needing Groceries delivered to your Rental Home, Resort, and Vacation Club Property.

Just click here to start your order.

Happy Shopping.

Heading to Orlando? Try using Garden Grocer to have Groceries delivered to your room

Anna and Kristoff Meet and Greet at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?

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10177264 10203750430987587 1430693014772354878 n

Frozen

Hiya boys and girls! It’s Anonymouse and I am back with some more Frozen Gossip. I’m so excited about a possible meet and greet with Anna and Kristoff during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!!

But my sources say this opportunity comes with a price tag — $99 is the going rate for this event. Would you still go? I know I’d seriously think about it. Well, I’m off to find out more about this exclusive event.

Stay tuned here on Chip & Co for more details!

Please leave your comments in my comment section below, let me know if this is a good idea or not… I can’t wait to read them.

Anywho, that is all the Disneygossip 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.

Disney’s “Finding Dory” meets HBO’s “The Wire”

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In a recent interview with Dominic West, he mentioned that fellow “The Wire” co-star, Idris Elba, will be joining West on the cast of the much anticipated sequel to “Finding Nemo”.    West, who played Detective James McNulty, shared that although he is in “pretty regular contact with a lot of guys from The Wire — a lot of them are godparents to my kids”,  he ran into Elba at a recent recording session of “Finding Dory”.   Idris Elba who played drug lord and aspiring businessman, Russell Stringer” Bell, is also part of another upcoming Disney live action movie, “The Jungle Book.  Elba will voice the Villainous tiger – Shere Khan.

So far we know that my favorite character and lead star “Dory”  will be voiced once again by Ellen DeGeneres, and “Marlin” will again have Albert Brooks.   Another favorite will be Vicki Lewis returning as Deb/Flo.  Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy have agreed to voice Dory’s parents, and Ty Burrell voices Bailey.  William DaFoe as Gil is a must and Allison Janney joins the cast

Wonder who Idris Elba and Dominic West will voice?  Mean ole’ sharks or cuddly sea creatures?  Looks like we have  bit of wait to find out.

“Finding Dory” is set to swim into movie theatres June 17, 2016.

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

Update on Anna & Elsa’s Boutique coming to Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort!

Anna and Elsas Boutique11
Anna and Elsas Boutique11

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Are you ready for an update to the NEW  Anna & Elsa Boutique coming to Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort?  People have been asking when the transformation at Studio 365 was to take place and now we have a date!  Starting on Sept 22, the famous Disney construction walls will go up around Studio 365 and the new boutique will open to the public on October 6.  We welcome a new “makeover” and retail boutique solely focused on the Disney Frozen Frenzy.  I am sure this will rival Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Fantasyland and be another great place to do those famous Disney Princess (and Queen now that Elsa has arrived) transformations!

Appointments are for children ages 3-12 and you can make your reservation by calling 714-781-STYLE (714-781-7895).  If you have a trip planned, I would make your reservation as soon as possible, because I predict they will book up fairly quickly!

With the changes at Disneyland, including the elimination of the stand by line and issuance of fast passes to meet the sisters in Fantasyland, along with the rumored changes coming to Disney California Adventure with another Anna & Elsa meet and greet, Frozen sing-a-long, ice skating rink and other new attractions turning part of Hollywood Land into the chilly town of Arendelle, there will be no lack of “getting your Frozen on” while at the parks!
What part of the Frozen changes are you most excited about?  I have a feeling my girls will want to be transformed into Anna & Elsa on our next trip at the new boutique!

“Big Hero 6” Toys and Merchandise hit Disney Stores!

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“Big Hero 6” Toys and Merchandise is now available at the Disney Stores.   With the upcoming new Marvel movie in theatres November 7th, Disney Stores are stocked up and ready for business.   I immediately logged on to Disneystore.com and can’t wait to order my Baymax grey hoodie for the cold evening visits to Disneyland.   There are the standard t-shirts and hoodies with the favorite Baymax, assorted journals and electronic accessories and of course, the action figures -sure to be on everyone’s holiday lists.

Visit the Disney Store in person or online today and order your favorite “BIG HERO 6” merchandise before they are all sold out.  Check out a few of the items available below.  Photos courtesy of the Disney Store.com

My name is Loretta Garcia and I am the Entertainment Writer with Chip and Company.  Follow us on Facebook and our website for all the news, tips and promotions for your favorite parks and entertainment.

Photo Credit – Disney Store.com

Tokyo Disney Resort Unveils Some Holiday Fun

Tokyo Disneyland Holidays
Tokyo Disneyland Holidays

Tokyo Disneyland Holidays

Tokyo Disney Resort will start their annual holiday celebration on November 7. There will be special events  and entertainment at both Tokyo Disneyland Park and Tokyo DisneySea.

At Tokyo Disneyland Park: There will be a Disney Santa Village Parade. Of course, there will also be special themed photo areas, not to mention you favorite Disney Holiday decor and more.

At Tokyo DisneySea: There will be a Colors of Christmas holiday tree display and lights around Mediterranean Harbor. You can also visit the Lost River Delta can enjoy Fiesta de la Luz, or the “Festival of Lights”. At the American Waterfront, Snow Chrystal Illumination will light up the area with white lights. Of course Mickey and friends will also make appearances. There will also be a  brand-new show called “Colorful Holiday Greeting.”

The holiday celebration will continue through December 25, 2014.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Will Iron Man 4 become a reality?

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ironman31

ironman31

Marvel Fans of Tony Stark may be in for sad news according to a recent interview with Robert Downey Jr.  Downey shared that for the time being there are no plans for a 4th Iron Man on his part.Currently promoting his newest film “The Judge”, Downey who is in contracts with Disney and Marvel to complete 2 Avenger sequels, is reluctant to commit to further Marvel films.

Two uncoming Avengers movies scheduled for the summers of 2015 and 2018 would complete Robert Downey’s contract.    So the question remains, will fans see an Iron Man 4 with or without Downey?

Here’s a sneak peak at the list of upcoming Marvel movies.  2015 will bring  The Avengers: Age of Ultron and Ant-Man, while 2016 has Captain America 3 and Doctor Strange coming to theatres.

Comment with your vote:  Do we want Iron Man 4?

My name is Loretta Garcia and I am the Entertainment Writer for Chipandco.com.  Follow us on Facebook today!

Counter Service In Epcot – Where To Grab A Quick Bite

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WhoopiePie e1410540460718

WhoopiePie

There is so much to see and do around Walt Disney World that sometimes sitting down to a long meal is the last thing you want to do! Luckily, Disney has tons of other dining options – many in the form of counter service restaurants, which serve up high quality food – fast! I recently talked about the places you could find counter service eateries at Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios– today I am heading over to Epcot to see what they have to offer in the way of quick service meal locations:

Future World

Electric Umbrella – Located right near Innoventions, this place is hard to miss – with its bright neon “electric” umbrellas and décor – it’s a big place with tons of outdoor shaded seating (always a plus in my book!). The menu here isn’t huge, but surprisingly offers a decent variety – a Macaroni and cheese burger, meatball sub, chicken Caesar salad, and veggie flatbread are all entrée options – delicious ones at that! This is a great place to relax inside or outside and do some people watching after a long day of touring

Sunshine Seasons – This dining spot in the Land pavilion has a very “food court” type vibe – but the awesome food here is anything but your typical mall fare! There are several “stations” that each offer different themed food – soup & salad, Asian noodles, The Grill, Sandwiches, The Bakery, and Breakfast. You’ll find something for everyone here – breakfast options like paninis, oatmeal, bagels, and fresh fruit, and lunch/dinner entrees like spicy cashew chicken, roasted pork chops, beef and fish, and their specialty – oak grilled rotisserie chicken (you can watch the chickens cook!). Plus you won’t want to miss the tons of awesome desserts – cookies, muffins, cake, cheesecake, whoopie pies (like the one pictured above – yum!) and more! The food here is prepared fresh and some of the ingredients even come from the adjacent Land greenhouse!

World Showcase

Lotus Blossom Café – Head over to China to experience some delicious cuisine – Egg rolls, sweet and sour chicken, beef noodle bowl, pot stickers, and their unique ginger ice cream is not to be missed! There’s indoor and outdoor seating here, and there’s a variety of Chinese beers and wines available as well. What a great place to stop for some Chinese and a cold one!

Boulangerie Patisserie las Halles – This relatively new bakery cafe in Epcot’s France Pavilion offers some amazing eats – and when it was created, they added plenty of seating and a large ordering area too (compared to the old smaller French bakery location). The menu is pretty extensive – with drinks ranging from assorted coffee and espresso drinks to wine and beer, and on the food side there’s soups, salads, sandwiches, quiche, cheese plate, and much more! The croquet monsieur sandwich (aka toasted ham and cheese)and salad nicoise are recommended specialties here, but you will want to make sure you save room for dessert – elcairs, crossaints, Napoleon dessert, chocolate mousse, and much more await you – and they are all freshly prepared on site (the smell is heavenly!)

Sommerfest – Enjoy traditional German fare at this quick service eatery – bratwurst, frankfurters, sauerkraut, German potato salad, and German beers and wines too. For dessert enjoy Black Forrest cake, or an apple strudel. The whole pavilion has a very “old world” feel and is very festive – BUT the seating here is limited, so if you can try and grab your meal at a “non-peak” time, you have a better chance of a shorter wait (there’s always a wait here) and of getting a place to sit

Katsura Grill – Japan is home to this off the beaten path restaurant – which means you might get to enjoy your meal in relative silence and take a break from the hectic Parks! Sushi and teriyaki chicken and beef with rice and vegetables are all on the menu, and if you’re in need of an adult beverage you needn’t go far – head right next door to the sake bar! Outside dining is really nice here – it’s situated in a gorgeous Japanese garden, which has a great relaxing vibe that makes this a really great escape for lunch or dinner

La Cantina De San Angel – Located in the Mexico area of Epcot’s World Showcase, this dining location is right on the water – the World Showcase lagoon makes a great backdrop/scenery for a quick meal or snack – oh, and there’s a lot of shaded seating, which is nice on sunny days too! Beef nachos, chicken and beef tacos, cheese empanadas are all offered – and they all pair perfectly with a delicious frozen margarita on a hot day! Passion fruit, lime and mixed berry varieties are available – as well as beer for those non-tequila fans

Tangierine Café – Mediterranean specialties are on the menu here at Morocco’s counter service restaurant – located in the pavilion’s ‘marketplace’, you’ll find plenty of beautifully themed indoor and outdoor seating (think authentic Moroccan art, plaster carvings, wrought iron tables and chairs, and more!), plus some awesome food too! Chicken and lamb platters are available, as well as chicken, lamb or falafel wraps, with sides like lentil salad and marinated olives, and baklava and other sweets paired with spiked coffee make the perfect end to this exotic meal

Kringla Bakeri Og Café – This Norwegian bakery is famous for its school bread (a soft vanilla cream filled pastry topped with coconut), and its Lefse (cinnamon butter filled pastry), but they also offer a small entrée list – A Norwegian club sandwich (featuring lingonberry mayo!), salmon and egg sandwich, and a ham and apple sandwich are a few of the items available on the lunch menu, but the main attraction here is definitely the desserts! Chocolate mousse cake, berry cream puffs, sweet soft pretzels, and rice cream (rice pudding topped with strawberry sauce) are all available all day – and worth a look (and a taste!)

My mouth is watering just thinking about all this fresh, delicious and unique cuisine available at Epcot – and the best part is you don’t even have to wait at a sit down restaurant to get it! Stay tuned right here on Chip and Co for more places to grab a quick bite in the World at my last stop – Downtown Disney!