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Details Announced for Expanded Water Fun and Dining Options at Disney’s Aulani Resort

By
Chip
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Details Announced for Expanded Water Fun and Dining Options at Disney's Aulani Resort

Last week some additional details about the new water features and two new quick-service restaurants were unveiled by Joe Rohde, Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Vice President, who led the design work on Aulani.

New water features will include a themed family pool, extending literally to the very edge of the resort property and highlighted by a misty grotto from which relaxing swimmers may view the sunset. After dark, a magical starscape of glimmering lights will appear on the grotto ceiling and the floor of the pool.

Near the family pool will be a new kids’ splash zone, designed to resemble tidal pools with some playful surprises for youngsters, including rainbow water jets, images of tidal pool creatures on the pool floors, and hidden Menehune – the legendary little people of the islands – who may be spotted through chinks in the rocks. Additional deck space, chairs, chaises and cabanas will surround these new water features.

Also coming to Aulani will be two new food service locations. One of these, located adjacent to the new water play area, will serve continental breakfast and offer a lunch and dinner menu with a selection of sandwiches, salads and snacks that can be enjoyed in the adjoining outdoor patio, which provides a beautiful ocean view. A second quick-service eatery will be located beachside, offering grab-and-go snacks and easy access for beachgoers.

Work on these enhancements will begin in September and conclude in mid-2013, coinciding with the final build-out of the resort. Along with the water play and dining additions, the expansion will provide a new, larger lawn location for events, weddings and the guest-favorite nighttime Starlit Hui show. There will also be additional merchandise space – to provide guests with a greater variety of Aulani products, apparel and memories – and a protective awning over the patio of Makahiki restaurant, home of “Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration,” featuring breakfast with Disney characters.

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Details Announced for Expanded Water Fun and Dining Options at Disney's Aulani Resort

Dealing with Grief – The Christmas We Escaped to Disney World

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Dealing with Grief - The Christmas We Escaped to Disney World

After finishing several articles featuring Disney Holiday Planning, I got to thinking about our own Christmas Trip in 2010.  We stayed the week before Christmas and left the day after.  This was my families first time to Disney during the holidays, in fact the first time we had travelled somewhere during Christmas Day.  But for us it was an escape from the real world.  We just couldn’t face a “normal” Christmas after the year we had.  The trip was bittersweet but I would like to share it with all our readers in the hopes that someone else can gain from our experience.

In 2009, My son Andrew had turned 2 and just returned from his first trip to Disney.  We were glowing in the post-Disney euphoria of a perfect trip.  Then we receive the news that my Father-in-Law had been diagnosed with lung cancer.  A year followed with ups and downs, forgotten holidays, illness and fear of the unknown.  To give us a break, we decided to take another trip to Disney for our sons 3rd birthday.  My father-in-law was doing better and although prognosis wasn’t great, we felt he was in better spirits after a tough year.  Within a couple of months of that trip we said good-bye to the person I affectionately called FIL.

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Disney World Quick Tips – Tips for Moms at Walt Disney World

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Disney World Quick Tips - Tips for Moms at Walt Disney World

My first trip to Walt Disney World as a mom was a complete mess.  I was unorganized and unprepared.  I experienced a lot of stressful events at Walt Disney World that year, so to spare you from making the same mistakes I made…

Here are my top 5 tips for Moms at Walt Disney World.

  • Always take baby wipes, no matter what age your child (or husband) is!  Someone is bound to get messy and it is great not having to run into the bathroom here or there just to wash hands.  They are also great for an afternoon pick me up.  Just rub a baby wipe across your neck and over your face and feel refreshed!

8 Tips to Save Money at Disney World for Adults

By
Catie
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8 Tips to Save Money at Disney World for Adults

There are a lot of articles out there aimed towards families traveling to Walt Disney World on a budget. They offer some great tips, but let’s face it, families with children aren’t the only ones who need budgeting/money-saving tips for vacationing in WDW.

It’s no secret that a Walt Disney World vacation can be expensive, something I found out the hard way when planning my honeymoon (makes me grateful and admiring of my parents who were able to budget and save for all those Disney World trips when I was a kid!)

I have put together some money-saving tips that I personally like to abide by when planning a WDW vacation (like I said-this is a personal list, just what I like to do, if you find other tips that work for you then great, but hopefully these can get you started)

1. Spend some time away from the parks: This can be a money and sanity saver for sure-let’s say you are planning a 5 day WDW trip, you may want to consider doing only 3 or 4 day them park passes and give yourself a day or two to experience everything WDW has to offer outside the parks (and there is a LOT!). This will cut down on your park ticket costs (which can be pretty high!), and you can use that money towards other activities (boating, spa treatments, golf, signature restaurants, to name a few)

2. RESEARCH! Websites like allears.net and wdwinfo.com have great in-depth information about how much meals cost, and they have updated menus from all WDW restaurants. You can also read our Guide to Disney World section under planning at the top of the page! If you decide to use the Disney Dining Plan (which I would, I find it to be easy and a time saver), price out the meals you want to have, and make sure you are using the dining plan credits for the most expensive ones, and paying out of pocket for the cheaper ones. Breakfast and lunch tend to be cheaper at most restaurants, so keep that in mind too (a good tip for everyone-dining plan or not!). Also, the above sites, as well as Chip and Co, all provide information about plenty of other topics besides food such as planning tips and pricing information.

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Cinderella Fairytale Fantasy Sweepstakes

By
Chip
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Cinderella Fairytale Fantasy Sweepstakes

Enter for your chance to win a trip to New York City where you will travel like royalty to the Disney Store Premiere Location in Time Square, Meet Cinderella, and enjoy a $1000 Disney Store Shopping Spree.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to Disney Movie Rewards members who are legal residents of the 50 US/DC/PR & Canada (excl. QC) 13 years & older only. Void in Quebec and where prohibited. Sweepstakes begins 7/2/12 12:00:01 AM PT, ends 9/15/12 at 11:59:59 PM PT.

Click here to enter!

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Cinderella Fairytale Fantasy Sweepstakes

Grey’s Anatomy Season 8 DVD Review:Where Do We Go From Here?

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Grey's Anatomy Season 8 DVD Review:Where Do We Go From Here?

Grey’s Anatomy Season 8 begins with the residents return for their first day of fifth year. This year will make or break their career. Some will persevere, some will leap and bound over the others, but one, one will surprise you when this doctor fails the boards. I was surprised by the failure of one of the residents and I’m left wondering, in Grey’s fashion, what the future of the doctor holds.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves though. Season 8 doesn’t disappoint. We begin the journey with the fallout from Meredith tampering with Derek’s clinical trial. Chief Webber keeps his promise to Ellis and watches over her little girl, much to everyone’s shock and anger. Karev must redeem himself, somehow, for outing Meredith, the most universally liked person in the whole hospital. The biggest question is: Will Meredith and Derek be granted custody of Zola?

Bailey must decide whether to ditch Nurse Eli for the Romancy Ben and later is served with a crossword puzzle of a lifetime. After completely fumbling her love’s gesture, she dons a trench coat to appease Mr. Ben. The scenes between these two are always a delight. Bailey is one of my favorite characters and seeing her vulnerable side with Ben gives me the warm fuzzies and usually a bought of giggles. It’s autonomic. I can’t help myself.

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Actor Michael Clarke Duncan Passes Away at 54

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Actor Michael Clarke Duncan Passes Away at 54

There are few people nearly as charismatic as Michael Clarke Duncan. It didn’t matter what movie or show he was in, he was always memorable, and you were sure to remember him in it. From his incredible turn in ‘The Green Mile’, to voice work in ‘Brother Bear’ and ‘Green Lantern’, or even his TV work like last season’s ‘The Finder’, you couldn’t help but love him. He was always an actor who I looked forward to watching, no matter what it was, because I knew I’d love him in it. Sadly now, we won’t have that chance to fall in love with these characters that Michael would create onscreen. The very talented actor has passed away at the age of 54, two months after suffering a heart attack that left him hospitalized.

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Disneyland Annual Passholders Get The Chance To Preview ‘The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition’

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Disneyland Annual Passholders Get The Chance To Preview ‘The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition’

Great news for Disneyland Annual Passholders, a special preview of “The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition” at Disney California Adverture will be available on Thursday, September 13th!  Both a Dinner Package and an Exhibtion Preview are available – details are below!

Exhibition Dinner Package – Tickets on sale today through September 9!

  • Thursday, September 13, from 7 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
  • $290 ticket includes champagne reception inside exhibition, special 4D extended sneak peek of the film, a unique dining experience in front of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and a special experience from 11:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. that “Frankenweenie” fans will surely love
  • To purchase tickets, please visit a Disneyland Resort Ticket Booth or call (714) 781-PASS (7277) today through Sunday, September 9

“The Great Mouse Detective” Mystery in the Mist Edition Arrives on Blu-ray and HD Digital on September 18, 2012

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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“The Great Mouse Detective” Mystery in the Mist Edition Arrives on Blu-ray and HD Digital on September 18, 2012

On September 18, 2012, fans can experience Disney’s greatest little mystery, in High Definition picture and sound, and go on a great big adventure as “The Great Mouse Detective” Mystery in the Mist Edition arrives on 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack and HD Digital. When the diabolical Professor Ratigan kidnaps London’s master toymaker, the brilliant Basil of Baker Street and his trusted sidekick Dawson try to elude the ultimate trap and foil the perfect crime. This family classic on Disney Blu-ray proves big heroes come in small packages

Talent/Cast:

Vincent Price (“Edward Scissorhands”) as the voice of Professor Ratigan

Barrie Ingham (“The Triangle”) as the voice of Basil of Baker Street                                                                                                                                       

Val Bettin (“Shrek”) as the voice of Dr. David O. Dawson

Susanne Pollatschek as the voice of Olivia Flaversham

Candy Candido (“Herbie Rides Again”) as the voice of Fidget

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Enter the ‘Frankenweenie Monstrous Sweepstakes’ for the Chance to Win a Disneyland Resort Vacation

By
Chip
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In two weeks, “The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition” will open in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure park, giving guests an up-close look at the world of “Frankenweenie” through sets, puppets, props and more – plus, guests will be able to view a special 4D extended sneak peek of the film. Today, I’ve got more “Frankenweenie” news for you!

From August 23 – October 7, you can enter the “Frankenweenie Monstrous Sweepstakes” for the chance to win a four-day/three-night vacation for four to experience all the fun of Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. Here’s how to enter:

And today, we have an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the making of “Frankenweenie”! Take an interactive 360° tour of the sets with Animation Director Trey Thomas, who will take you to the town of New Holland amidst the annual Dutch Day celebration. You can scroll, point, and click to explore and discover new content in this in-depth experience. Check it out here!

Don’t forget to see “Frankenweenie” in theaters October 5!

No purchase necessary. Open only to persons who are, as of entry, 13 years of age or older; legal residents of, and physically located within, the 50 U.S. or DC. Sweepstakes begins at 12:01 PM PT, 8/23/12 and ends at 11:59:59 PM PT, 10/7/12. Enter at Disney.com/FrankenweenieSweeps or via SMS (see Official Rules for entry details). Minors should check with their parent or legal guardian before entering. Void where prohibited. Sponsored by Disney Online.

*Msg and data rates may apply. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

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  • ‘The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition’ Coming to Disneyland California Adventure Park September 14 (chipandco.com)
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Enter the ‘Frankenweenie Monstrous Sweepstakes’ for the Chance to Win a Disneyland Resort Vacation

Pixar Short Volume 2 is Official!

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Pixar Short Volume 2 is Official!

It is official…there will be a new batch of animated mini-movies will be on Blu-ray on November 13, 2012.  Pixar will be releasing on Blu-ray the “Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 2” which will include animated shorts from 2007-2011.

The animated shorts include ‘Your Friend the Rat’ (2007), ‘Presto’ (2008), ‘BURN-E’ (2008), ‘Partly Cloudy’ (2009), ‘Dug’s Special Mission’ (2009), ‘Day & Night’ (2010), and ‘La Luna’ (2011).

The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack we know will include audio commentaries and the student short films of some of Pixar directors including John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Pete Docter. The rest of the specs have yet to be released but it sure to include some great bonus features on the Blu-ray.

Suggested list price for the combo pack is $39.99.

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Pixar Short Volume 2 is Official!

Disney XD and ESPN to Uncover Sports’ Biggest Mysteries in a New Series

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Disney XD and ESPN to Uncover Sports' Biggest Mysteries in a New Series

“Disney XD ESPN Sport Science,”premiering SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 (11:00 a.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD is a show that is to uncover sports’ biggest myths and mysteries, in the series that is brought to you by Disney XD and ESPN. The new show will be hosted by John Brenkus and Leo Howard, black belt martial artist and star of Disney XD’s hit series “Kickin’ It”.

The short form series brings together professional athletes in state-of-the-art scientific facilities to test the limits of human athletic abilities, while challenging popular assumptions about athletes and sports.

The show will be hosted by John Brenkus and “Kickin’ It” Star and Martial Artist Leo Howard, with the Series featuring many athletes including Los Angeles Lakers Star Dwight Howard, Arizona Cardinals Star Larry Fitzgerald and Snowboarder Shaun White.

In the premiere episode, “Full Contact, MLB Vision, Flips & Spins,” hosts Brenkus and Howard test the impact of a 300-pound heavy bag and showcase how San Francisco 49er Vernon Davis manages incoming forces to block, catch and run; Howard tries to hit a 90-mph fastball and MLB batting champ Nomar Garciaparra tests the reality of keeping an eye on the ball; Howard tries on special eye tracker glasses and investigates how free style skier, Simon Dumont, keeps track of which end is up while flipping in mid-air.

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Disney XD and ESPN to Uncover Sports' Biggest Mysteries in a New Series
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