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Disney Planes Fire & Rescue Soars into Theaters Next Year

October 31, 2013

This is the sequel to Disney’s “Planes,” Dusty Crophopper leaves the glory of the racing world behind (at least temporarily) to lend a wing to some courageous airborne fire-fighters.

“Every day, they put their lives on the line,” the trailer exclaims. “It takes honor, trust, and bravery to earn your wings.”

We’re introduced to a lot of brand-new characters, from choppers to ground crew.

Disney’s “Planes: Fire & Rescue” soars into theaters July 18, 2014.

In the meantime check out the trailer:

Wishing you Faith. Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

First Look: Starbucks Concept Art for Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 31, 2013

Construction Crews at Downtown Disney West Side are working quickly to convert the now closed Wetzel’s Pretzels into the new Starbucks West Side location.

The pretzel and ice cream store has already closed and walls are up and they are beginning demolition.

The new Starbucks West Side is opening in Spring 2014 with a modern and sleek look. Here is some concept art for the location.

If you are a fan of Wetzel’s Pretzels and Haagen Dazs, you will be able to continue to buy your favorites from a new kiosk opening near to DisneyQuest also on the West Side later on this year.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Disney Planes Take Off For Adventure Sweepstakes

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 30, 2013

Enter the Disney Planes Take Off For Adventure Sweepstakes. You could win a trip for 4 to New York City.

Grand Prize:

Round trip flights and hotel accommodations from American Airlines
$500.00 shopping spree at Disney Store in Times Square
Private tour of the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum Complex

First Prize:

25 winners will receive a Disney Planes Reading Fun Pack from Disney Publishing

Try your luck and enter here!

No purchase necessary. Open to Disney Movie Rewards Members who are legal residents of the 50 US/DC/PR & Canada (excl. QC) 13 years and older only. Sweepstakes starts 10/21/13, ends 1/31/14.

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

Sunshine

Top 5 Most Difficult Restaurants to Advanced Dining Reservations at Disney World

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 30, 2013

Walt Disney World is home to dozens upon dozens of themed restaurants offering delicious menus, picturesque locations, and even your favorite characters! You can drop by a restaurant while at the parks or the resorts; but to make sure you are guaranteed a seat, you can make Advanced Dining Reservations by phone or online. However, reservations aren’t always easy to get when it comes to a few select restaurants. These dining spots feature some of the best theming and locations on property, as well as dishes and desserts! Find out what I think are the Top 5 Most Difficult Restaurants to Get Reservations for at WDW so you can plan ahead in advance!

5. Chef Mickey’s – Located in the lobby of the Contemporary Resort, this family-friendly restaurant features a spectacular buffet to suit all your tastes and cravings, as well as visits from Goofy, Donald, Pluto, Minnie, and Mickey! Because you really can’t go wrong at this restaurant, it’s very popular with guests and tables go quickly. Be sure to get a reservation as soon as you can to guarantee you and your family this fun dining experience.

4. ‘Ohana – ‘Ohana means family; and the ‘Ohana restaurant at the Polynesian resort, that’s exactly what you are! This restaurant offers two dining experiences, breakfast and dinner. At breakfast, you are treated to breakfast platters with a Hawaiian twist while Lilo and Stitch and a few other friends drop by to visit. Then, at dinner, you will feast on Polynesian style dishes, as well as yummy meat skewers right out of the fire, while the kids participate in some fun, tropical games! Late diners may even see Wishes being displayed over Cinderella Castle from across the lake at the Magic Kingdom!

3. Le Cellier – Epcot’s World Showcase is my personal go-to park for a great meal because there are so many restaurants to choose from and it’s all so good! Plus, the international experience is a lot of fun too! Out of all the fabulous World Showcase restaurants, my personal favorite is Le Cellier at the Canada pavilion. Tucked hidden away, and in what looks like an old wine cellar, there isn’t much seating. However, the food is some of the best I’ve had on Disney property, particularly the Filet Mignon with Mushroom Risotto! Also, you’ve gotta try their Pretzel Bread, as well as their Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup. For years, Le Cellier has notoriously difficult to get reservations for, so be sure to snatch up a reservation as soon as you now you’re going to WDW!

2. Cinderella’s Royal Table – This restaurant has the BEST location in all of WDW as it can be found inside of Cinderella’s Castle with a view of Fantasyland! Yes, this restaurant lets you dine inside of a fairytale beginning with a visit from Cinderella and then visits from other royal princesses while you dine either at breakfast, lunch, or dinner! The setting, details, dishes, as well as a few special treats, make Cinderella’s Royal Table a VERY popular dining destination, especially for birthdays, engagements, and other special occasions. We recommend booking a reservation here as soon as absolutely possible!

1. Be Our Guest – The Magic Kingdom’s newest restaurant, Be Our Guest, is housed inside of the Beast’s enchanted castle from the classic Disney film, Beauty and the Beast! This restaurant features three unique dining rooms with their own unique experiences. My personal favorites are the West Wing, with the torn décor, lightning effects, and wilting rose, and the famous ballroom. The ballroom truly looks as if it came straight out of the film, complete with the massive gold chandeliers and the tall windows where you can watch snow fall outside! Now Be Our Guest is a Disney first in that it’s a quick service restaurant for lunch, but turns into a table service restaurant for dinner; and dinner reservations are next to impossible to get right now! My advice? Wait in line to eat here at lunch, or book a reservation the first day you can which would be 180 days out from your trip.

So just because these restaurants are popular and typically booked, that doesn’t mean you still can’t get in! While I can’t guarantee anything, I do have a few tips:

1. Keep Checking! Guests cancel reservations all the time, and if you keep checking, you may snatch that one open reservation.

2. Book Online! While you can book a reservation over the phone, I prefer to book online. Why? I can check all available times for the days I want without having to go through someone else. I can also check and book anytime I wish, giving me a greater chance of landing an opening.

3. Check a Few Hours Ahead! If you still haven’t grabbed that reservation when you arrive at WDW, don’t despair! Many guests tend to cancel their reservations when on vacation as things come up and change and so on. Therefore, I would suggest checking for an open reservation for the restaurant of your choice a few hours in advance of your desired mealtime. You never know what might be available!

4. Take Advantage of Bad Weather! Stormy weather is usually a bad thing at WDW, but not if you’re hungry! The parks tend to empty when the weather turns nasty, meaning many guests may not show up for their reservation. However, the opposite is true of resort restaurants. They tend to fill up even more as guests prefer to stay in on gray days.

Are any of these Top 5 Restaurants your favorites? Do you have any suggestions for how to get in?

Drink Around the World Showcase – Morocco Pavilion

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 30, 2013

One visit to the Morocco Pavilion and you’ll feel like you have been transported to the streets of Morocco. From the street fare at Tangierine Cafe to the unique drinks and eats throughout the pavilion, there’s no doubt that a Drinking Around the World Showcase excursion isn’t complete without a visit to Morocco. While you probably won’t get roasted and toasted at this pavilion alone, you can definitely score some tasty drinks & treats that will keep you certifiably nuts!

The best place to score an alcoholic beverage is the kiosk located closest to the Japan Pavilion. There you can get some very American beers, including Bud Light, Budweiser and Michelob Ultra ($5.99). These aren’t remotely authentic but the location does also carry Casa Beer ($6.99). If you’re looking for a beer with a high alcoholic content ratio, this one is not it. It’s pretty weak in the percentage department. Are cocktails more your speed? A refreshing oasis slushie is sure to hit the spot on a hot Florida summer day! ($8.99) The Habibi Daiquiri provides a unique taste with orange blossom water. The Sultan’s Colada offers a twist on a Pina Colada with almond liqueur. While there, grab some baklava and watch the live entertainment with the band Mo’rockin. The stage is located near this kiosk.

The Morocco Coffee & Pastries kiosk located inside the Tangierine Cafe restaurant also offers several alcoholic beverages. For beer, stick with the outside kiosk, but for Sangria and Moroccan Wine ($6.99) as well as unique coffee beverages this is the location to visit. Several of their coffees include liqueur making them the perfect accompaniment to baklava and other Moroccan pastries. The Kashbah Coffee with hazelnut liqueur and Casablanca Coffee with vanilla liqueur (both $6.99) are terrific choices.

Looking for a quick service dining location to grab some authentic Moroccan fare? Tangierine Cafe serves up some terrific and reasonably priced quick service options. Check out the Moroccan sliders combo ($14.99) which offers you a taste of chicken, lamb and falafel with traditional accompaniments. The specialty wraps ($8.99-$10.99) are a good value and portable for DAWS-goers on the move. For vegetarians, check out the Vegetable Platter ($10.99).

One of the best spots to experience all that Morocco has to offer for a DAWS excursion is Restaurant Marrakesh. From the traditional food to the unique drinks and the live entertainment–this is a one stop shop for a DAWS visit. This is a great place to visit with groups of friends, couples, and even families. There’s something for everyone and the unique atmosphere appeals to all ages! This table service location offers several unique cocktails including: Casablanca Sunset made with apricot brandy, orange juice, cranberry juice, topped with peach schnapps and Tangier’s Breeze made with vodka, pineapple juice, topped with Midori (both $8.99). Beer drinkers can still get the Casa Beer. For a non-alcoholic drink, order the Moroccan Mint Tea (served either hot or cold). The presentation for the hot version is worth the price alone! For DAWS-goers, order appetizers, drinks, and dessert — all the while enjoying traditional music and belly dancing. You can even get the opportunity to join in the dancing!

While Morocco isn’t the booziest of pavilions in the World Showcase, it does offer several unique options and some great entertainment and food. You’ll experience a “Whole New World” when you visit this location on your next DAWS excursion!

When Sarah isn’t sharing planning tips about the Walt Disney World Resort, you can find her at Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW where she writes dining reviews and shares tips and tricks about dining at Disney with a special diet.

Discounted Disney Cruises for Florida Residents

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 30, 2013

Florida residents have another great Disney deal available! There are discounted Disney cruises for Florida residents in November 2013.

Florida Residents have the opportunity to experience a magical Disney cruise vacation for less. While on-board, you will enjoy spectacular shows, fantastic programs, unique rotation dining, legendary Disney hospitality, and an
unforgettable adventure in paradise at Disney’s own private island, Castaway Cay! Plus, you can check out the newly re-imagined Disney Magic, too!

You could sail for as little as $100 per person per night on the following cruises:

4-night Bahamian cruise on the Disney Dream departing from Port Canaveral on November 3, 2013
4-night Bahamian cruise on the Disney Dream departing from Port Canaveral on November 10, 2013
5-night Western Caribbean cruise on the Disney Magic departing from Miami on November 10, 2013
5-night Western Caribbean cruise on the Disney Magic departing from Miami on November 15, 2013
4-night Bahamian cruise on the Disney Dream departing from Port Canaveral on November 17, 2013

You must book your cruise by November 3, 2013. Contact Siera for your free, no obligation quote!

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

Sheriff Callie’s Wild West – Disney Junior’s First Western for Preschoolers

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 30, 2013

Disney Junior first western for preschoolers

In a first for Disney/ABC, a series will premiere on its hugely popular Watch service. The animated “Sheriff Callie’s Wild West,” the first Western for preschoolers, will be available for verified viewers on Watch DisneyJunior.com and the Watch Disney Junior app for smartphones and tablets beginning Sunday November 24. The series will premiere on Disney Junior channels.

Established last year as part of Disney/ABC, Watch Disney Junior provides access to on-demand episodes of popular Disney Junior shows, as well as a live stream of the linear channel feed for verified viewers. Nine episodes of “Sheriff Callie’s Wild West” will roll out on WATCH Disney Junior between November 24 and January 6.

“Sheriff Callie’s Wild West” stars the voice of Mandy Moore (Disney’s “Tangled“) as Callie, a Calico cat sheriff who keeps the peace in her frontier town of Nice and Friendly Corners using her magic lasso and cowgirl know-how. Incorporating the folklore of the Old West, each episode features two 11-minute stories that focus on positive character building and being a good friend and neighbor. Sheriff Callie’s trusty sidekicks are a bird named Deputy Peck and sweet-natured cactus, Toby.

“Interacting with smartphones and tablets is second nature to kids today,” said Albert Cheng, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer of Digital Media, Disney/ABC Television Group. “Our research shows tablets are among the fastest growing devices ever, more than half of households with kids now own a tablet, up over 40% in 2012.

On Monday, November 18, DisneyJunior.com/SheriffCallie will launch as an introduction to the series and characters and will expand in early January with the game “Sheriff Callie’s Wild Day.” The site will also include themed coloring pages and downloadable crafts.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

New Flavors at Epcot’s Club Cool

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 30, 2013

Club Cool in Epcot will get new flavors beginning October 30th 2013! I was in Club Cool the other day and noticed many sodas were out of order or no longer available (including my favorite…Smart Watermelon.)

Sadly, I never even got to say goodbye. (sniff sniff…)

Turns out Smart Watermelon, Kinley Lemon, Fanta Colita, Lift Apple, Mezzo Mix, and Krest Ginger Ale are now just a memory, and have vanished into Club Cool history.

All is not lost however – a couple of favorites will be sticking around:

VegitaBeta: Originally launched in Japan in 1992, VegitaBeta is a non-carbonated beverage with apricot and passion fruit flavors and is rich in beta-carotene that contributes to its unique orange color.

Beverly: With its bitter flavor, it is a popular non-alcoholic aperitif that is a traditional part of Italian refreshment culture.

When one door closes, another opens. The following flavors will (hopefully) include some all new favorites for you!

Here’s what’s coming:

Fanta Pineapple: With more than 90 distinct flavors available in more than 180 countries, Fanta made its European debut in the 1940′s and was introduced to the USA in 1960. Fanta Pineapple is caffeine-free and features a sweet pineapple taste.

Fanta (Melon Frosty): This is the number one soft drink of Thailand. With a fun melon flavor, this carbonated beverage is beloved in Thailand’s sunny, tropical climate.

Bibo: Originally created in 1998, Bibo is a fruit flavored line of juice drinks popular in South Africa. The brand features fun characters such as Johnny Orange, Taka Strawberry, and Paolo Peach.

Sparberry: A raspberry flavored cream soda, Sparberry launched in Africa in 1955. It is exclusively available in several countries in southeast Africa.

Guarana Kuat: This is a guarana berry flavored soft drink first launched in Brazil in 1997. The word guarana comes from the Guarani word guna, which translates to ‘fruit like the eyes of the people.”

Inca Kola: Known as “The Taste of Peru,” Inca Kola has an unusually sweet fruity flavor that many compare to the taste of liquid bubblegum, The name refers to the Quechua words for king and queen.

A little Club Cool trivia – Epcot and World of Coca-Cola attractions in Atlanta and Las Vegas are the ONLY places you can try these if you are in the United States!

So what are your thoughts? Did your favorite flavor make the cut? Are you excited to give the new flavors a try? Let us know!

Venture Out West on the Adventures by Disney Wyoming Vacation

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 29, 2013

Are you looking to try something new with your family this holiday season? If you love adventure, this December Adventures by Disney Wyoming vacation is taking a frosty trip to a true “Winter Wonderland.” This five-day, four-night inspiring journey will take you through a picturesque, snow-capped winter in the untamed terrains of Wyoming.

From the second you arrive, you will enjoy scenic views of glistening snow and the awe-inspiring Teton Mountain Range in Jackson, Wyoming. Throughout the adventure, you will find other notable sights, including a close-up view of Old Faithful in the Yellowstone National Park in its snow-covered season. There will also be frozen and flowing waterfalls as well as a vast array of roaming wildlife.

As you continue on your adventure, exciting seasonal activities will be available. You can learn the art of “mushing” through powdery white snow with a trusted team of sled dogs who will guide you through the Wyoming wilderness. After sledding, you will dip into the Granite Hot Springs, an oasis that contains rejuvenating waters to re-energize you for the rest of the day.

Throughout your trip, two Adventure Guides will take care of every detail. You won’t have to worry about a thing, except for having fun with your family!

Would you like to try the Adventures by Disney Wyoming vacation? Contact Siera for your free quote!

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! Be sure to mention Chip and Co for a special gift, too!

Avoiding a Disney Dining Crisis (Alternatives to Popular Disney Restaurants)

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 29, 2013

You get up at 5 am on your 180 day out from check in. Why? To make those Disney Dining reservations of course! Or, not. If you’re like me, making ADRs at your 180 day mark doesn’t always happen. So, what should you do when the restaurants you were hoping for are booked? Not only do you “just keep swimming” and keep checking back consistently until you find one you are hoping to get. OR, you look for an alternative! Today, I’m going to share with you some Alternatives to Popular Disney Restaurants. Hopefully these will help you avoid a Disney Dining crisis, and maybe even find a new favorite restaurant!

Chef Mickey’s is VERY popular for many reasons! Of course the Fab 5 are there, and it’s in a fabulous location! For some fabulous character interaction from the Fab 5, consider Cape May Cafe for breakfast. Mickey, Minnie, and their friends make this breakfast and lunch a FABulous time! Another great alternative is Tusker House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. Dressed in their safari finest, Donald, Daisy, and their buddies will start your day off with some magical fun at breakfast or a fun midday break for lunch.

Cinderella’s Royal Table is the elusive location for dining in Cinderella’s castle at the Magic Kingdom. While this does provide a huge “wow” factor, it’s also very hard to get a reservation here. Do you want to dine with princesses? Then consider Akerhaus for the Storybook breakfast or lunch. There are often at least 5 princesses here to enchant you. Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty are usually there. Jasmine and Mary Poppins have also been known to make an appearance. Another great alternative is 1900 Park Fare for dinner. This dinner features Cinderella and Prince Charming. Reservations at either 1900 Park Fare or Akerhaus will get you your princess fix if Cinderella’s Royal Table isn’t available.

California Grill was popular before it was reimagined, and now it’s extremely popular again! This eclectic, very adult friendly, dining location at the Contemporary Resort is a “must do” on many visitors’ lists. Perhaps it’s the atmosphere, the fabulous menu, or the premier viewing location for Wishes that makes it so popular. A nice alternative is Jiko-the Cooking Place. Located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jiko is a dining experience to be enjoyed as an alternative to California Grill. You will enjoy a unique menu, as well as a perfectly themed atmosphere!

How do you handle your Disney Dining reservations? Are you a “get up at 5 am on day 180”, or a “just wait and see what’s available” planner? With these options and alternatives, you can easily find something to fit your plans and your dining desires!

Do you want to take the hassle out of booking your Disney Dining reservations? Do you have other things to do than sit and watch for times to open up? Then contact me and I will be happy to help you with every aspect of your next trip to Walt Disney World-or anywhere! Email me at [email protected] for a FREE quote and magical trip planning extras!

Top 10 Things to Do When You Want a Break from the WDW Theme Parks

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 29, 2013

Let’s face it, it’s hard to spend an entire day in the parks without getting tired or cranky (yes, even us adults get cranky). We always make it a point to leave the parks around lunch and then return in the evenings when we’ve had time to re-group. This allows us to stay refreshed, cool down in those warmer months, and stay in the parks until closing each day. Here is my Top 10 list of things to do when you just need a break from the WDW Theme Parks.

10. Play a game of mini-golf – Yes, it requires you to still be outside and walking, but we really enjoy playing mini-golf at Winter Summerland. Where else can it be 90 degrees outside with Christmas music playing in the background, snow-covered scenery and Santa nearby to greet you? There’s just something about it that somehow makes it feel much cooler than it actually is outside.

9. Catch the boat from Hollywood Studios or Epcot and visit the BoardWalk – We’ve made it a tradition to leave Hollywood Studios around 10AM and ride the boat to the BoardWalk area. We then go and visit the BoardWalk Bakery for a cupcake – yes, it’s okay to have cupcakes for breakfast at Disney World…While the BoardWalk area comes alive at night, it’s relatively quiet during the day and makes for great place to have a stroll along the water, enjoy a dessert from the bakery and even visit the other resorts in the Boardwalk area.

8. Visit a Disney Water Park – Think lazy river…you don’t have to go and slide down the slides or visit the wave pool. Just grab a tube and hop into the lazy river for a good 30 mins+ of floating and relaxing. Just watch out for those spots where the cold water falls on you…

7. Pin Trading – I don’t think it’s any secret that we love to pin trade and for us, it’s a great way to take a break from the rides and relax. When we decide to leave the parks for the day, we take our time making our way out of the parks and walk through the gift shops to trade pins. The stores are generally less crowded in the middle of the day and cast members typically have time to trade with you.

6. Grab a dessert or snack – Nothing cools you down like one of those yummy ice cream sandwiches made with fresh-baked cookies. Or you may prefer a Dole Whip or Mickey Ice Cream Bar. Of course, we still prefer cupcakes. So grab a snack with the family, find a bench or table and just take the time to recoup some of that lost energy.

5. Visit Downtown Disney – While shopping may not seem like relaxing to some, there is so much to see and do at Downtown Disney, so you can easily avoid having to shop if it’s not your thing. You can visit DisneyQuest to play some classic arcade games, grab a yummy lunch or early dinner at one of the many restaurants, or just sit on a bench by the lake to watch the boats come and go. One of our favorite things to do is to catch the boat from Downtown Disney to Port Orleans Resort. The ride is so relaxing and Port Orleans is a beautiful resort to visit (be sure to try the beignets).

4. Catch a show – If you prefer to stay in the parks, catching a show mid-day is a great way to stay cool, rest those feet and for some, take a nap. The Hall of Presidents is a great place to rest…

3. Resort Hop – We absolutely love catching the monorail from Magic Kingdom and visiting all the monorail resorts. From the smell of the Polynesian to the grandeur of the Grand Floridian, just walking into these resorts relaxes you and takes you to another place and time. Take the time to explore the resorts, walk on the beach or just sit in the lobby and people watch.

2. Take a dip in the pool – I’m convinced that Disney World has the best resort pools around. Where else can you swim in a pool shaped like a bowling pin? The best part is that the pools are heated, so you can even enjoy them on those cooler days. While I love to swim, once I get in the pool, I tend to get sleepy, so that sets me up for #1 on this list.

1. Take a nap – I think most adults secretly wish they could still roll out one of those mats like they did in kindergarten and just take a nap in the middle of the day. Ahhh…things we wish we appreciated more as kids. The great thing about being on vacation, especially at Disney World, is that you can take a nap in the middle of the day and not feel guilty about it. And if you have children, then it’s good to give them a break as well, else they may end up taking an early bedtime and missing out on the wonderful parades, fireworks and shows that make Disney magical each evening. And if you’re like me, you’re usually pretty tired after lunch, so why not head back to your resort and get an hour or two of sleep? Your body will thank you…

So there you have it, my Top 10 ways to take a break from the parks. What are some things that your family does to break away from the hustle and bustle of the parks after lunch?

Monsters University Bluray Review

Chip

October 29, 2013

Monsters University probably has to be one of my favorite movies of the year. Well atleast in the animated realm. Having seen the movie in theaters I was glad to add this Bluray/DVD to my collection.

After scaring up big laughs in theaters, the in-home release of “Monsters University” opens its doors to the movie in stunning high definition Blu-ray, and provides hours of all-new bonus material, in-depthbehind the scenes features, deleted scenes, the animated theatrical short “The Blue Umbrella” and much more. Directed by Dan Scanlon, produced by Kori Rae, and written by Dan Scanlon and Robert Baird & Dan Gerson (“Monsters, Inc.”), “Monsters University” marks Pixar’s 14th consecutive film to debut at number one at the box office.If you want to read more check out this post by Patrick.

The movie was really good for a prequel. I love how they tied the two films together the best as they can. For a hard core Disney Nerd like myself there were a few discrepancies between the 2 movies that Pixar conveniently forgot about. That is okay as long as you don’t think about it your are fine.

I will be honest Disney is really delivering on the bonus content, if you are into that sort of thing like I am. Here is what ships with the bluray:

Campus Life – What’s it like being on a production crew at Pixar? Get a look at a day in the life of the “Monsters University” crew through their own eyes.
Story School – This documentary examines the challenges of creating a prequel as well as themes that run through the story, and the change in focus from Sulley to Mike. We’ll also look at how gags are developed – from writing jokes to brainstorming a million ideas, only 5% of which actually end up in the movie.
Scare Games – At Pixar, we play hard while we work. The same people who keep the film production moving – producers, managers, coordinators and artists – are also the ones who bring spirit and excitement to some of our extracurricular activities. We check out the MU production teams as they go head to head in the mostly playful Pixar Scare Games competitions.
Welcome to MU – Sets aren’t just buildings, they are the worlds our characters live in and explore. This look at the Monsters University campus and its development is told from the perspective of the artists who created each piece of the campus from the architecture to the ivy leaves. .
Music Appreciation – Randy Newman’s scores are a mainstay of Pixar films, and this documentary will give you a privileged look at his creative process. We follow the “Monsters University” scoring process from spotting to writing and on to the scoring session. including special college-themed recording sessions.
Scare Tactics – Animators are actors who digitally bring the characters to life. In this look at how the MU animation team worked, you’ll see their process of how they channeled their own monster-selves and created moments on screen that were really funny, really scary and also really serious, sometimes all at the same time.
Color and Light – How can a single painting set the tone for an entire scene? We’ll look at the creation of the colorscripts and how they were realized technically in the final film. Along with the process, this piece explores the many layers of technical innovation required to produce such a naturalistic feel.
Paths to Pixar – MU Edition – When one door closes, sometimes another door opens – one with an even more exciting opportunity behind it. Members of the MU crew tell their own compelling backstories and share the challenges they overcame along their paths to Pixar.
Furry Monsters: A Technical Retrospective – Explore the difficulties in creating characters that are 20 years younger with tools that are 10 years more advanced in this contrasting look at the differing technical challenges that arose when making “Monsters, Inc.,” and “Monsters University.”
Deleted Scenes – Four separate scenes – “Rivalry,” “Recon,” “Movie Night,” and “Drama Class” – are highlighted with an introduction from director Dan Scanlon.
“The Blue Umbrella” – This animated short film from Pixar Animation Studios, directed by Saschka Unseld and produced by Marc Greenberg, played in theaters in front of “Monsters University.” “The Blue Umbrella” tells the story of an evening commute in which the rain starts to fall and the city comes alive to the sound of dripping rain pipes, whistling awnings and gurgling gutters. And in the midst, two umbrellas—one blue, one not—fall eternally in love.
Additional Bonus Features – Audio Commentary, Promo Picks, College Campaign, Theatrical Campaign, Set Flythroughs, Art Gallery and more!

Overall this is a fun movie if you are fans of Mike & Sully. Meeting all the new characters are fun and while I don’t remember their names I heard many actors voices I remember from television and the big screen.

I highly recommend adding this to your Disney Library or it would make for a great gift for Christmas!

I give the movie an A-

Here are some bonus clips from the Bluray

Recon – Monsters University Deleted Scene on Disney Video

Gag Session – Monsters University BTS on Disney Video

Designing the Campus – Monsters University Featurette on Disney Video

Rivalry – Monsters University BTS on Disney Video

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