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2014 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

September 21, 2013

Come delight in the spring blooms as Disney gardeners paint the landscape all the colors of the rainbow while Epcot culinary experts tempt your palate with marketplace tastes during the 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 5 – May 18, 2014, at Walt Disney World Resort.

One of my favorite aspects of this festival is the incredible photography opportunities. Whether you are needing a new family portrait, engagement announcements or just want some fabulous floral prints this festival is sure to bring to life your photos! Enjoy fabulous photo opportunities with larger-than-life Goofy, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck topiary splendor. You will be swept away with the whimsical topiaries of Mickey Mouse and dozens of other Disney characters that is sure to amaze all in attendance. More than 100 larger-than-life topiaries, 220 floating mini-gardens, dozens of beautiful flower towers and sweeping beds of multi-colored blooms will add floral splendor to the park landscape.

This beautiful spring soiree last for 75 days. Continuing this year guests will be able to taste sweets and savories from about a dozen marketplaces stationed around the World Showcase Lagoon. As you sample from gustatory delights, you can wander amongst the themed gardens and children’s play areas created by Disney gardeners. To extend the festival fun most gardens will be illuminated once the sun sets.

Daily interactive gardening seminars will be available at the Festival Center to bring to life many outdoor do-it-yourself inspirations. In addition to the do-it-yourself seminars there will be many popular HGTV celebrities that will headline weekend seminars about home, garden and design ideas.

The Disney-Pixar “Cars” garden and playground is back by popular demand and is sure to bring everyone’s favorite movie characters to life. Make sure to visit Tinker Bell’s Butterfly House which will be all aflutter with hundreds of the winged beauties along with intricate fairy topiaries including Tinker Bell, Fawn and Terrence. And don’t forget to celebrate spring with a butterfly hunt adventure in the Epcot front entrance garden.

While at opening weekend enjoy the sounds of the Flower Power Concert Series at America Gardens Theatre which will include fan favorites such as, The Guess Who (“American Woman”) March 7-9 as well as other pop acts that include Chubby Checker & the Wildcats, The Village People, Paul Revere & The Raiders and Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone (Entertainment is subject to change).

For more information about the 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival contact Kari at [email protected] or at 214-598-7756. Be sure to mention Chip sent you!

Disney Vera Bradley Release Party

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

September 21, 2013

On September 21, 2013 the party will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the World of Disney at the Downtown Disney Marketplace at the Walt Disney World Resort.

It has been announced that Vera Bradley Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, will be attending the fabulous release party. From 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Barbara will meet with fans. There will only be a limited number of wristbands distributed to have this special experience and will be given out on a first come, first served for those making purchases that morning.

Parking for this even will begin at 3:00 a.m. and guests will be able to form a line in the designated area outside World of Disney beginning at 4:00 a.m. There will also wristbands being distributed to those in line so that everyone has an enjoyable shopping experience.

Now for those planning on purchasing there will be purchase limits in place. You will be able to purchase (1) of each style of Vera Bradley bags in the “Just Mousing Around” collection which has 8 total styles. Additionally you will be able to purchase (1) of each style in the “Midnight with Mickey” collection which also has 8 total styles. These purchasing limits will be while supplies last and are subject to change without notice. So if you are wanting to stock up for yourself or for special gifts for that Disney lover make sure you get there early! Prices for this beautiful collection will range from $15-99 (before tax) depending on the style and size.

Beginning Monday, September 23 the purchase limits will change to the limits of (2) each of the 8 styles in the “Just Mousing Around” collection and (2) each of the 8 styles in the “Midnight with Mickey” collection. These purchasing limits will be while supplies last and are subject to change without notice.

Following the release party the collection will also be sold on the Disney Parks online store sometime in late October 2013.

For more information or to book your next vacation contact Kari at [email protected] or at 214-598-7756. Mention that Chip sent you!

Disney Releases 5 New Toy Boxes for Disney Infinity

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

September 21, 2013

Could you imagine driving legendary Disney/Pixar cars on a track made up of bubble gum, how cool right? Or running through trees made up of lollipops? Well, it is now possible! Disney Interactive released five new custom Toy Boxes for Disney Infinity players, including the visual described above (called: Sugar Mania). These Toy Boxes are available for download for free on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U and iPad using the recently launched Disney Infinity: Toy Box app.

Check out the trailer:

You can download the new Toy Boxes by selecting “Toy Box” from the Disney Infinity Main Menu and then select “Toy Box Share” and “Disney’s Toy Boxes.” Once there they will see a list of all the featured Toy Boxes and choose one to download. You will be able to come back every week for new Toy Boxes.

Below are some brief descriptions for the five new Toy Boxes:

Sugar Mania – Take King Candy’s Royal Racer for a sweet spin on a Sugar Rush-inspired racetrack.

Tron Highway – Race a Light Runner, battle enemies, navigate mazes and find hidden paths to get to the end of the broken highway.

Monster Rally – Pull off a series of tricks in a side-scrolling stunt show spectacular.

Cosmic Platformer – Compete with friends on an obstacle course that’s out of this world.

It’s a Trap! – Pay close attention to get through these puzzling rooms. Beware of traps and double jumping!

Disney Interactive is encouraging Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U and iPad players to enter the Extreme Sports Challenge and submit their best (and most extreme) Toy Box sports arenas.

Players will be able to submit their creation for consideration for one week and on Thursday, October 3, the extreme sports challenge winners will be uploaded to the website. Featured Toy Boxes will be chosen by Disney and available for download on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U and iPad.

I love Vanellope and Sugar Rush! Now I just need to get the Disney Infinity game!

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Disney Infinity’s Toy Box App Available Now for iPad

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

September 20, 2013

Disney Interactive has announced the new release of the Disney Infinity: Toy Box app for iPad, which gives players a fully playable version of the unique Toy Box mode from Disney Infinity. The app has high-quality graphics for tablet players, as well as being able to connect to Disney Infinity’s console game.

With Disney Infinity: Toy Box, players can build and edit new Toy Boxes on their iPad. Players also have the ability to transfer any Toy Box they create between their iPad and console versions, allowing them to continue right where they left off, from any connected platform. When players sync their iPad Toy Box to their console game, they will be given instant access to even more props, toys and themes.

Check out the Trailer:

Players begin with Mr. Incredible as a free playable character, and have the option to unlock any of the additional characters available now through web codes included with figures at retail, or through in-app purchases.

Features of Disney Infinity: Toy Box include:

Intuitive multi-touch controls for building and playing.

More than 60 free items to build Toy Boxes – including terrain, track pieces and decorations.

The ability to transfer Toy Boxes cross-platform for further editing/play.

Items unlocked in a player’s console Toy Box will become immediately available in the app.

App is a full standalone experience and offers even more gameplay possibilities when connected to the console version.

Just when I thought this game couldn’t get any cooler!

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Epcot World Showcase Best Kept Secrets – Norway

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

September 20, 2013

After spending some time in China enjoying Reflections of China, the Nine Dragons acrobats or meeting Mulan and Mushu we continue through The World Showcase by stopping in Norway next. It was the latest addition to the World Showcase opening in 1988.

The 58,000 square foot pavilion is designed to look like a Norwegian village with a detailed Stave church and 4 styles of Norwegian architecture.

The main table-service restaurant, Restaurant Akershus, which is home to “Princess Storybook Dining”, resembles its namesake in Oslo.

The interconnected shops that make up much of the pavilion are decorated with large wooden trolls, filled with Norse artifacts, toys, books and more.

The courtyard contains the entrance to Maelstrom, a boat ride into Norway’s past and present and is the only fast pass attraction in The World Showcase.

There used to be a full scale Viking ship, inspired by the famous Oseberg ship. It was children’s play area at one time, but was removed in December of 2008.

The grand opening was dedicated by Harald V of Norway (then Crown Prince) in a live broadcasted ceremony to Norway.

The original idea was to create a “Nordic Pavilion” and would combine elements from various countries into one exhibit. After consulting 3 countries, Norway was selected exclusively after investors raised $30 million for a national pavilion. Disney contributed the other 1/3 of the construction cost. The investors sold their shares to Disney in 1992, but the Norwegian government continued paying $200, 000 each year to help boost tourism. That stopped in 2002 against the advice of the American Embassy’

Nearly as many people visit Epcot as live in Norway.

Yes, that is real grass growing on the roof! Horticulture CMs have to get on the roof with clippers to keep it trimmed, since they can’t get a real goat to stay up there like they do in the real Norway.
During Reflections of Earth Norway is not illuminated like all the other countries, except one. As I mentioned before during our journey through Morocco, due to religious reason they are prohibited from having any kind of lighting attached to their religious landmark. While the Stave church is Norway’s religious landmark, and nothing prevents them from illuminating it, to keep things symmetrical no lighting is attached to the steeple since it sits directly across the lagoon from Morocco.

Did you ride the Maelstrom? Pose next to the giant troll or even take a troll home with you?

In case you missed them, here is the rest of the Best Kept Secrets series –

ABC Family Update: The Fosters, 13 Nights of Halloween and more!

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

September 20, 2013

Fans of the former ABC Family series, “The Nine Lives of Chloe King,” will finally know how the series ends when the network and Alloy Entertainment makes the script for “The Nine Lives of Chloe King: Salvation,” the two-hour movie of the week, available online. The series conclusion will be posted on Alloy’s Entertainment’s official site (http://alloyentertainment.com/) on Friday, September 13 at 9:13AM PT.

“Although we ultimately decided not to continue with the series, we wanted to make the Chloe King movie script available to her amazing fans to provide them the closure they’ve been clamoring for,” said Kate Juergens, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and Development and Chief Creative Officer, ABC Family.

When viewers last saw Chloe, a descendant of the ancient Mai race, she had lost one of her nine lives courtesy of the assassin Simone. Brian appeared to have succumbed to Chloe’s fatal kiss, while Jasmine and her mom, Valentina, the leader of the local Mai pride, were attacked by the unpredictably violent Zane and left to die. The script will answer fans’ lingering questions about The Order, Whitley Rezza’s true motivations, Alek’s past and whether Meredith will finally learn about her daughter’s secret identity. Also, Chloe will choose between Brian and Alek.

Ok so if you’re like me you are freaking out because you loved this show and the chance to read how it would have ended is amazing! You go ABC Family! Seriously these are question i have had forever and although i wish they had made the movie I’m so glad we can read the ending. This was one of my favorites from ABC Family and i was devastated when it was cancelled but now I’m a lot happier… like a lot happier. I have only gotten maybe 10 pages into the script and I’m already biting my fingernails and can’t put it down so i can’t wait to see how it ends!

Check it out and let me know what you think! Did it end the way you wanted?

ROSIE O’DONNELL TO GUEST STAR ON ABC FAMILY’S HIT DRAMA SERIES “THE FOSTERS”
Episodes to air in January 2014
Rosie O’Donnell has signed on for a recurring role on ABC Family’s hit drama series, “The Fosters.”

O’Donnell will play Rita Hendricks, a tough yet compassionate woman who works in the foster care system and becomes a mentor to a member of the Foster family. She will appear in three episodes when the series returns in January 2014. Production on the second half of the show’s first season will begin in October.

O’Donnell said, “I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful, heartwarming show. My kids and I never miss it.”

“When Rosie O’Donnell tweeted that she loved ‘The Fosters,’ we knew we had to reach out and try to snap her up! Having witnessed her support of foster children and blended families, we knew she would be a perfect fit for the show,” said the show’s creators and Executive Producers Peter Paige and Bradley Bredeweg.

Who else is excited?!

GET YOUR FILL OF CHILLS AND THRILLS DURING ABC FAMILY’S 15TH ANNUAL “13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN” HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING EVENT AIRING OCTOBER 19TH – 31ST

Series Premiere of “Ravenswood” to air on October 22

ABC Family scares up the 2013 13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN celebration, with programming filled with scares and frights as you countdown to Halloween. The popular programming event, now in its 15th year, starting Saturday, October 19th, and concludes on Thursday, October 31st, features a brand new episode of “Pretty Little Liars” and the highly anticipated premiere of spinoff series “Ravenswood.” The stunt will also include the ABC Family feature film premiere of “Men in Black,” the network premiere of “Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story OF TERROR!,” and a ghoulish mix of Halloween-themed programming airing for the 13 nights leading up to Halloween.

Following is a listing of chill-tastic programming taking place October 19th-31st during ABC Family’s 13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN.

Night One – Saturday, October 19th
The 15th annual 13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN launches an all day scarefest with a mini marathon of comedy series “The Middle,” featuring all of the Heck family’s Halloween hijinks (7:00 – 8:30 AM ET/PT). New York’s only hope in the midst of a crime wave is the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (8:30 – 10:30 AM ET/PT). Gotham City is under attack by The Joker in “Batman” at 10:30 AM- 1:30 PM ET/PT, then “Batman Returns” (1:30 – 4:30 PM ET/PT) to thwart The Penguin’s evil plans. “Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride” (4:30 – 6:25 PM ET/PT) kicks off a Tim Burton double feature, with “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” (6:25 – 8:00 PM ET/PT) doubling your frights. Catch the network premiere of “Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story OF TERROR!” (8:00 – 8:30 PM ET/PT), where Buzz, Woody and all your favorite toys must work together to track down their missing friend. Then meet us down on the Scare Floor for “Disney/Pixar’s Monsters, Inc.” (8:30 – 10:30 PM ET/PT). We wrap up our night with how Batman came to be in “Batman Begins” at 10:30 PM – 12:30 AM ET/PT.

Night Two – Sunday, October 20th
Spend the day with the master of Halloween entertainment Tim Burton, starting with a trip down the rabbit hole with “Alice in Wonderland” (7:00 – 9:30 AM ET/PT), then collect your golden ticket to the world of Wonka in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM ET/PT). Then visit with “Coraline” (12:00 – 2:00 PM ET/PT), a little girl who realizes an idealized version of her unhappy home comes with its own secrets. Then it’s back to Burton with “Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride” (2:00 – 3:55 PM ET/PT) and the creepiest wedding of the year, followed by a haunting holiday in “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” (3:55 – 5:30 PM ET/PT). Join Mike Wazowski and Sulley for some premium scares in “Disney/Pixar’s Monsters, Inc.” (5:30 – 7:30 PM ET/PT), then take another ride on “Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story OF TERROR!” (7:30 – 8:00 PM ET/PT) if you dare. “The Addams Family” (8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT) invites you to spend the evening with them and learn some “Addams Family Values” (10:00 PM – 12:00 AM ET/PT).
Night Three – Monday, October 21st
Watch out for the Red Queen as you revisit the fantastical Wonderland in “Alice in Wonderland” (6:30 – 8:30 PM ET/PT), then it’s the tale of immortal love in “Twilight” (8:30 – 11:00 PM ET/PT). Stay up late for extra chills with “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT), where someone is watching, and they know your secret!

Night Four – Tuesday, October 22nd
Relive your favorite moments from this season’s search for Red Coat in a “Pretty Little Liars” marathon (11:00 AM – 8:00 PM ET/PT), featuring 9 back to back episodes filled with creepy text messages and even creepier gifts from “A”. Then break out your Halloween finery as the Liars attend a very unusual costume party on a special brand new Halloween episode of “Pretty Little Liars” at 8:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT. Watch Pretty Little Liars’ Caleb as he steps into a new town where things are stranger than even he’s ever seen in the highly anticipated premiere of new series “Ravenswood” (9:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT). Additionally you can catch encores of the “Ravenswood” premiere at 10:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT and 1:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT, with the “Pretty Little Liars” Halloween episode airing in between at 12:00 -1:00 AM ET/PT.

Night Five – Wednesday, October 23rd
Tag along with the “Pretty Little Liars” (5:30 – 6:30 PM ET/PT) as they search for the truth about Ali, in an encore of the Halloween special, followed by another visit to the supernatural town of “Ravenswood” (6:30 – 7:30 PM ET/PT). Harry prepares for his final epic battle with He Who Must Not Be Named in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1” at 7:30 – 11:00 PM ET/PT. The night ends with another teen who discovers her magical powers in “Teen Witch” (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT).

Night Six – Thursday, October 24th
Captain Jack Sparrow leads a quest to find the mystical Fountain of Youth in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” at 6:00 – 9:00 PM, ET/PT. Join the M.I.B. on the search for aliens in the ABC Family premiere of “Men in Black” (9:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT). And end your night with Michael J. Fox’s hairy high school adventures of “Teen Wolf” (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT).

Night Seven – Friday, October 25th
Try not to be neutralized by the “Men in Black” (7:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT) on the search for aliens. Then watch out for Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, “Beetlejuice” at 9:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT. Wrap up with another chance to join Agent J and Agent K of the “Men in Black” (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT).

Night Eight – Saturday, October 26th
It’s back to back supernatural high school hijinks starting with “Teen Wolf Too” (7:30 – 9:30 AM ET/PT), followed by “Teen Wolf” (9:30 – 11:30 AM ET/PT), “Teen Witch” (11:30 AM – 1:30 PM ET/PT), and “The Goonies” (1:30 – 3:30 PM ET/PT). Then it’s another chance to partake in the wacky shenanigans of “Beetlejuice” (4:00 – 6:00 PM ET/PT), and spend some more time with the kookiest, ookiest family on the block in “The Addams Family” (6:00 – 8:00 PM ET/PT) and “Addams Family Values” (8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT). It becomes a witchy late night starting with the Sanderson sisters in “Hocus Pocus” (10:00 PM- 12:00 AM ET/PT), followed by four teenage witches in “The Craft” (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT).

Night Nine – Sunday, October 27th
That Grinch doesn’t like any holiday in the ABC Family premiere of “Dr. Seuss’ Halloween is Grinch Night” at 7:00 -7:30 AM ET/PT. Join Gutsy Smurf on a trip to spooky Smurfy Hollow in the ABC Family premiere of “The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow” (7:30 – 8:00 AM ET/PT). Then grab the Scooby snacks for back to back airings of “Scooby Doo” (8:00 – 10:00 AM ET/PT) and “Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed” (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET/PT). Trick-or-Treat a

The Lone Ranger coming to Blu-ray/DVD December 17th

Chip

September 20, 2013

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.

Cast: Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Alice in Wonderland) as Tonto, Armie Hammer (The Social Network, Mirror Mirror) as John Reid/Lone Ranger, Helena Bonham Carter (Fight Club, The Kings Speech) as Red Harrington, Tom Wilkinson (Batman Begins, Michael Clayton) as Latham Cole, Ruth Wilson (Anna Karenina, Capturing Mary) as Rebecca Reid, William Fichtner (Black Hawk Down, The Dark Knight) as Butch Cavendish

Director: Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise)

Screenplay: Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road, Snitch), Ted Elliott (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise) & Terry Rossio (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise)

Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise)

Release Date: December 17, 2013

Bonus Features:

Blooper Reel (RT 4:12) – BD, DVD & Select Digital Retailers Only

Deleted Scene – BD & Select Digital Retailers Only

Riding The Rails Of The Lone Ranger (RT: 10:36) – 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 (RT: 14:28) – 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 (RT: 8:02) – 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.

Ratings: 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

Subtitles: English, French & Spanish

All New “Alice in Wonderland: A New Champion” Mobile Game

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

September 20, 2013

Disney Interactive has announced the launch of the free-to-play mobile game “Alice in Wonderland: A New Champion” It is currently on iOS and soon to be on Android devices. Players experience the sights and mysteries of Wonderland while they fight to thwart the return of the evil Red Queen and her minions.

Players tumble through the rabbit hole into this fantastical land and work with the story characters to help rebuild Wonderland and set things right. Along the way, they will solve riddles, craft tools, and assume the mantle as the White Queen’s Champion in order to help Alice save Wonderland from the scourge of the Red Queen.

Some Key Features:

Familiar friends, like Alice, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, and the March Hare.

Visually stunning locations such as the Mad Tea Party, magnificent White Queen’s Castle, cozy Bayard’s Village, and many more.

Crafting tools and resources to help the denizens of Wonderland survive and flourish.

Whimsical riddles and make sense of the twisty illogic that characterize the delightful and intriguing Wonderland.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Coming to Disney World and Disney Cruise Line in Spring 2014

Chip

September 20, 2013

The new year spells new excitement as 2014 heralds magical events, special openings and much more at Walt Disney World Resort and beyond. Here’s a look at what’s in store in the Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line from January through May:

Expanded Expo, New Events Added to 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna

The 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna will take place Jan. 8 – 12 at Walt Disney World Resort. New in 2014 is the Walt Disney World 10K and the Dopey Challenge, in which participants run the 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon (48.6 miles over the course of 4 days). These new runDisney events join the runDisney Kids’ Races, Disney Family Fun Run 5K, the Walt Disney World Half Marathon, the Walt Disney World Marathon and Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge (running both the half and full marathon). Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports has expanded to 4 days and will feature runDisney merchandise, a speaker series and the latest in running fashion and technology.

Get Your Princess On! Feb. 20-23 Set for 2014 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

Thousands of women will celebrate their inner princess at the 2014 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort, Feb. 20 – 23. The all-new Disney Enchanted 10K and Glass Slipper Challenge, running the 10K and and half marathon over the course of 2 days, join the runDisney Kids Races, the Cinderella Royal Family 5K and the Disney Princess Half Marathon to offer events for the entire family and all abilities. The women-focused Disney’s Fit for a Princess Expo runs Feb. 20 – 22 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and features the latest in running fashions and technology as well as a speaker series with running experts. The Happily Ever After Party at Downtown Disney takes place Feb. 23 and will be the perfect event to celebrate a crowning achievement.

Play Ball! Atlanta Braves Spring Training Welcomes Top Teams to Champion Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

Atlanta Braves Spring Training returns to Walt Disney World in February and March with a slate of games featuring Major League Baseball’s top teams at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

The 2014 schedule has yet to be released, but the list of Grapefruit League clubs that commonly visit Champion Stadium include the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets and Detroit Tigers.

Guests also will be treated to game day entertainment and additional fan experiences in a way only Disney can do, from character appearances, to an exclusive On-Field Spectator Experience and kids running the bases after the game.

Information on the Braves’ spring training season, group tickets and mini-packs is available by calling 407/939-GAME (4263) and online at espnwwos.com/atlantabraves. Individual game tickets are available through Ticketmaster (800/745-3000 and ticketmaster.com) and at the sports complex box office.

21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival to Bloom with Floral Color, Cook with Marketplace Flavors March 5 to May 18

Disney gardeners will paint the landscape with rainbows of blooms while Epcot chefs tempt guests with marketplace tastes during the 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 5 – May 18, 2014, at Walt Disney World Resort.

Goofy, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck in larger-than-life topiary splendor will celebrate spring with a butterfly hunt adventure in the Epcot front entrance garden. Whimsical topiaries of Mickey Mouse and dozens of other Disney characters will surprise guests beyond the park’s iconic Spaceship Earth.

The garden party continues for 75 days. For the festival’s second year, Disney guests can taste sweets and savories from about a dozen food-and-beverage marketplaces surrounding the World Showcase Lagoon. As they sample from marketplace menus of gustatory delights, guests can wander among themed gardens and children’s play areas. Most gardens will be illuminated when the sun sets to extend the festival fun.

At the Festival Center, daily interactive gardening seminars will set the stage for outdoor do-it-yourself inspiration, and popular HGTV celebrities will headline weekend seminars filled with home, garden and design ideas.

Back by demand, the Disney-Pixar “Cars” garden and playground will bring favorite movie characters to life. Tinker Bell’s Butterfly House will be aflutter with hundreds of the winged beauties and intricate fairy topiaries including Tinker Bell, Fawn and Terrence.

The opening weekend Flower Power Concert Series at America Gardens Theatre will present fan-favorite band The Guess Who (“American Woman”) March 7-9. Other pop acts set to perform include Chubby Checker & the Wildcats, The Village People, Paul Revere & The Raiders and Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone. (Entertainment is subject to change.)

More than 100 topiaries, 220 floating mini-gardens, dozens of flower towers and sweeping beds of multi-colored blooms will add floral splendor to the park landscape. Several special weekend happenings, including the popular Art in the Garden Weekend, will be scheduled.

For more information about the 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, call 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639). The festival, including all gardening programs and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.

Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine Slated for March 6-9; Inspires Teens to Dream Big at Walt Disney World Resort

Plans are under way for the 2014 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine. U.S. high school students ages 13-19 participate in this innovative outside-the-classroom educational and mentoring program. The 2014 Disney Dreamers Academy, now in its seventh year, will take place March 6 – 9, at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Disney Dreamers Academy continues to hold true to its mission to inspire and fuel the dreams of teens, help them discover a world of possibilities and help them prepare for the future. Annually, 100 U.S. high school students, selected from thousands of applications, embark on an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for an immersive four-day program that inspires and fuels their dreams.

Both onstage and behind the scenes, the Disney theme parks become vibrant ‘classrooms,’ leading to career discoveries, the pursuit of dreams and fun memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Motivational speakers and celebrities share their stories and provide insight on how to achieve success and DREAM BIG. Dreamers have the opportunity to cultivate relationships with other students from across the nation while they gain firsthand knowledge from Disney experts and world-renowned entrepreneurs and executives.

For more information visit www.disneydreamersacademy.com.

Out-of-this-World Fun! Star Wars Weekends set for May and June 2014

Star Wars Weekends returns to the Walt Disney World Resort in May and June 2014, as Disney’s Hollywood Studios becomes Star Wars central for guests of all ages. Specific dates for the annual sci-fi fan-fest will be announced at a later date.

Each year, the power of the Force and magic of Disney combine as plenty of out-of-this-world characters – including Wookiees, droids, Ewoks, bounty hunters and Jedi – roam the streets of the theme park and pose in themed meet-and-greet areas. Guests can experience one of the largest Star Wars parades in the world during the day and then dance the night away at the surprise-filled “Hyperspace Hoopla.”

Jedi Training Academy, one of the interactive entertainment experiences at the theme park, is expanded during the event and allows young guests to learn from a Jedi Master before testing their newly acquired skills in a battle with Darth Vader or Darth Maul.

Also featured: the chance for fans to purchase one-of-a-kind and limited edition Star Wars memoribilia, Star Wars trivia and star conversations with Star Wars celebrities.

Event activities are included in regular theme park admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. For more information and future updates, guests may check online at DisneyWorld.com, StarWars.com or DisneyParksBlog.com.

Captain America Now Visiting Recruits Onboard Disney Magic

A “Marvel”-ous time is underway onboard the newly re-imagined Disney Magic, starting Oct. 20. For the first time onboard a Disney Cruise ship, Captain America will be greeting guests and young recruits, bringing Marvel’s Avengers Academy alive, and delighting kids of all ages.

The Oceaneer Club onboard the Disney Magic now plays host to Marvel’s Avengers Academy, where young crime-fighters are transported to a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. base (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division) —a technologically advanced remote command post used by The Avengers for special missions and operations training.

Throughout the base, displays featuring some of the equipment that helps to make The Avengers earth’s mightiest heroes—Iron Man’s high-tech suit of armor, Captain America’s shield and Thor’s hammer—inspire super hero “recruits” through their academy missions. Marvel’s Avengers Academy is a multi-day, immersive entertainment experience for children, where they interact with Marvel characters and unleash their inner super heroes.

Marvel’s Avengers Academy centers on high-tech fun, with computer stations and a giant video wall to assist in their multi-day “training” and super hero missions. Special lighting and audio effects enhance the experience.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit www.disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent.

Disney Magic Homeports in Port Canaveral, Offers New Itineraries for 2014

The newly re-imagined Disney Magic is now making Port Canaveral home for 2014, offering new Bahamian itineraries to match the exciting additions to the ship.

Following a dry dock in Cadiz, Spain, in the Fall of 2013, the Disney Magic sails to the Bahamas on three- and four-night itineraries. Departing from Port Canaveral from January to May three- and four-night itineraries include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay and Nassau.

Sea days will now prove even more fun for younger guests onboard the Disney Magic, as the re-imagined ship features Marvel’s Avengers Academy, where young hero-recruits can step into a high-tech command post used by The Avengers and family fun abounds at the AquaDunk, a three-story body slide that begins with a surprising launch.

Family dining has also taken a turn for the unique with the addition of Carioca’s, a Latin themed restaurant inspired by South American cuisine and a completely re-imagined Animator’s Palate.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit www.disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Ready to Roll in Spring 2014

It “crowns” New Fantasyland – the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history – and there’s nothing “sleepy” about it. When it opens in spring 2014, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, inspired by the classic Disney film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” will take guests on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine” and through the rolling countryside surrounding the mine. A stone bridge over a creek leads guests to the entrance of the attraction. Just ahead: the rustic cottage of the Dwarfs. The family-style coaster will feature a first-of-its-kind train of ride vehicles mounted in cradle-like pivots that allow the cars to swing back and forth during the ride. The journey will be accompanied by music from the film and there’s a cast of animated figures of Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs and a collection of playful forest critters. An interactive queue will feature activities themed to mining.

Adventures by Disney Will Head to Norway in 2014

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

September 20, 2013

Have you heard about Disney’s soon to be released film, Frozen? Just a few months ago, we shared with you the first look at the upcoming film about a snowman in “Everest-like conditions.” Next year, Adventures by Disney will head to Norway on a new trip that was inspired by the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated film, Frozen. On this new Adventures by Disney vacation, you will have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the filmmakers of Frozen as they explore the sights, meet the people, and experience the breathtaking beauty of the magnificent country of Norway.

Reservations for the Adventures by Disney Norway itinerary will be available to book beginning on October 15, 2013. Contact Siera to receive your free, no obligation quote for this Adventures by Disney vacation! You won’t want to miss this exciting opportunity to visit the beautiful country of Norway and head behind the scenes with Walt Disney Pictures!

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

Disney’s New Series “Esmeralda” Comes to ABC

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

September 20, 2013

Disney and ABC are developing a show called Esmeralda, which is inspired by the story of The Hunchback of Notre Dame through the eyes of the gypsy.

Disney’s original animated classic “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” was originally released in 1996. The original movie featured voice work by Demi Moore and Kevin Kline, no casting announcements have yet been made for the new Esmeralda.

Not sure how I feel about this. What do you think?

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Disney’s ‘Into the Woods’ Goes into Production

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

September 19, 2013

Disney’s “Into the Woods” started production last week, featuring an award-winning production team and all-star cast. Rob Marshall, the talented filmmaker behind the Academy Award winning musical “Chicago” and Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” helms the film, which is based on the Tony winning original musical by James Lapine, who also penned the screenplay, and legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, who provides the music and lyrics including an all-new song for the adaptation. “Into the Woods” is produced by Marshall, John DeLuca, “Wicked” producer Marc Platt and Callum McDougall. Shooting in studio and on location throughout England, the film is set for a December 25, 2014, holiday release.

“Into the Woods” is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.

The all-star ensemble cast includes:

Meryl Streep (“The Iron Lady,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “August: Osage County”) portrays the Witch who wishes to reverse a curse so that her beauty may be restored.

Emily Blunt (“Looper,” “The Young Victoria,” “The Devil Wears Prada”) is the Baker’s Wife, a childless woman who longs to be a mother.

James Corden (Broadway’s “One Man, Two Guvnors,” “The Three Musketeers,” “Gavin & Stacey”) plays the role of the Baker, a hard-working man who desperately wants to start a family.

Anna Kendrick (“Pitch Perfect,” “Up in the Air”) fills the shoes of Cinderella, who finds herself on a journey of self-discovery.

Chris Pine (“Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Jack Ryan”) portrays Cinderella’s Prince, charming and impossibly handsome, who is on an endless quest to find his bride.

Johnny Depp (“Pirates of the Caribbean” films, “The Lone Ranger,” “Sweeney Todd”) steps in as the Wolf, who sets his sights on Little Red Riding Hood.

Lilla Crawford (Broadway’s “Annie”) makes her feature-film debut as Little Red Riding Hood, a smart and spunky girl who journeys into the woods, finding unexpected adventures along the way.

Daniel Huttlestone (“Les Misérables”) lands the role of Jack, an absentminded and adventurous boy who trades his treasured cow for five magic beans.

Tracey Ullman joins the cast as Jack’s Mother, a poor and exasperated mom who is overwhelmed, yet fiercely protective of her son.

Christine Baranski (“Mamma Mia!,” “Chicago” “The Good Wife”) takes on the infamous Stepmother who wishes for riches and grandeur; she’ll do anything to marry off one of her daughters to a prince.

MacKenzie Mauzy (“Brother’s Keeper,” Broadway’s “Next to Normal”) plays Rapunzel, a sheltered young woman who experiences the world beyond her tower for the first time.

Billy Magnussen (Broadway’s “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “The East”) is the dashing and eager Prince who courts Rapunzel.

The big-screen adaptation features songs from the stage musical, including “Children Will Listen,” “Giants in the Sky,” “On the Steps of the Palace,” “No One Is Alone” and “Agony,” among others. Additionally, Sondheim has penned an all-new song for the story’s theatrical debut.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

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