Fireworks Light the Sky for Fourth of July at Walt Disney World Resort

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June 23, 2012

One of my biggest Disney secrets is some of the apps from the guys over at Touring Plans. We have been supporting their products for years and could not imagine a Disney World or Disneyland vacation without them.

From the Crowd Calendar to Lines and even their new Touring Plans they make visiting Disney World and Disneyland a breeze. Head on over to their website and and check out all the goodies they have for you!

Touring Plans will save you time and money on your Disney Vacation.

Join TouringPlans.com – Walt Disney World!

Only $11.95 for 365 days of premium access (with a 45-day money-back guarantee).

Join TouringPlans.com – Disneyland!

Only $6.95 for 365 days of premium access (with a 45-day money-back guarantee).

Click here to learn more.

Save 20% off Touringplans.com Subscription (couponingtodisney.com)
Disneyland: Sunrise to Sunrise by TouringPlans author and photographer Tom Bricker (chipandco.com)

Planning a Disney Vacation? Try using Touring Plans.

Academy Award Winner Robert Redford Stars in “The Horse Whisperer” Releasing for the First Time on Blu-ray July 3, 2012

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June 23, 2012

Academy Award Winner Robert Redford Stars in “The Horse Whisperer” Releasing for the First Time on Blu-ray July 3, 2012

Relive every heartwarming moment of The Horse Whisperer, presented for the first time on Blu-ray, featuring new digital restoration with enhanced picture and sound. 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 Scarlett Johansson star in a landmark motion picture for the entire family.

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. Enjoy this majestic film like never before on Blu-ray..

New Caribbean Food and Music at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

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June 23, 2012

Guests visiting Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park this summer are in for some Caribbean fun with the additions of new food and music and the return of a popular character meet-and-greet opportunity.

The Calypso band Tropicals will perform Caribbean steel drum music at the park each Friday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through July 15. Disney characters Lilo and Stitch will also be available for meet-and-greets at the High N’ Dry sundries shop through September 8, and guests looking for summer fare beyond the regular park offerings may also visit Tropicalamity, a temporary food and beverage tent that offers chicken jerk pita wraps, citrus chicken salads, hot meatball subs and cold Italian subs.

Guests staying at a Disney resort can also take advantage of extended hours at both Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park throughout the summer. Check with your Disney resort for extra hour days and times.

Disney World’s Water Parks Dive Into Summer 2012 with New Entertainment, Eats, and Extra Magic Hours (chipandco.com)
Disney Water Parks – Are They Worth It? (chipandco.com)

New Caribbean Food and Music at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

Best Character Interactions on Disney Property

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June 23, 2012

Finding your favorite characters at Walt Disney World may be a challenge. In fact, some of the most exciting encounters happen spontaneously. What makes a character interaction so special is how they respond and relate to you and your family. Today, I’d like to share with you my favorite character interactions on Disney property.

*Princess Meetings at Magic Kingdom. You can find Belle, Cinderella, and Aurora {aka Sleeping Beauty} at the Town Square Theater. The Town Square Theater is located to your right as you pass through the gates of Magic Kingdom. The princesses greet you with a sweet smile and talk about their “story” with you and your little princess. They’ll even pick your child up and hold her on their lap while they sign her “storybook”. It is a super magical experience! They are all three in one greeting area. Once you enter the area, you move from princess to princess on your own time. They’ll spin their princess dresses alongside your little one, give sweet hugs, and make you feel like you are part of their world.

Disney/Pixar “Brave” Movie Review

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June 23, 2012

Last Night my wife and I took my daughter and some close friends to the movies to see Brave on the big screen. Brave was released in both 3D and 2D; we saw the 2D version of the movie.

Before the movie started, all I had really heard about Brave was all about the Princess, Merida. However, as we started watching the movie, it became clear really fast that the story was less about Merida, and more about the interaction between the young Princess and her mom, Queen Elinor. On the one hand, you have Queen Elinor, who wants her daughter to settle down in an arranged marriage with the son of one of the other Chiefs, and on the other hand, you have young Merida, who sees this as the worst future a girl could ever envision for herself. In the course of their “discussion”, Merida storms off on her horse, Angus, and ends up deep in the forest, where she follows a trail of Will O’ the Wisps to the hut of a witch, who makes a spell for her to give to her Mom.

Enjoy Sweet Summer Treats at Disney Parks

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June 23, 2012

If you are celebrating Independence Day in the United States at a Disney park, I recommend the chocolate cupcake pictured above. These patriotic creations will be offered at several of the show kitchen locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

One of the more colorful items being offered are new character-inspired apples.

$25 Disney Gift Card Giveaway

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June 23, 2012

Disney/Pixar Brave is out in theaters on June 22nd! I know my oldest and I plan on seeing it this weekend. In celebration of this movie release our friend Lesley from Pixie Vacations wants to give you a little spending money for your next Disney vacation.

This weeks giveaway is for a $25 Disney Gift Card!

To enter, all you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

DVD Review – ABC’s Scandal

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June 22, 2012

DVD Review - ABC's Scandal

Scandal is the latest show from Shonda Rhimes, creator and executive producer of Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. The show was inspired by the life of Judy Smith who was a crisis manager and former aide to President George H.W. Bush. The ensemble cast is lead by Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope a professional crisis manager. After leaving her job as consultant to the President, Pope opens her own firm to start a new chapter in her own life. She is a fixer who trusts her gut and she specializes in eliminating the crisis in her client’s lives.

Washington shines as Pope and the rest of the cast is just as great. Henry Ian Cusick (Lost) as reformed ladies man Stephen Finch, Darby Stanchfield (Mad Men) as fiery investigator Abby Whelan, Guillermo Diaz (Weeds) as former CIA operative and hacker Huck, and Columbus Short (Stomp the Yard) as suave litigator Harrison Wright. New to the team is Quinn, who is the viewer’s stand in on the show. She asks the questions we want to hear the answer to and helps you get up to speed with the crisis at hand.

I was expecting more of a soap opera but what I got was a fast paced, well acted, smart show. Parts of it remind me of The West Wing, one of my all time favorite shows and there are other aspects that remind me of one of my new favorites Revenge. One story line in particular could cause some serious damage to the White House and the President definitely strays into Revenge territory. While some of the plots are a bit predictable, the crisis of the week in particular, thanks to the White House angle it a fun, addictive show and I am looking forward to season 2.

Scandal: The Complete First Season – Available on DVD June 12, 2012 (chipandco.com)

Special Room Rates for Teachers and Students at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin

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June 22, 2012

Now that the school year is over, teachers and school support staff can enjoy the relaxing summer vacations they deserve at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel. In order to thank these professionals for all they do, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is offering special room rates exclusively for them. The rates start at just $139 per night and offer a savings of up to 30 percent off of the standard rates.

Ideally located in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel offers numerous amenities teachers and school support staff will enjoy during their stays. Guests can lounge on the Orlando hotel’s white sand beach, indulge at one of the signature dining establishments or relax in the luxurious Mandara Spa.

Reservations can be made online at www.swandolphin.com/offers or by calling 1-800-227-1500. Based on rate schedule availability. Offer is valid for stays through Dec. 24. Taxes, resort services fee and gratuities not included. Not valid with any other special offers, promotions, or for existing reservations or groups. Must show proof of employment upon arrival.

In the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, the award-winning Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is the gateway to Central Florida’s greatest theme parks and attractions. The hotel is located between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and nearby Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Magic Kingdom Park. Guests can discover 17 world-class restaurants and lounges, sophisticated guest rooms with Westin Heavenly Beds and the luxurious Mandara Spa. The hotel features five pools, two health clubs, tennis, nearby golf, complimentary transportation throughout the Walt Disney World Resort and the Extra Magic Hours benefit, where each day, one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks is open extra time to enjoy select attractions. (Valid Theme Park admission and Resort ID required). The hotel can be reached at 800-227-1500 or www.swandolphin.com .

Tips For Battling The Peak Season Crowds at Disney World (chipandco.com)

ABC’s “GCB” Complete Series DVD Review

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June 22, 2012

ABC's "GCB" Complete Series DVD Review

From Darren Star, creator of ‘Sex And The City,’ and Robert Harling, writer of ‘Steel Magnolias,’ comes a deliciously fun, wicked new drama series to DVD. GCB: The Complete First Season shows that a girl can go home again…but only if she’s ready to face the sins of her past.

Back in high school, original mean girl Amanda Vaughn (Leslie Bibb) mercilessly tormented her less attractive classmates. Twenty years later, after her hubby is busted for a Ponzi scheme – and meets his maker in a particularly scandalous way – a disgraced Amanda is back in Dallas to start life anew under her mother’s (Annie Potts) palatial roof.

But will the good women of her hometown welcome her with open arms or dole out some kick-ass karmic payback? Let’s just say, hell hath no fury like the cosmetically enhanced!

If you like a hilarious show which crosses the likes of Steel Magnolias with Desperate Housewives, then you will love this series. I found myself laughing out loud while watching it. This show mixes the stereotypical Texas lifestyle, Christianity, sex, sass and revenge into a hilarious adventure. Being a born and bred Texan, this really isn’t Texas life but the exaggeration is so much fun. It is certainly not a reality show, but then neither are ‘reality shows.’

The GCB wasn’t renewed for a second season, and I think that is a shame. The acting alone by Bibb, Chenoweth, Potts, and the rest of the talented cast was great. You never know what to expect with this group and I absolutely loved the scene where Chenoweth sneaks into her neighbor’s house through the doggy door.

Luckily, you can now buy GCB: The Complete First Season on a 3-disc DVD set which also includes bonus materials with everything from the Texas big hair and makeup makeovers to tours of the real homes in Dallas used for inspiration, to bloopers that are a real gas. Released on June 12, 2012, you can now purchase a copy to add to your library.

GCB: The Complete First Season – Available June 12, 2012 (chipandco.com)

When is the best time to goto Disneyland?

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June 22, 2012

This question came from Michael:

I found a great post from April about the best time to go to Disney World based on crowds, price, weather and special events. Is there a similar article for Disneyland? I’m not as concerned about the weather given the SoCal climate, but would like to avoid the bigger crowds. Thank you.

The times of year with bigger crowds are going to be similar to Walt Disney World- this summer is especially higher crowds with the new Cars Land opening, highest levels are expected now through about August 20th.