Home Blog Page 4755

Disney World Quick Tips: Hot Weather Touring

Disney World Quick Tips: Hot Weather Touring
Drink water while on a Walt Disney World summer vacation. D.K. Peterson

With blue skies and bright sunny days, a vacation at Walt Disney World during the summer is the stuff picture-perfect postcards are made of. Unfortunately, the picture doesn’t capture the entire reality of those hot, sticky, exhausting days of touring the theme parks with all the summer crowds and in the heat.

Here are some of my favorite tips for helping you keep your cool, literally, while at Disney. Doing so may also help you keep your temper!

Generally, surviving your summer vacation at Walt Disney World means being aware of the risks of too much sun, as well as how the hot weather and crowd level may affect your pace and energy. You’ll want to use common sense when touring during hot  weather and peak periods: do early-morning touring, take afternoon breaks, and avoid too much criss-crossing in the parks.

Disney World Planning Tips – Try something new Take a Tour!

Disney World Planning Tips - Try something new Take a Tour!

If you have experienced multiple Disney vacations, you know that, one the greatest things about it, is that there is always something new to see. And even if not “technically” new, there are so many things to see and do at Walt Disney World, that even those with many Disney World visits can’t say that they have “seen it all”.

One of the more interesting things to do at Walt Disney World, are the various tours that Disney offers. We have been fortunate to do the Keys to the Kingdom tour at the Magic Kingdom, and the Behind the Seeds tour at the Land Pavilion in Epcot in years past, and were thrilled to have the chance to take the Undiscovered Future World tour at Epcot, on our recent trip…and at this point I will say that we are hooked on doing Disney tours: they are a fascinating way to learn about “the World”!

If you have never had the opportunity to take any of the great tours at Walt Disney World, let me just say that the 3 that we have taken are well worth the cost. Having said that though, it is important to know that there IS a cost, and some of the tours are not cheap. And the cost for most is in addition to park admission (so be sure to ask when reserving to be prepared). But there is a huge variety in the Disney tours, as to subject, length, and cost, so there really is something for nearly everyone. And for those who travel to Disney regularly, taking a tour is a great way to learn some new things and make your visits even more fun!

So, if you want to take a tour on your next Disney World vacation, what do you need to know?

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day

Today is a special day where we all would like to say thank you to all the service men & women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Their sacrifice is the reason why we have our freedoms here in America.

For me one day is never enough to say thank you to all of those who laid their lives on the line for my family and I. Also we would like to give a special thank you to all those serving in the military past and present.

God Bless you and thanks from all of us from Chip and Co!

Happy Memorial Day

Disney Junior’s – Yo Ho, Let’s Go Summer Details and free apps

Disney Junior's - Yo Ho, Let's Go Summer Details and free apps

Disney Junior’s interactive multi–platform “Yo Ho, Let’s Go Summer!” programming event returns with new episodes of “Doc McStuffins” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” cable TV’s #1 and #2 series among Kids 2–5 respectively, as well as other favorite Disney Junior series including “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Jungle Junction” and “Octonauts” beginning MONDAY, JUNE 4–FRIDAY, AUGUST 24. The “Yo Ho, Let’s Go Summer!” programming event will take place across all Disney Junior digital platforms including Disney Junior On Demand, Mobile and iTunes, as well as an immersive online super–site on DisneyJunior.com featuring new games to “unlock” each week and a printable summer scrapbook. Additionally, new interactive iOS apps for “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” launch today.

Disney Junior’s “Yo Ho, Let’s Go Summer!” programming event kicks off on Monday, June 4 with a week of new “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” episodes airing on both the Disney Junior programming block on Disney Channel (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) and the new 24–hour Disney Junior channel (5:30 p.m., ET/PT). Also beginning June 4, kids and their parents can log on to DisneyJunior.com/Summer to print out pictures of their favorite Disney Junior characters to take along with them and include in photos of their summer adventures.  Parents can then upload the photos of their child with their character for the chance to be seen on Disney Junior. The site will also feature a printable summer scrapbook, with new pages added each week through August 24.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Soft Opening Photos

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Soft Opening Photos

Here is a bunch of photos from the soft opening of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad! It has been closed for sometime and I know many of us have been waiting for it to reopen after its lengthy refurbishment.

Special thank you from Amy W for sharing all these great photos with us.

Give Kids the World

Give Kids the World

From its early roots, the Walt Disney Company has had a compassionate heart. Take a few moments to watch the 1932 short, Mickey’s Good Deed, and you’ll understand Walt’s selfless generosity. In this wonderful tale, Mickey Mouse portrays a fellow down on his luck, playing Christmas carols on the street corner for change. To his and Pluto’s dismay, passersby do not give money at all, but nuts and bolts and useless junk. Soon Mickey’s instrument—his source of income—gets destroyed by a passing sleigh. When he sees a poverty-stricken house full of children with no presents, instead of pitying his own misfortune, Mickey sells his beloved pal Pluto to a wealthy man and uses all the money to purchase gifts for the kids. He delivers them incognito while they sleep, thus giving the children the gift of dreams come true.

Today the Walt Disney Company continues to devote both funding and services to various organizations and people in need. Magical Mouse Schoolhouse has discussed Walt Disney World Resort’s food donations to the Disney Harvest Food Program, as well as their VoluntEAR partnership with Toys for Tots, and soap recycling through Clean the World. The Resort also assists a very special organization that helps ill children and their families receive their wish to visit the Parks.

What to bring with you to the Disney Theme Parks

What to bring with you to the Disney Theme Parks

This is the age-old Disney question – how much and what to bring with you to the Disney parks. As you have read often at Chip and Co, the answer is… it depends. There are three main factors to consider – who you are traveling with, your budget, and how prepared you like to be for every eventuality.

The Necessities

In my book, it is only necessary to bring four things to the park for a successful day of touring. Must-haves are your “documents,” sunscreen, water or other beverages, and a Touring Plan.

Documents will vary for each guest but include your Key to the World, park pass, DVC membership card (for discounts), Tables in Wonderland card (for a dining discount), Photopass card, and ADR numbers. I learned the hard way that you should also bring your driver’s license if having an adult beverage is on your agenda. Although I am closer than forty than thirty, I was carded on my last trip and didn’t have appropriate identification so don’t assume you’re too old to be asked for ID! Note: Magic Kingdom is a dry park.

BAND-AID Transform the Healing Experience with Launch of its new Magic Vision Application Platform

BAND-AID Transform the Healing Experience with Launch of its new Magic Vision Application Platform

BAND-AID Brand Adhesive Bandages, a leading iconic brand of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc., today unveiled BAND-AID Brand Magic Vision App featuring Disney’s The Muppets. This one-of-a-kind application and platform uses augmented reality (AR) technology to provide parents with an unprecedented ability to entertain their kids during the traumatic moment of getting hurt in a way like never before. By downloading the app, parents and children can scan any of the BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages strips and boxes featuring Disney’s The Muppets to transport themselves through a magical portal into three distinct adventures and performances from the Muppets.

The BAND-AID® Magic Vision featuring Disney’s The Muppets app uses AR technology to merge a child’s real-life surroundings with graphics displayed on the digital screen that unlock a special world where the Muppets characters appear on your device in stunning view. Whether singing along to Kermit the Frog’s serenade, striking a pose with Miss Piggy or aiding The Great Gonzo on his daring act of lunacy, the AR app is designed to entertain and make Muppets fans forget about their boo-boos. The free app is now available for iOS devices (iPhone 4/s or iPad2+) in the Apple App Store.

10 Tips for Staying Cool in Disney World

10 Tips for Staying Cool in Disney World

Disney World has some of its highest temperatures during the summer months.  Many of us find that when we get to the parks, we were not quite prepared for how HOT it is as we walk from attraction to attraction or while standing in line.  Through the years, I have tried many things to help keep my family and I more comfortable during the heat of the day.

Here are a few of my tips and tricks to staying cool at Walt Disney World

1. Check out the list of attractions for one during the hottest part of the day that is long AND heavily air conditioned.  Some suggested attractions:  a) Magic Kingdom – The Hall of Presidents or Philharmagic b) EPCOT – Spaceship Earth or Ellen’s Energy Adventure c) Hollywood Studios – The Great Movie Ride or Voyage of the Little Mermaid d) Animal Kingdom – It’s Tough to Be a Bug or Finding Nemo – The Musical.  These shows are each over a half hour long, which should allow you enough time to cool off!

It’s the Evolution of an Intergalactic Epic!

It's the Evolution of an Intergalactic Epic!

In anticipation of Disney’s June 5th release of JOHN CARTER on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray Hi-Def & DVD, we’ve got some concept artwork of sets and costumes, as well as CGI progression stills to share with you and your readers! Please consider embedding either of the 2 slideshows using the embed codes provided below.

  • JOHN CARTER arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D, HD Digital, DVD and On-Demand on June 5th (chipandco.com)
  • ‘Marvel’s The Avengers’ is Coming to Blu-ray and DVD September 25, 2012 (chipandco.com)
It's the Evolution of an Intergalactic Epic!

Star Wars: The Clone Wars CG Supervisor Joel Aron to Appear at Celebration VI

Star Wars: The Clone Wars CG Supervisor Joel Aron to Appear at Celebration VI

CG Supervisor Joel Aron will share both his expertise and his inside knowledge of the hit television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars at Celebration VI this August.

Aron, who draws on an exhaustive history of creating seamless digital effects for Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light & Magic has helped bring a feature film sensibility to the weekly animated adventures of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Those at Celebration VI can hear from Aron on The Clone Wars panels with supervising director Dave Filoni, sharing both behind-the-scenes knowledge and spectacular new sneak peeks into Season Five.

In addition to appearing on the larger stages, Aron will again treat fans to master class sessions in the much more intimate “Star Wars University” lecture hall.

Aron joined Industrial Light & Magic in 1991 as a technical assistant on the feature film Hook. He has worked on many high profile films, including Jurassic ParkMen in BlackThe Perfect Storm and Pearl Harbor. As a CG Supervisor, Aron continued to push the limits of computer graphic feature film visual effects, while still working on location for principal photography. In the spring of 2008, Aron joined forces with the team behind Star Wars: The Clone Wars to help advance Lucasfilm Animation’s production technology. Now, supervising the visual effects and lighting for the epic series, Aron continues to push the look of the show to be the most spectacular animated series on television.

Prior to joining ILM, Aron worked as a freelance computer artist, specializing in 2D compositing, 3D lighting and modeling and animation. He is an avid photographer, and is rarely seen without a camera.

Star Wars Celebration VI takes place August 23-26, 2012 in Orlando, FL

The ultimate fan experience — focused on a galaxy far, far away…

The biggest party this side of the galaxy, Star Wars Celebration brings fans of all ages together, from all points of the globe, to celebrate the pop-culture phenomenon that is Star Wars.  Whether it’s young fans of Star Wars: The Clone Wars or die-hards fueled by the nostalgia for the original Star Wars trilogy; curious, casual followers; gamers, readers, costumers or collectors — there’s something for everyone at Celebration.

Both hardcore and casual fans will gather to have fun while celebrating their passion for all things Star Wars, discovering what’s new, and being the first to see what’s next.  It’s four fun-filled days of exhibits, a vibrant, interactive show floor, screenings, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests, panels, autograph sessions, fan-inspired activities, and other surprises.

Star Wars Celebration delivers a landmark experience where memories are made, families brought together, old friends reunited, and new friendships formed — all in the setting of the ever-evolving Star Wars universe.

More at http://www.starwars.com/connect/celebration/

Star Wars: The Clone Wars CG Supervisor Joel Aron to Appear at Celebration VI

Disney Cruise Line Greets NYC with World’s Largest Bumper Sticker

Disney Cruise Line Greets NYC with World’s Largest Bumper Sticker

This morning, Disney Cruise Line’s flagship vessel, the Disney Magic, arrived in New York Harbor donning the world’s largest bumper sticker. Usually found on the back of family minivans, the 50-foot-long by 11-foot-wide super-sized sticker is larger than a city bus. The ship will depart this afternoon, marking the beginning of Disney’s first-ever consumer sailings out of Manhattan – allowing local residents to experience a Disney vacation in their own backyard.

The Disney Magic will sail a total of 20 cruises from New York – including eight-night cruises to the Bahamas and five-night cruises up the New England coast to Canada plus two-night cruises that will give a sampling of the Disney Cruise Line experience over a weekend:

  • The eight Bahamas cruises will include a day at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay; Nassau, Bahamas; and a stop at Port Canaveral, Fla., giving guests an opportunity to visit the nearby Walt Disney World Resort.  As part of this itinerary, each guest will receive a one-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper ticket and roundtrip transportation between their Disney ship and the resort. Departure Dates: May 25, June 2, 22, 30, July 20, 28, Aug. 17, 25
  • The nine five-night cruises up the New England coast will call at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Saint John, New Brunswick.  In these popular Canadian ports, guests can soak in splendid natural vistas, explore historic sites, visit quaint cafes and charming shops, and browse Canada’s oldest farmer’s market. Departure Dates: June 10, 17, July 8, 15, Aug. 5, 12, Sept. 2, 7, 12
  • Three two-night cruises out of New York are perfect for families looking for a quick getaway with a day at sea over a weekend. Rates for the two-night cruises start at $996 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Departure Dates: June 15, July 13 and Aug. 10

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit Pixie Vacations

  • Set Sail for New Adventures with Disney Cruise Line’s Summer Itineraries (chipandco.com)
  • Disney Wonder Sails Inaugural Trip to Hawai’i (chipandco.com)
Disney Cruise Line Greets NYC with World’s Largest Bumper Sticker