Tallest Gingerbread House in Haunted Mansion Holiday’s History

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August 26, 2012

Here is the Refurb and Closure Schedule for Walt Disney World for September 2012 and beyond. Refurbishment/closure information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to visiting. Updated information is available at the Disney World Website.

Current

Palm Golf Course closed through 8/19/12 for refurbishment.
Beach Pool Bar (Grand Floridian Resort) closed through 8/24/12.
Surf Pool (All-Star Sports Resort) closed through 9/7/12 for refurbishment. The Grand Slam Pool will remain open.
Test Track (Epcot) closed through late fall 2012 for transformation to the Chevrolet Design Center.
Bistro de Paris (Epcot) closed through early December for refurbishment.
Grand Floridian Spa (Grand Floridian Resort) closed through mid-2013 due to construction at the resort. The Grand Floridian Fitness Center remains open and guests may use The Spa at Saratoga Springs Resort.

Upcoming

Lake Buena Vista Golf Course closed 8/20/12-8/26/12 for refurbishment.
Country Bear Jamboree (Magic Kingdom) closed 8/22/12-10/16/12 for refurbishment.
Continue

Richard Petty Driving Experience announces “Junior Ride-Alongs” at Walt Disney World Speedway

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August 26, 2012

Richard Petty Driving Experience (RPDE), the worldwide leader in stock car drive and ride entertainment, announced today that it will now offer “Junior Ride-Alongs” at its Walt Disney World® Speedway location in Orlando, FL.

RPDE’s “Junior Ride-Alongs” program will provide children, who are 6-13 years of age and at least 48 inches in height, the opportunity to experience real-life racing excitement while they ride shotgun with a professional driving instructor for three thrilling laps in a specially equipped two-seat NASCAR race car.

“Junior Ride-Alongs” are possible as a result of RPDE’s partnership with The Joie of Seating, a premier fabricator of custom-fitted aluminum racing seats owned and operated by two-time NASCAR Nationwide series champion Randy LaJoie. The North Carolina-based company built custom racing seats for this program, specifically designed to ensure the safety and security of smaller bodies. These full containment racing seats feature built-in shoulder and head protection and a five-point safety harness that is the same design used by NASCAR drivers.

“For 10 years we’ve specialized in designing custom racing seats that provide the safest in-car experience,” says LaJoie, “Our extensive experience in the industry makes us confident your child will enjoy a safe and fun ride-along with RPDE.”

Located just outside the Magic Kingdom property, RPDE’s Disney location has been known as a high-speed attraction for adults for more than a decade, providing thousands of moms and dads the thrill of a lifetime. Now with “Junior Ride-Alongs” available just in time for summer, NASCAR racing can become a family affair at Disney.

“We’re thrilled to be able to make RPDE even more family friendly and can’t wait to see the ear-to-ear smiles on these kid’s faces after experiencing the excitement of NASCAR first-hand.” says Bill Scott, General Manager of Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World® Speedway.

“Junior Ride-Alongs” with Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World® Speedway are $59. No reservations are required.

Richard Petty Driving Experience Announces “Junior Ride-Alongs” at Walt Disney World Speedway (chipandco.com)
The Richard Pretty Driving Experience Takes High-Speed Adventure Around Walt Disney World Speedway (chipandco.com)

Richard Petty Driving Experience announces “Junior Ride-Alongs” at Walt Disney World Speedway

Chip and Co Giveaway Weekend

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August 26, 2012

All weekend long we are having a comment party on Chip and Co to celebrate the 4 Giveaways that we are running right now.

Here are the Giveaways that are live:

Doc McStuffins: Friendship is the Best Medicine DVD Giveaway
Chimpanzee Prize Pack Giveaway
THE TIGGER MOVIE: Bounce-a-RRRific Special Edition Prize Pack Giveaway
Magical Mouse Schoolhouse Book Giveaway

Just click the links to learn more. Be sure to Comment, Share, and Repeat for Bonus Entries. While you’re here check out some of the great articles that my writers and I have shared. Tell us what you think cause we would really love to hear your feedback.

Thank you guys so much for being a fan of Chip and Co and have a great time checking out all the things we have available on your home of the Best in Park News, Planning Tips, Giveaways, and More!

The Tigger Movie Bounce-A-Riffic Special Edition Review (chipandco.com)
Let It Shine DVD & Soundtrack GIVEAWAY! (wdwhints.com)

Disney Food Blog Mini-Guide to the 2012 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival e-Book

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August 25, 2012

46 days of special events, 29 food and beverage tasting booths, and celebrity chefs to meet? How do you fit it all in without breaking the budget? Make sure you make the most of your time at Disney World’s Food & Wine Festival!

The Disney Food Blog Mini-Guide to the 2012 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival e-Book has the very best tips, information, and advice to be sure you enjoy every minute of your time at the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! With over 160 pages of information, you can plan ahead and be ready to dive right in as soon as you arrive. So much is going on at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival this year; make sure you don’t have any regrets after you leave!

The DFB Mini Guide to the 2012 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is 160 pages of in-depth information, including significant updates and 35 pages of brand new information! If you were one of the many who bought the guide last year, you know how important these details are. We’ve noted all of the new marketplace booth menu items, new events, and more! Plus, we’ve added a brand new FAQ section and even more bonus items (including new booth crawls and touring strategies)!

The 2012 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is quickly approaching! The biggest Food and Wine Festival of its kind in the world can be overwhelming, but by pre-planning, you’ll be able to choose the parts that are most important to you and create a strategy to make sure you experience them all.

Groundwater Pollution May be Caused by Disney’s California Headquarters

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August 25, 2012

According to the LA Times, a vintage air conditioning system at Walt Disney Studios is being investigated as the source of Chromium 6 by Federal and state regulators. Chromium 6 is a cancer-causing heavy metal which is widely used in aerospace manufacturing and other industries. A number of companies in the area, including Lockheed Martin Corp., have already been identified as being responsible for the contamination of the area’s groundwater. In 1996, Lockheed Martin paid about 1,300 residents $60 million to settle claims where the residents alleged that exposure to chromium 6 and other toxins at the former aircraft manufacturing plant left them sick with cancer and other illnesses.

Compton Man Pleads Guilty to Making Counterfeit Tickets to Disneyland

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August 25, 2012

Compton Man Pleads Guilty to Making Counterfeit Tickets to Disneyland

Terance Ray Hutchinson, 35, a Compton man, pleaded guilty this past Tuesday in a plea agreement, to making counterfeit tickets. Hutchinson was arrested on Saturday after the police set up a surveillance camera during a meeting between Hutchinson and one of his victims, who asked for more tickets in order to get a refund.

Police believe that Hutchinson had bought a “park hopper” ticket online, valued at $87, and made multiple copies of the same ticket. He then went on craigslist and sold multiple tickets at the discounted price of $55 per ticket. When the victims attempted to use the tickets at Disneyland they were turned away because tickets with the same barcode had already been used. Disneyland security told police that about 50 people had tried to use the same set of photocopied tickets.

Free Wi-Fi Internet access now available at Epcot

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August 25, 2012

On the heels of Free Wi-fi being available in the Magic Kingdom Disney has released the hounds and opened up free Wi-fi Access at Epcot.

Available now the Wi-Fi service is complimentary, and can be accessed free of charge from any Wi-Fi device.

Watch for Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom to come next.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comment box below.

Free Wi-Fi Internet access now available at Epcot

Runners Get Their Kicks on Route 66 at Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

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August 25, 2012

The Happiest Race on Earth just got happier as runners in the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend will race Sept. 1 and 2 through the newly reopened Disney CaliforniaAdventure Park, including Cars Land.

More than 17,000 registered half marathon runners, including actor Sean Astin (The Goonies, Rudy, The Lord of the Rings), will get to motor down Route 66 through Cars Land as they start their 13.1 mile journey that takesthem through Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. In addition, runners will pass by the Matterhorn and through Sleeping Beauty Castle, all before hitting the streets of Anaheim and running through Angel Stadium of Anaheim. All along the route runners will be greeted by cheering fans, Disney characters, music and live entertainment.

This year’s sold-out half marathon field includes runners ages 14 – 78 from all 50 states and 19 countries. While all finishers receive a Disneyland Half Marathon medal, more than 2,800 who ran a runDisney race at Walt Disney World Resort earlier this year, will qualify to receive a second medal – the runDisney Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal.

In addition to the half marathon, other weekend events include the Cars Land 5K Rally, runDisney Kids’ Races and a two-day Health and Fitness Expo where visitors can check out the latest in fitness apparel, running gear and high tech gadgets as well as training information from runDisney training consultant Jeff Galloway, former Olympian Suzy Favor Hamilton and well-known running authors Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell.

Registration Now Open for Disney’s Princess Half Marathon (chipandco.com)
20th Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is Going Hollywood (chipandco.com)

Runners Get Their Kicks on Route 66 at Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

Special Rates for a Disney World Getaway at the Marriott Village

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August 25, 2012

Special Rates for a Disney World Getaway at the Marriott Village

Special offers coming your way from Walt Disney World giving you even more reason to take that vacation.

Families visiting Walt Disney World Resort have even more magic to explore when they stay at Courtyard Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village. The hotel is offering a special three-night Orlando vacation package for two adults or a three-night family package for two adults and two children.

What is Included:

Walt Disney World Resort Ticket Package in Orlando includes:

Three nights lodging in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, in a guest room with one king bed or two double beds

Three-day Disney Magic Your Way Tickets which allow admission to one Walt Disney World Theme Park each day

Complimentary transportation to the Walt Disney World Theme Parks

Complimentary hotel parking

‘Ghosts of the Abyss’ Comes to Blu-ray September 11, 2012

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August 24, 2012

'Ghosts of the Abyss' Comes to Blu-ray September 11, 2012

I’ve always been interested in the Titanic, and what happened that fateful day April 15, 2012. So for years, one of my favorite documentaries has been Jame Cameron’s ‘Ghosts of the Abyss’. Created specifically for IMAX back in its original release, the film is a breathtaking and beautiful journey down to the grave of the Titanic, something that hasn’t been seen since the night it sank. For fans of the Titanic, this is definitely something you don’t want to miss. The film follows James Cameron and Bill Paxton as they use some of the world’s most incredible technology to explore the grave site of the Titanic, something no one has ever been able to do before. I’m definitely excited to see Disney is putting together this truly magnificent film on blu-ray, and what a blu-ray package they’ve put together.

Disney Cruise Line Adds New Galveston Itineraries

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August 24, 2012

It is my opinion that Disney listens to their guests more than any other company of which I am familiar. As proof of this fact, Disney Cruise Line has responded to guest feedback by announcing new 2013 itineraries from Galveston, Texas. Select 8-night Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston have now been changed to a Bahamas itinerary. The six-night and seven-night cruises will remain as originally planned, but select eight-night cruises are being switched to include stops in Key West, Castaway Cay (photo shown above) and Port Canaveral, which will include transportation and one-day park hopper passes for the Walt Disney World Resort.

In order to provide guests with some shorter cruise options as well, some of the 8-night cruises have been modified into two 4-night voyages sailing to Cozumel.

For guests who were booked on the original eight-night sailings, Disney has already begun contacting each guest to provide them with the best options for their travel dates and destination wishes. Guests have until August 24, 2012 to make their changes. If the guests move their booking to a different sail date, the original booking date is used to determine the price of the new cruise.