Everything You Wanted to know about Disney’s PhotoPass Service

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July 19, 2012

One of the things that people seem to continually ask about on the Facebook Group “You Might Be a Disney Addict” is to ask about Disney’s Photopass service, the ins and outs of it, and whether it is worth it. Since my family has ordered the Photopass CD the last two years, I told Chip that I would write about it when he asked if anyone would cover it.

First, a little background. Most of you have probably seen the Disney PhotoPass Photographers throughout the parks, and have probably even had your picture taken with them. Those PhotoPass photographers have special technology with their cameras, and they are able to submit the photos they take to special cards. These cards, known as the PhotoPass cards, have a special code on them that you will need to have in order to access your photos.

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Disney’s Club Penguin Kicks off the Ultimate Music and Dance Party Featuring CeCe and Rocky from Disney Channel’s “Shake It Up”

By

Chip

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July 19, 2012

Disney’s Club Penguin kicked off the Make Your Mark: Ultimate Jam event, which transforms the #1 virtual world for kids into the biggest and most fun music and dance party ever. The party will feature guest appearances by Rocky and CeCe penguins from Disney Channel’s top-rated series, “Shake It Up,” marking the first time players will have the chance to interact with Disney Channel personalities in world. Right before the event, Club Penguin will also release its first-ever single and music video, “The Party Starts Now” in English, French, German and Spanish.

From July 19 to July 31, players will have the chance to jam like the Rocky and CeCe penguins, meet these penguin personalities in world and unlock exclusive moves based off of the characters’ signature dance styles from “Shake It Up.” Club Penguin members will also be able to dress their penguins in outfits inspired by Rocky and CeCe’s unique styles and deck out their igloos with all new music and dance themed decorations.

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Review: “The Horse Whisperer” Majestic on Blu-ray

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 18, 2012

Review: "The Horse Whisperer" Majestic on Blu-ray

What’s “The Horse Whisperer” all about?

Here’s the Reader’s Digest version. After a devastating riding accident, a young girl and her beloved horse are left with serious physical and emotional scars. When her mother calls on the “Horse Whisperer” to help, she meets a rugged rancher who not only has an extraordinary gift with animals, but also an ability to enrich the lives of people around him.

Does it star anyone I know?

Stars? Oh yeah. Plenty of star power here! Academy Award winner Robert Redford (Best Director, 1980, Ordinary People), Academy Award nominee Kristin Scott Thomas (Best Actress, 1996, The English Patient), Sam Neill, and a young Scarlett Johansson star in a landmark motion picture for the entire family. With a cast like this they can’t miss right?

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New Spider Man Augmented Reality App from Disney Publishing

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 18, 2012

Just in time for this summer’s Spider-Man blockbuster, Disney Publishing Worldwide has released The Amazing Spider-Man Augmented Reality HD Book App, featuring interactive art, photos, and activities directly from and inspired by the film.

The app allows kids to experience Peter Parker’s transformation first-hand through mini-games and interactive augmented reality elements like putting on Spider-Man mask, wearing Peter’s father’s glasses, controlling spiders as they crawl on your face, collecting spiders in a jar, or using Spider-Sense.

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Finding Nemo 2 is Coming!

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Chip

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July 18, 2012

Once you calm down from the title let me give you the details. According to Deadline Director Andrew Stanton will be climbing on board the sequel train with Finding Nemo 2. Disney must like the sale pitch because they have green lit the project, but in Pixar fashion there are absolutely no details on the film other than a 2016 release date.

I wish I had more details but that is all that is out there.

Don’t forget Finding Nemo is set for a big-screen re-release in 3D September 14.

Finding Nemo 3D Coming to Theaters this fall! (chipandco.com)
FINDING NEMO on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray Hi-Def & DVD 12/4! (chipandco.com)

NEMO Makes a Splash with Team USA Swimmers!

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Chip

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July 18, 2012

Last Week Disney•Pixar held an advance private screening of FINDING NEMO 3D for the U.S Olympic Swim Team in Knoxville, TN. The Olympians and their families were one of the first audiences to “Sea” the film in breathtaking digital 3D before heading out to compete in the London games. Now, that’s a fin-tastic send-off!

FINDING NEMO 3D swims into theaters September 14th!

There’s More to “Sea” Than Just Nemo! (chipandco.com)
FINDING NEMO on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray Hi-Def & DVD 12/4! (chipandco.com)

NEMO Makes a Splash with Team USA Swimmers!

Cast Members ‘Encore’ Perform Finding Wonderland Show for Charity

By

Chip

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July 18, 2012

In 2002, a few Walt Disney World Cast Members sharing a passion for artistic expression and a desire to help local charities came together to create magic in a special way — producing cabaret-style productions of Broadway standards.

Today, this group of Cast Members, aptly named Encore! Cast Performing Arts, has morphed into one of the largest Cast clubs, boasting more than 500 performers from a variety of backgrounds and from all areas of the Walt Disney World Resort. In addition, more than 50,000 volunteer hours are spent annually to prepare for an Encore! production.

Cast Members from diverse backgrounds and work areas participate in Encore!’s productions.

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Which Disney Dining Plan is Right for Me?

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 18, 2012

With Free Dining offers being all the buzz right now, I thought I would share with you some differences between the Disney Dining Plan (DDP), and the Quick Service Dining Plan (QS). If you’re questioning whether or not you want to add a Disney Dining Plan to your vacation package, you might find some answers here. I’m going to be sharing the pros and cons of the Disney Dining Plan and the Quick Service Dining Plan.

Let’s start with some basics. First, to participate in any Disney Dining Plan, you must purchase a Magic Your Way vacation package. This means you book your resort room, park tickets, and dining all in the same package. Second, to use any dining plan, you present your Key to the World Card to the register or waitress at your restaurant. The meals you have used are deducted from the card. There is no order in which you need to use meals or any limit to how many meals you can use per day. You start your vacation with a total number of meals, and how you use them is up to you. You can use one Key to the World Card to pay for meals-basically, if you are a family of four and you’ve redeemed four meals, you don’t need to give the waitress or cashier all four cards. You can just give them one.

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Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Special Event Bookings Begins on August 14th

By

Chip

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July 18, 2012

We’re less than a month away from the date to book your favorite ticketed events at the 17th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

Along with wine and mixology seminars and culinary demos, we can’t wait to try a couple of the new experiences for 2012. The Marketplace VIP Access Chef Tour begins at 10:30 a.m. every Wednesday, with tastes from selected marketplaces around World Showcase Lagoon and behind-the-scenes stories from the chefs. You get five (pre-selected) dishes and five beverages (wine, beer and cocktails) on the tour, which takes about two hours. Cost is $90 (plus tax and park admission).

The Italy Pavilion is also adding a new Italian Regional Food & Wine Luncheon in the recently opened Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, pairing wines with casual, authentic dishes. The leisurely luncheons will be from noon-2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. Cost is $75 (plus tax, gratuity included, park admission required). Italy will continue its popular series of International Food & Wine Festival events at Via Napoli, as well as the exquisite White Truffle Lunch on November 4 this year, in Tutto Italia Ristorante.

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Make your own Tie Dye Mickey Tote Bags

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 18, 2012

Hey Guys, Jackie here! I don’t know if you know a lot about me or not but one major part of my life, besides Disney, is being a stay at home mom! I love every aspect about it, except maybe all the laundry, but one thing my daughter and I do a lot that we both enjoy a lot is crafting! Because we love Disney SO much we often times incorporate Disney into our crafts, and especially when it gets close to our next trip! We have 70 days until we arrive at Caribbean Beach Resort so its time for me to really start the countdown till we leave!

One thing I always do for my daughter on the way down to Disney is put together a goodie bag for the car ride. In the goodie bag I always put snacks, candy, toys and games, last year we even gave her her very own camera to take pictures at Walt Disney World – basically anything new and fun to pass the time can go in the bag! But this year I though, how much fun would it be to actually let her MAKE her own goodie bag that I will fill with things between now and when we leave! Needless to say she was super excited and it was a great way to start our trip countdown!

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Minnie Bow Maker App Review

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 17, 2012

Disney Worldwide Publishing has hit a home run for small families that have young Princesses! This app is based on the Disney Junior show “Minnie‘s Bow-Toons”, and has quite a bit going for it. For starters, when you load the app, there are three different options for you to choose from. They are Story, Bow Maker, and Big Bow Show, as you can see here.

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Update on Fantasyland Expansion

By

Chip

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July 17, 2012

More than a dozen television stations and print publications got a peak behind-the-construction wall at Fantasyland. The largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history will create approximatley 1500 jobs and nearly double the size of Fantasyland.

Since construction began in 2010, up to 700 construction jobs have been created, with an additional 800 operational jobs coming online over the next two years.

“By nearly doubling the size of Fantasyland, we will be able to accommodate more guests, and grow our business”, said Jim MacPhee, senior vice president of Walt Disney World Parks. “Just as importantly, this expansion will add more attractions and experiences, giving guests even more reasons to return”.

This multi-year expansion has been opening in phases. Recently, guests were able to enjoy Storybook Circus which includes two carousels of Dumbo the Flying Elephant along with a new interactive indoor queue, a re-themed Barnstormer starring the Great Goofini, and Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station. By the holidays, several more experiences will be introduced, including Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Gaston’s Tavern and Ariel’s Grotto.

In 2013, Princess Fairytale Hall is expected to open and in 2014, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will complete the multi-year project.

Kids of all Ages Join the Circus at Fantasyland (pics.chipandco.com)
Double Dumbo Now in Flight Testing as Expansion Continues for the New Fantasyland Expansion (chipandco.com)

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