Phineas And Ferb Mission Marvel coming to DVD on October 1st

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July 13, 2013

Own Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel on Disney DVD – October 1, 2013 Each DVD comes with a FREE collectible comic book inside with an Exclusive Mission Marvel poster.

After Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s latest “-inator” scheme accidentally removes the powers of some very well-known Marvel Super Heroes (Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor, and Hulk), the heroes enter the world of Danville and team up with Phineas and Ferb to relocate their powers, defeat the Marvel Super Villains (Red Skull, MODOK, Whiplash and Venom) – who have also shown up to steal Doofenshmirtz’s power-draining technology – and save Danville from ultimate destruction!

All Star Voices: Vincent Martella (“Everybody Hates Chris”) as Phineas Flynn; Ashley Tisdale (Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure) as Candace Flynn; Thomas Brodie-Sangster (“Game of Thrones”) as Ferb Fletcher; Caroline Rhea (“The Suite Life of Zach and Cody”) as Mom Linda Flynn-Fletcher; Richard O’Brien (The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Ever After: A Cinderella Story) as dad Lawrence Fletcher; Alyson Stoner (Step Up 3D, Camp Rock 1 & 2) as Isabella; Dee Bradley Baker (“American Dad!,” Star Wars:The Clone Wars”) as Perry the Platypus; Jeff “Swampy” Marsh (“Phineas and Ferb,” Rocko’s Modern Life) as Major Monogram; Dan Povenmire (“James Bond Jr.,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”) as Dr. Doofenshmirtz; Tyler Mann (“Modern Family” “Weeds”) as Carl; John Viener (Ted, “Family Guy”) as Norm; Maulik Pancholy (“30 Rock,” Hitch, 27 Dresses) as Baljeet; Bobby Gaylor (“The Bernie Mac Show,” “Phineas and Ferb”) as Buford; Jack McBrayer (Wreck It Ralph, Despicable Me) as Irving; Drake Bell (“Ultimate Spiderman,” High Fidelity) as Spider-Man; Adrian Pasdar (“Heroes,” “Ultimate Spider-Man”) as Iron Man; Travis Willingham (The Guardian, Secondhand Lions) as Thor; Fred Tatasciore (“Ultimate Spider-Man,” “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes”) as Hulk; Liam O’Brien (“Marvel’s Avengers Assemble”, “Sofia the First”) as Red Skull; Charlie Adler (Aladdin, “Marvel’s Avengers Assemble”) as M.O.D.O.K.; Peter Stormare (Fargo, Armageddon) as Whiplash; Danny Trejo (Machete, Heat) as Venom; Chi McBride (I, Robot, Gone in Sixty Seconds) as Nick Fury & Stan Lee also guest stars as himself

Creators and Dan Povenmire (TV’s “Family Guy” and “The Simpsons”)
Executive Producers: Jeff “Swampy” Marsh (TV’s “Rocko’s Modern Life” and “The Simpsons”)

Street Date: October 1, 2013

Packaging: 1-Disc DVD + In-Packed Collectible Comic Book & exclusive Marvel poster (each DVD will be packaged at random with one of three distinct Marvel posters)

Episodes: 1 – “Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel”
2 – “Fly on the Wall”
3 – “Sidetracked (Part 1 and 2)”
4 – “Primal Perry (Part 1 and 2)”
5 – “Backyard Hodge Podge”
6 – “Where’s Pinky”
7 – “Knot My Problem/Mind Share”

Run Time: Approx. 145-minutes of content

Rated: TV-G

Aspect ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen (Enhanced for 16×9 Televisions)

Sound: 2.0 Dolby Digital

Languages/Subtitles: English, French & Spanish

Star Wars Takes Over Club Penguin

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 12, 2013

The force is strong at Disney’s Club Penguin! The most anticipated in-world party ever, the Star Wars Takeover event, is coming to Club Penguin Island on July 25th. Check out this early image of the party and the epic event cinematic trailer… More details to come soon!

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Teen Beach Movie Sweepstakes

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 12, 2013

Disney is giving away an awesome trip to promote the upcoming Disney Channel movie, Teen Beach Movie, starring Ross Lynch from Disney Channel’s Hit T.V. Show Austin & Ally and Maia Mitchell from ABC Family’s show The Fosters.

How awesome would it be to win a 2-night trip for four to Los Angeles, CA, a meet and greet with cast members of Disney Channel’s Teen Beach Movie, and an autographed surf board. (ARV: $5,000)

They will also be giving away 50 first place prizes of a $100 Best Western Travel Card. (ARV: $100)

A few things to take note of before you enter:

To be eligible to enter you must, live in the U.S.A., be between the ages of 8 and 18 or the parent of an eligible child.

The contest started June 17, 2013 and will end on August 19, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

You can only enter one time per day/ email.

You can enter the contest 2 ways. You can visit the website or you can send the keyword “Beach” as an SMS text message to 347639 ( Disney)

Good Luck!!

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Free Culinary Tour

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 12, 2013

Jambo (Hello) everyone! Animal Kingdom Lodge, aka Jambo House, is well known for its culinary creations at its 2 table service restaurants – Jiko and Boma. Even though we have eaten at both establishments before, we decided to attend their FREE culinary tour. Yes, you read it correctly – the tour is FREE! If you are timid on trying new things, this foodie tour will allow you a gentle introduction into what culinary delights await you at Boma and Jiko. To attend, you simply show up at the Boma podium at 4pm. There are no reservations to make and you will tour as a group with any other guests who show up. We ended up touring in a group of 7. Guests do not have to be staying at Jambo to take part in the tour.

At 4 o’clock, our Culinary Guide was a young, female Cast Member from Zimbabwe who was working at Disney as part of their yearlong cultural program. She led us into Boma and began with a tour around the seating area of the restaurant, showing us hidden Mickey’s and sharing information about her homeland along the way. Our Guide also shared that Boma means a stockade or enclosure. (It would be bliss to be enclosed almost all day at Boma as they serve a fantastic spread for both breakfast and dinner.) The aromas were heavenly! When we arrived at the Boma buffet line, our Guide began recounting the various foods available and explained in a little more detail the foods that were commonly eaten in Africa. One of my traditional African favorites from the buffet is the Chakalaka (tomato, onion, and green pepper mixture) served over Pap (think porridge) . For samples, we could choose from the soups that were being served that evening. We chose the Butternut Squash soup and it was a creamy, rich, velvety consistency of awesomeness. For a dessert tasting, everyone got a zebra dome. Zebra Domes are little pieces of heaven with chocolate ganache, sponge cake, and Amarula liqueur infused mousse on the inside. After dessert, we were led right over to the next phase of our tour – Jiko.

Jiko – The Cooking Place, is a sit-down, order off the menu style of restaurant. The atmosphere has a more upscale feel to it over Boma. Our new Guide for Jiko was another young female from Africa who talked with us about her country and discussed the restaurant’s menu offerings along with hinting around the large hidden Mickey found in the dining room. Sampling consisted of 3 different bread offerings and 4 different spreads made of hummus. We were able to sit down at Jiko and sample the breads at a more leisurely pace, whereas at Boma we stood the whole time. Since we were seated, we were able to engage in more conversation with the members of our tour group as well. All in all, the tour lasted a little more than 30 minutes. Everyone in the group loved the items that they sampled and vowed to come back for more on a reservation.

Given the whole tour lasted around 30 minutes, you could do this tour as a whole family, a couple, or even solo. I would wholeheartedly recommend trying this culinary tour whether you are a seasoned Jiko and Boma veteran or a newbie looking to explore food options with an African flair. Have you been on this free culinary tour or is it on your Disney bucket list? What do you enjoy about Jiko and Boma?

2013 Disney Legends Award Honorees To Be Celebrated During D23 Expo

By

Chip

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July 12, 2013

Monsters Inc. and Monsters University stars Billy Crystal and John Goodman, technology visionary Steve Jobs, television icon Dick Clark and other beloved contributors to the Disney legacy will be named and honored as official Disney Legends during the D23 Expo 2013 at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, in the D23 Expo Arena at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The Disney Legends Awards program is a 26-year tradition of The Walt Disney Company. The three-day D23 Expo provides a rare opportunity for the public to be a part of the always touching and memorable presentation, hosted by noted television personality Tom Bergeron (host of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and America’s Funniest Home Videos).

“The Disney Legend Award is our highest and most coveted honor,” said Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger. “It’s reserved for the extraordinary visionaries and artists behind the Disney magic, the men and women who push the limits of innovation and creativity to ensure Disney remains truly special. The eight Legends we honor this year helped create some of our most beloved characters along with exciting new worlds and thrilling attractions. They also entertained millions of people and expanded our definition of what’s possible. They are all indelible parts of our legacy, and we are proud to recognize them as true Disney Legends.”

The 2013 Disney Legends Award honorees (listed alphabetically) are:

TONY BAXTER has developed beloved Disney attractions including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Journey Into Imagination, Splash Mountain, and countless more over the course of his 43-year career with Walt Disney Imagineering. Revered by Disney fans, he is best known for his commitment to storytelling, attention to detail, and ability to develop new ideas and attractions by combining time-tested design practices with modern technology.

COLLIN CAMPBELL touched almost every part of the Walt Disney Company, from animated classics to legendary theme park attractions, with stints in live action film and television. Collin’s work with Walt Disney Imagineering includes the development of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as concept illustrations of Magic Kingdom Park and Epcot Center.

DICK CLARK brought rock and roll to 40 million homes across the country with the national debut of American Bandstand on ABC in 1958. He went on to produce game shows, award shows including the Golden Globes® and the Academy of Country Music Awards, comedy specials movies, and other popular television specials. Dick might best be remembered, however, as the host of ABC’s annual Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve from 1973 until 2011.

BILLY CRYSTAL is an acclaimed actor who lends his voice to Mike Wazowski, the frenetic, green cyclopean monster from Monsters Inc. and Monsters University. Best known for his memorable roles in When Harry Met Sally…, The Princess Bride, and City Slickers, Billy, who has won six Emmy Awards and one Tony Award, has also been a fixture on ABC television, where he hosted the Academy Awards® broadcast nine times and found his breakthrough role as Jodie Dallas on Soap from 1977-81.

JOHN GOODMAN is a celebrated actor of stage and screen, and the voice behind James P. Sullivan, better known as “Sully,” from Monsters Inc. and Monsters University. Among John’s notable film appearances are The Big Lebowski, The Flintstones, and most recently Argo and Flight. John’s appearances in Disney-produced films include the Hollywood Pictures films Arachnophobia and Born Yesterday, as well as Touchstone Pictures’ Stella, Coyote Ugly, O Brother, Where Art Thou, and Confessions of a Shopaholic.

STEVE JOBS changed the world of consumer electronics as the founder of Apple, and was known throughout the world for his visionary attitude and penchant for innovation. He was an early investor and chief executive of Pixar, and became the Walt Disney Company’s largest shareholder overnight when it acquired Pixar Animation Studios in 2006. That same year, he joined the Disney board of directors, and remained a valuable sounding board and advisor to the company until his passing in 2011.

GLEN KEANE has brought to life many of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ most popular characters. Since becoming a Disney animator in 1974, he has animated classic Disney characters such as Penny in The Rescuers, Elliott in Pete’s Dragon, Ratigan in The Great Mouse Detective, the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, and the titular characters in The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Pocahontas, and Tarzan. In 2010, Glen served as Executive Producer and Animation Supervisor for Tangled, a story he developed for more than ten years.

ED WYNN, a comedian whose career began on Broadway in the early 1900s, appeared in numerous Disney classics of the 1960s, including Mary Poppins, Babes in Toyland, That Darn Cat, The Absent-Minded Professor, and Son of Flubber. Fans of Disney animation know him as the manic and distinctive voice of the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland.

Each honoree receives a two-foot-tall bronze Disney Legends sculpture that signifies the imagination, creativity and magic they have brought to the Company. Disney Legends Award recipients also participate in a handprint ceremony, and their bronzed prints will be displayed in the Disney Legends Plaza at the Company’s Burbank headquarters.

Little Girl gets her Disney Wish

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 11, 2013

RX Disney Disney Fantasy Cruise Mickey family s4x3 lead 300x225

Emma Giacona, is a 7-year-old girl who always wanted to take a Disney cruise. Her dream will finally come true. She is finally getting her Disney Wish thanks to some very generous people and one very kind Nashville resident.

Emma underwent multiple surgeries earlier this year to remove abscesses in her brain and neck. Her health appeared to be declining so her family applied to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Thankfully her health improved and she was released from the hospital.

Ed Alison read about Emma’s story and was touched by it, so after several phone conversations with the family, he went to a local Nashville AAA travel agency and made arrangements to send Emma on the cruise that had been her dream since she was 3 years old.

Disney Magic is contagious! There are still good people out there!

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Mickey Through the Decades Vintage Tee’s from Old Navy

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 11, 2013

Old Navy launched a new clothing line featuring one of Disney’s most iconic characters – Mickey Mouse. Available in-store and online the “Mickey Through the Decades” collection includes Mickey Mouse and friends on vintage-style tees for the whole family.

The classic artwork explores how Mickey and other Disney characters have changed over the years. “By combining Disney storytelling with Old Navy’s relaxed, playful styles we’ve achieved a product line that truly celebrates our classic characters,” said Jodi Rosenblatt, director of sales, Disney Consumer Products.

The “Mickey Through the Decades” collection is available online at OldNavy.com and at Old Navy stores. Women’s tees will be priced from $12.94, men’s tees from $14.94, kid’s tees from $12.94 and toddler tees from $14.94.

While we are on the subject of Disney and Old Navy, in celebration of Mickey’s 85th Anniversary Disney and Old Navy are teaming for a contest. You could win a custom Disney Tour in L.A.

Enter here.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Restaurant Manager Stole to pay for Disney Trips

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 11, 2013

A 26-year-old Chicago man is being held on charges of aggravated identity theft alleging he stole over $50,000 from employees and patrons of the Lincolnshire restaurant where he worked to fund more than a dozen trips to Disney World, authorities said.

Alexander N. Pera also faces charges of identity theft and money laundering.

Pera is being held in Lake County jail in lieu of $500,000 bond, Hyde said, adding that further charges are possible.
Hyde said Lincolnshire police were contacted in May by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando, Florida and learned that Pera had made over 15 different Walt Disney World Resort reservations in five months and had sailed aboard Disney Cruise Line twice earlier this year.

Hyde said police learned during an investigation that Pera had provided false information to airlines and the Disney Company for his travel plans, including fictitious names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.

Pera paid for his trips using fraudulently obtained gift cards and prepaid credit cards, which police learned were acquired with stolen credit card numbers and cash, Hyde said. Victims linked to the investigation were diners or former employees at Eddie Merlot’s, he added.

During the arrest, Hyde said, Pera was found in possession of fake I.D. cards, gift cards and a loaded handgun.
At this time, police say there are more 50 victims of identity theft with losses totaling over $50,000. Eddie Merlot’s management is cooperating with the investigation and assisting with identifying fraud victims, police said.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Walt Disney World Bucket List

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 11, 2013

Your family and you are at Walt Disney World and you know that you can’t possibly fit every single attraction or item on your long to-do list in one trip despite your best planning and strategic endeavors. Whether you are a first timer or have been to Disney more times than not, most of us have difficulty at some point in rating what attractions to put on our to-do list. Our family tries to take note as we vacation that we need to do this or try that for the next trip. Inevitably, something comes up on that next trip and we have ended up pushing off items again for a future trip.

So, we now have a running bucket list of Disney to-do attractions. Here are some of the attractions on our list:

In Epcot, we have never been to Club Cool. Located in Innoventions West, Club Cool is almost like a United Nations meeting of pop (or soda depending on where you are from). Different soft drinks are represented from all over the world. The best part is that samples are FREE! You can try out soda from China, Israel, Thailand, Japan, Costa Rica, Germany, Italy, and Mozambique. Also available at Club Cool is your favorite Coca Cola merchandise. How cool is that?

The Animation Academy inside the Magic of Disney Animation attraction can be found at Hollywood Studios. After going through the Magic of Disney Animation show, you walk through an interactive activity area. One of the activities on our bucket list is the Animation Academy where you learn to draw a Disney character under the tutelage of a Disney artist. This attraction seems to pull out the artist in all of us.

Creating our own Disney treat at Goofy’s Candy Company in Disney World’s Downtown Disney is next on the list. You start by picking your own treat such as a caramel apple, pretzel rod, marshmallow, Rice Krispy treat, or cookie. After choosing your treat, you can pick to dip it in milk, dark, or white chocolate and pick one topping like sprinkles, nuts, coconut, butterfingers, cookie crumbs, chocolate chips, trail mix, or peanut butter cups. After your topping, you can add some chocolate drizzle for the ultimate sugar experience. You are able to get more than one topping for an additional charge. My niece created her own treat on her last trip and raved that it was the best treat she ever had!

Finding DiVine, a park performer, at Animal Kingdom Park has eluded us. We have yet to locate the stilted, foliage-covered walker that blends in so well that people have been standing right near her and not even know it. DiVine seems mysterious since she blends in so well and can be hard to find until she actually moves. DiVine normally hangs around the area between Africa and Asia. Even though she does not talk, we still want to spot her doing what she does best – being a part of the nature around her.

Do you or your family have a Walt Disney World bucket list? What things has your family noticed that they want to do on their next Disney trip? We would love to know what attractions your family is still longing to do at Disney!

Top 10 Best Things About Disney in the ’90s

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 11, 2013

old disney studio logo

So believe it or not, the 90s are trending right now. People everywhere are looking back and reminiscing about the grunge decade; and that got me thinking. You see, my 90s childhood and Disney are inseparable from one another; and while Disney is still great today, I think the 90s were definitely a peak in the company’s career and a great time to be a Disney fan. How? Read on to find out what I think are the top 10 best things about Disney in the ’90s!

1o. The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Timon and Pumbaa TV Series-Back in the 90s, characters from hit Disney movies continued their stories in several animated television series! The Little Mermaid series let us watch more of Ariel and Flounder’s adventures before she met Eric, while the Aladdin series thrilled us with Aladdin’s daring adventures in Agrabah with Jasmine and the Genie. The Timon and Pumbaa series was a non-stop gag session with these loveable sidekicks. Hey, it wasn’t Emmy award winning television; but it let us live in the 90s movie world a little longer.

9. Live Action Movies-We all knew that Walt Disney could not only entertain us with animated characters, but live actors too in such films as the Parent Trap, Mary Poppins, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; but in the 90s, Disney did it again with lots of new live action movies. Like what? How about the Parent Trap remake with Lindsey Lohan, the Mighty Ducks, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Angles in the Outfield, or the Santa Clause? Okay, so maybe these films aren’t in the same league as Mary Poppins, but they still were quality, family-friendly entertainment and big hits.

8. 90s Disney Channel-Oh the good ol’ days… Back in the 90s, Disney Channel was awesome! Not only did they show reruns of the World of Disney at night, they also had shows such as Boy Meets World, The Famous Jett Jackson, Brotherly Love, and Bug Juice. Is anyone else a fan of these? Not to mention their surprisingly good TV movies, like Brink, Johnny Tsunami, and Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century!

7. New Ways to Get Wet-If you visited Walt Disney World in the 90s, you knew that there were whole new ways to beat the Florida heat! Typhoon Lagoon opened in 1989 and its famous Surf Pool “blew” guests away; and then in 1995, Blizzard Beach helped guest “cool” off with its unique theme!

6. Cool Parades-The 90s truly had some great park parades. If you visited Walt Disney World time or two throughout this decade, you know what I mean. The 90s gave us that giant balloon float at the Magic Kingdom, the Party Gras Parade, as well as parades themed after new films like Aladdin’s Royal Caravan Parade, Hercules Victory Parade, and the Hollywood Studios Mulan parade.

5. VHS Tapes-Kids today will probably never understand the famous “Be Kind and Rewind.” But in the 90s, VHS tapes allowed us to take Disney Classics home for the first time and let us relive our favorite stories over and over and over again. Speaking of which, does anyone else remember those special sneak peeks on Disney VHS tapes? The ones that showed viewers a quick behind the scenes of Disney animators working on the next upcoming film? I still remember watching animators draw early sketches of the Beast for Beauty and the Beast.

4. Big Drops-Walt Disney World brought us some new thrilling attractions to draw thrill seekers to the park and appeal to a whole new generation; and they sure did a good job! The 90s gave us such iconic attractions as Splash Mountain and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Disney Imagineering had definitely hit a high point in these years and still have us screaming and holding onto our Mouse Ears today.

3. The Birth of Pixar-While Pixar had been around before Toy Story, this film’s debut was our first introduction to the world of computer animation and classic Pixar storytelling. I still remember being awestruck watching this film in theaters and what a phenomenon it was, do you?

2. Two New WDW Theme Parks-A Disney World Vacation in the 90s usually meant getting to explore new theme parks! In 1989, MGM Studios, now known as Hollywood Studios, opened and was the first Disney theme park that was completely independent of Walt’s vision. New attractions were added throughout the early 90s, offering new experiences to visitors in those years; and then, in 1998, Animal Kingdom opened to guests and immersed us all in a whole new them park experience. Do you remember those early commercials for Animal Kingdom, or thinking that Dinosaur (then known as Countdown to Extinction) was the scariest thing ever?

1. The Disney Renaissance-Above all, the 90s were great to us Disney fans because it was the era of the Disney Renaissance, an nickname for the string of blockbuster Disney films which breathed new life into the Disney Company. Once The Little Mermaid debuted, it started a movie avalanche that brought us classics like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, and Mulan! Almost every year we had a new film to enjoy, many of which are some of Disney’s biggest films of all time and are still being celebrated and implemented at the parks.

So did I miss anything? Do you agree? What about Disney in the 90s do you miss?

Must Do Special Events at the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 11, 2013

Guests planning on attending this year’s Food & Wine Festival (F&W) at Epcot will be able to book special ticketed events for the festival beginning at 7 a.m. on August 13th. 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. Here are some tips on choosing your F&W special events and which ones are must-do’s for all types of budgets and park goers.

Tip: Plan ahead: 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.

Must Do #5: Culinary Demonstrations

Some of my favorite events are the culinary demonstrations. Not only are they extremely affordable ($10-$15), but you also get the opportunity to see Disney & celebrity chefs feature a unique dish and beverage. These sessions last around 45 minutes and provide nice tips and tricks. Held at the Festival Welcome Center, you’ll even have the opportunity to meet celebrity chefs afterwards for book signings and autographs. One of my favorite culinary demonstrations was Top Chef Masters Chef Suvir Saran who specializes in Indian cuisine. Celebrity chefs tend to book out quickly, so make your plans as early as possible.

Tip: Contact Disney’s Special Diets Department if you have dietary needs: For those of us who have special dietary needs, I can’t stress enough how important it is to contact Disney’s Special Diets Department directly so that they can get you in contact with Disney’s Catered Events. While you do have the option to note your special dietary needs on all dining reservations including F&W ticketed events, this is not always relayed to the dining team. While contacting the Special Diets Department won’t guarantee specially prepared food, it does help ensure that you are able to eat something at the event you are attending.

Must Do #4: Mixology or Beer, Wine, or Spirit Seminars

These are another reasonably priced way to enjoy F&W special events. At around $11-$14, guests will be treated to an array of various beverages from specialty wines to great mixed drinks. Like the culinary demonstrations, these last about 45 minutes and are also held in the Festival Welcome Center. It’s a great way to sample some unique drinks and learn more about them.

Tip: Pace yourself: The Food & Wine Festival can be overwhelming and trying to participate in every tier of special event 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.

Must Do #3 “3D” Disney Dessert Discovery

This is one of the classic F&W must-do’s! Introduced in 2011, “3D” Disney Dessert Discovery is held on 3 different dates from 8 – 9:30 p.m. It features amazing desserts, specialty drinks (which are paired with desserts) and a special 3D viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. What can be better than sweet treats and a great view of the fireworks? There’s also live entertainment. Last year there were specialty desserts from Babycakes Bakery in Downtown Disney, so guests who had special dietary needs also could enjoy. At $55-$90, this is a bit more expensive than demonstrations, but really does offer experience for guests. If I had to pick one moderately priced ticketed event, this would be it.

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.

Must Do #2 New Events

There are several new events being offered this year, and they are an absolute must-do! From the lower priced Parisian Breakfast ($37), moderately priced Spirits Confidential ($80-$95) to the indulgent Hibachi Experience ($120) and Scotland, Land of Food and Drink ($95-$115), guests are sure to be wowed by these new exciting events.

Tip: Look for 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.

Must Do #1 Party for the Senses

This is the hands down must-do special event at the Food & Wine Festival. It features amazing food and beverage from Disney and celebrity chefs, and even includes breathtaking performances from Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba! Food offerings range from samples of savory dishes to decadent desserts and everything in between. No matter what your tastes, you’re sure to find something to suite your fancy. Tickets are a steep $180-$225, so this event is a serious chunk of change. But, for the foodies out there, this is a rare treat. It is sure to be a magical night and a real party for your senses!

What are your must-do Food & Wine Festival Events?

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!

First Look – Tom Hanks as Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks

By

Chip

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July 11, 2013

Two-time Academy Award®–winner Emma Thompson and fellow double Oscar®-winner Tom Hanks topline Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks,” inspired by the extraordinary, untold backstory of how Disney’s classic “Mary Poppins” made it to the screen.

When Walt Disney’s daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers’ “Mary Poppins,” he made them a promise—one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the adaptation.

For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman brothers, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn’t budge. He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp.

It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.

Disney presents “Saving Mr. Banks,” directed by John Lee Hancock, produced by Alison Owen, Ian Collie and Philip Steuer, and written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith. Executive producers are Paul Trijbits, Andrew Mason, Troy Lum and Christine Langan. The film will release in U.S. theaters on December 13, 2013, limited, and open wide on December 20, 2013.