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An Invitation to join us in celebrating the biggest story in Magic Kingdom history…The Grand Opening of New Fantasyland

An Invitation to join us in celebrating the biggest story in Magic Kingdom history…The Grand Opening of New Fantasyland

The packages were delivered last week and on the front it said these magical words:

An Invitation to join us in celebrating the biggest story in Magic Kingdom history …the Grand Opening of New Fantasyland

Disney delivered magical invitations to select media to invite them to join in the celebration! The Grand Opening is an invitation only event and if you received one of these magical packages then you were invited! Inside the package was a book titled,  “The Story of New Fantasyland,” and a subtitle “The biggest, most enchanting expansion in Magic Kingdom history.”

The grand opening, Dec. 5–7, is for the select few that Disney is giving the pre show too, but do not worry if you did not receive one of these because Disney is letting anyone who wants to see the next phase of the New Fantasyland tour it on December 6th. The following new attractions will be showcased:

  • Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
  • Ariel’s Grotto
  • Be Our Guest Restaurant
  • Gaston’s Tavern

Let me know if you received one of these packages or just wish you did in the comments below!

Photo Credit: cfnews13.com

  • Fantasyland Set to Open December 6th! (chipandco.com)
  • Behind the scenes look at the detail of the Fantasyland Expansion (chipandco.com)
An Invitation to join us in celebrating the biggest story in Magic Kingdom history…The Grand Opening of New Fantasyland

Fantasyland Soft Opening Has Begun!

Fantasyland Soft Opening Has Begun!

Twitter is a buzz right now with the soft opening of Fantasyland! Many different Disney World Bloggers are there now checking out the Fantasyland Expansion Rides and Attractions!

According to our friends at Touring Plans, Cast Members are saying that they expect New Fantasyland to be open every day after today barring any issues.

Great news if you are in the Orlando area and want to get a first hand look at all the new attractions in the Magic Kingdom. If you are there and want to send us some pictures just email them to me at [email protected]. Let me know how you would like me to credit you. I don’t mind giving a shout out to your blog or website.

  • Meet Minnie Magnifique at Fantasyland Storybook Circus (pics.chipandco.com)
  • Behind the scenes look at the detail of the Fantasyland Expansion (chipandco.com)
Fantasyland Soft Opening Has Begun!

Disney Confidential – Did Someone Say Charging Stations?

Disney Confidential - Did Someone Say Charging Stations?

 

Hey there guys and gals! It’s me… Anonymouse and I have heard something interesting about WDW from various sources. What could it be you ask??? Wait no longer, read on, and your need to know is coming soon.

Basically, as Disney’s journey into the digital age moves forward, sources around the net, are saying that Walt Disney World is getting fancy charging stations, (just having charging stations will be a bonus, right?) So no more plugging your phone into the only outlet at The Brown Derby while everyone wonders who left their phone? It can not be just me that happens too…anyone, anyone? But I digress. With the news that there is going to be charging stations all over WDW this is even extra incentive for someone to teach Chimp Chip how to use a phone or computer.

I am not mentioning Disneyland because they already have charging stations, though maybe not as fancy as these new ones are going to be, but truly a charging station really only has so many uses.

Sounds pretty cool and really surprising it took this long to figure out that people need this? Yes, I know it just means more working on vacation for some of us, but those new apps Disney has out makes it worth it to others! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

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.

  • Disney Confidential – Something New is Coming to Animal Kingdom! (chipandco.com)
  • Disney Confidential – Are Wristbands Going to Replace Tickets at Disney? (chipandco.com)
Disney Confidential - Did Someone Say Charging Stations?

New ‘Alice In Wonderland’ Kids’ Water Play Area Opens at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

New ‘Alice In Wonderland’ Kids’ Water Play Area Opens at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Feast your eyes on one of the latest creations by our friends at Walt Disney Imagineering: It’s a new “Alice In Wonderland”-themed kids’ water play area at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa that offers a perfect blend of “tea party” and “pool party.”

This water play area is topped off with an upturned Mad Hatter’s hat that dumps water when it fills up, as well as an oversized teapot that spills water into a series of teacups, showering the guests below. On the ground, kids can have fun playing under sprinklers and water spouts, or sliding down one of the area’s two mini waterslides.

Click here to see more photos.

Thanks to Disney Photographer Matt Stroshane for the photo.

  • Making a Home at Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort (chipandco.com)
  • Top Ten Off the Beaten Path Experiences at Disney (chipandco.com)
New ‘Alice In Wonderland’ Kids’ Water Play Area Opens at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Disneyland Names New Ambassador Team

Disneyland Names New Ambassador Team

News from The Happiest Place on Earth (or at least in California) as two women were named Monday as Disneyland’s Ambassador Team for 2013-14.

Sachiko White and Megan Navarette were chosen from among  80 applicants for the paid, full-time two-year role as goodwill ambassadors for  Disneyland. The two will represent the theme park in public appearances.

Megan Navarette, who lives in Rancho Santa Margarita, started working as a “cast member” at Disneyland in 2009 and is currently a program facilitator for the park’s Youth Education Series.  She earned a communications degree from San Diego State University and is a team leader for the America Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Brest Cancer campaign.

Sachiko White, who lives in Anaheim, started work at Disney last year as a performer for special events and shows at Disneyland. She studied acting at Queen Margaret University College in Edinburgh and has trained in improv comedy at the Second City in Los Angeles.  White raises funds for Hollywood Arts, a school that offers classes in the arts to children from low-income families.

Congratulations!

Disneyland Names New Ambassador Team

Finding Nemo’s Just Keep Swimming Sweepstakes

Finding Nemo's Just Keep Swimming Sweepstakes

Enter the Finding Nemo – Just Keep Swimming Sweepstakes to win a 5 Night Walt Disney World vacation for 6 including Magic Your Way Park Hopper Tickets plus VIP Seating for Finding Nemo the Musical. For official rules and detail including on a link to enter just click here.

 

Muppets Perform Brand-New Song With CeeLo Green

Muppets Perform Brand-New Song With CeeLo Green

Disney’s The Muppets hit the stage tonight with CeeLo Green at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The Muppets joined the Grammy Award winning artist to perform an original song “All I Need Is Love” for the “CeeLo and Friends” concert celebrating the musician’s forthcoming holiday album “CeeLo’s Magic Moment.” The music extravaganza will air on the TV Guide Channel and on The Warner Sound Atlantic Records’ YouTube Channel this holiday season. The Muppets will appear in the “All I Need Is Love” music video with Green, and is sure to become a holiday classic when “CeeLo’s Magic Moment” arrives everywhere on October 30.

Photo Credit: Erik Kabik

Muppets Perform Brand-New Song With CeeLo Green

The Pirates League at WDW: It’s A Pirate’s Life for Me!

The Pirates League at WDW: It's A Pirate's Life for Me!

Ahoy Mateys! Have you ever wondered if the pirate life is the life for you? Well here’s your chance to find out! While we were planning for a recent trip to Walt Disney World, my daughter decided that she wanted to join Captain Jack’s crew and live the pirate life. The journey into a pirate’s life began in Adventureland at the Pirates League which is located next to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. From the moment we checked in with the Cast Member it was an adventure full of Disney magic! Join me on the journey to become a member of Captain Jack’s crew of adventurous pirates sailing the high seas.

The first step in becoming a pirate is receiving your pirate name; which is done in grand pirate fashion. Under the wise instruction of a Pirate Master, my daughter turned an official pirate treasure chest containing two very special dice  which when calculated together with your birthday, determine your official pirate name. At this point, her landlubber name removed, she became Elizabeth Bridgewater, pirate trainee and her name was recorded as an official member of Captain Jack’s crew in the beautiful Log Book.She also received a beautiful certificate proclaiming her new pirate name to take home.

In order for you to become a swashbuckling pirate you choose one of the four different packages available, each with its own features and options.

Jake and the Never Land Pirates:One that is sure to be popular among the Disney junior fans is the opportunity to be transformed into Jake from Jake and the Never Land Pirates fame.

 This package includes:

  • Jake and the Never Land Pirate bandana with faux hair
  • Jake facial effect
  • Sword and sheath
  • Pirates League bag
  • Pirate sash
  • Pirate medallion necklace

Epic Mickey 2 – The Power of Two Review Event

Epic Mickey 2 - The Power of Two Review Event

My writer Jess and I had the opportunity to check out Epic Mickey 2 – The Power of Two on Tuesday at a Press Event at the Disney Grand Californian Resort. We had so much fun checking out the game and meeting some of the creators and designers like Warren Spector! See a picture we grabbed of Warren below.

Epic Mickey 2 - The Power of Two Review Event

One of the highlights for me was Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is now voiced by the famous voice artist Frank Welker. I remember Frank from when I was little on a little show called the Transformers! Another really cool feature of the game the inclusion of some of your favorite classic Disney Characters. I don’t want to really spoil the surprises but let me just say you will LOVE seeing all your favorite characters from a long ago.

Here are some game details!

Making a Home at Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort

Making a Home at Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort

Golden Oak, the unique residential home community at Walt Disney World Resort, continues to bustle with construction, with more than a dozen families settling into their dream homes situated just minutes from Magic Kingdom.

Construction of the luxury Golden Oak homes continues at a steady pace, driven by strong demand from buyers. Of the 81 Golden Oak homesites that were initially released, the greatest demand so far has been for Grand Estate homes in the Carolwood and Carolwood Reserve neighborhoods, which feature homesites up to three-quarters acre in size. Based upon current development plans, the 980-acre Golden Oak community, when fully completed, will contain 450 luxury homes ranging in price from $1.5 to $8 million.

Meanwhile, construction of Summerhouse, the luxury residential community clubhouse within Golden Oak, is complete. Golden Oak residents and their guests have already begun to enjoy some of the key amenities Summerhouse has to offer such as: lounge areas, lap and family pool, game room and state-of-the-art fitness facilities. Summerhouse also will feature full food and beverage accommodations in indoor and outdoor dining areas once it is fully operational early next year.

“Once fully operational, we will be offering exciting opportunities for food and wine events within Summerhouse – featuring talented Walt Disney World chefs as well as sommeliers,” says Page Pierce, vice president of Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort.

Just across the tree line from Summerhouse, construction on the 444-room Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, anticipated to open in 2014, is well underway. The building will ‘top-out’ this month and will be fully enclosed next summer for a projected opening in 2014. The resort will feature several exciting dining outlets, a conference center, a full-service luxury spa and fitness center, as well as various pools. Once opened, the resort will also encompass the existing Tom Fazio-designed Osprey Ridge 18-hole championship golf course, which will be renovated and managed by Four Seasons.

“The level of activity right now at Golden Oak is very exciting, with residents moving in and construction taking place throughout the community,” says Pierce. “And, of course, nothing is more exciting than having families in residence, beginning to make memories that will last a lifetime.”

FAMILIES MAKE MEMORIES, ENJOY AMENITIES

The families, who hail from the Northeast, Midwest, and Southwest regions of the United States, as well as international locations such as Brazil, have two things in common: a strong love of Disney Parks and a desire for a unique and personalized resort home experience.

Russ and Lorrie, who live in the Midwest, see Golden Oak as a place where their three-generation family can gather to make memories. As Russ says: “We cannot think of a more positive and happy place to spend time with the people we love. It is comforting to know that someday my great-great-great grandchildren will be enjoying this home and will know who built it for them.”

Russ and Lorrie, like other buyers who purchased homesites at Golden Oak, received a “Disney Connection” suite of amenities, including a complimentary Golden Oak VIP Pass that allows them admission to all four Walt Disney World theme parks, water parks, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park, and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex every day of the year with no block-out dates. As part of the Disney Connection, Russ and Lorrie are also entitled to complimentary theme and water parks parking for one car, discounts of up to 20 percent on select merchandise purchased at select Walt Disney World® Resort parks or Downtown Disney area locations, access to door-to-park transportation, merchandise delivery, discounted golf services and much more.

Also available to residents and located within Summerhouse is a dedicated Resident Services team, which helps Golden Oak residents with a variety of concierge-style services, including:

  • Arrangement of private transportation
  • Disney Parks and special-event tickets
  • Golf tee-times
  • Dinner reservations
  • Private VIP Tours
  • In-home dinners and parties
  • Holiday home decorating
  • Grocery shopping
  • Recommendations for pre-arrival and post-departure home maintenance services

“We have so many fond Disney memories. It’s the common thread that runs through our family – something we can all relate to and share,” says Sam who purchased a Golden Oak home with his wife, Lois just weeks after first looking into it. “What better way to be a part of the Disney Parks than to live at Golden Oak?”

Midway Family Grieves Daughter On Make-A-Wish Trip

Midway Family Grieves Daughter On Make-A-Wish Trip

This story is so heartbreaking…

A Midway family is grieving their daughter who became ill and died while on a Disney World trip sponsored by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The McDonald family had expected this week to be a celebration of the life of their daughter, Mia. Instead, 4-year-old Mia got sick just hours after arriving in Florida.

Her body rejected the transplanted heart she received when she was just 4 months old. The family removed her from life support Monday.

John McDonald said his daughter had big plans to meet her two favorite characters — Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse — when they left Utah on Oct. 2, but Mia never made it to the park.

Click here to keep reading more.

Midway Family Grieves Daughter On Make-A-Wish Trip

You Can Be Cinderella…or at Least Look Like Her with Disney’s New Collection for Adults and Children

You Can Be Cinderella...or at Least Look Like Her with Disney's New Collection for Adults and Children

Ever dreamed of having a fairy tale moment like Cinderella? Now you can have a Cinderella moment of your own with a new collection of Disney products for children and adults that celebrates the magic and elegance of one of Disney’s most iconic princesses.

In conjunction with the release of Cinderella Diamond Edition, available on Blu-ray™ for the first time on Oct. 2, Disney’s unique assortment of Cinderella-themed products includes toys, fashion, beauty, home décor and collectible items.

Below is a snapshot of the collection, which is available in time for the holiday gifting season. 

  •  Swirling Lights Cinderella DollGirls can recreate the magical transformation of Cinderella for the royal ball with the Swirling Lights Cinderella doll by Mattel. By simply pressing on Cinderella’s necklace, the princess’s beautiful blue dress will begin to dazzle with twinkling lights while magical music simultaneously plays. Available now at mass retailers for $29.99.
  • Cinderella Costume Collection for Girls – Arriving just in time for Halloween this Disney Store-exclusive collection includes a Cinderella costume ($44.50), Light-Up Cinderella shoes ($16.50), Cinderella tiara ($10.50) and a Light-Up Cinderella wand ($10.50). Available now at Disney Store and DisneyStore.com.
  • The Glass Slipper CollectionBlending the classic elegance of Cinderella with today’s footwear trends, this limited-edition shoe collection from DSW ($59.95 to $89.95) will make any woman look fabulous and feel glamorous on her big night. The exquisite shoes bear an embossed carriage logo and a signature blue jewel on the sole, making them not only a great fashion statement, but a stylish collector’s item as well. Available now at DSW stores and dsw.com.

Photo Credit: Disneystore.com

  • Disney Store Celebrates Halloween with Spook-tacular Costumes for All Ages from Cinderella, Brave, Marvel’s The Avengers, Disney Fairies and More (chipandco.com)
  • Cinderella Diamond Edition Bluray Giveaway (chipandco.com)
You Can Be Cinderella...or at Least Look Like Her with Disney's New Collection for Adults and Children