Show Your Disney Side

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September 30, 2013

As reported by Anonymouse a few weeks ago Disney is starting to release details on next years promotion Show Your Disney Side. Here are some details from the Disney Parks Blog.

Beginning today, you’ll be hearing a lot more about the idea of showing your Disney side – the side of you that says “yes” more often, laughs louder and lives life to the fullest. It’s the side of you that embraces fun and comes out to play the moment you step through the gates at Disney Parks.

Everyone has a Disney side. And this morning, Disney Parks Blog readers are among the first to see our premiere television spot featuring one family’s galactic Disney side.

Along with the video, we also just launched a new destination – DisneySide.com. At the site, you’ll be able to share your own Disney side with the world and see what’s being posted and talked about online.

Make Your Disneyland Advanced Dining Reservations Online Beginning October 3

By

Chip

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September 29, 2013

Beginning October 3, you can make dining reservations online at the Disneyland website! This new service will make it easier than ever to book a meal at your favorite restaurants in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, at the Downtown Disney District and at the hotels of the Disneyland Resort.

With the new online booking option, the [email protected] email reservation service will no longer be offered, but those wishing to make a reservation over the phone may still call 714-781-DINE. Remember that Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Pirates League and Studio Disney 365 reservations will not be available online; guests wishing to book these experiences should continue to call 714-781-STYLE.

Also, as part of our continuous effort to provide consistent guest service, beginning October 3, guests who make or adjust reservations for that date or beyond will be required to provide a credit card when making a reservation for table-service restaurants (both those owned and operated by Disney as well as our operating participants), Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Pirates League or Studio Disney 365. A fee of $10 per person will be applied if a guest does not show to their reservation or if the reservation isn’t canceled the day before. Canceling your reservation will be easy with the new online service – simply log in to make adjustments or cancellations right there.

Be sure to check this page on October 3 to begin taking advantage of this new, convenient service.

Behind The Seeds – Backstage Tour at Epcot

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 29, 2013

Explore the future of agriculture and get up-close and personal with the critters of The Land Pavilion.

See, Do, Learn, Grow !

Interact with amazing plants, insects and fish—and even see alligators—on this fun yet educational walking tour.

Like the Living with the Land attraction at Epcot? Then you’ll love Behind the Seeds! This one-hour tour of the fish farm and 4 greenhouses that make up The Land Pavilion is perfect for anyone with an interest in gardening or natural sciences. On it, you’ll:

Visit the fish farm during feeding time and see American alligators.
Release ladybugs into the greenhouse to help protect the plants. Activity subject to availability.
Behold gigantic fruits and vegetables and unusual crops from around the world.
Discover the latest plant-growing techniques, including hydroponics—look, Ma, no soil!
Take home a handout with some great ideas for your own garden.

Know Before You Go

View important information including recommended attire, tour content and cancellation policies.

You’ll be on your feet for the whole hour of this walking tour. With that in mind, make sure you wear comfortable shoes.
Riding the Living with the Land attraction prior to the tour will give you a preview of what to expect. Please be aware that the tour highlights listed above are subject to change.
Please check in at the Tour Desk on the lower level of The Land Pavilion near Soarin’ 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour. You will forfeit the entire price of your tour if you no-show or cancel within 2 days of your reservation.
Price $14.00 – $16.00 for children and $18.00 – $20.00 for adults.

Let me book your your chance to experience Behind the Seed or any of the other tours and events we have talked about on your next vacation. At DIF we offer personalized travel planning, lots of extras and kids get the first Mickey Mouse Ice Cream on me. Call me at 832-233-4468 or check out my page, here and we can get started on making me your personal travel assistant for free !

Laugh and Learn with Chip and Co on Disney Parks Podcast

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 29, 2013

In between Chip and Co. articles this week, we hope you will tune in to episode 67 of the Disney Parks Podcast. Laugh and learn with Chip and Sarah Norris as we discuss top picks for the 100 Disney foods and drinks you should put on your bucket list!

Hi, it’s Krista, writer for Chip and Co.com, Disneyways.com and co-host of the Disney Parks Podcast.

Please join Tony Casselnova, Parkhopper Sid (Sarah Irene Donahue!) and I, as we welcome special guests Chip – head author at Chip & Co.com and Sarah Norris – writer for Chip & Co.com and owner of Gluten Free and Dairy Free at Walt Disney World! We based the entire podcast around 2 of the most popular articles on Chip & Co.com, and I think you are going to love it! If you have never listened to a podcast before, please check out the very end of this post for instructions on how to tune in.

Click these links to read 100 Disney Foods to Eat Before you Die Challenge and 100 Disney VEGETARIAN Foods to Eat Before you Die Challenge.

Bonus for Chip & Co. readers!! Click HERE to find out how YOU can win an autographed copy of Marty Sklar’s new book called Dream it! Do it! from Chip and Company.

Highlights of the podcast will include:

Zebra Domes – no, they are not made from parts of real zebra!
A VERY special announcement from Chip about one of his latest series of articles (he saved this information just for the podcast!)
The names of all the pizza ovens at Via Napoli restaurant at Epcot
Your chance to hear the voice of our fearless leader Chip
Are you still gluten free if the chicken you eat has gluten in it’s food…and what IS turkey milk?
Chip’s tip on how to get a low-carb burger at Beaches and Cream
Your exclusive invitation to Sarah’s fireworks dessert party – your chance to punch Chip in the face!
Top it all off with some of Chip’s BEST Disney tips

To play this episode click here. Then just look for the grey circle with the sideways white triangle inside of it. Click on that button and your podcast will begin playing immediately. Make sure your speakers are on!

So what foods did we miss? Let us know what you think of the show, and leave us some future topic ideas for Chip’s next interview!

Jake’s Never Land Shapes and Patterns App

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 29, 2013

It’s time for a treasure hunt!

Based on Disney Junior’s hit animated series, “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” Disney Publishing’s newest app,Jake’s Never Land Shapes and Patterns invites kids on an interactive pirate adventure.

Designed for kids ages 4 and up, Jake’s Never Land Shapes and Patterns features three leveled curriculum activities that support shape and pattern identification. Kids can match shapes, complete patterns, and trace their way to treasure – all while Captain Hook is hot on their trail!

Additional features include:

Collectible gold doubloons and personalized pirate puppets
Delightful animation and interactive surprises
Character voices from the popular Disney Junior show
Engaging narration and exciting sound effects and music

Description

• Play games and practice shapes and patterns with Jake and the crew!
• Read along with an all-new adventure story!
• Collect gold doubloons and use them to personalize your pirate puppet!

It’s a starry night on Pirate Island, and Jake, Izzy, and Cubby are going on a treasure hunt with their new friend, Brightly the firefly. But uh-oh! Captain Hook has overheard their plans and wants to get to the treasure first. It’s up to you to help the crew think fast and find the spots on Cubby’s map.

Features:
• Three leveled curriculum activities support shape and pattern identification as well as pattern extension:
— Shadow Puppets: Drag and drop matching shapes onto Circle Rock.
— Rolling Hills: Help the crew make a path by completing patterns.
— Lightning Bugs: Spot and trace shapes in the Cave of the Twilight Treasure.
• Pirate puppets! Trade the gold doubloons you earned in the shape games for fun pirate attire, record a silly pirate phrase, and watch as your puppet dances to lively tunes!
• Two modes of play: Choose Twilight Treasure Hunt to experience the activities weaved into the story, OR, select Jake’s Shape Games to go straight to shape practice.
• Delightful animation and interactive surprises throughout the app.
• Character voices from the show, engaging narration, and exciting music and sound effects.

This app is available for download for $4.99 on Apple Itunes for Ipad and Iphone.

I have downloaded this for my Ipad and will let you know how my 3 year old does with it. I am truthfully looking forward to this one, it seems like a lot of fun, but what else would you expect from Disney, just look how much fun Monster’s University was.

Add a Day at Universal Orlando to Your Disney World Vacation

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 29, 2013

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One of the biggest advantages of staying at the Walt Disney World Resort is not having to worry about your transportation. You can ride Disney’s complimentary Magical Express to and from the Orlando International airport and then use Walt Disney World Resort transportation throughout your stay so you never have to worry about driving your vehicle, paying for parking, or paying for a rental car. You may have thought about visiting Universal Orlando or Sea World during your Disney World vacation, but don’t want to have to pay for parking or rent a car to get your family there. Well, I have good news, we can help!

Destinations in Florida offers a ticket to Universal Orlando that includes round-trip transportation to and from your Walt Disney World Resort hotel! You can be picked up from your resort and then dropped back off there at the end of your fun-filled day at Universal Orlando. You choose your pick-up times to both leave Walt Disney World and also to leave Universal Orlando so your day can be as long or as short as you would like!

You can choose from two different ticket options, depending on how long your family would like to spend at Universal. You can choose from a one-day, two-park ticket for $148.04 per adult and $141.65 or a two-day, two-park ticket for $179.97 per adult and $169.32 per child. This ticket allows you admission to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in the same day so you can go back and forth between both parks. If you have any Harry Potter, Simpsons, Transformers, or Despicable Me fans, you won’t want to miss Universal Orlando! Contact Siera to add Universal tickets to your Disney World vacation today!

Are you going to add a day at Universal Orlando to your next Disney World vacation?

When Siera isn’t helping plan Disney and Universal vacations or sharing the latest Disney news, you can find her spreading magic on Facebook and Twitter. Are you thinking about a Disney or Universal vacation? Siera would love to help you plan your trip. Contact her at [email protected] or 734-771-1290!

Epcot Food & Wine Festival Tips and Tricks

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 28, 2013

With the upcoming annual International Epcot Food & Wine Festival set to begin September 27 and running through November 11, 2013, there are lots of things to plan, see, and do while you visit Epcot this fall. The festival features special events, the festival marketplace and the Eat to the Beat concert series. If you’re planning on attending the Food & Wine Festival (F&W), here are some tips and tricks to help make your touring experience even more magical.

Tip: Plan ahead for special events: With newly added and popular events that are a Food & Wine Festival Tradition, it’s hard to choose which events should be on your list of must-do’s. Popular events sell out quickly, so planning for the F&W is extremely important, so you don’t miss out. Take a look at the entire special events calendar and decide which ones are your highest priorities. Are you looking for a big event? Several small ones? After you make your list, check out reviews from previous year’s events. Party for the Senses & “3D” Disney Dessert Discovery are two previously held F&W events, and you’ll easily find reviews on them. You’ll also want to make a list of back-up events, should your preferred events be sold out.

Trick: Book in advance with discounts: If you are an annual passholder, DVC member, or Tables in Wonderland cardholder, you can ask for discounts on special events. Often the discounts have some restrictions, such as being allowed to get discounts on weekday only events, but it’s well worth calling ahead of time and asking. In addition, if you are a DVC member or Tables in Wonderland cardholder, you can book many events in advance during pre-sale. This will help ensure you’ll get many of the culinary demonstrations and mixology sessions that you want.

Trick: Map out the marketplace: One of the most helpful tips when navigating the marketplace is to map it out ahead of time. Print out a park map or make an itinerary of all the booths you want to visit organized geographically through the World Showcase. This will help maximize your time and marketplace experience without feeling overwhelmed in the park. It can be very busy, especially on the weekends, and having a game plan is especially important.

Tip: Pace yourself: The Food & Wine Festival can be overwhelming and trying to do everything is next to impossible. Try to pick and choose the most important things to you, spacing them out over the course of your vacation. I’ve made the mistake of over indulging and ending up with a wicked stomach ache. Nothing makes your F&W experience and vacation less magical than being sick! A little bit of indulgence goes a long way.

Trick: Get in line early for premium concert seats: If you want to be front and center to see your favorite bands at the Eat to the Beat concert series, make sure to get in line at least 30 minutes prior to the show. This will help ensure you’ll get a nice spot up front and perhaps even some shade in the covered sections of the American Gardens Theater.

Tip: Check out the nighttime events: The “3D” Disney Dessert Discovery is just one of several nighttime events. These offer really great experiences and any event at Disney during the evening/nighttime is extra magical.

Trick: Invest in Disney wristband gift cards: Purchase one of these handy gift cards at the Festival Welcome Center or at any one of the marketplace kiosks. These are a life-saver and so much handier than using cash or even a credit card. It will save you time and be extremely handy as you navigate the booths. These cards can be used for most food (and all of the marketplace kiosks), refreshments and merchandise.

Tip: Utilize the Festival Welcome Center: This is a terrific spot to get information, rest, recharge and enjoy special events. If you have a question, this is the place to go during F&W. Guest Relations is located there to assist you with any questions you might have, and you can also score some F&W merchandise and even a glass of wine or a snack.

What are your tips & tricks for the Food & Wine Festival?

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

If you have a special diet, join Sarah at the 2nd Annual Special Diets Dessert Party held on October 13, 2013 during the Food & Wine Festival. It’s a must-do for guests with special diets!

My Magic+ Test Expanding

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 28, 2013

Disney World is expanding testing of the My Magic+ bands in the coming months.

All of the features of My Magic+ will be active.

If you are arriving on the dates listed below and staying at one the resorts, you will be contacted by Disney, usually by email or message on the website, to customize your Magicbands. I also hear they arrive really fast.

October 7 to October 31 2013

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

Disney’s BoardWalk Villas

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

October 14 to October 31 2013

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

October 21 to October 31 2013

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa

October 23 to October 31 2013

The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

September 30 to October 31 2013

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

Bay Lake Tower a

$200 Disney Gift Card Giveaway

By

Chip

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September 28, 2013

How would you like to win a $200 Disney Gift Card Giveaway? What would you spend it on? Well I have some good news for you! We partnered up with our good friends at Couponing to Disney to giveaway to one lucky fan a $200 Disney Gift Card!

To enter just use the Rafflecopter form below. Our giveaway runs from today till Saturday September 28th at 11:59pm. Monday morning we will pick a winner and notify them via Facebook or email that they won. That user will have 12 hrs to respond to our message or we will pick a new winner.

(due to the privacy of our fans we do not announce our winners on facebook, so make sure to check your other folder on Facebook or your email to see if you won)

As always with our contests the more you share them the more entries you will receive, so use the share buttons on this post to share our giveaway on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and more. We will keep track of all shares and add bonus entries to Rafflecopter for you.

If you have any questions just message Chip on the Chip and Co Facebook Page.

If the Rafflecopter doesn’t appear below just click the link that says Rafflecopter Giveaway or go here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ocean Spray Treats Epcot Guests to Some Cranberry Goodness

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 27, 2013

Disney guests can enjoy the great taste of the cranberry goodness at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Guests are getting a chance to learn how the cranberry’s taste and versatility make it the perfect addition to any snack.

Sept. 27 through Nov. 11, chefs at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival will show the versatility of Craisins Dried Cranberries through select chef demonstrations and some private events. From yummy dinners to side dishes.

Did you know that adding a 1/4 cup of dried cranberries to cereal, granola or oatmeal in the morning can help meet 25 percent of your daily fruit needs for the day.

“The beauty of the cranberry isn’t just what you see on the outside, it’s how it makes you feel on the inside,” said Ken Romanzi, COO, Ocean Spray Global. “Through our sponsorship at the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, we can illustrate the many ways cranberries can be incorporated into snacks and meals every day, and educate guests about the healthy origins of the fruit.”

Farmers that work with Ocean Spray take pride in delivering fresh fruit to families around the world so they can enjoy the great cranberry taste and healthy goodness. Filled with more than 1,000 lbs. of fresh cranberries, the bog presents an opportunity for guests to revel in the beauty of a Cranberry harvest while learning about the taste and health advantages.

Do you like cranberries? I am on the fence.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Wouldn’t You Like to Win a Disney Vacation?

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 27, 2013

I think it’s been established that we all love Disney and we are always trying to save our pennies and save money so we can go back sooner instead of later. This contest is sponsored by SuperPretzel and it’s pretty awesome.

If you are the grand prize winner you can pick from a few different vacations, Williamsburg, Los Angeles, New York City, or last but certainly not least Disney World! I know which one I would pick, don’t you?

The trips are valued at $5,000.00. There will be some instant winners, who will get Theme park tickets, SuperPretzel t-shirts, and Amazon gift cards.

The contest is open to U.S. residents and you can enter every day through November 16, 2013.

Try your luck and head on over to their facebook page and enter!

Good Luck!!

3-D Chalk Art to Downtown Disney for Limited Time Magic

By

Chip

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September 27, 2013

For next weeks Limited Time Magic Disney has some amazing chalk artists that will be transforming flat, concrete surfaces into dazzling three-dimensional works of art at Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort.

At Disneyland Resort, the Downtown Disney Chalk Art Festival will run October 4-6 as a special “Limited Time Magic” experience. You’ll be able to stroll and see chalk art as well as meet with the artists, including artist Miss Mindy who will be appearing October 4 – 5, 2013 from 6:30 – 9:30p.m. at WonderGround Gallery in the Downtown Disney District.

Also, Haunted Memories will materialize at WonderGround Gallery with a special artist showcase taking place October 5–6 from 1–4 p.m. each day.

At Walt Disney World Resort, the Downtown Disney Chalk Art Festival will also run from October 4-6 as a special “Limited Time Magic” experience. Along with seeing the three-dimensional chalk art, artist Greg McCullough will be appearing October 2 – 6, throughout the day at Art of Disney in Downtown Disney Marketplace as they celebrate the release of some of the newest pieces in his collection.