Disney caught in cable mousetrap

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August 2, 2012

Disney would see its TV distribution fees tumble by 65 percent, or $5.4 billion, if cable channel programming were based on customer loyalty, according to an eye-opening report yesterday.

The Mouse House, which rings up $8.3 billion a year in program fees — roughly 26 percent of all such fees — would see that total drop to about $2.9 billion if left solely to loyalty, the report said.

The report, by Lazard Capital analyst Barton Crockett, found that while Disney gets high marks based on customer loyalty for ABC and ESPN, that it is already more than well compensated for that enthusiasm.

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May the Torch be with you: Star Wars fanatics hold lightsaber Olympic baton race across America

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 1, 2012

May the Torch be with you: Star Wars fanatics hold lightsaber Olympic baton race across America — lightsaber olympic baton relay

It seems not all eyes have been on the Olympic torch, with these runners passing on a lightsaber as their baton in relay of a different type.

Star Wars fanatics carried the lightsaber from Santa Monica to San Diego, America for the 100 mile ‘Course of the Force’ Star Wars-themed relay.

While the Olympic torch sailed down the River Thames today, the force was strong with Chewbacca, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Princess Leia as 400 runners took up the lightsaber for charity earlier this month.

Inspired by his own run in the Olympic torch relay in Atlanta in 1996, Peter Levin, the CEO of Nerdist Industries, arranged the event to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

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Passholder previews coming for the new Fantasyland in November

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 1, 2012

Passholder previews coming for the new Fantasyland in November

The Walt Disney World Passholder website has announced that there will be passholder previews in November 2012 for the new Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom.

From the official Passholder website:

New Fantasyland Passholder Preview Be among the first to experience the enchantment of New Fantasyland during a special Passholder Preview in November 2012! Upon completion, Fantasyland will nearly double in size – for the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom Park.

Registration details are coming soon and will be communicated via email and here on the Passholder website. Event capacity is limited, so be sure to watch for these updates! Valid Magic Kingdom Theme Park admission is required to attend this event.

Update on Fantasyland Expansion (chipandco.com)
2012 August – September Annual Passholder Room Discounts (ideallydisney.com)

Passholder previews coming for the new Fantasyland in November

Top 5 Mountains at Walt Disney World Resort

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 1, 2012

The tallest mountain range in the sunshine state–well, the only mountain range in Florida–is located smack dab in the middle of the state at Walt Disney World Resort. It’s a rather unique geographic feature, sampling desert outcroppings, snowy peaks, even reaching to the stars.

Today’s Top 5 was an easy list to assemble, seeing as there are only five mountains in the World. Ranking them, however, was a different challenge.

1.) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – Built to resemble the rugged redstone of Utah’s Monument Valley, this runaway mine train totes ’49-ers up a 197-foot mountain, then careens down gorges, through caverns, and around hairpin turns at speeds reaching 25-30 mph. No wonder it’s called the wildest ride in the wilderness! My youngest braved Big Thunder last fall. He cried halfway through the first ride, then shouted, “This is awesome!” the rest of the way, and trekked back through the line five more times.

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The Disney Tattoo – Is It Right For You?

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Catie

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August 1, 2012

Tattoos are becoming increasingly popular these days, and people get them for all kinds of reasons. You can essentially get anything you can think of tattooed on your body, and a lot of people use it as a way to express themselves and their beliefs. And there are a lot of people who use it to express their love of DISNEY – whether it be a specific character, quote, movie, theme park, ride – you can really customize a tattoo to say exactly what it is you love about Disney!

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Disney Confidential – Is Cars Land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios?

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Anonymouse

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August 1, 2012

Disney Confidential - Is Cars Land coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios?

Here there guys and gals Anonymouse here.

Rumor has it that Walt Disney World is about to make a lot of people very happy, and no not just Chip, many more Disney fans very happy…and make those at Universal Studios not so happy. Many of you thought that Disney World’s answer to Universal Studios, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, was just the Fantasyland Expansion. Was it going to be enough to counter Universal with? Who knows, but looks like we do not need to end it there. The one-two…three rumor punch is that in addition to the Fantasyland Expansion, and Avatarland at Animal Kingdom, that Disney is going to be bringing the award winning (okay not yet maybe but many future awards) Cars Land to Hollywood Studios.

Of course this is strictly rumor at this point, and will take a few years to complete, but we have it on good authority that Cars Land is coming to the Studios and replacing Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show.

Let me know what you think in the comment box 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

Darius Rucker hangs out with Perry at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (pics.chipandco.com)
Disney Family Movies “Play at the Next Level” Sweepstakes (chipandco.com)

Disney Confidential - Is Cars Land coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios?

‘My Disney Experience’ app to replace ‘Mobile Magic’ as Disney parks’ official app

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 1, 2012

As reported by Attractions Magazine, Disney Parks and Resorts will be releasing the beta version of their new mobile app dubbed “My Disney Experience” next month. The free app will include park hours, wait times, maps, dining and attraction information and more.

The app will be similar to the current Mobile Magic app and will feature all the existing features of the app along with more detailed features including some that will launch at a later date. Some of the features will require the user sign-in with a free account.

The My Disney Experience app will be available for the iPhone, iPad and Android phones during the beta test and will ultimately replace the current Mobile Magic app in early 2013. The app will be available for free in both the App Store and the Android Marketplace. In the coming months, it is expected to launch on Android tablets as well as Blackberry and Windows phones. The Disneyland version is expected in early 2013.

Walt Disney World Pro app for iPhone Updated to Version 1.5 with New Content, Photos and More (chipandco.com)
Win a Disneyland Resort Vacation with the Verizon Mobile Magic App (chipandco.com)

‘My Disney Experience’ app to replace ‘Mobile Magic’ as Disney parks’ official app

Free Wifi for Magic Kingdom Guests

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Chip

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August 1, 2012

According to Doctor Disney and Attractions Magazine Disney has expanded their free wifi service to the Magic Kingdom Theme Park. While capitalizing on the success of Free Wifi at the Resorts Disney is now offering it at the Magic Kingdom with it opening to Disney’s other theme parks and Downtown Disney in the coming months.

All you need to do is scan for open wireless networks and connect to Disney Guest. After accepting the terms you will be up and rolling. When you get back to your resort you should still remain connected but I would imagine it will drop when you are traveling back via bus, boat, or monorail.

No news on the speed of the connection but I imagine it will be slow till they get all the bugs worked out.

As Wifi Opens at the other parks stay tuned to Chip and Co as we will keep you informed when it does.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Trading Card Game Coming to Disney World (chipandco.com)
Disney to reduce evening park hours for hotel guests (chipandco.com)

Don’t forget to pack your Medicine!

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 1, 2012

Normally I would tell you to just say no to drugs, but on a Disney World Vacation I’m tellin’ you…

YOU BETTA BRING SOME WITH YOU!!!

On two of my trips to WDW I got sick. Sick as a dog. Sick as in “please Jesus let me DIE before my throat explodes” kind of sick. I’m fairly sure I spent as much on medicine at the gift shops as I did on park-tickets!

People book Disney vacations months in advance, so if they, or their children get sick it is extremely likely they will go ahead and on vacation. This becomes a problem because, if your kids are like mine, you cannot stop the darlings from TOUCHING THE QUEUE (WAITING LINE) HANDRAILS. (enter scary huffing-out-of-frustration sound here). Which means germs are being spread like wildfire.

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Disney World Quick Tips – Don’t Make These Newbie Mistakes!

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 31, 2012

If you’re reading Chip and Co you’re probably a Disney Addict and could come up with a list of things to avoid in your sleep, but for those who aren’t, let’s talk about the most common mistakes Disney newbies make. Here are the ones we see over and over again–we’ve even made some ourselves:

1. Fastpass? What’s that? Don’t wait until your third day to figure out what a fastpass is. And yes, I’ve done this. Oops.

2. Not making advanced dining reservations. I’m not saying you have to plan out every meal, but making a few ADRs ahead of time will guarantee you get a chance to experience one of the best parts of Disney World–the food!

3. Take a sweater. Florida weather can be very unpredictable. Even during the hottest months of summer, pack something light to throw on at night or in cool restaurants. Layers are your best bet in the winter, when even on mild days it can get very cold by early evening. Bring a jacket if you’re visiting from November through March. Last December, we experienced daytime temperatures in the 40s and in the 80s all during the same week. That’s a pretty dramatic range of temperatures!

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Cinderella Limited Edition Doll Pre-Order Available; Sneak Peek at Future Collection

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 31, 2012

Cinderella Limited Edition Doll Pre-Order Available; Sneak Peek at Future Collection

Disney Store today began launching its Cinderella Premiere Collection in honor of the diamond edition Cinderella blu-ray being released later this year. The showpiece of the collection, as has become recent tradition, is the gorgeous Limited Edition Cinderella doll, which is now available for pre-order to own on October 2, 2012.

Limited to just 5,000 dolls, the Cinderella doll includes a certificate of authenticity and features a satin bodice covered with rhinestones, full peplum with layers of tulle and organza detailed with rhinestones, ebony bead choker, opera gloves dotted with silver rhinestones and a glittering headband with hair clip. For more information or to pre-order the doll, click here.

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How to avoid getting sick while at Disney

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 31, 2012

How to avoid getting sick while at Disney — This is on the eve of the illness…before the diarrhea and vomiting started.

Ahhh…the perfect vacation (we all know my perfect vacation means being at Disney or cruising with them.) We all plan for it, save for it, count down for it, and think this is going to be the best vacation yet. However sometimes an illness rears it’s ugly head and rains on your Disney parade.

I unfortunately experienced this first hand in October 2011. It literally was the worst trip and experience of my life. My son was 16 months old, I was 6 months pregnant…we flew in to Disney on a Wednesday and had to fly home that Friday…yes 2 days later because of a horrible stomach flu that left both my son and I so sick we both ended up in the hospital severely dehydrated. We both had never been so sick in our lives. I wished that I would have taken some extra precautions because maybe if I would have followed some of the advice that I am going to give you this whole thing could have been avoided!

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