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Former Disney Castmember Accused of Stealing From Guests

Former Disney Castmember Accused of Stealing From Guests

A former Disney castmember is accused of stealing money from guests and transferring it to her own account.  Aurillely Bentancourt was a front desk castmember at the Disney’s Contemporary Resort when detectives say she funneled customer’s over payments and fraudulent charges into her bank account.

Detectives said she took over-payments guests made on rooms and refunded the credit to her own credit card.  She also issued room credits to guests who she said had complained about their room to her own credit card as well.

Disney said they did not realize this was going on, but when the discovery was made they contacted authorities.  It took a year to track down Bentancourt.

  • Using a Disney Visa Rewards Card to save for your next Disney Vacation (chipandco.com)
  • Disney and Harrods Team Up for the Holidays (chipandco.com)
Former Disney Castmember Accused of Stealing From Guests

Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure gets new expansion

agent p

The interactive game, Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure, debuted earlier this summer, but today we’re happy to announce that Agent P has added new elements to his adventures in the United Kingdom, Mexico and Japan Pavilions.

The game is based on the wily secret-agent alter-ego of Perry the Platypus, a faithful pet to the title characters from Disney’s animated series “Phineas & Ferb.” Although just a simple pet to Phineas and Ferb, Perry turns into Agent P in each episode to help stop the misguided plans of his nemesis, Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

Here at Epcot, guests transform into secret agents to help Agent P thwart some of Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s most daring plots. Agents use a high tech detection device called a “F.O.N.E.” (Field Operative Notification Equipment) to receive clues for each case.

  • How many of these Top 10 Disney Must Do’s have you done? (chipandco.com)
  • 20 New Laser-Reflecting Levels for Hit Mobile Puzzler “Where’s My Perry?” (chipandco.com)
Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure gets new expansion

Worker Rescued From Disneyland’s Space Mountain Roof

Worker Rescued From Disneyland's Space Mountain Roof

A 37 year old man was hospitalized while he was injured cleaning the roof of Disneyland’s Space Mountain.   Firefighters had to rescue the man and he was taken by ambulance to a hospital because of moderate injuries which included a broken left femur, broken right clavicle and a cut on his forehead.

This is not the type of ride you want to take on Space Mountain

The injured man works for HSG, which is a maintenance company that was contracted by Disney to clean the roof.  He apparently slipped when one of the ropes he was using came loose and slid about 20 feet on the 45 degree sloped roof hitting a barricade at the bottom of the roof.  The accident happened before Disneyland opened at 8am.  No closures to the ride was reported.

 

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Worker Rescued From Disneyland's Space Mountain Roof

2013 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Celebrates with New Blooms, Food, Music, and ‘Oz’ Playground

2013 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Celebrates with New Blooms, Food, Music, and ‘Oz’ Playground

A blooming bounty of festival firsts will welcome Disney guests to the 2013 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival presented by HGTV March 6-May 19, 2013 at Walt Disney World Resort.

First, the news:

  • Epcot chefs will cook up first-time festival food and beverage fun, with special cooking stations offering exclusive-to-the-festival bites along the park’s World Showcase promenade.
  • A new circus-like “Land of Oz Play Area,” based on the Disney fantastical film adventure “Oz: The Great and Powerful” to be released in March 2013, will debut a kaleidoscope of interactive fun.
  • Disney topiary experts will grow, shape and manicure a Fab Five Disney character topiary with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck (with Daisy Duck in a cameo) featured in a celebratory floral cookout scene in living topiary color at the park’s front entrance.
  • New illuminated gardens in the park’s Future World and World Showcase will cast a colorful glow over each festival evening.

When Should I Go To Disney World?

When Should I Go To Disney World?

There are many theories on what is the best time of year to visit Walt Disney World, and there are websites and apps and charts and graphs and all kinds of information that can help you determine when the crowds will be the smallest. Even we have touched on it many times.

I know for me, crowds are only one factor in considering when to visit WDW, and here are some things to think about that will help you make the decision of “When Should I Go to Disney World?”

Consider Your Party – If you will be traveling with school age children to Walt Disney World, then timing becomes a huge factor, and you have to decide if it’s worth pulling them out of school to go when WDW Is less busy (like in the early fall or winter months), or do you brave the spring break crowds? Many parents believe it is well worth the lower cost and lesser crowds and do opt to pull children out of school for a WDW vacation, but there are many people who believe the opposite is true, so that’s really a personal choice you and your family have to make for yourselves. If you will be traveling with a large party, or are looking to save a little money, then the value seasons’ will be better for you cost wise, and the Disney Resorts are cheapest during the months of January-Mid February, and the end of August/Early September.

Florida Weather – Orlando weather is not the most predictable thing, and they see their fair share of rain and thunderstorms, especially during the summer months and hurricane season, which can be anytime from May through October. During these months you can expect humid, hot days with afternoon showers, so I recommend you bring along a poncho, and consider some rainy day activities so the rain won’t ruin your day!

Having Tea at the Grand Floridian Resort

grand flo

The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is Walt Disney World’s flagship hotel. The stunning Victorian style resort is known for its luxurious rooms, amazing dining, and soothing spa. I think some people might be surprised to learn that inside its magnificent walls are three unique tea party experiences that are perfect for both the young and the young at heart.

Enjoying a tea party with your family is an experience that can create some magical memories. The Grand Floridian offers three different experiences for you to enjoy.

 My Disney Girl’s Perfectly Princess Tea Party:  This amazing experience is for Princesses and Princes ages 3-11 and an adult guest. The princesses are welcome to wear their lovely princess gowns if they choose; although it is not required. The tea party is held in the beautiful Garden View Lounge & Tea Room. It’s hosted by “Rose Petal”, a friend of Princess Aurora’s or another one of her friends. During the party, there is music and storytelling from your royal host along with a Princess parade. The atmosphere is beautiful, with fresh flowers and china tea cups for a true tea party feeling.

  • Tea Party Fare: The royal tea party food for adults consists of tea sandwiches,(usually chicken-almond salad, egg salad, and shrimp salad), fruit and cheeses, (Smoked Cheddar Cheese, Sage Derby Cheese, and grapes), and assorted pastries and crackers, (Bleu Cheese Tart, Bleu Cheese baguette, and tea crackers). There are teas for the adults to enjoy, both flavored and unflavored. The Princes and Princesses at this royal tea party will enjoy dining on “tea” (juice) as well as heart-shaped sandwiches, grapes, and jelly heart tarts. Desert is a beautifully decorated Princess cake to share.
  • Gifts and Keepsakes: During the tea party, each guest will receive an assortment of very special treasures to take home as special mementos of their magical adventure.

Disney and Harrods Team Up for the Holidays

Disney and Harrods Team Up for the Holidays

Disney and Harrods have teamed up this year for a very special celebration of the holidays. “Disney at Harrods” opened the celebration and is a 7,000 square foot boutique at Harrods’ Knightsbridge store in London. The boutique is stocked with many different Disney products and several different areas for the fun to happen. There is a Cinderella Glass Slipper Salon, a Disney Princess dress-up area and a new interactive area which lets families enjoy Disney activities such as storytelling sessions.

Next on the Disney and Harrods list of how to celebrate was the showcase of extravagant window displays. These displays had 10 stunning dresses based on world-famous designers interpretation of the Disney Princesses dresses. Designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Versace and Elie Saab took part in the fun!

Finding Nemo coming to Blu-Ray/DVD/3D on December 4, 2012!

Finding Nemo 3D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why visit the aquarium when Disney∙Pixar’s “Finding Nemo Blu Ray” is swimming back into living rooms this holiday season? Releasing for the first time ever on Blu-Ray™ & Blu-Ray 3D™, this must-“sea”, must-own  Oscar-winning underwater adventure will be available to own on December 4, 2012.

Prepare to immerse yourself in the stunning underwater world of “Finding Nemo”. This heartwarming tale will slash off your screen with brilliant digital picture, high definition sound and breathtaking 3D bonus features that will transport you and your loved ones beyond your wildest imaginations.

First released in theaters in 2003, “Finding Nemo” earned the Oscar® for Best Animated Feature Film and remains the fifth highest grossing animated film worldwide. In 2008, the American Film Institute named “Finding Nemo”  among the 10 greatest animated films ever made and it is the second highest grossing Pixar film to date (behind “Toy Story 3”).

Featuring pristine high definition picture and sound, the Blu-ray creates an incredible at-home experience with a host of interactive features and bonus features including 3D Virtual Aquariums, 2D Virtual Aquariums, CineExplore, A Filmmakers’ Roundtable and more.

“Finding Nemo” will be available as a 5-Disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition (2 Blu-ray 2D + 1 Blu-ray 3D + 1 DVD + 1 Digital Copy), 3-Disc Collector’s Edition (2 Blu-ray 2D + 1 DVD), as well as 3D Digital & High-Definition Digital formats.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad To Get New Interactive Queue And Expanded Storyline

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad To Get New Interactive Queue And Expanded Storyline

Hang onto your hats and glasses, folks, cause this here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness!”  Exciting news from the Magic Kingdom as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is going to be getting an updated story line and queue!

The Disney Parks Blog has reported the enhanced backstory which has introduced Barnabas T. Bullion, a gold magnate who ruled the Big Thunder Mining Company.

The back story tells the tale of Barnabus, the founder and president of the Big Thunder Mining Company.  He is obsessed with mining gold but it having a tough go of it at Big Thunder Mountain, which superstitious locals say is protecting its gold by cursing those who try to take it.  Because of this the mine is plagued with disasters including runaway trains.

Portraits of Barnabas as well as Big Thunder Mountain will be displayed in the queue along with other interactive elements that have been teased by the Disney Parks Blog “to be a blast.”

Disney has found great success in developing interactive queues for its parks.  In Walt Disney World new interactive queues have been met with rave reviews at Winnie the Pooh, Space Mountain as well as EPCOT’s Soarin‘ and a soon to be redone queue in Test Track.

What do you think the Imagineers have in store for the Big Thunder Mountain queue?  What would you like to see?  Let us know!

Speaking of waiting in line, while I am waiting in line I like to kill some time playing partycasino.com using the all new Disney Wi-Fi available in all of the parks!

  • ‘Big Thunder Mountain’ Set To Become a TV Series on ABC (chipandco.com)
  • Disney Theme Park in St. Louis? Well Almost! (chipandco.com)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad To Get New Interactive Queue And Expanded Storyline

Hollywood Studios with Little Ones

Hollywood Studios with Little Ones

Is Hollywood Studios any fun with Little Ones?  After all, some of the best rides have height requirements.  So is it worth the trip?  Here are a list of rides and attractions appropriate for the Preschool set and under.

  • Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Adventure:  An outdoor play area designed around the Honey I Shrunk the Kids movie is perfect for all ages!  However, its sized for “shorties” so the slides and climbing nets are perfect for those 6 and under.
  • Disney Junior-Live on Stage:  A puppet stage performance based around Disney Junior Programming. If your kid is a fan of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Handy Manny and Little Einsteins this is a must!  There are character meeting spots right nearby.
  • Toy Story Mania:  If you are lucky enough to get a FASTPASS that is;  little ones will not wait in the long lines.  The whole family can do this ride together as they use their “sharp shooter” to experience virtual games from their Carnival car.  Rider Swap is available for this ride if necessary.
  • Muppet Vision 3D:  A 17 minute film with accompanying animatronics is fun for the whole family, featuring your favorite Muppet characters.  If you child won’t sit for that long, or is not a fan of 3D glasses, skip this one.

Mickey’s Wildlife Count Along App for iPad

Mickey's Wildlife Count Along App

It’s beach day at Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Wildlife Count Along, and Mickey and his pals need your help on their journey. So load up Donald’s beach ball, Goofy’s surfboard, Mickey’s camera, Daisy’s pail, and Minnie & Pluto’s kite into the car, help the pals climb in too, and hit the road to Mickey Beach!

Uh-oh! Mickey doesn’t do a very good job following road signs. As we follow his shortcut, the group heads into the hot and dry desert, finding lots of sand and sun, but no water. Mickey wants photos of their adventure anyway, and you get to count and capture images of wildlife, like coyotes, jackrabbits, and woodpeckers for his album.

Oh dear! Mickey makes another wrong turn and ends up at the arctic. Lots of water—frozen water—but certainly no sand or warm sun here. We’ll take pictures to preserve these memories too, and photograph increasing amounts of critters like polar bears, seals, and whales. Shake the screen to make it snow.

Using a Disney Visa Rewards Card to save for your next Disney Vacation

Using a Disney Visa Rewards Card to save for your next Disney Vacation

I am always looking for ways to save money on our Disney World Vacations. I spend hours doing research online and talking to my various Disney Blogger friends on find ways to save even more money so my family and I can keep going back without going broke. One Tip I have been a little hesitant about jumping on board with is getting a credit card for point and bonuses. Well after the research and some careful planning I feel we can pull this off with the help of a Disney Visa Rewards Card.

The Disney’s Premier Visa Card, issued by Chase, is a rewards credit card providing you with the opportunity to earn some of your favorite Disney items and enjoy the trip of a lifetime. You can earn rewards with every purchase and enjoy a special 0% introductory APR offer to try it out.

What this card offers is…

  • $100 Disney Gift Card – Earn a $100 Disney Gift Card when you spend $500 or more during the first three months of card membership. Please take note that certain restrictions do apply.
  • 0% Introductory APR – Embark on the Disney trip of your dreams with a 0% APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages. Thereafter a variable APR of 14.24% will apply.
  • Everyday Reward Dollars – You can start earning 2% in reward dollars on card purchases you make at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and several Disney locations. Continue to earn reward dollars with 1% on all of your other card purchases.
  • Redeem for Disney goodies – Enjoy all things Disney when you redeem your reward dollars for treats at home or while you’re on vacation. Exchange them for Theme Park tickets, resort stays, toys, DVDs and so much more. You can also redeem for airline travel on the airline of your choice to various destinations at anytime.
  • Save at Disney stores and online – You can save 10% on select merchandise purchases of $50 or more when you shop at DisneyStore.com and at Disney Store locations.
  • Other Features – Get the design of your choice when you select from 8 Premier-only car designs. You will also enjoy a low $49 annual fee for card membership.