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Disney’s Planes Blu-Ray Review

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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planes dvd
planes dvd

planes dvd

On Tuesday, November 19, 2013, Disney’s “Planes” will be available as a Blu-ray 3-D Combo Pack (Blu-ray 3-D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy), a Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy), a DVD (DVD + Digital Copy), HD Digital, and On-Demand. I had the opportunity to check out the Blu-ray Combo Pack of this heart-warming film. Check out my Planes Blu-ray review below.

Disney’s “Planes” was an animated comedy full of action and adventure from the makers of “Cars.” Join Dusty, a crop duster with “sky-high dreams and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take on the world’s fastest flyers in the greatest air race ever.” Dusty has big dreams as well as two big problems- he is not exactly built for speed and he’s afraid of heights.  His courage is put to the test when this unlikely hero aims higher than he ever imagined. With a little help from his friends, Dusty finds the “courage to be more than he was built for—and the inspiration to soar.”

My family enjoyed watching Disney’s “Planes” together, especially my two-year-old son. All of the various airplanes and cars in the film are great for little ones and the story line and comedy can be enjoyed by children of all ages. We really loved all of the bonus features that are available on the Blu-ray combo pack! Kids are sure to love Franz’s song while the adults will enjoy learning the back-story of the film from the director in Klay’s Flight Plan.

Check out all of the great bonus features that are available on Blu-ray, DVD, and Select Digital Retailers copies of Disney’s “Planes”:

  • Exclusive Franz’s Song (approximately 1:40) on Blu-ray and Select Digital Retailers
  • Klay’s Flight Plan (approximately 15:00) on Blu-ray, DVD, and Select Digital Retailers
  • Deleted Scenes (approximately 3:46) on Blu-ray and Select Digital Retailers
  • Meet the Racers (approximately 5:50) on Blu-ray, DVD, and Select Digital Retailers
  • Top Ten Flyers (approximately 8:00) on Blu-ray and Select Digital Retailers

Disney Toon Studios animator Art Hernandez has demonstrated how to draw Dusty from Disney’s Planes in this clip form the film’s bonus along with some additional clips from the film. Check out the video below:

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 vacation? Siera, a Disney travel specialist, would love to help you! Contact her at [email protected] or 734-771-1290!

Disney World Refurbishment Calendar for November 2013 and beyond

By
Chip
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P1120195

Speed

Disney World Refurbishment Calendar information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to visiting. Updated information is available at the Disney World Website. We try to update this list once a month so be sure to check back with us towards the middle of every month for changes.

Magic Kingdom Park

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  •  The Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom, it will be closing on January 5, 2014 for 6 months. That is when they will begin the move to the new theater being built in Africa.

  • Dec. 2-13, 2013: Kali River Rapids will be closed for refurbishment.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

  • Now-Dec. 21, 2013: Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park will be closed for annual refurbishment.

Downtown Disney

  • Now- To Be Determined: Parking Lots H, I, J and K are currently closed.
  • Now-To Be Determined: Fuego is closed for refurbishment.
  • Now-To Be Determined: Wetzels Pretzels is closed for refurbishment.
  • Now-To Be Determined: Cap’n Jack’s Marina is closed for refurbishment.

Disney Palm Golf Course 

  • Now-Mid-November 2013: Disney Palm Golf Course will be closed.

Disney’s Osprey Ridge Golf Course

  • Effective Now – Disney’s Osprey Ridge Golf Course is permanently closed for play.

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

  • Now-Dec. 20, 2013: All-Star Sports Food Court will be closed for refurbishment. The Arcade will serve as the grab-and-go food location while the Food Court is under refurbishment. During this time, arcade games will not be available. Busses will be available to bring Guests to All-Star Music for hot food.

Disney’s Polynesian Resort

  • Now-December 2013: Access to the east portion of the Polynesian Beach (near the Transportation and Ticket Center, as well as Sunset Point will be unavailable due to a scheduled refurbishment. However, no other amenities will be affected. Some rooms in certain room categories in impacted buildings have been taken off the market during the renovation period.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
Please note due to a possible defect in refrigerators in some of the Guest rooms at the Walt Disney World Resort, Resort Hotels have removed or temporarily disconnected Guest room refrigerators until the issue can be resolved. Guests staying at the affected Resort hotels will be notified of the refrigerator removal via a letter in their room.

 

Sid Cahuenga’s at Hollywood Studios has permanently closed on November 17 2013. A MyMagic+ service center will be taking over that space.

Hopefully none of these will affect your visit.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

 

 

 

 

World Series Champs Coming to Disney World for Braves Spring Training

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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espnwwos primarylogo copy 13888 orig
espnwwos primarylogo copy 13888 orig

ESPN

Red Sox, Cardinals, Yankees and Tigers part of marquee Braves schedule that features 17 home games at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, including three under the lights, Disney post-game tradition of kids running the bases continues.

Some of Major League Baseball’s marquee teams, including the reigning World Series Champion Boston Red Sox and National League Champion St. Louis Cardinals, will take on the Atlanta Braves at Disney World Resort during spring training in 2014.  The Braves play the Cardinals on March 15, while the Braves face the Red Sox on March 22.

The Braves report to Disney for two weeks of training in mid-February, then begin play February 26 against the Detroit Tigers, who return for a Sunday matchup on March 2 and March 21. The New York Yankees visit on March 19. The New York Mets and Washington Nationals make up the core of the Braves’ 17-game home schedule at Champion Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The Nationals come to Disney three times, with matchups on March 4, 6, and 12. The Mets visit the Braves on March 3 before returning on Sunday March 23.

The schedule features three night games at Champion Stadium – the Houston Astros on February 28 and March 24, and the Nationals on March 6.

Each Braves spring training game has a unique Disney feel with family-oriented fun, including in-game entertainment, Disney character appearances and on-field fan experiences. In what has become a Disney tradition, kids will again have the opportunity to run the bases after every game.

Individual game tickets for the Braves’ home spring training season go on sale Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster.

All times are Eastern and are subject to change.

All games to be played at Champion Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Fun Facts about Disney’s World of Color and Holiday Winter Dreams

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Honor Choir world of color
Honor Choir world of color

Honor Choir World of Color

“World of Color − Winter Dreams,” the new version of the after-dark spectacular, adds humor, inspirational music and merriment to Holidays at the Disneyland Resort. Presented on Paradise Bay in Disney California Adventure Park, the show features a new story, new characters from the Walt Disney Pictures animated motion picture “Frozen,” and new, advanced technology.

Musical Wonderland 

“World of Color-Winter Dreams” unfolds in seven sequences, each one a dreamlike adventure:

  • The Pre-Show: Glow Honor Choir Wonder – Season’s Greetings:  features the “World of Color” Honor Choir singing “Glow,” written especially for this new show. Then Tinker Bell’s traditional greeting from “Wonderful World of Color” summons Old Man Winter and the skating Frost Fairies.
  • Snow – A Winter Wonderland: Olaf takes guests on a breathtaking winter sleigh ride, encountering Bambi, Thumper and, from “Frozen,” sisters Anna and Elsa.
  • Glow – A Season of Light: The holidays are celebrated with images of holiday cards created by Disneyland Resort guests and cast members.
  • Enchantment – The Toy Story Nutcracker:  This familiar ballet is danced in some delightful, offbeat renditions by favorite “Toy Story” characters.
  • Spirit-Holiday Sing-Along: Snowman Olaf has always loved the idea of a warm summer. He innocently imagines himself enjoying the sunshine, then leads the audience in a holiday sing-along.
  • Finale – Merry & Bright Holiday Lights”: Olaf welcomes a surprising Santa as 700 newly installed lights blaze to life for a colorful finale around the lagoon.    

After Glow: Finale (Honor Choir)

  • “World of Color – Winter Dreams” features more than a dozen songs, ranging from familiar holiday tunes such as “Jingle Bells,” “Feliz Navidad” and “The Dreidel Song” to musical numbers from “Frozen” and original compositions such as “Glow.
  • The voices of more than 500 singers representing all 50 United States appear in the pre-show carol, “Glow.” Participants signed up on a “World of Color” Honor Choir website and performed “virtually,” in front of their computer webcams. Disneyland Resort teamed with Grammy®-winning composer Eric Whitacre, who has joined hundreds of voices online in similar “virtual choirs.”
  • More than 1,400 submissions from around the country were received for the “World of Color” Honor Choir.
  • Other Disney fans designed holiday cards and submitted them online to appear in the “Glow-A Season of Light” sequence.

Technology

  • Programming for the new “Winter Dreams” show took three months.
  • Visual projections are now created with an ultra high definition image playback system with more than four times the resolution of the original “World of Color” system.
  • There are more than 17 million pixels in the “World of Color – Winter Dreams” screen. A High Definition television image uses 2,073,600 pixels.
  • For the dazzling finale of “World of Color – Winter Dreams,” 700 high-power, color, LED strobe lights were installed along the side of the California Screamin’ roller coaster. Each light has four individual control channels.
  • Adding new brilliance are 16 narrow-beam moving lights within the sun-ray sculpture on Mickey’s Fun Wheel, plus 21 narrow-beam movie lights within the viewing area.
  • Six snowflake generators within the viewing area produce giant snowflakes in six different shapes.
  • Ten mirror balls, installed on the speaker and lighting towers, produce dazzling sparkle effects for the show.
  • All of the new technological effects enhance the existing “World of Color” “stage: a platform composed of nearly 1 full acre of engineered superstructure, longer than a football field and capable of settling on three levels – one for the performance, one under the water surface and one for maintenance. There are nearly 1,200 powerful and programmable fountains, and a vast underwater grid with more than 18,000 points of control.  Each fountain has multiple points of control for lighting, color intensity, water angle and height.

‘World of Color’ Evolution

  • Since its premiere on June 11, 2010, “World of Color” has been performed more than 2,100 times and been viewed by more than eight million guests at Disney California Adventure.
  • The show’s flexibility has made it possible to add and subtract special sequences since its 2010 debut:  a July 4 Independence Day pre-show, a New Year’s Eve pre-show, and scenes focusing on “TRON: LEGACY,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” and “Brave.”
  • From 2011 to 2012, “World of Color” featured a special holiday season pre-show with characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Prep & Landing.”
  • The “World of Color” fountains also have played parts in daytime shows on Paradise Bay: “Disney Channel Rocks” and “Instant Concert … Just Add Water.”
  • The fountains in “World of Color” can send water to heights ranging from 30 feet to 200 feet (by way of comparison, Mickey’s Fun Wheel reaches a height of 150 feet, some of it below the edge of the lagoon).

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Limited Time Disneyland Deal

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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marriott1
marriott1

marriott

Admit it, you’ve been dreaming of visiting Disneyland this Christmas, haven’t you? Of course you have, we laugh at people who don’t understand the magic of Disney at Christmas Time and constant ask us why we’re going to a kid’s place again.

Fortunately, for you there’s a bunch of ways to get a Disney Holiday fix, and just one of these is through a Good Neighbor Hotel. Anaheim Marriott has a limited-time Disneyland Deal. Stay anytime between now and December 31st and select either the 3 Day Park Hopper Package or Annual Passholder Package and receive deluxe accommodations starting from $214 per night. With that price, you’ll receive free self-parking, Disney shuttle Tickets for 2 Adults, 2 Children and breakfast for 2 adults (kids under 12 eat free) each morning. Oh and you’ll get a gift and even earn 5,000 Marriott Reward Points.

To participate in this promotion, you’ll want your Travel Agent to book your room reservation with the promotional code. All you’ll have to do is purchase your 3 Day Park Hopper tickets or Annual Passport at Anaheim Marriott’s Disney Desk. Easy Peasy as the little ones say.

In addition to Anaheim Marriott, there are many, many more Good Neighbor Hotels and Disneyland Resort hotels. With so many available choices, we can get you a Disneyland Holiday Vacation to meet almost any budget!

To take advantage of this offer, or to explore other Disneyland (or Disney World) holiday options, hit the request a quote on the right side of the page, or send me an email directly.

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.

Do it yourself Disney Recipes To Add Some Disney Cheer To Your Holidays

By
Catie
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xmasgingerbreadman1
xmasgingerbreadman1

xmasgingerbreadman

The Holiday Season is upon us! Stores are playing Christmas music, selling gifts and ornaments and candy, and that Holiday cheer is slowly starting to fill the air! There are few things I love more than Disney and Christmas, so I thought, why not combine the two when planning my holiday meals?

Check out these great Disney recipes that you can make at home to liven up your Christmas spread:

XmasGingerbreadCookie

Mickey Gingerbread Cookies (Recipe courtesy of Magical Recipes

Ingredients – Gingerbread Cookies

1. 1/4 cup unsalted butter

2. 1/2 cup brown sugar

3. 1/2 cup dark molasses

4. 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

5. 1 teaspoon baking soda

6. 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

7. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

8. 3 teaspoons ground ginger

9. 1/2 teaspoon salt

10. 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

11. 1/2 cup water

Ingredients – Royal Icing

1. 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

2. 2 egg whites

3. 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions – Gingerbread Cookies

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar.

2. Add dark molasses and mix until completely blended.

3. Sift the dry ingredients together and add to butter mixture, 1/3 at a time, alternating with the the water.

4. Blend well.

5. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator at least 1 hour.

6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

7. Grease cookie sheets (or line with parchment paper).

8. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface and cut into desired shapes.

9. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

10. Cool on wire racks.

11. Decorate with Royal Icing when completely cooled.

Directions – Royal Icing

1. Add cream of tartar to egg whites in a chilled mixing bowl.

2. Beat with an electric mixer at high speed until white peaks form.

3. Reduce speed and gradually add sifted powdered sugar.

4. Continue to whip the frosting until a smooth, spreadable consistency is reached.

5. Separate frosting into small bowls and add food coloring (if desired).

6. Spoon into cake decorating bags (or freezer bags with the corner tip cut off) and decorate cookies.

Oh, and the best part? You can even buy a cookie mix that comes with this adorable Mickey Gingerbread man cookie cutter at the Disney Parks during the holiday season.

worlds-best-hot-chocolate

Wouldn’t some World’s Best Hot Chocolate go perfectly with these cookies warm from the oven?

corn_bread_stuffing_on_a_red_plate

Stuffing is a traditional holiday meal side dish, and this cornbread version is served up to hungry Magic Kingdom guests at Liberty Tree Tavern – and the good news is, you can easily make it at home for your hungry crew!

Cornbread Stuffing (Recipe courtesy of Magical Recipes

Ingredients

1. 12 cups cornbread cubes

2. 1 tablespoon fresh chopped garlic

3. 1 cup onion, chopped

4. 1 cup celery, chopped

5. 1 teaspoon rubbed sage

6. 1 teaspoon dried thyme

7. 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

8. 1 teaspoon kosher salt

9. 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

10. 1 1/2 cups turkey stock (chicken may be substituted)

Directions

1. In a preheated 400 degree oven toast bread cubes 5 to 7 minutes or until barely golden.

2. In a large skillet over medium/low heat cook the garlic, onions and celery for 3 minutes or until softened.

3. Transfer to a bowl and add the bread cubes, herbs, salt, pepper, and chicken broth.

4. Toss well and adjust seasoning as desired.

5. Additional broth may be necessary to achieve the desired consistency.

Of course, if you’re not feeling very chef-y, you can always plan a trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland for the holiday season – let them do the cooking and decorating for you! What’s so great about WDW at Christmas time? A LOT – check out a few of the ways Disney embraces the holiday spirit here, and if you can’t head to WDW for Christmas, you can at least bring some Disney into your home with these and other Disney Recipes here on Chip and Co

MyMagic+ Full Rollout is Being Delayed

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Magicband Box
Magicband Box

Magicband Box

I know many of you are not going to be happy about this, but sadly MyMagic+ full rollout is being delayed.

Disney World’s billion-dollar MyMagic+ program, which offers guests a Magicband, that is supposed to make their vacation more magical and get them planning more of their trips in advance has sadly fallen behind schedule. Honestly I saw this coming.

They say at a minimum, it will probably be several more months before all of the resort’s guests can use “MyMagic+,” which includes a new reservation system allowing visitors to book ride times weeks before their vacations and microchip-embedded “MagicBands” that act as all-in-one park tickets, room keys and credit cards.

Senior Walt Disney Co. executives once said they hoped to have MyMagic+ “largely” introduced by the end of the company’s 2013 fiscal year, which concluded in September. But it is still in testing and pretty much limited to guests staying in Disney-owned hotels.

Disney did not provide an updated timetable. In a written statement, the chairman of the company’s global theme-park division said he was pleased with the progress.

“From the outset, our MyMagic+ development has been focused on enhancing the experience our guests have with us. Our roll-out schedule is designed to be flexible so that we can make adjustments based on our testing and guest feedback,” Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs said in the statement. “We’re happy with the progress we are making, and MyMagic+ is now available to all our Walt Disney World hotel guests.”

Staggs added that Disney has been making “modifications” based on the feedback it is receiving from guests during testing. “Once we’re satisfied with those adjustments, we will continue to broaden the availability to our other theme-park guests.”

MyMagic+ has been in development for over five years. Disney has been incurring significant costs with this project for at least two years, according to regulatory filings.

One month after announcing MyMagic+, Walt Disney Co. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger said it would be rolled out “over the next several months.” Chief Financial Officer Jay Rasulo expanded on Iger’s comments in May, telling analysts at a New York conference that “by the end of this fiscal year, you’re going to feel like it is rolled out,” though he said Disney would continue to add elements over time.

But they began to push that target back over the summer. Iger told analysts in August the project was designed for “a probable full rollout in the early part of fiscal 2014.” They have since stopped offering any specific time frames.

During Disney’s year-end-earnings call earlier this month, Rasulo said MyMagic+ was “still very much in the early days of rollout.”

Disney would not discuss the delay in any detail. But in discussions with analysts, executives have characterized the project as exceedingly complex and repeatedly said they intended to make sure all kinks were ironed out before beginning a wide launch.

“We are walking before we run, so that when you come down and use the service, you are going to feel really good about how it works and not experience glitches, which is our business and not the guest’s business,” Rasulo said in September.

In addition to taking longer than expected, some analysts suspect the price tag for MyMagic+ has climbed. Doug Mitchelson, a media-industry equities analyst with Deutsche Bank, said he initially projected spending on the project at about $800 million, but “clearly they would have to be north of $1 billion at this point in time.”

Still, Mitchelson said he remains optimistic that MyMagic+ ultimately will drive the double-digit returns that Disney management has predicted. And he said Disney is wise to wait until management is “absolutely sure” the systems will work as promised.

“This is obviously one of those projects that you can’t afford to get wrong, not even once. Disney’s brand is so crucial — they really have one good shot at introducing this to the marketplace,” Mitchelson said.

Disney once said it expected those projects would cumulatively be more profitable during its 2014 fiscal year than they were in 2013. But during its year-end-earnings call, the company changed that forecast, saying the “growth initiatives” would generate about $300 million in expenses during the current year and “more or less the same amount” in revenue.

Asked what had changed, Rasulo cited MyMagic+ costs, noting that the information-technology infrastructure Disney World has installed as part of the project depreciates more quickly than conventional attractions.

Among those who have followed the project closely, Yee described the collective feeling as one of “trepidation.” Some fans have been especially vocal about fears that MyMagic+ will sap the spontaneity from their visits by forcing more planning — fears that Yee said won’t truly be addressed until the project is totally launched and being used by all guests.

“There are so many variables that the actual implementation could be really positive or it could be really negative,” he said.

I know we all want MyMagic+ to have been fully rolled out already. I think all the testing they are doing makes total sense. We know Disney doesn’t do anything halfway. I would rather wait until the program is in working order, instead of going on my vacation, or visiting for the day, and having more issues than fun. You know that they say good things come to those who wait!

Wishing you Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust (and Patience)

Sunshine

Disney Channel Celebrates Mickey’s 85th Birthday

By
Chip
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Steamboat willie
Steamboat willie

mickey

Disney Channel debuts the first-ever extended episode of the Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts as part of a themed day of programming in honor of Mickey Mouse’s birthday today, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT). The special seven-minute comedic cartoon titled “Potatoland” finds Mickey, Donald and Goofy on a road trip to Idaho to fulfill Goofy’s lifelong dream of visiting what he fondly remembers as Potatoland theme park. The short will be available on WATCHDisneyChannel.com, the WATCH Disney Channel app for smartphones and tablets, Disney.com and iTunes the day after the linear premiere.

“Mickey Mouse” cartoons will air every half hour beginning at 1:25 p.m. ET/PT, leading up to the premiere of Potatoland. Also debuting throughout the day will be special birthday messages to Mickey from the stars of Austin & Ally, Dog with a Blog, Jessie and Shake It Up. The day-long birthday celebration kicks off with back-to-back episodes of Disney Junior’s Emmy-nominated series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET/PT).

“Mickey Mouse” is a production of Disney Television Animation. Emmy Award-winning artist and director Paul Rudish (Star Wars: Clone Wars, Dexter’s Laboratory) is the executive producer and supervising director. Aaron Springer (SpongeBob SquarePants, Gravity Falls) and Clay Morrow (Dexter’s Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls) are directors, and Joseph Holt (Sym-Bionic Titan) is the art director. Potatoland is directed by Aaron Springer.

New Disney Cruise Line Discounts & More Savings Just in Time for the Holidays

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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disneycruisemacaronikid1
disneycruisemacaronikid1

disney cruise line discounts

Thanksgiving is almost here!  What are you thankful for?  How about a Disney Cruise vacation?  One of my favorite holiday traditions is a Disney Cruise over Thanksgiving.  You get to see Mickey and Minnie in their Thanksgiving attire, enjoy an amazing dinner by the Disney Chefs, and in the afternoon relax by the pool while you drink your fruity drink (with an umbrella).  Instead of cleaning, you get to relax!  Sounds like the ultimate Thanksgiving!  Disney is offering lots of amazing Disney Cruise Line discounts, even over Thanksgiving.  Don’t let these Disney deals end…book today!

Disney Deals

Disney Cruise Line® Discounts

  • New!  Florida Residents Cruise from $90 pp/pn:  This week book your Disney Cruise vacation on the newly enhanced Disney Magic®  or the new Disney Dream®  for as little as $90 per person per night plus tax and port charges.  The Disney Cruise Line® discounts are limited to only 50 staterooms per sailing.  Cruise dates include select cruises in November, December and January.  Click here for dates and prices.  Call us at 877-918-8941 to book this and other Disney Cruise Line® discounts.  Be sure you mention Chip & Co!

  • Two Disney Vacations in One for $789 Per Person:  It’s all the magic of Disney Cruise Line® and all of the enchantment of Disney World.  Package components include: 3-Night Disney Magic® sailings from January 17 – February 7, 3-Night resort stay at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort (other resorts are bookable but will affect the price per person), 3-day Park Hopper® Theme Park Ticket, transfers between Orlando International Airport, Walt Disney World® Resort and Disney Cruise Line® terminal.  Book through December 31, 2013.

  • Special Castaway Club Member Offer: Disney Cruise Line® Castaway Club Members can receive a US $100 onboard credit when they book a 4- or 5-night Disney Magic® cruise departing from Miami from November 1 – December 18, 2013 (excluding November 24 and December 8, 2013). They can use their credit for a variety of onboard activities and experiences, including spa treatments, shopping, adults-only dining and more!

Walt Disney World® Resort

  • Intro to Disney:  If this is your 1st visit to Disney World or are on a budget, the new discount called Intro to Disney is perfect for you!  Purchase a 3-night, 2-day Magic Your Way Room and Ticket Package PLUS Quick Service Dining at a select Disney Value Resort hotel (in a standard room, excluding Disney’s Art of Animation Resort) for $999* for stays most nights Jan. 5 – Feb. 12, 2014 (based on a family of 3).  Ask about other great rates for other lengths of stay, alternative family configurations and other Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights Jan. 5 – March 5, 2014.  Book by Dec. 31, 2013.

  • Play Stay and Dine…and Save Up To $600 at the Walt Disney World® Resort: Discounts on room, tickets and dining plan.  This discount is available for most stays from January 5-March 5 2014.  You must book at least a 3 night package.  Offer excludes campsites and 3-bedroom villas and is not valid at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort or The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.  For this Disney deals promotion, you must book by December 31.

  • Save Up To 35% on Stays at Select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels:  For stays most nights from January 5 – March 5, 2014 and March 14 – April 12, 2014: Values 20% off, Moderates 25% off, Deluxe 35% off, Deluxe Villas 35% off.  Excludes 3-bedroom villas and campsites and is not valid at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort The Little Mermaid rooms or The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.  Must book by December 31.

  • Florida Resident Fall & Winter Rates:  Florida Residents can take advantage of great rates on rooms at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels for stays through December 14, just in time for the holiday season.

  • Military Discount:  Active duty and retired members of the US military can get specially discounted rooms at Official Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels most nights from September 29, 2013 through September 27, 2014 time-frame.

Disneyland® Resort Discounts

  • Save Up to 25% on Rooms at a Disneyland® Resort Hotel:  Save up to 25% on rooms at a Disneyland® Resort hotels most Sunday through Thursday nights from Jan. 5 – April 10, 2014.  Book through January 28, 2014.

Aulani

  • Get 4 nights for the price of 3 plus breakfast daily for 2:  For a limited time, when you purchase a minimum 4-night stay at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, you’ll get the 4th night free.  Disney deals promotion includes breakfast daily for two adults at the new Ulu Cafe.  Book this offer by January 15, 2014, for stays most nights January 5 – April 7, 2014.

disney cruise line discountsUniversal Orlando Resort Discounts

  • Save up to 30% on Universal Resorts:  Discounts begin at 3 nights at any of the three Universal Orlando® Resort Deluxe Hotels during the best days to vacation. Plus take advantage of $150 in hotel savings including discounts on food, drinks, spa treatments and more!  Vacation dates from November 11-December 19, 2013.

  • 3rd Night & Day FREE:  Limited time vacation offer.  Stay at a nearby Universal Partner Hotel you’ll receive your 3rd Night & 3rd Day FREE.  This also includes the free Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ one hour before the theme park opens and free scheduled transportation between hotel and Universal Orlando.  Valid for travel from November 1-December 22, 2013.  U.S. and Canadian Residents only.

  • Universal 1-Day or 2-Day Pass with Shuttle Transportation:  Take a day away from the Disney World Parks to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!  Book a 1-Day or 2-Day Pass to Universal Studios with shuttle transportation included in the ticket.  This special ticket is only available with select companies including Destinations in Florida.

Sea World Discounts

  • Add a day at SeaWorld Orlando for just $10:  Add a second day at SeaWorld Orlando for just $10 more within 7 days of your first visit.

  • SeaWorld Orlando $50 Weekday Ticket:  Enjoy 1 visit to SeaWorld Orlando weekdays Monday thru Friday beginning August 1, 2013 through December 20, 2013. Advance purchase only. Not available at the park. Valid for 1 visit to SeaWorld Orlando on weekdays only.  Ticket expires December 20, 2013.

  • Expedition Antarctica at SeaWorld®:  Experience the Freeze! Package includes free Quick Queue (front-of-the-line) at SeaWorld’s Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin™, dining at the Expedition Café, a free photo and a third hotel night FREE!

  • SeaWorld + Aquatica Add Aquatica for just $40:  Enjoy unlimited access to the sights and splashes of SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark™ during your vacation.

  • Free Food:  Book your Sea World Package at a partner hotel and get the All Day Dining for FREE.  Add a day at Aquatica and eat there free, too!

  • Kids Free, PLUS 2nd Visit Free, through 12/25:  SeaWorld is the place for families this holiday season. And now, enjoy one free kid’s admission (ages 3-9) with each full-paid adult admission ticket.

  • Save $10 on Sea World Tickets:  Pre-order your Sea World tickets and save $10 off per ticket.  You can also print your Sea World tickets, so you do not have to wait in any lines once you arrive to the park.  Plus, even better, your 2nd day at Sea World is free!

If you are ready to create cherished family moments, call the travel experts at Destinations in Florida.  Call 877-918-8941 or request a price online.  Be sure you mention Chip & Co.

2010 Disney World Bus Crash Verdict

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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disney bus thumvb

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The Disney World bus driver who had his legs crushed in the 2010 bus accident near Epcot, won nearly $1 million dollars. The verdict was recently decided by an Orange County jury. “It means the world to him,” lawyer Sean Domnick said of his client, Jean Valentin. “This will help provide a foundation for his future.”

Valentin, 47, was a Disney bus  driver for 10 years. He was critically injured March 23, 2010, when his bus slammed into the back of an empty tour bus that had stopped on Epcot Center Drive. The Florida Highway Patrol ticketed Valentin for careless driving, but Domnick persuaded jurors that the other driver, Deborah Martin, should not have stopped in the middle of the road.

“It was crazy for her to stop in a moving lane of traffic for no good reason,” he said.

Martin, who was outside the bus at the time of the collision and not injured, testified she stopped in the road because she had detected a possible mechanical problem with the vehicle.

The crash occurred about 2:30 p.m. near a parking toll plaza at the theme park. Seven passengers also were injured in the crash, none seriously. An FHP spokeswoman said the bus was traveling about 35 mph at the time of the crash.

The jury deliberated for 3 days after listening to 7 days of testimony. They awarded Valentin $970,000 for his injuries. They also found him partly responsible for the crash.

He is a  married father of two teenage boys and has has been unable to work since the crash. He moved to the U.S. from Haiti about 20 years ago.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

 

 

World of Color Winter Dreams Review

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Disneyland Resorts unveils their all new “World of Color Winter Dreams” show at Disney California Adventure, that is sure to be a huge hit with park visitors.   The holiday theme is hosted by the all new funny snowman, OLAF from the upcoming Disney movie, FROZEN.  Olaf who appears in many of the scenes takes you on a brand new, enchanting holiday adventure.   The show provides a beautiful background of colors and pictures using over 17 million pixels and almost 1,200 fountains, for a one of a kind viewing experience.  The addition of lights to California Screamin and Mickey’s Fun Wheel give an extra special touch that continues to enhance the background.

Disney brought in Grammy-winner Eric Whitacre  to produce a new song written just for the show called “Glow“.  The song is performed by Disney’s “World of Color Virtual Honor Choir”.   This unbelievably talented choir consisting of 150 members, was formed from the over 1,400 submissions received.  The flashing faces framed by snowflakes, performing the opening number “Glow” was a beautiful site to see.  This spectacular performance brought to the screen through the wonders of modern technology will leave the audience tweeting, posting and sharing every detail.   Toy Story characters performing their rendition of The Nutcracker was filled with humor and song.  Teasing the guests with songs like “Let it Go” and  “In Summer” gave a small taste of what’s to come with the release of Disney’s newest movie, FROZEN.  Tangled’s floating lanterns along with the the movie’s song “I see the light” were also part of the show.  While Olaf’s numerous appearances provided a burst of sunshine and laughter.

Once again, Disney Resorts work their magic to give their guests only the best in entertainment.  WORLD OF COLOR WINTER DREAMS will be shown on a limited engagement –  November 15, 2013 through January 6, 2014.

Don’t miss the show every Disney Resort visitor will be talking about!

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“The View” Broadcasts Live from Disneyland

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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The View
The View

The View

”’The View’  will broadcast live from Disneyland, November 18th-22nd on ABC. This is the first time “The View” will broadcast from the Disneyland Resort. In March, 2009 the show broadcast for one week from The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, CA.

Bob Iger CEO & Chairman of The Walt Disney Company will make an appearance to celebrate Mickey Mouse‘s Birthday.

Demi Lovato will co-host and perform.

There will be appearances from Jimmy Kimmel, Eric Stonestreet, Tim Allen, Patrick Dempsey, Kobe Bryant,

Pitbull and Darby Stanchfield, Jeff Perry and Columbus Short of ABC’s “Scandal”

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

 

 

 

 

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