Top 5 Walt Disney World Rides for Couples

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September 27, 2012

Believe it or not, Walt Disney World is not just for kids/families, it can also be a romantic place to vacation for couples as well! Should you find yourself in the mood for a little Disney Romance, then check out these top romantic rides for couples:

1. Peter Pan’s Flight – Board a pirate ship for a trip to Neverland! The ships are suspended from the ceiling, giving you the feeling that you are flying, as you soar through scenes from the movie. It’s set mostly in the dark, plus you get to fly – how much more romantic can you get than that!

2. Spaceship Earth – Located in Epcot’s icon, the giant shimmering geosphere, this ride depicts the story of how we communicate, from ancient to modern times. The best part is that it is interactive – partway through the ride, the screen in front of you comes to life, and you enter some information, answer some questions, and then it shows “your future”, it’s a lot of fun and a blast to see what your future holds for you and your significant other.

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Visiting the Epcot Kidcot Fun Stops

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 27, 2012

Epcot Kidcot Fun Stop — Epcot’s Kidcot Fun Stop

To an adult, Epcot’s World Showcase Pavilions provide an unparalleled trek around the globe. Only at Walt Disney World can travelers walk from Mexico to Morocco! Nowhere else is there such a complete panorama of international culture and cuisine wrapped up in appealing authenticity.

But to a child under age 10, the World Showcase may be little more than pretty buildings and people who talk funny. To kids, Norway’s trolls terrify and standing for O Canada! tires tiny feet, the food tastes plain weird at Morocco and the plastic tiara at Mouse Gear is way cooler than Italy’s “do not touch” Venetian masks.

Of course, Disney has a solution to keep the youngest Guests interested: Epcot Kidcot Fun Stops. These kid-sized craft tables located at each Pavilion are designed specific to the nation represented. Each is staffed by international Cast Members who, through Epcot’s World Fellowship Program, work in the Park for a one-year commitment, bringing the world to Walt Disney World.

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Disney Princess: My Fairytale Adventure Video Game Review

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Chip

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September 27, 2012

I don’t know about you but I have 2 beautiful Disney Princesses at home. Both my girls have grown up being around Disney, from the parks to the movies and more! My oldest Zoe loves video games like her daddy but gets frustrated very easily. So when Disney came out with Disney Princess: My Fairytale Adventure I was looking at getting this for my oldest. While I would like to say we run out and get all the games when they hit the shelves we have found because she gets so frustrated with the controls on the Wii we can never tell if she will play a game for a few minutes or a few hours. So with that in mind we try to wait a few months before we run out and get games for her. To my surprise Disney sent us a copy of Disney Princess: My Fairytale Adventure to try out!

Here is some info about the game:

In “Disney Princess: My Fairytale Adventure,” players will take on the role of an apprentice to the Fairy Godmother and will accidentally set off a series of events that cause friendly Sprites to transform into mischievous Imps. The chaotic Imps make their way into the worlds of Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Rapunzel and Tiana, and players must pursue the Imps into each Princess kingdom to prevent them from causing any harm. With the use of their magic wand, they’ll need to turn the Imps back into their original Sprite form, and return them to their rightful home in the Magical Kingdom.

Each of the Princess worlds will allow players to explore and interact with familiar Disney characters such as Lumiere, Pascal, Flounder, Gus and other fan favorites who will help guide them through missions and progress though the game. Quests and mini-games, including platforming, hide and seek, and puzzles, are designed to test the skills of the youngest players and challenge older players.

Players can also customize their avatar and room in the Fairy Godmother’s Castle, utilizing gems that are earned throughout the game to trade for items in the in-game “Wishing Well” store. Outfits, accessories and tiaras can be purchased to dress up avatars, creating hundreds of different combinations. Special items like floor patterns, wallpaper and furniture can be used to personalize and build out each player’s room in the Castle.

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Top 10 New Tastes for This Year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

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Chip

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September 27, 2012

The countdown has begun! The 17th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival opens Friday, and the chefs are putting last-minute touches on the tastes in the 29 Marketplaces around World Showcase Lagoon. We’ve been lucky enough to sneak in the kitchen for a few tastes, and here are our Top 10 “must tastes” for this year.

The new Florida Local Marketplace shrimp ceviche. Pair with key lime wine for a taste of the Sunshine State.
Also at Florida Local, we can’t get enough of the white corn arepa with Mangalitsa pork rillette and Zellwood sweet corn salad. Doesn’t get any fresher than this.
Trust us when we tell you, you won’t believe the chili Colorado is vegan at the new Terra Marketplace. You have to taste it just to say you’ve tried vegan chili with crunchy housemade chips and cashew cheese.
The grilled lamb chop in Australia – it’s back, but this year the finish is a-mazing: salt & vinegar potato chip crumbles with a kicky mint pesto. Oh yeah.
In Belgium, the steamed mussels are back, but they’ve ditched the cream for Hoegaarden Beer broth and a baguette for sopping up the juices. We like it better than the cream.
We just might recommend starting at the Dessert and Champagne Marketplace and digging into the dark chocolate mousse with chili and salted caramel. It’s a small serving, so the guilt factor is low and it’s worth every calorie.
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Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Fans Receive an Extra ‘Treat’ at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

By

Chip

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September 26, 2012

Have you attended Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party yet this year?

If not, and you happen to be a fan of the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom interactive game, you won’t want to miss this year’s event. In addition to the simple fact that the party is an absolute blast of Halloween fun (with special entertainment, fireworks, trick-or-treating and more), this year’s guests can pick up a special Halloween-themed Sorcerers card that’s been designed exclusively for this event.

This card, the “Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Bag of Tricks” card, will be handed out separately from the regular Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card packs (and yes, you can pick up both while at the party). This card is available only at the Magic Kingdom Firehouse Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom location during the party, and guests must show their party ticket and wristband in order to get one.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Trading Card Game Coming to Disney World (chipandco.com)
Veterans Reunite, Attend Flag Retreat Ceremony at Magic Kingdom Park (chipandco.com)

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Fans Receive an Extra ‘Treat’ at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Trick-or-treat! One Month of Disney Family Movies for Free!

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Chip

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September 26, 2012

For October, right now you can get one month of Disney Family Movies for FREE! Classic animation including The Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad, a visit with the Disney villains in Mickey’s House of Villains, spook-tacular live-action films such as Something Wicked This Way Comes…, and even the Muppets! Plus, Disney shorts, including Frankenweenie, Wreck-It Ralph and Avengers extras, all free! Grab the candy corn, and watch the Disney Family Movie Halloween video:

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Coming Spring 2014 Disney Nature Presents “Bears”

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Chip

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September 26, 2012

The future looks wild, as the Walt Disney Studio’s Disneynature label unveils its new film slated for the big screen in Spring 2014.

Disneynature’s 2014 motion picture “Bears” cozies up to the brown bears who call Alaska’s stunning coastal mountains and shores their home, revealing through tender moments and entertaining imagery how these animals are far from grizzly creatures. This shooting location provides some of the most spectacular visuals ever for a Disneynature film. The film is directed by Keith Scholey (“African Cats”) and Alastair Fothergill (“Earth,” “African Cats” and “Chimpanzee”).

“Our commitment to the production of Disneynature films is to capture nature on its own terms and its own schedule. These films are never rushed so that we can tell never-before-seen stories in our natural world that both astound and charm audiences,” said Alan Bergman, president, The Walt Disney Studios. “Disneynature’s next adventure ‘Bears’ promises to continue this storytelling tradition by introducing audiences to a phenomenal variety of wildlife and offering rare glimpses into the day-to-day lives of these incredible animals.”

“Bears” is currently in production in Alaska’s Katmai National Park.

Photo caption: DISNEYNATURE IS WILD ABOUT “BEARS” — Cinematographer Warwick Sloss films two brown bears as they graze in the meadows of Katmai National Park , Alaska. The stunning imagery is being captured for Disneynature¹s 2014 motion picture release “Bears,” directed by Keith Scholey (“African Cats”) and Alastair Fothergill (“Earth,” “African Cats” and “Chimpanzee”).

Disneynature’s Chimpanzee DVD Review (chipandco.com)
Marvel Studios To Relocate to Glendale Closer to Disney (chipandco.com)

Coming Spring 2014 Disney Nature Presents "Bears"

Is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Worth the Cost?

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 26, 2012

As the Christmas Season approaches (yes, it’s almost 3 months away!), many Disney vacationers are in a dilemma. Should they pay the extra money to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, otherwise known as MVMCP? I vote YES, but will give you the details and some tips to make your own decision.

What to Expect:

MVMCP begins November 9, 2012 to December 21, 2012 (note, not during Christmas Week). It runs select evenings only.
Ticket prices vary from $53.95 to $62.95 (ages 3-9), $58.95 to $67.95 (ages 10 and up) depending on the evening.
Purchasing tickets in advance saves you a few bucks and guarantees your tickets. FYI-There are a couple of nights there are no advance purchase discounts. Many nights sell out beforehand, so plan ahead!

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Disney’s Classic Peter Pan Storybook App Review

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 26, 2012

Disney’s Classic Story, Peter Pan, is now available for your iPod, iPad, or iPhone in the iTunes store. I recently downloaded this sweet story to enjoy with my daughter, and I really like it. Here are my top five reasons why you will want to add this to your device:

The pictures of the story are classic! They have a clear, yet vintage look to them, as if you are reading from a classic storybook.
The narrator’s voice is pleasant to listen to. And, when the story is being read, the words are highlighted in yellow to “read along”.
Some pages have an activity for your child to complete. These involve coloring pictures, puzzles, matching games, and playing the flute.
After you complete a coloring activity, you can email it and share it with family and friends. I did this, and it was very cute to get an email of a picture my daughter had colored.
Under “Settings”, you can record your voice while reading. Then, the next time your child “reads” the story, you are the narrator. How fun!

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10 Things things that you’re never “Too Old” for at Disney World

By

Chip

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September 26, 2012

A lot of adults write off Walt Disney World as “kid’s stuff”…personally I think that is nuts! While I believe adults can find a lot of ‘grown up’ activities to keep them happy and busy, I also think that everyone should take the time to experience all of these at least once (if not over and over!):

Spinning on the teacups as fast as you can (please note: adults AND kids should probably NOT eat right before attempting this!)
Getting your picture taken with characters – adults may think it’s silly to wait in line for Minnie’s autograph (I know I do – even I draw the line here – did enough of that when I was a kid!) but if you’re enjoying a character meal, and Minnie comes over to say hi, don’t avoid it, embrace the chance to let her hug you and have your picture taken with her (Minnie is quite the little flirt with the gentleman – so keep an eye on your husbands ladies!). On a separate but related note, I also think no one is too old for character meals, where you will find a fun, casual atmosphere and some of the best food WDW has to offer!
Water Slides – Disney offers two water parks full of all kinds of slides and pools, it’s the perfect way to cool off on a hot day
Roller coasters – even though many of the rides at WDW may be geared towards the younger crowd, there are many that adults can enjoy – from Space Mountain in the Magic Kingdom to Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom, every park has at least one ‘thrill’ ride that will get your adrenaline pumping!
Towel Animals – When you stay on property at one of WDW’s many hotels, the cast members who clean the rooms will leave your towels/washcloths in cute shapes, sometimes animals or setup as a vase for pipe cleaner ‘flowers’, it may seem silly, but it always makes me smile (and usually take a picture…could probably make a whole album full of towel animal pictures! Silly, but it’s just another one of those Magical Disney touches that I love!)

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HGTV Stars Serve Up Home Entertaining Tips During 17th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

By

Chip

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September 26, 2012

Celebrities Appear Weekends at Festival Center from Sept. 28 through Nov. 12

HGTV presents fresh home-entertaining ideas by celebrity designers each weekend at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival presented by Chase Sept. 28 through Nov. 12. In each 30-minute noon seminar Friday through Sunday, designers will offer tips to festival guests on stylish table settings, perfect holiday gifts and other hot topics. Celebrities also will meet guests at 1 and 3 p.m. at the Vineyard Stage.

The HGTV celebrity lineup includes:

Sept. 28-30 – Danielle Colding, HGTV Design Star winner, Season 7, Shop This Room. Seminar topic: “Entertainment Passport: Your Ticket to Creating a Travel-Inspired Dining Experience.”

Oct. 5-7 – Casey Noble, Design on a Dime. Seminar topic: “Gifts that Keep Giving: Holiday Favors that Double as Décor.”

Oct. 12-14 – Alison Victoria, DIY Network’s Kitchen Crashers. Seminar topic: “Crash Course for Holiday Décor.”

Oct. 19-21 – Brian Patrick Flynn, HGTV.com, Design Happens contributor. Seminar topic: “Express Lane Elegance: Stylish Table Settings from Supermarket Finds.”

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eFX Releases First ‘Marvel’s The Avengers’ Collectibles

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 25, 2012

I’m a huge fan of eFX collectibles, and have been for a long time. They’re a company that makes some of the nicest prop replicas, among other things, for many of the biggest properties in Hollywood. One of my favorite lines by them has been their recent Marvel Studios run, featuring the Thor helmet and hammer, Iron Man helmet, and Captain America mask. Well, imagine my surprise to find out that eFX is about to do a new release for ‘The Avengers’! This is really exciting news, and I’m definitely excited to see what they have to offer. Hit the jump for the full press release.

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