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Is Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside the Right Resort for You?

Port Orleans Riverside
Port Orleans Riverside

My family has enjoyed a couple of weeklong stays at Walt Disney World’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. The question asked above, is it for you, depends on what you are looking for in a Resort, how much time you will actually spend at the Resort, and what types of amenities you prefer. My family stays at the Value and Moderate Resorts, because we do not spend a lot of time in our room or exploring the property. We get our fill of adventure at the Parks and Downtown Disney area and only hit the room to drop off souvenirs or catch a nap. Perhaps when the kids are older and we slow down a bit, we may justify the extra expense of the Deluxe Resorts and their magical appeal. Let’s look at the Pros and Cons of Port Orleans Riverside (POR): 

PROS:

  • The property is absolutely beautiful, quiet, peaceful, and serenely scenic.
  • Bus service is excellent, with 4 convenient, covered stops. (POR shares buses with only neighboring Port Orleans French Quarter.)
  • All of the guest rooms have been recently refurbished to include queen beds and flat-screen TVs during 2011/2012 refurbishment.
  • The Riverside Mill Food Court is spacious and picturesque with lovely views of the Riverside Mill water wheel and Ol’ Man Island, and the food is delicious.
  • Boatwright’s Dining Hall table-service restaurant serves dinner only, but it’s a great place for hearty Cajun cooking.

2013 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic Among Events for New Soccer Spring Training Initiative

Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic

Beginning Feb. 9, 2013, eight professional soccer teams, including six MLS teams, will converge on Central Florida to take part in the 2013 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic, culminating with the championship game on Feb. 23 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

The Disney Pro Soccer Classic is the marquee event of Central Florida’s Soccer Spring Training initiative, joining events such as a college soccer combine, professional trials and coaches academy. Soccer Spring Training was created by the Central Florida Sports Commission to boost interest in soccer throughout the region and develop Orlando as the prime destination for training and competition for professional soccer clubs.

The Disney Pro Soccer Classic is just one of more than a dozen prestigious soccer events held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which is the leading multi-sports venue in the nation and the official preseason training home of the AS Roma Football Club. Among the most high-profile soccer events at ESPN Wide World of Sports are Disney’s Soccer Showcase, the Disney Cup International and the MAAC Men’s Soccer Championships.

  • Ambassadors Chosen to Share Walt Disney World Magic (chipandco.com)
  • Making a Home at Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort (chipandco.com)
2013 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic Among Events for New Soccer Spring Training Initiative

Fun In and out of the Sun at Castaway Cay, Disney’s Private Island Paradise

Fun In and out of the Sun at Castaway Cay, Disney’s Private Island Paradise

Crystal-clear turquoise waters as far as the eye can see, powdery white sand beaches under foot and lush landscapes all around – guests encounter all of this and more at Disney’s private island paradise, Castaway Cay.  Located in the tropical waters of the Bahamas, Castaway Cay provides the ultimate escape, whether a guest is seeking adventure, relaxation or quality time with the family.

The dock built at Castaway Cay eliminates the need to tender, making the ship easily accessible throughout the day.  Transportation is provided to and from various points on the 1,000-acre island, including a special tram to Serenity Bay – a beach area reserved exclusively for guests 18 years of age and older.  A delicious all-you-care-to-eat lunch buffet is served at the open-air Cookie’s BBQ and Cookie’s Too, located steps away from the main family beach under covered pavilions.

Castaway Cay has its own post office where guests can mail a message to family and friends back home with an exclusive Castaway Cay postmark. For added convenience, complimentary beach towels are available for guests to use on the island.  Stateroom key cards may be used to make purchases on the island, including merchandise and alcoholic beverages.

Disney Imagineers designed Castaway Cay much like the Disney ships, with unique activities and areas for every age group, providing an exceptional experience for all guests.

Disney Princess Toy Maker Pays Large Fine

Disney Princess Toy Maker Pays Large Fine

Horizon Group USA, makes of “Disney Princess” jewelry kits in California has agreed to pay a $225,000 fine for selling deceptively packaged items. Horizon would not admit any wrongdoing and the District Attorney’s Office has said that there is no evidence to suggest Horizon intended to defraud consumers.

A Chula Vista woman complained when her daughter bought a “Disney Princess” jewelery kit with her saved money and was “crushed” when she opened it and it was only half full. The packaging depicted a full kit and this is where the fine comes in to play.

Horizon has agreed not to sell the kits any longer in California and have pulled thousands from store shelves.

Photo Credit: NBC San Diego

Disney Princess Toy Maker Pays Large Fine

ABC Family’s Bunheads returns this January!

ABC Family's Bunheads returns this January!

ABC FAMILY SETS PREMIERE DATE FOR ITS HIT RETURNING SERIES INCLUDING THE ONE HOUR SCRIPTED DRAMA “BUNHEADS”   PREMIERING IN JANUARY 2013

ABC Family’s critically-acclaimed series, “Bunheads,” from Executive Producer Amy Sherman-Palladino, starring two time Tony Award-winning actor Sutton Foster, will return with all-new episodes on Monday, January 7th at 9:00PM – 10:00PM ET/PT. The new episodes pick-up a couple of months after Michelle has left Paradise to try and return to her former life in Las Vegas.

Returning on Monday Jan 7th is ABC Family’s newest drama Bunheads. Being a dancer myself I quite enjoy watching shows based on dance. This show mostly focuses on ballet as it is a key form of dance that has been taught for many years. I love the tone of the show there are hints of comedy along with it which is great with a drama show. Although i don’t follow this show all the time I think I might start! This new season sounds interesting as ever,and i might just learn some new moves!

Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power Of Two Video Game Now Available For Download On PlayStation

Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power Of Two Video Game Now Available For Download On PlayStation

Disney Interactive today announced that the full version of the highly-anticipated “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” video game is now available for download on the PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system in North America.

The “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” video game returns Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to Wasteland, an alternate world filled with more than 80 years of forgotten Disney characters and theme park attractions.  But for the first time, Mickey and Oswald will join forces as true partners – Mickey with the magical paint brush that allows him to wield paint and thinner, and Oswald with a powerful remote control that allows him to command electricity.   This new co-op play further enhances the idea that “PlayStyle Matters” – a unique approach to gameplay pioneered by Warren Spector where players tackle challenges the way they want to in order to explore a variety of possibilities and storylines, but always with consequences for their chosen actions.

“Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” is rated ‘E’ for Everyone by the ESRB, and is available for download for $59.99. Supporting the latest technology, the game will also feature full support for the PlayStation®Move motion controller.

For additional information about “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two,” please visit the official site at http://disney.go.com/mickey/disney-epic-mickey-2.html, join our “Disney Epic Mickey Video Game” page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at #savewasteland.

  • ‘Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two’ to Release November 18! (chipandco.com)
  • Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two and Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion is out TODAY! (chipandco.com)
Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power Of Two Video Game Now Available For Download On PlayStation

Create a Festive Thanksgiving with Tips from Disney

I found some simple Thanksgiving crafts, games and table decorating ideas from Spoonful.com, Disney’s new family lifestyle site, that will help you transform your traditional Thanksgiving dinner into a fun and festive feast using items from around the house and complimentary print-outs!

From a pumpkin flower arrangement to corn-inspired napkin rings and turkey-print place cards, these simple yet stunning table decorations will be a bigger feast (for the eyes) than the meal itself!  And with a little help from this Chip and Dale sign, the little ones will go nuts for a spot at the kids’ table.

Gingerbread Holiday Displays at Walt Disney World

Gingerbread Holiday Displays at Walt Disney World

For those of you that have had the pleasure of visiting Disney World at the holidays then you know exactly what I am talking about…one of my favorite things is the Gingerbread Holiday Displays at Disney World!

If you have not had the pleasure yet of Disney during the holidays, put it on the bucket list, this trip will be well worth it, if only for the Gingerbread Holiday Displays (though I promise there is a lot more to Walt Disney World’s holiday celebration!) So, a brief overview to tantalize your need for Disney and the holidays is below, thanks to the Disney Food Blog for getting all the details and listing out each location and something special about it, just to remind you all of how fun the holiday are at Disney.

Let me know if you make at home your own Gingerbread houses (or holiday displays) or what special holiday traditions you celebrate every year?

The best of the best gingerbread house (in my opinion) can be found at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This 16 foot tall Gingerbread House, next to the massive Christmas Tree, is available for viewing November 19th – December 31st.

A Guide to Thanksgiving and Holiday Eating at Disney World

A Guide to Thanksgiving and Holiday Eating at Disney World

I love traditions.  I always related to Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof…TRADITION! I mean, if I do it one time and enjoy it, you can pretty much bet that I’ll be planning a return trip, at the same time the next year!  I think that it is part of my genetic make up, as my entire family suffers from this “we gotta do that again this year” mentality.  That is why I questioned my genes about three years ago, when my extended family decided to break with typical Thanksgiving traditions and serve seafood for Thanksgiving dinner. No turkey?  No mac and cheese?  No pumpkin pie?  I remember fighting (or at least trying to fight) the look of total disgust as I passed around a steaming hot plate of what we call in the south, low country boil or Beaufort Stew (aka shrimp, potatoes, corn on the cob, and sausage).  I’ve got nothing against this delicious meal, I mean, break it out in July and I am a happy girl, but on Thanksgiving?  Really?

All that said, I have decided to abandon non-traditional holiday fare.  Keep your shrimp.  I’m stuffing my face with carbs, sugar, carbs, and turkey.  All of this traditionalist got me to thinking,0″ what would I go for if I was at Disney during Thanksgiving or the holiday season?”  I quickly started forming a list of restaurants that I knew would meet my traditional food item requirements.  Apparently Disney has had the same thought (clearly, this is yet another sign that they should hire me as a Disney Imagineer).  They have created a special holiday appropriate menu at several of our favorite restaurants (both in the parks and resorts).  These restaurant sites offer a traditional Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving day by reservation.  They also offer Christmas and New Year’s eve/day meals.  You can check out the details on their website!

Since we know that Thanksgiving day and other holidays have been taken care of by Disney, today, I wanted to share some turkey friendly spots throughout the parks that can quench your Thanksgiving tradition, a few days earlier.  That’s right, today, we are looking at spots that will let you “get your turkey on,” all week!  Hey, why not celebrate with a couple of feasts?  I can promise you that Disney has just what you need to satisfy your tradition tooth (like your sweet tooth, only traditional).  I know that everyone holds different traditions, so I hope you’ll bear with me here as I explore some of the typical, Thanksgiving traditions.  Let’s take a look at some of my favorite spots!

Teen Beach Movie washes ashore in 2013

Teen Beach Movie washes ashore in 2013

Blue Sky, Gentle Breeze, Sunshine And Sweet Harmonies Production Has Begun On “Teen Beach Musical,” A Disney Channel Original Movie

School’s out, surf’s up and Disney Channel is taking a dip into the teen beach party movie genre with “Teen Beach Musical,” a modern “no more complications, just good vibrations,” break into song and dance comedy in which surfer girl McKenzie and her boyfriend Brady literally go into a classic surf movie musical where it’s bikers versus surfers — and they’re in for trouble if they don’t back down. While they hatch a plan to get back home to present day, the duo try to blend in as everyone around them spontaneously breaks into song and dance. But when they interfere with the plot of the movie, their fate may be changed forever.

Another Disney Channel Original Movie Musical  washes up to shore in 2013. This movie now going by the name of Teen Beach Movie combines some great classic movie themes from the 1960’s. It is always refreshing to see a throwback to old movies in this day and age. Following the High School Musical fame I’m not sure if this movie will live up to expectation although if done correctly it could be a hit. It’s hard to say how i think this movie will go i have seen many musicals on the Disney Channel and enjoyed them but after a while you want something new. I think It’s great having fresh faces appear in the movie,It’s a great way to bring new kids into the business. I can only hope that they don’t turn Maia and Ross into the next Vanessa and Zac simply because they can only be them and they can’t follow anyone else’s road to fame but their own. Knowing Disney I am sure they will play this movie out in a way that reminds us of those old musicals but brings us to a new generation of them. Fact is Disney is always on the cutting edge and i can’t wait to see if this movie sinks or swims!

ABC Special Celebrating Michael Jackson’s “Bad” Album

ABC Special Celebrating Michael Jackson's "Bad" Album

ABC has acquired the television rights to “BAD25,” a documentary film by the award-winning director Spike Lee. Airing at Thanksgiving, “BAD25” shares fresh insights into the King of Pop’s creative vision that resulted in his landmark “BAD” album, this year marking its 25th anniversary.

“This will be a very special Thanksgiving for all families to enjoy the genius of Michael Jackson,” said Spike Lee. “Big thanks to ABC for allowing people to witness the making of Michael Jackson’s ‘BAD’ album. Shamon.”

Academy Award nominated filmmaker Spike Lee teamed with The Estate of Michael Jackson and Legacy/Epic Records, carefully culling The Estate’s archives for rare and never-before-seen footage for the film which focuses on the creative forces that pushed Jackson to make the “BAD” album and launch the BAD Worldwide Tour. “BAD25” marks the first ever in-depth, behind-the-scenes film project to chronicle a Michael Jackson album and tour, and was filmed in advance of the 25th anniversary celebration of the iconic album, the record-breaking world tour and the groundbreaking short films that changed music history. The album’s 25th Anniversary will be celebrated on September 18, 2012 with the Legacy/Epic Records release of deluxe 25th Anniversary editions of the album.

LINCOLN – Discover the Story, ebook Review

Lincoln: A Steven Spielberg Film - Discover the Story

LINCOLN, a captivating film directed by Steven Spielberg that focuses on the 16th President’s tumultuous final months in office, opened in theaters across the United States on Saturday, November 16. In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country, and abolish slavery. With the moral courage and fierce determination to succeed, his choices during this critical moment will change the fate of generations to come.

And now you have the opportunity to dig deeper into history, go behind the making of the movie, and discover the story behind one of the greatest men in American history—Abraham Lincoln. Disney Publishing Worldwide has made available through iTunes books, LINCOLN: A Steven Spielberg Film – Discover the Story, a free e-book that beautifully accompanies the film. This 66-page interactive book illustrates how Spielberg was able to recreate history with truth and conviction. It includes clips of movies scenes, actual Civil War photographs, detailed images of period costume, historically accurate character profiles, and video snippets of key players offering insight into the lives and events portrayed on the screen.