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Disney Resorts Receive Awards

February 8, 2014

There are 8 Disney Resorts that were named Silver Badge Winners by U.S. News & World Report. All of the winning Disney Parks Resorts were labeled as one of the best in their market.

The winners are as follows:

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel was named one of the Best Hotels in Anaheim.

Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa scored one of the Best Hotels in Honolulu – Oahu.

6 resorts at Disney World Resort also got Best Hotels in Orlando:

Yacht Club Resort

Beach Club Resort

BoardWalk Inn

Wilderness Lodge

Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Animal Kingdom Lodge

The resorts were scored by travel experts and guests through online reviews.

Check out Disney Parks Blog for updates.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Enjoy a Spring Vacation to Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa with a Special New Offer

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

February 7, 2014

It’s no secret that I have a special place in my heart for Hawaii, and more specifically Aulani. If you haven’t visited this majestic resort before then it’s time for us to talk! With so much of the country under near ice age conditions, what could be a better way to keep your heart warm then with thoughts of a wonderful visit to Hawaii. Aulani has it all with the warm sand beaches, great pools and so many great activities, you can sit and relax, go on an adventure to the North Shore, snorkel, eat amazing foods and more.

We all love Disney World and their amazing theme parks, but what if you could relax and enjoy a tropical, relaxing vacation with all the wonderful Disney touches we love? That’s what Aulani is. Vacation in paradise with special Disney touches.

Now there are even more reasons to visit. Aulani just released a new promotion that will add even more to your resort stay. Book now through March 31st for most nights between April 23rd and June 16th and receive up to a $500 resort credit. The offer is good on a stay in a 1 or 2 bedroom villa or a standard hotel room.

Stay for 4 nights in a 1 or 2 bedroom villa during the promotional nights and receive a $500 resort credit. Stay during the promotional nights in a deluxe studio or hotel room and you’ll enjoy a $400 resort credit.

These deals go fast, so take a moment and contact me today to quote your vacation in paradise!

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Official Press Release:

Hale means house, and when you come to visit us at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, we have some great options for your vacation home. When you are immersed in all of our great recreational and entertainment activities, you may overlook the benefits and wide variety of the resort’s spectacular villas.

Our one-bedroom and two-bedroom villas are specifically designed with families in mind. Each is equipped with kitchens and a dining table that make it the perfect opportunity for families to connect over home-made meals. Families can stretch out in comfort as these villas come with a separate living room, or step outside onto a private lanai to enjoy the gentle trade winds and peaceful moments of Hawaiʻi. The comforts and conveniences also feature flat panel televisions in the living room and each bedroom, a whirlpool tub, stacked washer-dryers and elegant furnishings inspired by the fine arts of ancient Hawaiʻi, all with a touch of Disney magic. These amazing home-like amenities blended with a Hawaiian style make our villas an ideal vacation hale for any family size traveling together.

Bring your family to bask in these wonderful accommodations, and reward yourself even more with a $500 resort credit when you purchase a minimum four-night stay in a one or two-bedroom villa. This special offer can be booked now through March 31, 2014 for stays most nights April 23 through June 16, 2014. Your resort credit can be applied to indulge at Laniwai Spa, experience exciting island excursions, enjoy beach rental activities, and partake at Aulani’s amazing dining options.

Source Article from http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DisneyParks/~3/Cg2lskRrybI/

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To book your next family vacation in an Aulani room or villa, Contact Daniel for a free quote or click the link on the right side of the ChipandCo page!

When Daniel isn’t sharing Planning Tips about Disneyland, Aulani, and other Destinations, he can be found either wishing he was at Disneyland or planning his and other’s Disney Vacations. Contact him or Request a Quote on the right side of the ChipandCo Page.

Five Ways to Not Let the Diverse Crowds Get You Down at Walt Disney World

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

February 7, 2014

I do not actually know the exact number of people who visit Walt Disney World each year; the Disney Company does not publish those numbers. I would venture a guess in the millions, though. People come from all over the globe to experience the Happiest Place on Earth, because let’s face it: it’s really fun!

Walt Disney World has become a major must-do on many people’s bucket-list. It is no longer just “average” middle-class Americans that flock to the gates and flood the queues of America’s favorite theme park attractions. People from all walks of life and all cultural backgrounds can be found in all Disney parks each and every day of the year.

Some months, such as July and October, have been known to have very large groups of South American tourists; but, in my experience, no matter when you visit there will be all kinds of people from all kinds of places. It can be a great experience to share this fantasy world that Walt Disney created with people from all over the “real world.” If you think about it, Walt wanted us to experience cultural diversity. He gave us It’s a Small World and Epcot’s World Showcase as models.

As wonderful as cultural diversity is, and how amazing it would be for that diversity to work together smoothly, it is easy to become frustrated and annoyed by having to share space and experiences with large crowds of people who do not practice similar cultural etiquettes and behaviors as those we are used to sharing our space and time with every other day of the year. Let’s be frank, though: it is not just international tourists who can do something annoying or rude that (in the moment) can seemingly ruin a great day in the parks. To be honest, I have been that annoying person many times. I am so mesmerized by the experience, and anxious to fulfill an anticipated dream with my family, that I forget to notice that I am standing on someone’s toe or blocking their toddler’s view of the parade. It happens, folks. I can almost guarantee that something will happen during your trip that you will find annoying or odd, so I have compiled a list of five things to keep in mind for the times you want to crinkle your eyebrows or clench your fists.

These five tips will help you enjoy your trip while sharing the parks with a diverse crowd.

1. Make a plan before you get to the park: know which rides you absolutely cannot miss, and make an itinerary. Include your preferred (or reserved) dining choices. Hop on the train and head to Frontierland or New Fantasyland to avoid the crowd walking down Mainstreet USA. Check the online times guides and plan for parades and shows accordingly. Yes, when it is crowded you will need to stake-out a parade and fireworks spot hours (at least 1.5) before it actually begins. Be prepared to defend that spot. I don’t mean literally fight for it. I mean one person cannot realistically hold eight spots on the curb in front of Cinderella’s Castle while the other seven people go ride Space Mountain. Even if you have eight backpacks, four Goofy hats, and two popcorn buckets, it will be hard to maintain a large space without actual bodies. I suggest all eight of you pick a spot and stay there. It isn’t efficient or as fun as asking Grandma to wait and hold a space, but it will prevent frustration over someone pushing your bags and hats aside to claim the spot for themselves.

2. Get to the parks early, go back to your hotel or visit Downtown Disney or another resort for a couple hours in the afternoon, and come back to the parks in the late afternoon and evening. Another option is to experience the lower-wait attractions during the hottest hours of the day. Country Bear Jamboree, Finding Nemo the Musical, and Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular all offer shaded or air-conditioned seating. Seeing the shows and less popular attractions will get you out of long lines and out of the hot Florida sun. Taking that little break makes a load of difference in dealing with frustrating crowds. During July, it gets really hot in the mid-day. The heat adds to the frustration. Do yourself a favor and find a place to relax for a little while. Don’t make your dining reservations at peak meal times. A great time to ride the popular attractions is when the crowds are stuffing into the restaurants.

3. If you cannot ignore or shake off an irritating moment, do not engage in confrontation. Always locate a cast member if someone has done something exceptionally annoying or rude. Cast members work very hard to uphold policies, but they can’t see everything. Disney has been increasingly hiring bilingual cast members to instruct and assist international visitors. If something has happened, tell a cast member. Place the burden of upholding park policies on the cast members rather than making it your responsibility to enforce the rules yourself. Cast members are trained to handle these types of situations. They are also trained (and very willing) to make sure you have a positive, happy, and wonderful visit.

4. Use your smartphone to attempt a friendly conversation with international visitors while waiting in line. Most phones have a translator app. The grammar will come out all wrong, but it can be a fun way to meet new people and pass the time away during peak wait times. Learning a bit about the people and their country and culture might help you to understand the diversity of behavior and characteristics going on in the parks. Even if you think you don’t have anything to say, you have at least two things in common with them: you are both waiting to experience the same attraction; and you both are excited to be on vacation at Walt Disney World.

5. When things seem to be getting you down and extremely irritable, sing It’s a Small World to yourself (or out loud). Grab a Mickey ice cream bar or churro and try to remember that Walt Disney World is meant to be fun for everyone; try not to let the cultural differences prevent you from having fun, too. It is a small world while you are at any Disney park. It’s a world of laughter, a world of tears; a world of hope and a world of fears. There’s so much that we share that it’s time we’re aware: it’s a small world afterall. Sing it again and again.

How do you manage crowds while visiting during peak season? Share your thoughts and help others have a magical trip!

This post comes to us from Kelly L.

Enjoy Spook-tacular Fun with Disney Cruise Line this Halloween

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

February 7, 2014

You can plan on a spook-tacular good time with Disney Cruise Line this fall. Disney Cruise Line will treat guests sailing most dates in September and October to a “ghoulish wonderland filled with frightfully fun events and activities, special decorations, unique menu items in the restaurants and themed parties on deck.”

Halloween on the High Seas, the special Halloween celebrations, will be help on most voyages aboard all four Disney Cruise Line ships from late September through October 2014. There will be Halloween-themed parties, lively entertainment and elaborate décor, including The Pumpkin Tree, which magically transforms throughout the cruise. Other special experiences include:

Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party, a celebration held in addition to Pirate Night complete with games, dancing, and plenty of candy! Some of your favorite Disney characters, wearing special Halloween costumes just for the party, will join guests for this fun-filled costume party.

A Nightmare Before Christmas—Sing and Scream, an interactive movie experience where you can be part of the action and then enjoy a meet-and-greet with Jack Skellington and Sally.

Haunted Stories of the Sea, where only the bravest guests will gather under the stars to hear some true (or not so true) tales of the sea told by a mysterious sea captain.

Creepy Cabaret, a party in the atrium with Halloween-themed music performed live by a band of ghostly musicians.

Halloween Isn’t Just For Kids: For adults, the nighttime entertainment district on each Disney ship will be a ghoulish setting for a costume contest and a Villainous Takeover on the dance floor.

Spooky Movies: To help you get into the spirit of the season, Halloween-themed movies will be shown in the Buena Vista Theatre, on Funnel Vision by the family pool, and in guest staterooms.

Ghoulish Delights: Disney Cruise Line chefs have conjured some very special (and delicious) treats just for Halloween, including chocolate cake with pumpkin filling, spider cakes, and even “Spooky Juice.”

More spooky fun includes mask-making and a ghostly takeover of the ship announcements!

Halloween on the High Seas will be celebrated on the following sailings:

Disney Magic three-, five- and seven-night Bahamian and Caribbean cruises departing Sept. 24 to Oct. 26
Disney Wonder four-, five- and six-night Bahamian cruises departing Sept. 26 to Oct. 31
Disney Dream three- and four-night Bahamian cruises departing Sept. 21 to Oct. 31
Disney Fantasy seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises departing Sept. 20 to Oct. 25

Have you heard about the Chip and Co Land and Sea package this fall? We will be at the Walt Disney World Resort October 11-16, 2014 and then on a 3-night Bahamian Cruise October 16-19, 2014! If you join us on the cruise, you will be able to enjoy all of the exciting events planned for Halloween on the High Seas! You can enjoy exclusive events just for our fans. Plus, we have discounted rates that you won’t find anywhere else!

Would you like to plan a Disney Cruise Line vacation? Contact Siera today at [email protected] or 734-771-1290. Be sure to let her know Chip and Co. sent you!

When Siera isn’t helping plan Disney vacations or sharing the latest Disney news, you can find her spreading magic on Facebook and Twitter. Are you planning a Disney Cruise Line orDisney World vacation? Siera, a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, would love to help you! Contact her at [email protected] or 734-771-1290!

Disney Infinity 2 May be Coming Soon!

Anonymouse

February 7, 2014

Disney Infinity Fall Holiday Character Lineup

Hiya fellow Disney Addicts. I got some incredible news for the many Disney Infinity fans out there. Don’t tell Chippy this because he may just camp out at the store now.

I know what you are thinking, already? It seems as though there has been a job listing for a temporary Game Tester position at Disney Infinity. The software developer developer Avalanche seemed to let some information slip about the sequel of the very popular game.

It appears as though it only includes the following game systems:

Xbox 360
Xbox One
PS4
PS3
Wii U

Check out the super top secret video:

This will be the first time there have been play sets and toy boxes with Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

I have found no other details so far. So there is no word if the Disney Infinity figures will work with the Disney Inifnity 2.

Anywho that is all the Disney gossip I have right now. For my past articles check them out here. Got any good gossip/rumors, please email me at [email protected] or on my facebook page.

New Trailer for Disney’s Muppets Most Wanted

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

February 7, 2014

Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted” takes the entire Muppets gang on a global tour, selling out grand theaters in some of Europe’s most exciting destinations, including Berlin, Madrid, Dublin and London. But mayhem follows the Muppets overseas, as they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper headed by Constantine—the World’s Number One Criminal and a dead ringer forKermit the Frog—and his dastardly sidekick Dominic, aka Number Two, portrayed by Ricky Gervais. The film stars Tina Fey as Nadya, a feisty prison guard, and Ty Burrell as Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon.

Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted” is directed by James Bobin and produced by David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman. Bobin wrote the screenplay with Nicholas Stoller, who is also executive producer with John G. Scotti. Featuring music from Academy Award®-winning songwriter Bret McKenzie, “Muppets Most Wanted” hits the big screen March 21, 2014.

Starring Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell and Tina Fey, Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted” takes the entire Muppets gang on a global tour where they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper.

Director James Bobin returns to Muppets mania. For his work as Disney’s “The Muppets” director, Bobin was nominated for BAFTA (Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer). He co-created HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords,” which he wrote, directed and exec produced.
Bret McKenzie, who won an Oscar® for best original song for “Man or Muppet,” returns to the Muppets stage as music supervisor. McKenzie created, co-wrote, executive produced and starred in the hit HBO television series “Flight of the Conchords.”
Ricky Gervais is the creator of “Derek” and the Golden Globe®- and Emmy®-winning series “The Office” and “Extras.”
Ty Burrell is an Emmy Award winner for his role in TV’s “Modern Family.”
Tina Fey is a Golden Globe-, Emmy- and SAG Award-winning actress and writer Tina Fey (“30 Rock,” “Mean Girls,” “Date Night”).
In the grand tradition of the Muppets, the film features a host of cool cameos. Revealed so far are Danny Trejo, Tom Hiddleston, Celine Dion, Salma Hayek, P Diddy, Christoph Waltz and Ross Lynch.

Coming to theaters March 21st, 2014.

What’s New Around the Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Universal Orlando Resorts

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

February 7, 2014

New things pop up at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Universal Orlando Resort daily. Join us each week to read about “What’s New” around the Disney resorts and Universal Orlando!

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida

Seahawks Linebacker & MVP Malcolm Smith ‘Going to Disney World’ to Celebrate Super Bowl XLVIII Victory: A magical tradition continued Sunday night following the Seahawks 43-8 win over the Broncos when Malcolm Smith of the Seattle Seahawks beamed into the cameras and shouted those five words that everyone expects of a Super Bowl victory celebration: “I’m Going to Disney World!”

New! Special “Valentine’s Day” Items on Disney World Resort Menus: Some special, and unadvertised, items can be found this Valentine’s Day on some Walt Disney World resort menus. These items will be at the discretion of the restaurant. One of our favorites is the Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Topping and a choice of bacon or sausage at Kona Cafe. This item was priced at $9.99 in the past. Be sure to ask if your favorite restaurant will ahve a special offering to celebrate this Valentine’s Day.

New! Update Coming to My Disney Experience App: A new, significant update is coming soon for My Disney Experience on Apple devices. (The Android update will be released later this spring.) With this update, performance will improve significantly, and the ease of navigation will be enhanced. In addition this update will provide:

A new home screen shows Guest’s plans and includes a quick-access menu with streamlined navigation to information about attractions, characters, dining, restroom, shopping and more!
The Attractions tab on the quick-access menu tells users the closest attractions, as well as current wait times, and pinpoints them on a map. Believe it or not, there will even be a button that will take you right to the FastPass+ selections for that attraction, if applicable.
Characters will be listed alphabetically on the Characters tab along with where the characters are located.
The Dining tab lists restaurants nearby and includes links to view menus and make reservations.
The Restrooms tab helps Guests quickly find the nearest facilities.
Using the Entertainment tab, Guests can find offerings throughout the day and add it to their itinerary to generate a reminder prior to show time.

New! Rosetta joins Tinker Bell in Tinker Bell’s Magical Nook: Starting February 4th Rosetta will join Tinker Bell in Tinker Bell’s Magical Nook. At this time, Periwinkle will fly back home and no longer be available for meet and greets.

New! Epcot’s Ziti Sisters Final Performance: Effective Sunday, February 23, the Ziti Sisters atmosphere entertainment group that performs in Italy in the World Showcase will be closing. The last day of performance will be Saturday, February 22nd. Epcot will continue to offer a variety of atmosphere entertainment through the World Showcase.

New! Flower Power Concert Series Lineup Announced: The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is about a month away and we’re thrilled to share the Flower Power Concert Series lineup for the year. Concerts take place Friday through Monday at 5:30pm, 6:45pm and 8pm at the America Gardens Theater.

March 7-9 – The Guess Who
March 14-16 – Gary Lewis and the Playboys
March 21-23 – The Orchestra Starring Former Members of ELO
March 28-30 – The Lovin’ Spoonful
April 4-6 – Paul Revere & The Raiders
April 11-13 – Village People
April 18-20 – The Grass Roots
April 25-27 – Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone
May 2-4 – STARSHIP Starring Mickey Thomas
May 9-11 – Chubby Checker & The Wildcats
May 16-18 – Alan Parsons Live Project

New! Mechanical Kingdoms ~ Steam-Driven Visions of a Victorian Future Art to Debut at Disney Parks: Steampunk and Disney fans alike, this one’s for you! On February 22, The Disney Gallery at Disneyland park will unveil a new exhibit titled Mechanical Kingdoms ~ Steam-Driven Visions of a Victorian Future. Steampunk, a subgenre of science fiction loosely built around retro-futurisitc visions of a steam-powered society, has been gaining popularity over the past several years. If you are a fan of Steampunk then mark you calendar now, because as part of the Steampunk launch, artist signings will be hosted at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Disney Design Group artists, Costa Alavezos, Alex Maher and Mike Sullivan will appear form 2-5 pm at Art of Disney in Downtown Disney Marketplace on February 22nd.

New! Portable Mobile Phone Chargers Sold at Walt Disney World: If your battery is running low while roaming the parks you can now purchase portable chargers in various Merchandise locations in the theme parks and resorts. As we become more reliant on our mobile devices for MyMagic+, portable chargers can be a lifesaver during your vacation!

New! Disney Vacation Club Launches Membership Magic: Disney Vacation Club is giving Members even more to love with the launch of Membership Magic on January 29th. The new program offers Membership enhancements, exclusive experiences and special offers just for Members and their Guests. Initial offerings as part of the program launch include:

Recreation Magic featuring Magic Kingdom Fireworks Cruises and weekly large mouth bass tournaments on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon.
Culinary Magic with special dining experiences at some of the top Disney restaurants
Weekly Member Night at Splitsville Luxury Lanes
“Me Time” Magic that gives Members and their Guests exclusive access to Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Limited time Annual Pass offers for Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort
And much more! Contact Member Services for details!

Reminder: Guest Room Refurbishments at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort: Guest rooms and buildings throughout Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa will be refurbished through August. The current building under refurbishment is Boca Chica. Work began February 2nd.

Closures and Refurbishments

Magic Kingdom

Casey’s Corner Jan. 6-Feb. 15, 2014
Splash Mountain Jan. 6 – Mar. 21, 2014
Splashdown Photos Jan. 6 – Mar. 21, 2014
Agrabah Bazaar Jan. 7 – Feb. 13, 2014
Liberty Square Riverboat Jan. 21 – 30, 2014
Monorail – MK Express Jan. 21 – Mar 21, 2014
Barnstormer Feb. 3-5, 2014
Tomorrowland Transit Authority – Feb. 10-Mar 27, 2014
Pinocchio’s Village Haus Feb 17 – Mar 30, 2014
The Plaza Restaurant Feb 17 – Mar 15, 2014
Big Thunder Mountain April 7 – 9, 2014
Pirates of the Caribbean April 28 – May 1, 2014

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Monsters Inc. Meet & Greet Jan 29-Feb 8, 2014
Backlot Tour Jan 5 – Mar 1, 2014

Epcot

None

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Festival of the Lion King Jan 6, 2014 – tbd
Camp Minnie-Mickey Jan 6, 2014 permanent closure

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park

Closed for annual refurbishment Dec 22, 2013 – Mar 17, 2014

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Grand Slam Quiet Pool Deck Feb 11-13, 2014
Sports – Resort Lobby Construction Feb 17 – Mar 9, 2014
Game Point Arcade – Closed due to Lobby/Corridor work Feb 17 – Mar 9, 2014

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas

Kiddie Pool Wet Deck – Only wet deck is closed, pool will remain open Jan 21 – Feb 14, 2014

Disney’s Boardwalk Villas

Villas Quiet Pool & Spa Jan 27 – Feb 7, 2014

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Pool Slides – pools remain open Jan 27 – Feb 7, 2014

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Bay Lake Tower Kiddie Pool Wet Deck – Only wet deck is closed, pool will remain open Feb 10 – 28, 2014
Monorail – Magic Kingdom Resort – Restricted Service – Monorail service will be temporarily suspended on weekdays between 11:30am and 7:00pm. Buses and watercraft transportation will be available Jan 21 – Mar 21, 2014.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Guest rooms and buildings throughout Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be refurbished stating in early January and scheduled to complete in August. Guest buildings will be taken out of inventory and will not be occupied by Guests while work is being performed.
Monorail – Magic Kingdom Resort – Restricted Service – Monorail service will be temporarily suspsended on weekdays between 11:30am and 7:00pm. Buses and watercraft transportation will be available Jan 21 – Mar 21, 2014

Disney’s Old Key West

Gurging Suitcase Feb 5 – 28, 2014

Disney’s Polynesian Resort

General Construction Dec 2013 – Mar 2015
The Never Land Club Jan 28 – Apr 27, 2014
Great Ceremonial House Lobby Mar – Dec 2014
Beach & Sunset Point Access to the east portion of the beach, near the Transportation and Ticket Center, and Sunset Point Access to the east portion of the beach, near the Transportation and Ticket Center, and Sunset Point will be available due to a scheduled refurbishment. However, all other amenities will not be affected. Some rooms in certain room categories in impacted buildings have been taken off the market during the renovation period.
Monorail – Magic Kingdom Resort – Restricted Service – Monorail service will be temporarily suspsended on weekdays between 11:30am and 7:00pm. Buses and watercraft transportation will be available Jan 21 – Mar 21, 2014

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Doubloon Lagoon Pool – transportation will be provided for Guests to swim at Ol’ Man Island Pool at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside Jan 13 – Feb 28, 2014

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

Paddock Pool Feb 1 -13, 2014

Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

Yacht Club Quiet Pool Jan 21 – Feb 7, 2014
Beach Club Quiet Pool Feb 3 – 4, 2014

Downtown Disney Area

Cap’n Jack’s Marina – Closed
Parking Lots H, I, J, K – Closed
Fuego – Closed
Wetzels Pretzels – Closed 10/20/13
Team Mickey Athletic Club 1/27/14 – 6/13/14
Bridge between the West Side and Pleasure Island is temporarily closed through this fall as work on The Landing continues. Additional temporary closures include the “top of the hill” on Pleasure Island and the nearby restrooms.
Walls are up in Keith’s Park (between LEGO and T-REX) to divert Guest traffic around the site of the upcoming Marketplaces Causeway project. When complete later this year, this land bridge will span between Rainforest Cafe and LEGO Imagination Center and will provide Guests with multiple ways to explore the Marketplace and will offer picturesque views of Village Lake.

Disney Gold Courses/Miniature Golf

Winter course at Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf will be closed due to refurbishment.

Disneyland Resort in California

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Now Available at Disneyland Resort: Twenty ChargePoint charging ports have been installed on the first floor of the Mickey & Friends parking structure for guests with electric vehicles! Guests can begin using them today by scanning their ChargePoint card or by easily registering for a free ChargePoint account at the charging station, or online at http://www.chargepoint.com. Guests arriving at the Mickey & Friends parking structure can ask a cast member for directions to the charging stations. Separate charging stations are also available to cast members for a total of 30 charging ports at the resorts.

New Orleans Bayou Bash: Feb 7 through Mar 4 – It’s almost time to let the good times roll at Disneyland park witht he return of the New Orleans Bayou Bash! The tastes of New Orleans are kicked up for the high-energy New Orleans Bayou Bash! at Disneyland park. Celebrate with Princess Tiana, jazz music and street performers food delights of New Orleans and more!

New! Merchandise Events

February 7-9: So sweet! Be sure to stop by and meet Precious Moments doll maker Linda Rick who will be appearing throughout the weekend from 12-10pm at China Closet in Disneyland park as we celebrate the release of her Valentine’s day collection.
February 8: Mini-Makeovers, or should I say “Minnie”-Makeovers, will be taking place from 1-5 p.m. at Disney Vault 28 in the Downtown Disney District to celebrate the release of the Pop of Minnie collection from Beautifully Disney!
February 15-16: Meet local artist Katie Kelly from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Off the Page in Disney California Adventure park. Her newest piece features Alice so make sure you stop by and take a look at the ‘wonder’ful work currently in progress.

Closures and Refurbishments

Click here to download the latest renovations and closures at Disneyland.

Universal Orlando Resort

New! Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food Grand Opening at CityWalk February 5: Take a journey through the cantinas, street carts, and markets of Mexico City for the best food you’ve never had at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food. Only the freshest ingredients-diced, marinated, roasted, or grilled to perfection-are used to create the craveable Mexican street food fare that fills your senses and satisfies your hunger.

New! Starbucks Opens at Islands of Adventure: Get your caffeine fix now at Islands of Adventure where Starbucks is open! Stop by to enjoy fresh breakfast sandwiches, paninis, yogurt and more! Starbucks can be found int he former location of Arctic Express. Bonus, they have free WIFI!

New! Additional Mardi Gras Concert Series Lineup Announced: It’s the most spectacular celebration of the Big Easy spirit outside of New Orleans itself – Mardi Gras at Universal Studios. Bring the whole family for a party filled with music and fun as only Universal Orlando Resort can throw. Feb 8 – May 21, 2014. This year’s concerts include Robin Thicke (Feb 22) and The Wanted (May 10), plus 18 other concerts.

New! Harbor Nights Returns to Portofino Bay Hotel Feb 7: Experience a luscious pre-Valentine’s party at Portofino Bay Hotel’s Harbor Nights Romantico, a wine, food & music event designed to capture the romantic atmosphere of the Mediterranean. Featuring 15 select wines and sparkling wines, gourmet foods, and live music by the Buzzcatz, Harbor Nights takes place under the twinkling lights of the majestic Harbor Piazza. You can view the menu and purchase tickets online. Tickets are $45 in advance and $55 at the door. VIP tickets are $75 online only. For more information and/or reservations call 407-503-1200.

New! Queens of the Stone Age Play Hard Rock Live at Universal Orlando: Fri, Feb 7 at 9:00 p.m. Cost is $56.50 for balcony tables, $51.50 for Lower Balcony, $46.50 for Upper Balcony and $36.50 for General Admission/Standing Floor.

New! B-Street Band – A Night of Springsteen to Play Hard Rock Live at Universal Orlando: Sat, Feb 8 at 8:oo pm. The hardest working and longest running tribute band with an average of 200 performances a year over the last decade! Originating out of New Jersey, the B-Street Band is the ONLY Springsteen Tribute to perform with E Street Band members Miami Steve, Max Weinberg, Garry Tallent, Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez and the Big Man Clarence Clemons. Yes, even the Boss himself has seen the band! The band has opened for Bruce at several venues including Wells Fargo, the Prudential Center, Izod Center, Wachovia Center, XFinity Live and on the steps of the Philidelphia Spectrum’s final four shows. Cost is $10 for reserved seating, while General Admission/Standing Perimeter is FREE with a GA ticket.

New! Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort is Now Hiring: Lowes Hotels is seeking motivated and enthusiastic hotel and hospitality candidates to be part of the opening team for the newest on-site hotel at Universal Orlando Resort, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Positions int he highly anticipated 1,800 room hotel include: food and beverage, rooms, front office, housekeeping, recreation, engineering, security and stewarding. Lowes Hotels is hosting a grand hire event to interview candidates for the exciting opportunities available at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Interested candidates can register online to attend the Grand Hire Event at www.CabanaBayJobs.com.

Closures and Refurbishments

Universals Islands of Adventure

Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges 2/2-2/14
Jurassic Park River Adventure: 2/18-2/27

Universal Studios

TWISTER…Ride It Out: 2/1-2/7
Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 2/5, 2/6, 2/8, 2/10, 2/14 & 2/15 No shows scheduled

To book your family’s magical vacation please contact Gretchen, an agent with Destinations in Florida, at [email protected] or 818-519-0777.

Benedict Cumberbatch star of Sherlock joins Sesame Street

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

February 7, 2014

Benedict Cumberbatch who is an accomplished British Actor and has appeared in some of my favorite Movies and Television shows like Star Trek and Sherlock decided to drop by Sesame Street and have some fun on the PBS YouTube channel.

Benedict Cumberbatch gets some help from his friend Count Von Count to solve a brain-bending challenge from Murray-arty. #Counterbatch. Benedict very patiently tries to get the skeptical Murray to believe that he is not the real Sherlock Holmes, he just plays him on TV.

He filmed this back in January. Check out the adorable video:

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Disneyland Hosts Sing-A-longs for Annual Passholders

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

February 6, 2014

The Disneyland Resort is having movies under the stars at Big Thunder Ranch on certain nights in February. Disneyland will sprinkle some extra pixie dust on your time with them by offering complimentary popcorn, coffee or hot chocolate, and some trivia. The movies will also have special sing-a-long sections.

Here is some info:

Times:

5:30 PM: Venue opens

6:30 PM: Film begins

Screening Location:

Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree in Disneyland Park

Screening Schedule:

Beauty and the Beast: February 5 and 6, 2014

The Little Mermaid: February 12 and 13, 2014

Aladdin: February 19 and 20, 2014

The Lion King: February 26, 2014

Event Registration and Wristband Distribution:

Registration and wristband distribution for each night’s event will begin at 2:00 PM on the day of the event near the Frontierland entrance, next to the Westward Ho! store in Disneyland Park.

Registration and distribution of event wristbands will continue while event wristband supplies last. Subject to availability and capacity. Space is limited.

Each participating Annual Passholder must present their active Annual Passport to the event Cast Member to check event availability and to register and receive an event wristband. Photo ID may be required.

Registration must be completed in person on the day of the event only; no phone reservations or other registration will be accepted.

Valid Annual Passport is required for theme park admission and event registration.

The screening area will remain open until the screening time. Late arrivals will not be accommodated.
For more details checkout Disneyland.com

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Four Seasons Comes to Walt Disney World – Special Travel Package now available

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

February 6, 2014

Inside the gates of Walt Disney World is a new resort, an ultimate playground located in the southeast corner of the Magic Kingdom park. Beginning August 3, 2014 the doors will open on the new Four Seasons Resort Orlando, which is a blend of the Disney magic and the luxury experience of the Four Seasons.

After days of fun in the parks mix it up at The Mansion, the family hub with outdoor table tennis, pool tables, bocce ball and an observation deck that lets you take in the excitement. More action awaits at The Mansion’s rock climbing wall, and at the nearby basketball and sand volleyball court.

Snaking around The Mansion is Drifters, the lazy river, which takes you past spray cannons, a waterfall and bubbling rapids. When you aren’t shooting through the two clear waterslides to major splashdowns, the Splash Pad entertains, with choreographed fountains, water curtains and spray nozzles. At the Island’s family pool, a gently sloped zero entry is perfect for beginning swimmers, with an underwater audio system that lets them sample the playlist as they practice their float.

The kid-approved Four Seasons experience goes beyond Explorer Island. You can organize a family tennis match on the Har-Tru courts. Or enroll tomorrow’s PGA tour leader in the special program for new golfers at the Tom Fazio-designed Four Seasons Golf Course. The resourceful Concierge also can help arrange close by adventures, like a Disney VIP tour or attending La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil® at Downtown Disney® West Side.

While the adults do grown-up stuff like relax at the adults-only pool or visit the spa, children ages 5 to 12 have real fun in the complimentary Kids For All Seasons program.

The evening begins with a special feature at the Star Struck dive-in movies. Families soak up the good times while floating in pool chairs.

Resort Features

Zero entry family pool
Splash zone
Lazy river
2 water slides
Adult pool
Rock climbing wall
Golf
Tennis
Fitness facilities
3 restaurants
2 lounges

Rooms
Reflecting the Spanish Revival architecture of Boca Raton and Florida’s golden age, lakeside Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort offers 444 spacious guest rooms, including 68 suites. From the lounge chairs on your balcony or terrace, enjoy serene views across the Tom Fazio designed Osprey Ridge golf course.

The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort Hotel package components include:

Accommodations at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Magic Your Way® Base Ticket for 2-10 days (one theme park per day)
Keepsake luggage tag (one per person)

Everyone in the room must be on the same package and ticket options. Package and package components are nontransferable. Theme park tickets must be used within fourteen days of first use.

Introductory Offer*

In celebration of the opening in August, your Clients can save up to 30% on a Walt Disney Travel Company package which includes 3-night accommodations at Four Seasons Resort Orlando Golden Oak View room and 2-Day Magic Your Way Tickets for a family of four (2 Adults/2 Children ages 3-9) for stays most nights 8/3/2014 – 11/20/14 and 12/1/14 – 12/18/2014.

Booking Dates: Now – July 31, 2014

Ask about savings for packages for other lengths of stay.

Book your Clients today!

*The number of rooms allocated for this package may be limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same package. Advance reservations required. No group rates or other discounts apply. Everyone in the room must be on the same package and ticket options. Package and package components are nontransferable. Theme park tickets must be used within fourteen days of first use.　

At DIF we offer personalized travel planning, lots of extras and fun just for you! Call me at 832-233-4468,check out my page, here, or email me at [email protected] and we can get started on making me your personal travel assistant for free!

Olaf Likes Warm Hugs and He is Now Appearing in Frozen Free Fall

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

February 6, 2014

The Arendelle adventures continue in Frozen Free Fall’s newest update, with brand new puzzles, power-ups, and characters including the addition of everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf! The challenges are up to 120 icy levels and stars Frozen’s wintery sidekicks:

Do you want to play with a snowman? Good news! Olaf is featured in new levels and will melt your heart with hot chocolate power-ups.

Reindeer are better than people. That’s why Sven hits the spotlight, too, with his own puzzles and carrot power-ups.

Also with the update, earn “Daily Rewards” and prizes when you play the game every day.

So if the cold never bothered you anyway, download the Frozen Free Fall update today on the App Store and Google Play.

I love this game! Have you played it yet?

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Club Penguin Launches Online Safety Campaign

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

February 6, 2014

Disney Club Penguin, the #1 virtual world for kids, today launches the global ‘It Starts with You!’ safety campaign to give kids and families the information and resources they need to navigate more safely online. The ‘It Starts with You!’ campaign, developed primarily for tweens and parents of tweens, is Club Penguin’s most ambitious and expansive online safety campaign ever. It will span across multiple platforms including placements on Disney Channel and Disney’s online destinations, integration in the virtual world of Club Penguin, as well as real-world, direct-to-kid components by working with leading online safety and educational organizations.

The ‘It Starts with You!’ online safety campaign will include:

A branded campaign on Disney Channel and Disney’s online networks featuring a safety PSA starring G Hannelius from Disney Channel’s “Dog With A Blog,” the hit comedy series for kids and families.

An online safety resource center to help kids and parents learn the latest in online safety and empower them to be good digital citizens. The resource center will offer:

Multilingual safety tips for kids about how to protect their information online and be respectful to others

Multilingual online safety information and news for parents

Printable activity sheets to help kids be thoughtful digital citizens

Online safety PSA starring G Hannelius

Printable safety pledge for families to take together that encourages communication about online usage and rules.

Within the world of Club Penguin, an in-game quiz to test players’ knowledge about online safety. Players that successfully complete the quiz will earn an exclusive virtual item for their penguin avatar.

“The question is no longer whether kids should be online, but how to prepare them for a social online world,’ said Chris Heatherly, VP of Club Penguin. ‘It Starts with You!’ is about empowering kids and their parents with the information they need to play an active and educated role in online safety.”

The campaign will focus on teaching kids how to:

Be cool: and respectful to others online and not post anything that could be hurtful to someone else.

Be heard: if they see anything online that worries them, to speak up and tell a parent or trusted adult.

Be safe: and protect their personal information online and not share private personal details.

Club Penguin is also supporting leading non-profit and safety organizations to spread the message behind ‘It Starts with You!’ to local schools and communities through new outreach programs.

Upcoming ‘It Starts with You!’ programs include:

Safety Tour: Together with Free The Children, Club Penguin will launch the ‘It Starts with You!’ Speaking Tour. Schools across the U.S. will now have free access to a one-of-a-kind youth leadership program that will provide kids with the tools and resources they need to become leaders in bullying prevention.

More Online Safety Resources: Club Penguin is working with leading child safety organization, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children through its NetSmartz Workshop to develop an unprecedented online program that will give thousands of educators, parents and youth leaders the tools they need to teach online safety.

In-School Activities: Through Scholastic, ‘It Starts with You!’ posters and activity plans will be distributed to more than 90,000 teachers accompanied by a strong digital outreach program that is expected to reach at least 3 million parents and families with the goal of teaching kids how to become responsible, respectful and safe digital citizens.Disney Club Penguin is a leader in online safety and has invested millions of dollars to build one of the most advanced chat and filtering technologies available for kids online today. Club Penguin’s unprecedented technology is complemented by 200 human moderators who monitor in-world activity to help keep kids safe. More information about Club Penguin’s safety efforts can be found at http://clubpenguin.com/safety.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

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