Walt Disney Company Commits Half a Million Dollars in Aid to the Philippines

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November 17, 2013

The WaltDisney Company Logo

The Walt Disney Company announced that it will donate half-a-million dollars to Save the Children and the American Red Cross to support humanitarian aid and rebuilding efforts related to the recent tragedy in the Philippines. In addition, eligible donations from employees to organizations involved in disaster relief will be matched, dollar for dollar up to set limits, by Disney Employee Matching Gifts: A Program of The Walt Disney Company Foundation.

“Our hearts go out to the millions of people in the Philippines affected by this tragedy,” said Robert A. Iger, chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “We hope this donation and our employee matching gift contributions will help families begin to rebuild their lives in the wake of this devastation.”

The Walt Disney Company is committed to working with humanitarian organizations to help rebuild affected communities and assist families. Today’s announcement is part of Disney’s ongoing disaster preparedness and response program. As a proud sponsor of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program and Save the Children’s Emergency Fund, Disney provides support for disaster relief services, as well as comfort and hope to children in impacted communities.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Disney to Make The Princess Bride for the Stage

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 17, 2013

Thomas Schumacher (Disney Theatrical Productions president and producer) announced that Disney Theatrical Productions will soon make The Princess Bride as a stage show.

The novel The Princess Bride, written in 1973 by two-time Academy Award winning author William Goldman, was adapted for its motion picture release in 1987. The new theatrical work will be based on both his acclaimed novel and his screenplay, which earned a nomination for the WGA (Writers Guild of America) Award and a ranking on that organization’s list of 101 Best Films of All Times. Norman Lear served as the film’s executive producer.

The new deal, made by Alan Horn, who was closely involved with the film during his tenure at Castle Rock, allows Disney Theatrical Productions to begin the development process. There is no timetable for the project yet.

“My involvement in The Princess Bride goes back to 1987 and it has always been close to my heart. For all those years and a few more, I’ve been friends with the brilliant Bill Goldman, and to now have a stage production of this film in development at Disney is honestly a dream come true. It couldn’t be in better hands than those of the experienced Disney Theatrical team led by Tom Schumacher,” said Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.

Visit www.theprincessbrideonstage.com for the latest news and updates.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

‘Delivery Man’ Movie Review

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 17, 2013

Who knew that a movie about donating to a fertility clinic could not only be funny, but genuinely heart felt and emotional at the same time? It’s not exactly the easiest premise for a film to tackle, but here we are. ‘Delivery Man‘ stars Vince Vaughn as David Wozniak, a man who can’t quite seem to catch a break in his life. He continually faces problems with his family, his girlfriend, and even his job. All that goes into overdrive when David learns that a screw up at a fertility clinic he used to donate to causes him to be the father of 533 children. If that wasn’t enough, 142 have decided that they want to know who this man, who donated under the name “Starbuck”, is, and are suing to find out. David’s entire world is thrown upside down, but in the wake of it all, he’s able to find his true self, and what his life truly means.

Many may not realize that this film is actually a remake of a 2011 Canadian film, ‘Starbuck’, which is directed by this same film’s director, Ken Scott. It’s not very often that someone gets a chance to remake their own film, let alone at a big Hollywood studio with bigger Hollywood actors. Scott is a very lucky man, and he managed to land some of the most talented actors in the business for the new take on his original film. Vince Vaughn is wisely cast as David, an awkward, slightly lazy, but caring individual, which is very similar to some of the roles he’s played before. But Vaughn gets a chance to really dig into a new side of himself we don’t normally get to see, which is his dramatic side. It makes for a very compelling watch, and it’s great to really see him flexing his acting muscles here. Vaughn is naturally charismatic and funny, and even though David is a bit of a buffoon, you can’t help but love the character, especially watching him as he really discovers what the value of his life really is.

Cobie Smulders is good in the role of Emma, David’s caring, but emotionally exhausted girlfriend. It’s just too bad that she’s not given more to do in the film, because she and Vaughn play so well off each other here. But it’s really Chris Pratt who steals the show here as David’s best friend, and lawyer, Brett. Every scene that Pratt is in is absolute gold, and he outshines everyone around him. If you had told me a few years ago that the man who stars in ‘Parks & Rec’ was heading for superstardom, I would have shaken my head. But seeing him here, and knowing he leads not only next summer’s Marvel film, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, but also in talks to lead Universal’s fourth ‘Jurassic Park’ film, ‘Jurassic World’, he has a big career ahead of him. He’s the perfect amount of funny and serious, and his characters always seem so well rounded and memorable, it’s great to see him getting the chance to show that off.

There’s honestly very little that’s really wrong with ‘Delivery Man’. It’s a very funny movie, with interesting characters, and a great story. But the thing that mucks up the film a bit is the sudden tonal changes throughout the film. Balancing drama and comedy can be tricky, and if it’s not handled accordingly it can throw off the viewer. This film falls into that every once in a while, sadly, going through David’s misadventures with his new found children, then moving more directly into the serious nature of his life with debts, problems, and the looming lawsuit. Sometimes the shifts aren’t incredibly noticeable, they don’t always stick the landing, and the movie suffers because of it. That doesn’t make the movie bad, far from it. This is honestly one of the most heartfelt, fun, and purely entertaining films to come out in recent memory. The movie is so enjoyable, and it’s really thanks to the cast, and Ken Scott’s script, that really makes it better than many of the comedies that come out throughout the year.

‘Delivery Man’ is a perfect film for the holiday season, and one that families can enjoy together. Anchored down by it’s excellent cast, led by a very likable Vince Vaughn, who are given a very fun and and heartfelt screenplay, the movie works really well. While it has a few faults, it’s nothing that ultimately hurts the film in the end and makes it any less enjoyable. It’s really Chris Pratt who steals the film though, and he’s definitely one to watch out for in the coming months. In the end, this is a just a wonderfully heartfelt film with lots of laughs, and a nice sprinkle of emotions that is definitely recommended viewing.

Rating: B

Top 10 Overlooked Items to Pack for your Disney Vacation

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 17, 2013

We’ve been to the Disney World Theme Parks enough times now that we have a list of things that we always pack. We learned after our first trip what we absolutely have to bring with us in order to avoid spending extra money buying these items at the parks or taking time away from the parks to go out and purchase once we arrive.

Here is my Top 10 overlooked items to pack for your Disney Vacation…

Sunglasses/Hat – This should be pretty self-explanatory. Hats are great if you want to protect your head from getting sunburned and sunglasses are essential if you plan on visiting the parks since they don’t have a lot of shade to protect you from the harsh Florida sunlight. You’ll pay almost $20 for sunglasses in the parks, so just stop by the store before you leave for your trip and pick up a pair of sunglasses. I’ve broken a pair of sunglasses on all but one trip in the last few years, so I don’t feel bad when I break a pair since I only paid $5 for them.

Personal Fan (with mister) or Cooling Towel – If you’ve been to the parks between May-October, then you know that the temperatures can get pretty high and can make for a somewhat miserable experience (even at the ‘happiest place on earth’). You also know that you’ll end up spending more than $15 for one of the Disney misting fans. Places like Wal-Mart and Target often have the misting fans available for under $7. If you have a car and can get off resort, you can also buy them at the local Wal-Mart & Target stores in Kissimmee. Another option is a cooling towel, such as Frogg Toggs. Either one of these will help keep both yourself or your children cool when the temperatures are not.

Trading Pins – If you think there is even a chance that you or your children will trade pins, it’s essential that you buy them before you go to the parks. You will end up paying between $6 and $16 per pin once you get to the parks. Since we’re serious traders, I’m not going to advocate buying them in large lots on eBay that you end up paying $1 or less per pin, as those are almost always unauthorized or rejected Disney pins (also referred to as scrappers). Check the reviews, even the bad ones, when buying on eBay or Amazon to make sure that you’re getting authentic pins to trade. A good price is about $3/pin when buying real pins online. Also check Craigslist to see if someone is selling their collection of pins. If you’re new to pin trading, be sure to read the rules of trading and my Top 10 Best Places to Trade Pins at Disney World.

Snacks – If you’re on a tight food budget, bringing snacks is a great way to save money. And even if you’re not, it’s always a good idea to have some snacks in a bag with you in case you or your children are stuck in a ride line for a while and get hungry or if you just can’t stand to eat another Disney cupcake *gasp*.

Sunscreen – This one should be a no brainer. You’re in Florida and it’s sunny (and VERY hot in the summer), so be prepared to get a painful sunburn if you forget to apply sunblock before going to the parks. And yes, you can still get a sunburn on a cloudy day, so it’s best to be safe and apply sunscreen.

Sharpie’s – If you have little ones that love to get character autographs, be sure to bring a Sharpie. We’ve found the pens you may get with the autograph books purchased in the parks do not last long and are not the greatest quality. And based on our experience, characters just love it when you have a Sharpie, especially a big fat one that makes it easier for those in costumes to hold. Having colored Sharpies earn you extra bonus points.

Ziploc Bags – These little baggies come in handy so often when we’re in the parks. We like to pack snacks in them, store our cell phones and other electronics while on wet rides, keep our trading pins in them, etc. The list can go on.

Medicines/First Aid Kit – You never know when someone will skin their knee or have a stomach ache, so it’s best to be prepared. If you’re in the parks, you can stop by the First Aid areas, but when in your room, it’s great to have something on hand. You’ll end up spending a lot of money to buy these necessities from the resort otherwise.

Disney Themed Items for Kids – Merchandise can be pricey at Disney World, that’s no secret. If you bring cheaper Disney items that you purchase before you leave home with you, then you’ll save yourself a lot of money and your kids will not know the difference. Some items to bring include: Glow sticks, Disney coloring books, Disney character stuffed animals, a Princess Costume (you’ll pay a fortune for them in the parks). You can find a lot of these items in the dollar section of Target or Dollar Tree, minus the princess costume of course. Give your kids an item each day as a gift – they’ll love it even if you didn’t pay 5x as much for it in the parks!

Hand Sanitizer and Baby Wipes – You’re in a theme park with A LOT of people, so there will be germs everywhere! Hand Sanitizer is essential, especially if you have kids. An even better thing to have with you are baby wipes (yes, even if you’re going on an adult-only trip). It allows you to clean your hands before eating a meal or after eating a Mickey Ice Cream Bar, because you will get chocolate on you.

Of course, always pack extra changes of clothes, comfortable shoes, toiletries; you know, the usual. What are some items that you think are essential to pack and bring with you to parks that may not be so obvious to those planning their first trip.

Disney Junior celebrates the season with holiday-themed episodes

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 17, 2013

Disney Junior celebrates the season with holiday-themed episodes of its hit series, including “Doc McStuffins,” in which Jeffrey Tambor and Tony Hale (both of “Arrested
Development”) guest star as Santa and Tobias the elf, respectively. On “Sofia the First,” Eric Stonestreet (“Modern Family”) reprises his role as Sofia’s flying horse
Minimus and Princess Aurora makes her debut. And Rhys Darby (“Flight of the Conchords”) returns as Percy the penguin in “Jake and the Never Land Pirates.” Other
highlights include festive episodes of “Henry Hugglemonster,” “Octonauts” and the popular short-form series, “Minnie’s Bow-Toons.”

Viewers are invited to spread the holiday cheer at DisneyJunior.com/Holiday with the Disney Junior holiday card creator that allows kids to send or receive a card from one of their favorite Disney Junior characters, or create a custom card to print and send to a family member or friend. The site also features holiday themed activities and games, including “Sofia’s Painting Pals,” “Doc’s Snowman Roll Up,” “Hook’s Merry Winter Treasure Hunt” and “Frost Magic,” among others.

All of the full-length holiday episodes will be available for verified users on WATCH Disney Junior the day after their linear channel premiere. The following are the
highlights for Disney Junior’s holiday programming line-up (all times ET/PT):

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1:

6:00 p.m. – “Doc McStuffins” – Premieres on the 24-hour Disney Junior Channel “A Very McStuffins Christmas” – When Tobias the elf accidentally breaks a piece of
Donny’s Christmas present, Doc and the toys travel to Santa’s workshop in the North Pole to find a replacement part.
*Guest starring: “Arrested Development” co-stars, Jeffrey Tambor as Santa and Tony Hale as Tobias the elf

6:25 p.m. – “Minnie’s Bow-Toons” – Premieres on the 24-hour Disney Junior Channel “Oh, Christmas Tree!” – Minnie and Daisy realize their friendship is the best holiday gift
of all after they try to outdo each other’s Christmas tree decorations.

6:30 p.m. – “Sofia the First” – Premieres on the 24-hour Disney Junior Channel “Holiday in Enchancia” – When a snowstorm prevents King Roland from returning home
in time for the holidays, Sofia leads her family on a brave expedition to find him. Princess Aurora from Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty” makes a special appearance to help
Sofia and her animal friends reunite the royal family.
*Guest starring: Eric Stonestreet (“Modern Family”) as Sofia’s flying horse Minimus and Kate Higgins (“Naruto”) as Princess Aurora

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6:

10:00 a.m. – “Henry Hugglemonster” – Premieres on Disney Channel during the Disney Junior programming block “Happy Hugglemas” – Henry almost misses his chance to turn on the Hugglemas lights for the first time when he and Summer get trapped inside their neighbor’s house.

10:30 a.m. – “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” – Premieres on Disney Channel during the Disney Junior programming block “F-f-frozen Never Land/Little Stinkers” – A blizzard hits Never Land and Skully catches the flu, so Jake, Izzy and Cubby, along with penguin pal Percy, must brave the arctic weather to search for the legendary Fire Red Rubies to cure Skully. Then Jake and Hook’s crews must work together to lure a stinky Skunk Bug away from Never Land.
*Guest starring: Rhys Darby (“Flight of the Conchords”) as Percy the penguin

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13

9:00 a.m. – “Octonauts” – Premieres on Disney Channel during the Disney Junior programming block “A Very Vegimals Xmas” – The Vegimals’s plans for a Christmas feast aboard the Octopod are interrupted when the Octonauts are entangled in a gigantic blob of sea slime.
10:30 a.m. – “Henry Hugglemonster”- Premieres on Disney Channel during the Disney Junior programming block “The Sledhouse/Daddo Daycare” – When Daddo wakes up with a bad cold, Henry must come up with creative ideas to include him in the family sledding adventure. Then Daddo is in charge of the family while Momma is gone for the weekend, and Henry rallies the family to help him out.

Stay tuned for more…

World of Color – Winter Dreams at Disney California Adventure with ‘Limited Time Magic’

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 16, 2013

“World of Color – Winter Dreams” opened last night at Disney California Adventure park! And we’re getting ready to celebrate this all-new holiday spectacular with some “Limited Time Magic.” From November 18–24, Disney California Adventure park guests with a valid “World of Color” Fastpass who wear their “Glow With The Show” ears can enjoy a special viewing area for performances of “World of Color – Winter Dreams.” This special viewing area has a limited capacity and will only be offered for a limited time, so get glowing!

Keep an eye on Disney Parks Blog for more info.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

The Lone Ranger Rides Into Town on December 17th

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 16, 2013

I grew up watching the original black and white TV show “The Lone Ranger” with my grandpa. He loved Westerns, so the show always made a regular appearance in the rotation of shows we watched as a family. Ahhh, those were the good ol’ days. Combine a classic western with one of my favorite actors, Johnny Depp, and you have a winning combination in my opinion. We didn’t get to see The Lone Ranger in theaters, so I’m really excited to see this when it’s released on Blu-Ray on December 17th. Plus, you can never have too much Johnny Depp! Be sure to pick up your copy when it’s released and check out the official press release below for more details.

Time is Ticking, the Tension is High, and the Ultimate Showdown Between Good and Evil is About to Explode

Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer star in The Lone Ranger, from Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Director Gore Verbinski. It’s a wild ride of high velocity action, explosions and gunfights that brings the famed masked legend to life through brand-new eyes. The Lone Ranger (Hammer), the last of his kind, teams with Tonto (Depp), a dark and mysterious vigilante, to seek vengeance after justice has failed them. It’s a runaway train of epic surprises, as these two unlikely heroes must learn to work together before the ultimate showdown between good and evil explodes.

Bonus Features Include:

Blooper Reel (BD, DVD & Select Digital Retailers Only)

Deleted Scene (BD & Select Digital Retailers Only)

Riding The Rails Of The Lone Ranger (BD & Select Digital Retailers Only) – For the production of the movie, director Gore Verbinski had a five mile oval track built along with multiple engines and cars. See the incredible effort that went into crafting such a detailed and important part of The Lone Ranger.

Armies’s Western Road Trip (BD & Select Digital Retailers Only) – Armie Hammer (The Lone Ranger) takes viewers on a tour of the scenic locations the production shot in as we see and learn more about the amazing places he went to become The Lone Ranger.

Becoming A Cowboy (BD & Select Digital Retailers Only) – Before the cast began shooting the film, they had to learn how to shoot a gun…and ride a horse. In this piece we follow the cowboy (and cowgirl) cast to boot camp, where they got a chance to experience what their characters would really be living like in the Wild West.

Rating: PG-13 For Sequences Of Intense Action and Violence, and Some Suggestive Material

Feature Run Time: 2 hrs. 29 min.

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Audio: Dolby Digital Surround Sound

Languages: English, French & Spanish

Disney Store Black Friday Sale Details

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 16, 2013

Disney store unveils magical week of details starting online the weekend before Thanksgiving.

WHAT: With a short holiday gift buying season this year, Disney Store is giving shoppers the chance to start shopping online earlier than ever with special discount pricing launching the weekend before Thanksgiving (Nov. 22 -24). Starting Monday, Nov. 25, All of Disney Store Magical Week deals will be available in Stores and online at special low prices, a first for the retailer. An additional deal will be unveiled online on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 28, and when Stores open for Magical Friday (11/29).

A favorite holiday shopping destination, Disney Store and DisneyStore.com offer a magical shopping experience featuring a great selection of high quality toys, apparel, accessories and more, all at a great value.

Anticipating more than 40 million shoppers in November and December in Stores, online and through mobile devices, Disney Store plans to hire more than 3,500 additional Cast Members this holiday season.

WHERE/WHEN: A selection of Disney Store¹s Magical Week deals will launch Friday, Nov. 22, at 12:30 a.m. PST online at DisneyStore.com/magicalweekdeals. Starting Monday, Nov. 25, the full assortment of Magical Week deals will be available online and in-store and continue throughout the week. An additional deal will be unveiled online on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 28, and when Stores open for Magical Friday (11/29).

WHO: Disney Store executives are available to discuss the Magical Friday top-selling gifts, deals and seasonal shopping trends.

MORE DETAILS:

To help find the perfect gift, shoppers can interact with Disney Store¹s guest services team on Twitter via Disney Store¹s Twitter handle, @DisneyStore. Updates on deals will be posted on Disney Store¹s Facebook page as well.

For holiday gift-giving inspiration, shoppers can browse the Holiday Gift Guide on DisneyStore.com and the Holiday Lookbook on Facebook.

Shoppers who prefer to shop from mobile devices will find Disney Store Mobile Site and App convenient and easy to use. Through the Mobile Site, users can receive timely message alerts for new arrivals, in-store events and promotional offers.

DisneyStore.com offers exclusive Magical Message videos to guests who wish to personalize their gifts with a recorded video message. Gift recipients will receive an email notifying them of a special delivery, and when the gift arrives at the door, a card will provide them with a site URL and a personal ID to view their personal video.

In the spirit of giving back, for every purchase of a select plush toy, ornament or snow globe, Disney Store will donate $1 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, up to $100,000. By the end of 2013, The Walt Disney Company will have donated more than $1.5 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Disney World Resort is Keepin it Green

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 16, 2013

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recently renewed the Green Lodging designation for all the Disney-owned and operated resorts in Florida. This three-year distinction is a way to recognize hotels that help protect Florida’s natural resources.

“Our goal is to use resources wisely and reduce our impact on the environment,” said Becky Grieser, manager of environmental integration for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Our participation in the Florida Green Lodging program is a valuable demonstration of that commitment, and it’s something we are very proud of.”

To receive this designation, Walt Disney World took several steps to conserve resources:

Disney World Resorts reduced waste by printing in-room guest information on recycled paper and recycling room key cards.

Resorts switched to energy-efficient lighting, kept an eye on thermostats and turned off unused lights and equipment.

Through the Disney Harvest program, unused prepared foods from resort kitchens havebeen collected and distributed through the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. More than 1,000 local children are fed weekly through this program.

Gently used soaps, shampoos, conditioners and lotions were donated to Clean the World, a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to sanitizing and redistributing these materials to families in need. In 2012, Cast Members helped recycle more than 128,000 pounds of hygiene products that were reprocessed into 393,00 soap bars.

Merchandise locations use recycled shopping bags and packaging materials.

Disney World resorts represent the largest number of Green Lodging-designated hotels in the state. Disney’s BoardWalk Resort was among the first statewide to receive this classification when the program began in 2004.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Never Land Rescue DVD Review

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 16, 2013

Having enjoyed Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Never Land Rescue when it came out this Fall, my boys were thrilled to get the show on DVD this past week. In the show,

Jake embarks on his most heroic mission ever as the magic of Never Land begins to disappear just as the ancient Forever Tree seems to be fading away. After a mysterious figure known as “The Guardian” arrives to explain that only the pirate who truly believes in himself can save Never Land from vanishing completely, Jake must break off from the rest of his crew and go alone on a mission to save the Forever Tree, the source of magic throughout all of Never Land.

The boys also loved that along with Jake’s Never Land Rescue, the DVD also featured four Jake and the Never Land Pirates episodes:

It’s a Pirate Picnic!/The Key to Skull Rock
The Golden Twilight Treasure!/Rock the Croc!
Jake and Sneaky LeBeak!/Cubby the Brave!
Jake’s Special Delivery/Seahorse Saddle-Up!

The DVD also features “Playing with Skully” bonus shorts that the kids loved watching. These quick clips feature Skully explaining a situation that Jake and his crew have to resolve and Skully asks for help with multiple choice questions. The shorts include:

Sailing the Never Sea
Where’s Sandy?
Pulley Hook
North Bound
Diving in the Coral Reef
Ship Ahoy?
Pirate Puzzle
Coconuts on Pirate Island

The DVD also comes with an inflatable sword that looks just like Jake’s pirate sword. It comes with glow in the dark stickers that you can add to the sword. The kids thought this was a fun addition to the DVD and have been playing with it since the DVD arrived.

We’re all big Jake fans in our house. If you have Jake fans in your house, I would highly recommend this DVD. It has hours of Jake fun for the family!

Holiday Limited Time Magic at Disney World now through January

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 16, 2013

As part of Limited Time Magic at Disney World Resort, they are adding some special fun to the holiday celebration at Magic Kingdom. Just for the holidays, you can join the young citizens of Main Street, U.S.A., as they jingle down the street in the Holly Jolly Trolley show.

Also, be sure to wear your “Glow with the Show” Ears during nighttime performances of “Wishes” and “Celebrate the Magic” featuring a special holiday finale and a new sequence inspired by Disney’s newest comedy adventure, “Frozen,” debuting November 17.

This part of “Limited Time Magic,” running through January 4.

For holiday updates check out Disney Parks Blog.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Disney and Harrods Make Disney Magic with launch of new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 16, 2013

01 ParksBlog HarrodsBBB Princess 613x408

Disney UK and Harrods announced the launch of a Cinderella-inspired “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique” at the world famous department store, marking the first time that a Disney Parks and Resorts offering has been recreated in the UK. The experience forms the centre piece of Disney at Harrods, a new partnership venture including a bespoke Disney Store and new-look Disney Café.

It will open for the first time on November 25th, the Disney Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Harrods has been reimagined for the UK, with the help of Walt Disney Imagineering to create the ultimate immersive storytelling experience for children aged 3-12. The boutique is set in a fairy tale castle enclosed within the glittering walls of Harrods. Children are met by their very own Fairy Godmother-in-Training to learn the qualities needed to become Princesses or Knights and take a royal oath while enjoying the ultimate fantasy makeover.

Anna Hill, Vice President, The Walt Disney Company, UK & Ireland, said: “Our partnership with Harrods will bring Disney magic to an iconic British store in a completely unique way. The Boutique lets children step into the world of classic Disney characters, celebrate the qualities like kindness and bravery that make them true heroes and heroines, and be transformed as Cinderella was in the famous Fairy Godmother scene from the movie. We hope the experience will create memories that families can enjoy for a lifetime.’

Building on the success of last year’s pop-up shop, the partnership also includes the launch of a dedicated Disney Store at Harrods, which opened on 1st November, offering shoppers exclusive themed products in a magical Disney-themed environment.

Mark Briggs, Store Director at Harrods, said: “There’s only one Harrods, and there’s only one Disney but this partnership shows what can be achieved when two iconic brands work together. Disney at Harrods will create a magical day out in itself, shopping for exclusive products at Disney Store, enjoying a meal together with added imagination at the themed Café and experiencing a royal transformation in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

The Disney Café will be refreshed over the coming months and will continue to offer delicious, nutritious meals for families to enjoy together in a magical environment, while being entertained with classic Disney songs and movies played on screens around the restaurant.

Last year Disney and Harrods joined forces to celebrate the stories of Disney Princesses, working with the world’s leading designers to create ten unique dresses which were showcased in the Harrods Christmas windows. Each dress paid tribute to one of the Princesses.

The Disney Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Harrods opens on 25th November 2013 and the booking line will open from mid- November. To keep up to date with the latest news, visit Harrods.com or Disney.co.uk and sign up for emails. Alternatively, visit the Harrods and Disney Store Facebook pages.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine