Home Blog Page 4622

Top 5 Nap Spots for Little Ones in Epcot

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

Epcot

I know Napping at Disney World is a funny subject to write about but if you have little ones it is not always feasible to go back to the room for naps that is why I am writing these articles.

In continuing my Favorite Nap Spot series, next stop is Epcot.  In case you missed my other posts you can read about Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom spots.

Due to its size, Epcot has many places to park the stroller and cajole the little ones to sleep.

  1. World Showcase-Yup, the whole thing!  Place your little one in the stroller and start walking.  Maybe even detour with a soothing boat ride across the lake to Italy.  Yes, you will be surrounded by people, but keeping the stroller moving always works for us.  Avoid the musical performances at the American Pavilion.
  2. Take a Boat Ride-Exit Epcot near the International Gateway (between UK and France pavilions)and continue along the path to the resort boats.  You can ride the boats to the Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin, Beach and Yacht Club resorts.  Stay on the boat or get off for a quiet spot away from it all.  You do not need to take you child out of the strollers so that is a bonus!
  3. Go to the United Kingdom-Behind the shops you will find Gardens and a Hedge Maze. Grab a snack and head over to find a quiet spot. It’s centrally located to food, restrooms and other activities for family members.
  4. American Adventure-Dark and Air-Conditioned.  Enough Said!
  5. Visit Morocco-One of Epcot’s overlooked treasures.  Near the art exhibit there are some cool spots to sit and have little one take a rest as well.  Because it’s so overlooked, it can be very quiet and restful!

Epcot has so many beautiful nooks to find some rest for your little ones.  And your feet!  Like all Disney parks, there is a Baby Care Center for a rocking chair and some air conditioning.  However, some days a trip back to the resort is in order.  You know your kids best, so gauge their moods so everyone has a great day!

Please share your favorite Nap Spots at Epcot in the comments section below.

MickeyMom is Mom to two boys, travel planner and is a strong believer in naps for the entire family!

Related articles
Top 5 Nap Spots for Little Ones in Epcot

Blooming Bites and Savory Sips Debut at Epcot Flower & Garden Festival

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

Sierra's epcot pic from the monorail used in magical mouse schoolhouse page

Set among millions of blossoms, classic topiaries and live entertainment, new Garden Marketplaces are making their food and beverage debut at the 20th Epcot Flower & Garden Festival presented by HGTV. Taking place March 6-May 19, 2013 at Walt Disney World Resort, the annual festival will highlight the natural progression from garden to table at the 12 Garden Marketplaces around World Showcase.

“That progression is showcased with raised garden beds around the marketplaces that will be growing some of the produce and herbs in the dishes,” says Epcot Executive Chef Jens Dahlmann. “We want to show our guests how food grows to help make that connection from the kitchen to the garden.”

“Each marketplace has three to four dishes, and they are unique to the festival,” says Dahlmann. Culinary creations from Epcot chefs range from smokehouse barbecue to sweet “frushi” made with fresh fruits and coconut rice, and are paired perfectly with refreshing brews and beverages at each location.

Garden Marketplaces, including location and food and beverage offerings are below. Menu items noted with ** are part of TRYit, Disney’s new campaign that encourages children to try something new.

Continue

When Will Disney’s Free Dining Resurface?

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

disney-dining-plan

Nothing gets people more motivated to book their vacation than the release of the ever popular free dining offer at Disney World. As a travel agent with Pixie Vacations the number one question I get asked is when free dining will be coming out. First off let me tell you secret…we travel agents  have no clue as to when Disney will release certain offers. All we can do is use past information to try to guess when an offer will be released. That being said I am going to give it a guess.

On March 7 the current room and ticket discount for February and March that is out will expire for booking. On March 31 the same offer will expire for April, May, and June bookings. Last year free dining was released for Disney Visa Card Holders on March 1 and then released to the public on March 5. This free dining package was available for stays August 25, 2012- September 29, 2012. It is quite possible that this could happen again at some point in March.

As a Disney visa card holder I have not yet been given any information on a free dining offer, but I would not expect this until the package was officially released. I am hoping that they will release it as the current room discount offer expires. I also have one other clue that leads me to think that free dining may be released soon for August and September stays. In October 2012 I stayed at The Beach Club and booked a September 2013 stay that includes free dining as part of a bounce back offer. Bounce back offers are exclusive offers that can only be booked while you are at Walt Disney World. Details of these offers are usually left on heavy paper pocket watch shaped flyers in your room.  The package I booked was exclusively for travel dates between August and the end of September 2013. I am hoping this is no random coincidence and that I was simply given an early booking window as a reward for being a 2012 resort guest who had traveled in the fall.

Continue

Florida Residents: Get A Three-Day Discover Disney Ticket for $119

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

Florida

Are you planning on visiting Walt Disney World Resort this spring? There sure is plenty to look forward to at our parks, including the return of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and the upcoming debut of A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas, Magic Kingdom Park, just to name a few.

If you live in the state of Florida, be sure to check out our latest deal for Florida residents – a new three-day Discover Disney Ticket that costs $119, plus tax. You can even add a fourth day for just $10 more.

Tickets can be purchased now through June 3, and can be used through June 7, 2013 (*blockout dates do apply).

For more information, visit www.DisneyWorld.com/deal.

* Blockout dates are March 23 through April 5, 2013. Passes are non-transferable, are only valid during regularly scheduled operating hours, and exclude activities/events priced separately. No additional discounts apply. Proof of Florida residency is required for each adult age 18 and older.

 

Sunshine is a Disney fanatic. You will find her counting down the days until she goes back to Disney, while annoying her daughter with all things Disney.

Related articles
  • Florida Residents Discover a Special Value with the New Discover Disney Ticket (chipandco.com)
  • Starting Tomorrow: Discover Disney Florida Resident Tickets Go On Sale! (chipandco.com)
Florida Residents: Get A Three-Day Discover Disney Ticket for $119

Disneyland Cancels Southern California Ticket Discounts

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

disneyland_logo

It seems that the success of Disneyland’s recent makeovers has lead to some ticket offers for Southern California residents being cancelled.

Since 2003 Disneyland offered “2 for 1” or similar offers to local SoCal residents as an incentive to bring visitors to the parks during the slow season (January thru May).  However due to the overwhelming attendance spikes from last year’s Cars Land refurbishments Disney has withdrawn these discounts.

“We regularly evaluate our offerings in the local market and make decisions based on our business needs,” Disneyland Resort spokeswoman Suzi Brown.

Since the June 2012 debut of the $1 billion dollar makeover to Disney California Adventure and the addition of Cars Land Disneyland California has set records for attendance.  Attendance is now equally split between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. As a result of the boosted attendance the Disney California parks are greatly outgrowing Walt Disney World.

In Florida, Disney is offering residents their own special offer – a three-day ticket for $119 (regular cost is $242).

Tara seems to always be doing something Disney! Whether she is helping people make a memory with a trip to Disney (or anywhere else for that matter)  or she is helping to write all the news and gossip to keep you in the know!  She also has a brand new facebook page for even more tidbits on Disney and travel, so visit her at Magical Memories and the Mouse.

Related articles
  • Disneyland Has a New Way of Cracking Down on Ticket Abuse (chipandco.com)

 

 

Dining at the Be our Guest Restaurant

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

bog

New Fantasyland was the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history.  As a regular to Disney World, I was super excited to see this new expansion come to life. This expansion brought many magical additions such as the new Little Mermaid ride, Gaston’s Tavern, Prince Eric’s castle and Ariel’s Grotto. My kids loved these new areas of Fantasyland, but one of the highlights is the new restaurant called Be our Guest.

Tucked insides the Beast’s castle, you can find this French-inspired restaurant. Be Our Guest is a quick service restaurant during lunch and becomes a table service restaurant for dinner.  If you love the Beauty & the Beast movies, this is the ultimate restaurant for you. Are you ready for a tour of Be Our Guest?

As you approach the castle, you walk over a bridge where you can see a stream and forest beneath you.  You then enter the castle through double doors and proceed through a hallway of knights where you can find menus displayed on screens for lunch. This hallway leads into the study where, during lunch, you are given a rose by a host or hostess which then records the order you place at a touch-screen terminal. You can then enter the ballroom which is straight from the Beauty and the Beast movie. The room is adorned with beautiful chandeliers and you can even see the snowy evening through the windows in the back of the ballroom. To the left is the West Wing of the castle which is dimly lit and displays the rose in the corner of the room. If you have younger kids, be sure you skip this section.  It is a little scary for kids!  To the right of the ballroom is the Rose Gallery which features a beautiful dancing display of Belle and the Beast dancing in the center of the room. You place your rose on the table and magically, a server brings you your food. The drinks are self-service, but as a result, offer free refills!

The most important thing to know, though, is how the food tastes. Even if you don’t think you’re a fan of French cuisine, the food is fabulous! In my opinion, this is one of the best options for a quick service meal at the parks- quality food in a magical atmosphere for a reasonable price.

For lunch, your options are a tuna or quinoa salad, croque monsieur, a turkey or steak sandwich, vegetable quiche, or braised pork. You can choose from salmon, steak, pork, shrimp, chicken, and vegetarian pasta for dinner. Don’t miss out on the best part of the meal, either! For dessert, they serve three different cream puffs and three different cupcakes. If you’re a chocolate-lover, the chocolate cream puff is wonderful. However, the strawberry cream cheese cupcake is an equally delicious choice (and my personal favorite!).

Be Our Guest is super popular, so arrive early for lunch.  For dinner, be sure to book an Advanced Dining Reservation.  For restaurants at Disney World, Be Our Guest is quickly becoming the most popular restaurant to book and dine during a vacation.  Be sure you experience it during your vacation!

Have you experienced Be Our Guest yet? Do you prefer lunch or dinner?  Be sure to let me know in the comments what you’ve thought about this addition to New Fantasyland!

When Siera isn’t planning Disney Vacations for her friends and family, you can find her spreading magic on Facebook at facebook.com/spreadingmagic or on Twitter at twitter.com/spreadingmagic!

Related articles
Dining at the Be our Guest Restaurant

Mickey Mouse Sketch From 1938 Found

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

MickeysToothache

The Disney Archives have released a newly discovered sketch from 1938, “Mickey’s Toothache,” part of a never finished cartoon.  “Mickey’s Toothache” was created in April 1938 by artist Ferdinand Horvath and featured Mickey visiting the dentist in which he takes too much laughing gas and has a “nightmare” about a world inhabited by living teeth, dental floss and a crazy dentist’s chair.

Disney Archives Director Becky Cline said the forgotten piece of artwork was discovered in the Walt Disney Archives, in a folder lost for more than 74 years. It was discovered just a few months ago.

“Mickey’s Toothache” is just one of several unveilings being planned as part of this year’s D23 Disney Fanniversary Celebration. The sketch will be included in a 90-minute presentation showcasing some of this year’s other major Disney anniversaries in 10 different U.S. cities (Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Newark, Orlando, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.).

While most people think of Walt Disney himself in regards to the creation of Mickey Mouse, Horvath was a large part of the early Disney years.   He worked for the studio from 1934 through 1944 and produced between 70 and 80 animated shorts.  He also worked on the production of “Snow White.”

Tara seems to always be doing something Disney! Whether she is helping people make a memory with a trip to Disney or she is helping to write all the news and gossip to keep you in the know!  She also has a brand new Facebook page for even more tidbits on Disney and travel, so visit her at Magical Memories and the Mouse.

Related articles
  • Hidden Mickey that is out of this world (chipandco.com)
  • Top 5 Reasons to Visit Chef Mickey’s (chipandco.com)

 

 

Mickey Mouse Sketch From 1938 Found

Pirates Booty Sets Sail with Disney Junior’s Jake and the Never Land Pirates

By
Chip
-

pirate

 

Pirate’s Booty®, a leader and manufacturer of all-natural snacks, is pleased to announce its new look, themed to the Disney Junior preschool series, Jake and the Never Land Pirates.  A new snack launch for 2013, Pirate’s Booty is offering a special Limited Edition 12-pack of half-ounce Pirate’s Booty.

The Limited Edition Jake and the Never Land Pirates multipack features Pirate’s Booty’s best-selling product – Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar.  The pack also features Jake and the Never Land Pirates characters and games to keep the crew engaged during snack time.  The little treasures half-ounce size of Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar is just 65-calories and is the perfect portion for the lunchbox or when on-the-go.

Disney Junior’s Jake and the Never Land Pirates, cable TV’s #1 series among Boys 2-5 for the past two consecutive years, revolves around a crew of kid pirates – leader Jake and pals Izzy and Cubby – and follows their Never Land adventures as they work to outwit two infamous characters, the one and only Captain Hook and Mister Smee, from the Disney film classic “Peter Pan.”

“We (at Pirate’s Booty) are excited to collaborate with Disney Junior on this special Jake and the Never Land Pirates snack,” stated Eric Berniker, Pirate’s Booty Vice President of Marketing.  “Jake and the Never Land Pirates and Pirate’s Booty bothembody the fun-loving, adventurous and optimistic spirit that we all love.  Pirate’s Booty is proud to give consumers a delicious and all-natural snacking option with the release of the Limited Edition half-ounce 12-pack of Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar,” he continued.

“The Jake and the Never Land Pirates edition of Pirates Booty is a fun way to extend the Disney Junior brand, as it represents a snack that the whole family can feel good about eating,” said JD Edwards, Senior Vice President of Media Networks Licensing at Disney Consumer Products.

Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar is a deliciously baked, all-natural snack made from puffed rice and corn and blended with real aged white cheddar cheese.  Pirate’s Booty has all the fun, but half the fat and fewer calories than regular fried potato chips, so it’s a snack that kids and moms agree on.  Pirate’s Booty is gluten-free and made in a peanut and tree-nut free facility.  The Limited Edition Jake and the Never Land Pirates half-ounce 12-packs are available at retailers nationwide.

Related articles
Pirates Booty Sets Sail with Disney Junior’s Jake and the Never Land Pirates

Epcot’s World Showcase Best Kept Secrets – Canada

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

canada2

We all know there are lots of things to do at Walt Disney World. Most of them right out in the open, but Disney is great at hiding things. I am not talking about Hidden Mickeys, I am talking about little things here and there to surprise and amuse us. It seems that each country in the World Showcase has some hidden gems or secrets and we are going to explore them all. 

We’ll start with Canada and explore some unknown trails and some little known secrets.

  •  There is a walking trail in Canada that will take you to the top of the mountain. To the right of Le Cellier, before you get to Kidcot, is the walkway that leads toward the theater that plays O’Canada, and that is where you will find a little trail that will take you to the top of the mountain. Once you get to the top you can look down the mountain and appreciate the waterfall and the scenery around you. This is a quiet place to rest, get away from the crowds or just re-group. You can head back down the mountain on the front side and walk through the little “village” of shops. Down one more set of steps brings you back to the main walkway of the World Showcase. You can either head right towards United Kingdom or head left, stop off at the popcorn cart for some authentic  Canadian beer and head back through The Victoria Gardens towards Le Cellier. We have made this loop many times with my kids while waiting for our reservations at Le Cellier, they love climbing the mountain and popping out at the top and then watching the waterfall.
  •  Only one of the totem poles in the pavilion are real.  While standing in the pavilion you will see that there are three poles, one on the left and two on the right. The one on the left is real. It was carved by renowned Tsimshian Indian carver, David Boxley.  It is a 700 pound, 30′ tall cedar that depicts three stories of Raven, which is a traditional story among the Northwest Coastal Indians. The other two have distinct markings to show they are large pieces of fiberglass stacked on top of each other.
  •  The Hotel du Canada, which is designed after the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa is only 3 stories tall, but they added 5 stories of windows to give it the illusion of being much bigger than it really is.
Continue

Disney Evite Collection is Now Available

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

Cars Evite

Do you do invites or Evites?  Until now, Disney fans had to use paper invites or get creative on their own to do a Disney themed party.  Now Disney’s interactive Spoonful.com and Evite.com have partnered to bring the Disney collection to you on Evite.com/Disney.

Evite has been named the exclusive online party invitation partner for Disney Interactive’s Spoonful.com and is now offering a new collection of Disney-themed online party invitations.  The Evite Disney Collection includes characters popular with both boys and girls, in eye-catching designs.  The invitations will still use Evite’s signature, simple, invitation templates and party planning tools.

Disney’s Spoonful.com inspires families to express their creativity and provides them with tools to enjoy family celebrations and party planning.  The Evite partnership makes it one step easier by providing customized invitations from their favorite Disney characters and stories.

Designs featured in the Evite Disney Collection will include Disney Princess, Disney Fairies, Cars, Toy Story, Phineas and Ferb, Alice in Wonderland®, Mickey and Minnie®, Jake and the Never Land Pirates®, Pooh®, Tangled®, Brave®, Shake it Up®, and Doc McStuffins.

Well of course, we at Chip and Company have to check out the Disney Evites.  I’ll be setting up a Cars Birthday Party invite for my son’s 2nd Birthday party.  Keep an eye on Chip and Company for my review!

MickeyMom is a Mom 2 Disney Addicts in Training and is looking forward to planning a Cars party!

Disney Confidential – Disney working on Toy Story 4?

By
Anonymouse
-

ts

Hello Woody, Jessie, and all you other toys and folks out there in Toy Story Mania world….AnonyMouse is on the scene. I did not have to look far today to find this interesting morsel of gossip for you…it is all over the internet that Pixar has CONFIRMED Toy Story 4…so if it is confirmed then why is it still on the rumor mill circuit? Well that is because it has been confirmed by two Colombian news sites via their twitter and website accounts.

Jose Luis Balaguera, the entertainment coordinator for Radio Station RCN tweeted: “In 2015, Pixar will release Toy Story 4, the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack confirmed for the main characters.”

Though we have heard nothing from Pixar or Disney camps yet, the speculation started last year when Tom Hanks said he thought there would be another one and that they were working on it now…I mean take that for what it is worth but first Tom Hanks and then the Colombian news. AnonyMouse knows what he knows…

Good news for Chimp CHIP (my apologies again) as he was sad when he thought he would never see Woody again!

Anywho that is all the Disney Gossip I have right now. For my past Gossip articles be sure to check them out here.

Got any good gossip/rumors? Please email me at [email protected] or on my Facebook Page

 

Related articles
Disney Confidential - Disney working on Toy Story 4?

Disneyland Monorail Closes After Short Circuit

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

monorail_disneyland

The Disneyland Monorail had to be shut down on President’s Day due to a mechanical problem.  It appears that a short circuit caused one of the Monorail cars to smoke, which caused the Monorail to be shut down temporarily.

Disney crews shut off power to the Monorail system and towed the Monorail with the issue to drop off passengers and then to their repair shop.  Due to the power shut off a second Monorail was stranded on the track.  Guests were waiting for about 45 minutes until it was towed to the station so that guests could be dropped off.  Guests who were stuck were given fastpasses and free dining vouchers.

I would gladly take that inconvenience for some free fastpasses and dining coupons. How about you?

Tara seems to always be doing something Disney! Whether she is helping people make a memory with a trip to Disney (or anywhere else for that matter)  or she is helping to write all the news and gossip to keep you in the know!  She also has a brand new facebook page for even more tidbits on Disney and travel, so visit her at Magical Memories and the Mouse.

Related articles

 

 

Disneyland Monorail Closes After Short Circuit
1...4,6214,6224,623...5,474Page 4,622 of 5,474