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Disney Acronyms. What’s It All Mean?

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Disney Acronyms. What's It All Mean?

When I was in the Army, we had all sorts of fun and useful acronyms to describe things.  Sadly, most of them can’t be repeated on a G-rated website, but I can tell you about all the Disney acronyms that you’ll see here and on other websites.

Here are a few of our favorites.  Pay attention, there’s a quiz at the end.

WDW – Okay, sure. It’s obvious.  Walt Disney World.

MK – Magic Kingdom. You’ll see this everywhere.

CRT –  Cinderella’s Royal Table.  The hardest reservation to get at WDW, it’s located in Cinderella Castle (and yes, there’s no apostrophe s in that one).

BBB – Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.  Where you get your princess makeover and your fancy new ballgown.

BWV – Boardwalk Villas.

MCO – Orlando International Airport. If you’re a Disney fan, it’s your first little taste of Disney World.

ME – Magical Express. The bus you take from MCO.

TTC – Ticket and Transportation Center. You know that place next to the MK parking lot where you get your tickets, get on the monorail or ferry to go to the MK, or transfer by monorail to Epcot?  This is the place.

ADR – Advanced Dining Reservation. This is one of those acronyms that we KNOW Disney knows, but they don’t personally use it. So if you’re calling Disney dining and you use the term, don’t be surprised if they don’t know what it means.  Except (wink, wink) they do.

DHS – Disney Hollywood Studios.

AKL – Animal Kingdom Lodge.  Let’s face it. That’s a long name. You’ve got to shorten it.

CM – Cast Member. What Disney calls their employees.

MYW – Magic Your Way.  Refers to package and ticket types. One of the few Disney fan acronyms that’s actually an official Disney one as well.

GF – Grand Floridian, Disney’s flagship resort.

WP – Wedding Pavilion.

DD  – Downtown Disney.

EoS – Earl of Sandwich. The Notoriously crowded, deliciously wonderful sandwich shop in Downtown Disney.

V&A – Pricey, four-star restaurant in the GF.

FW – Ft. Wilderness.

BTMRR – Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

TSMM – Toy Story Midway Mania.  The name is almost as long as the wait for this ride, but we love it anyway.

MNSSHP – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

MVMCP – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

AP – Annual Pass. The height of Disney World geekdom is an annual passholder.

HDDR – Hoop Dee Doo Review.  The kind of dinner show that  Disney employees (excuse me, CMs) go to on their day off.  You should check it out.

F&W – Food and Wine. Refers to the yearly Food and Wine festival that takes place in Epcot every October.

ASMo, ASSports, and ASMu – All Star Movies, Sports, and Music.  And yes, we all snicker about that one too.

Okay, ready for a little quiz? What am I doing if I ask this?

I’m going to take ME from MCO to ASMo and then take a bus to DD to eat at EoS. After, I’ll go to the TTC and take the ferry to the MK where I’m getting a princess makeover at BBB and then lunch at CRT. Afterward, I’m going to ride BTMRR and then meet a CM friend of mine for an ADR at HDDR, followed by MNNSHP.

Actually, that sounds like a good day, doesn’t it?

For more check out this article Disneyspeak: Do You Speak Disney’s Language?

Chris writes here and at Everything Walt Disney World.  She’s also a member of the Mouse Chat podcast and a travel agent with Pixie Vacations. Email her at ChrisW@pixievacations for information on how you can receive a free $50 Disney gift card when you book an already discounted Disney vacation.

Disney Acronyms. What's It All Mean?

Chip & Company Week in Review, January 23, 2012

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Chip & Company Week in Review, January 23, 2012

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Chip & Company Week in Review. There have been a lot of stories to read about, so here are the stories that caught our eye last week:

  • Disney is testing a new program that is similar to the Moms Panel or the Mickey Moms Club called Disney InsideEARS.
  • Expedia is having a contest to give away a cruise on the all new Disney Fantasy! Make sure you enter soon, the contest ends on January 31st!
  • Mark your calendars for September 7th and 8th, 2012. That is when Night of Joy will be back at Walt Disney World.
  • When President Obama visited last week, he became the fourth sitting president to visit a Disney park. Can you name the other three?
  • Did you get a chance to see Uma Thurman when she visited Walt Disney World? I know Donald Duck did!
  • Get ready for for Flower Power! The concert schedule has been released, and there will be some great performances between March 7th and May 20th, 2012!
  • The Muppets will be coming to DVD and BluRay on March 20th, 2012! I’ll be marking my calendar for that release date!
  • The Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule is out for February, 2012. Make sure your favorite attractions are going to be open when you visit!
  • Also, the Disney World Refurbishment Schedule is also out for February, 2012.
  • Lastly, the dates for the 2012 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival are out! Make your plans to visit from September 28th through November 11th, 2012 to experience some incredible food!

That’s our look at some of the news stories from last week, now let’s take a look at some of the incredible original articles that our writers produce each and every day! Enjoy!

  • I wrote the next installment in our ‘please refurbish this ride’ series. Next on my list: “Please Refurbish This Ride: Stitch’s Great Escape.”
  • Chris brings us an article that many of us have experienced: traveling with a large group!
  • What does Disney Magic mean to you? I explored what it means to my family in my post “Magical Blogorail: Disney Magic is New Memories.”
  • Lastly, Catie wrote an article for us about Spring Break at Disney, and how to deal with the crowds. If you visit Walt Disney World during Spring Break then this article is written for you!

That’s all we have for you this week. I hope you have a terrific week, and remember to check out Chip & Company often for the latest in Disney News, Views, Giveaways, and more! To keep up with the latest Disney news and views on the fly, check out the Chip & Company Facebook Page or follow Chip & Company via Twitter! Also, head on over to the Disney for Seniors page and tell Ken you help he’s feeling better! Ken, get well soon my friend!

 

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Chip & Company Week in Review, January 23, 2012

Top 5 Things to do while Riding from the Resorts to the Parks

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Top 5 Things to do while Riding from the Resorts to the Parks

With the exception of the monorail Resorts, it can take a good 30 minutes to get from your lodging to any of the Walt Disney World Parks. Factor in crowd levels, special events, hour of day and distance to/from your destination (and how many other stops there are along the way), and the amount of time you spend on the bus, boat or monorail can add up to a considerable amount of time. If you’re not prepared, that can seem like a lot of lost, unmagical moments.

To perk up the pace, here are my top five things to do while riding to the Parks:

  1. If you are healthy and able, get up out of your seat and offer it to someone who needs it more than you do. Days at the Parks are long and tiring—even more so to a mom carrying a sleeping infant, an ailing grandmother, someone with a handicap or a small child. Consider others before yourself.
  2. Chat with the people next to you. Sometimes people just stare at their feet to avoid conversation, but you know what? Most strangers don’t bite! If they’re staying at your Resort, you’re likely to bump into them again, and it’s always nice to see a friendly face. If nothing else, you’ll gain a new Facebook friend.
  3. Drill the bus driver. They are a wealth of Disney information and can answer any question you have about the Parks and surrounding area. They give great advice and tips on how to get around and make your stay even more enjoyable.
  4. Get your things organized and ready to present at the gate. If you’re carrying a bag, make sure it’s accessible, maybe go ahead and open it for the quick search. Make sure your tickets are out and ready to go so you don’t have to dig through your stuff. You’ll want to get into the Parks as quickly and as easily as possible.
  5. Sleep! Seriously. The average person walks eight to 10 miles a day while visiting Walt Disney World Resort. That fact alone exhausts me! Now consider all the things you’re doing while walking those miles. Add in the emotional excitement, the effort to keep your kids reigned in, the anticipation of the following days, keeping to schedules, and generally trying to do and see everything there is to see and do, and you’ll be begging for one of those ECVs by nightfall if you don’t rest up when you can. If you are parents of young kids, tag team it. Let Mom catnap on the way to the Parks and Dad snooze on the way back. They say a 15-minute nap can give you an extra hour of energy later on, so grab it while you can!

What do you do to pass the time on buses, boats and rails?

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Top 5 Things to do while Riding from the Resorts to the Parks

5 Quick Tips for Saving Money on Food at Disney World

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

5 Quick Tips for Saving Money on Food at Disney World

It’s no huge secret that food can end up being one of the major expenses on a vacation to Disney World. Yet there are a number of ways that you can plan your meals and save money. Probably the most well-known option is the Disney Dining Plan, especially if you are able to take advantage of the very popular Free Dining promotion.

But if your travel plans don’t allow you to visit during Free Dining, no worries, there are still a few things that can save you big money on your Disney vacation food budget.

  1. Make sure you have a frig or mini-kitchen in your room. Many hotels near Walt Disney World offer mini-suites with a small kitchen in them, and in addition to having more space, the frig and microwave can be extremely useful. If you are staying on Disney property, even in the basic hotel rooms, you can request an in-room refrigerator if there is not already one. We always use the frig to store milk, juice, water, and some easy breakfast basics. Bring or buy some cereal or bagels, and you have a healthy, inexpensive breakfast each morning. Plus it is a time-saver too, when trying to get to the parks bright and early each day. If you make it a habit to return to your room each afternoon, take the in-room meals a step further and get some easy lunch fixings too: you have now provided two meals per day for substantially less than what you would pay in the parks. Even if you don’t return to your room, with a small cooler that you can store in a locker at the parks, you can bring lunch with you. Splurge on a nice dinner and you won’t feel deprived at all, and will in fact feel quite proud of how economical you are!
  2. Use a Grocery Delivery Service like Garden Grocer for all of our Disney World Grocery Needs! Garden Grocer Inc. is a local online grocery delivery company based in Central Florida. They have 4800+ products to choose from, and will deliver right to your Resort! Shop online, complete order and they do the rest! We deliver to homes, offices, hotels, resorts and vacation homes.
  3. Bring snacks with you. Simple trail mix, crackers, some fruit, all help provide a healthy, and cheaper alternative to lots of expensive snacks in the parks. Bring your own water as well: you will save a boat-load of money, plus you will always have water when you need it, which is important on those hot summer days in Florida! Refill when passing water fountains and you will be fine. 5 Snacks to pack in a cooler for WDW.
  4. Think about sharing meals, especially if you have young children. Disney does not have a problem if you want to split a table service meal, and many folks often divide a counter service meal between multiple kids, or parent/child. In our experience, Disney is extremely generous with food proportions, so splitting meals saves dollars and also creates less waste, and that’s a good thing. Another option is to take the leftovers with you if portable, and put them in your…you guessed it…in-room frig for lunch the next day.
  5. You can eat off-site and save money as well. If you are staying off-Disney property, ask at your hotel for local restaurant discount coupons or promotions. Or try looking for online coupons/promotions through local Florida/Orlando websites. Consider sites like restaurant.com. You may even find it to be cost-effective to buy a local Entertainment Book for restaurant coupons.

What are some ways that you have found to save money on food at Disney World? Let us know in the comment section below.

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5 Quick Tips for Saving Money on Food at Disney World

Disney World Planning: Traveling with a Large Group.

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Disney World Planning: Traveling with a Large Group.
I need everyone's dining spreadsheets now!!!!

Well, now you’ve done it: You’ve invited your pesky brother-in-law, your third cousin’s family, and your neighbor from across the street to join you on your next Disney Vacation and now there are twelve, not wait fourteen, okay possibly eighteen, people going on your trip. What do you do now?  Well, don’t panic.  I book a lot of group vacations and there are some pitfalls, but if you plan well and remain flexible, it can be–dare I say it?–magical too.

Here are a few tips:

  • Appoint your very own General Patton.  Obviously, this should be the biggest Disney nerd in the group. This doesn’t mean that it’s not a democracy, but it’s nice to have one person coordinating with the travel agent (or Disney, if you like to book on your own) .
  • If you can, have a group meeting to start off your planning. If you’re living in different areas, you can start a Facebook group or even a blog to keep everyone on the same page.
  • Only plan a few group outings.  This probably sounds counter-intuitive since it’s a group trip, but large groups tend to get very unruly and plans fall apart, so the less you plan, the less opportunity there is for hurt feelings.  You’re shooting for a few big meals, a day or two at a certain park, maybe a special event.  Be flexible and let the rest happen naturally.
  • Don’t get your feelings hurt. Some members or your party are going to want to sleep late. Some may want a different resort. If your pesky brother-in-law wants to stay at the Grand Floridian while everyone else stays at Pop, let him and don’t say a word about it.  It’s not a big deal.
  • Think about food. As any Disney fan will tell you, food is important.  For a week-long trip, I’d plan approximately three meals for the group to do together. I love dinner at Ohana for a large group: There’s something for everyone, it’s not outrageously expensive, and kids can be loud without disturbing fellow diners.  This is a great first night meal or a perfect ending to your vacation.  Breakfast can also be a great option for large groups as long as it’s not too early. My favorite is Tusker House, which has plenty of room and big tables, making it ideal for a large group.
  • Since it’s likely you’re not planning all your meals together, make sure that you give your dining confirmations to the person who’s organizing everything so she doesn’t overlap reservations when she makes them for the group.  It may be helpful to send out a spreadsheet to everyone once dining reservations are made.
  • For groups of eight (paying guests) or more, you’ll get a group number. This used to allow you to book certain dining options (under the Grand Gathering label) but now it basically just means your rooms will be together. But they don’t have to be, if you want to avoid your pesky brother-in-law.
  •  How would you like to view Illuminations from a private spot in the World Showcase while eating desserts and drinking some champagne?  Special events like fireworks cruises and dessert parties are surprisingly inexpensive and are a great way to entertain a large group.

Group trips can be a lot of work, but if you’re reading here, you probably know that planning is part of the fun. Be flexible, organized, and enjoy it!

Chris writes here and at Everything Walt Disney World. She’s also a member of the Mouse Chat Podcast and a travel agent. Email her at [email protected] for information on how Chip and Co readers can get a free Disney gift card when they book a new vacation.

 

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Disney World Planning: Traveling with a Large Group.

10 Games & Activities To Do While Waiting In Line

By
Chip
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10 Games & Activities To Do While Waiting In Line

When you are traveling to Walt Disney World with kids, it’s always a good idea to have a plan to keep them busy and occupied while waiting in attraction lines, for the bus, on dinner, and for shows, fireworks and parades.  I always keep different things in our backpack or stroller that are easily accessible when the kids get antsy.  Look through this list and see if you need to purchase any additional supplies before your trip to help keep your children occupied while waiting!

1. Candy– I usually pack small items that won’t melt: smartees, tic tacs, suckers, lifesavers and Disney shaped gummy snacks. 

2. Stickers– I try to find a sheet of Disney character stickers for my youngest to “play with.”  Sometimes they end up on us or on the stroller, but usually they are stuck on the park maps.  The characters can be used to mark off attractions we’ve visited or they can be used to tell a story on the map.

3. Magnadoodle– We keep a mini magnadoodle in the car, so when we got to Disney, it made it’s way to the stroller.  It’s fun to practice letters and numbers while waiting.  Or you can draw your favorite characters!

4. Mini Play dough or Silly Putty– These both come in small containers that can easily fit in a pocket and are great for keeping hands busy!

5. Guide Books– I like the Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World for Kids book because it has bright, fun pictures and there are activities for the kids to do in the book.

6. Handheld Games– If you don’t want to bring your Nintendo DS or PSP, you can always pick up a few cheap electronic games before your trip.  We have Tetris, Yahtzee and 20Q that help keep all of us occupied!

7. Silly Bandz– These rubber band bracelets come in all kinds of shapes!  We get the Disney characters and use them to tell stories.  We also distort them and try to guess who they are before they go back to their original shape.

8. Light Up Toys and Glow Sticks– At night, these are a great distraction!  I buy cheap glow sticks at the dollar store before our trip.  I also found an old Nemo light up toy from a previous trip.  He now makes the trip to WDW each time we go!  You can find other Disney character light up toys on ebay.

9. ABC Game– We come up with a theme (food, rides, characters, etc) and take turns going through the alphabet and saying a word within that theme for each letter.

10. Disney Bingo– I made Bingo cards on the computer with things to look for that can be found in most Disney parks and had them laminated.  Each person has different things to find.  When you find the item, mark it off with a wipe off marker.  The first person to fill a line or the whole board wins!  They could always “win” the candy from item #1!

Beth writes for A Disney Mom’s Thoughts where she shares her thoughts, stories, tips and ideas about traveling to Disney, especially with her 2 sons!

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10 Games & Activities To Do While Waiting In Line

Planning Your First WDW Trip: Where to Begin?

By
Catie
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Planning Your First WDW Trip: Where to Begin?

Planning your first Walt Disney World vacation can definitely be overwhelming – there is so much to do and so much information out there that it’s easy to get buried beneath it all. Luckily, help in planning the trip of your dreams is out there, you just have to know where to look!

Use this timeline as a guide in planning, and while its not all-encompassing, it will give you a place to start and some things you’ll definitely want to do along the way

1 year before your trip: Yes, that’s right, planning a WDW trip can take a year or more (but believe me, its 100% worth it!)! At this time, you should:

-Start doing some research as to where you might want to stay, and think about if you want to stay on property (personally, I always am an advocate for staying on property, the perks like transportation, extra magic hours, Magical Express, and being right in the middle of it all are too good to pass up!), and if so, where you want to stay. For help with that, check out This Article on how to pick your WDW resort

-Make your Budget – Maybe not the most exciting thing to do, but it is definitely an important part to planning a WDW vacation. The reason I like to do this so far in advance of the trip is so I can save up as much as possible, as a trip to WDW isn’t cheap, but its worth all the planning and saving! Some things to include in your budget: hotel, park tickets, car rental/parking, Plane tickets/other transportation, food, tips (this one is important if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, as gratuities at table service restaurants are not included with the plan and will need to be paid out of pocket), souviners, and incidentals/miscellaneous.

*If you make your budget and find that you need to cut somethings out, Check out my tips for Saving money on your WDW vacation

 

7-8 months before your trip:

-Book it! You’ve budgeted your trip and you know where you want to stay, so it’s time to make your travel plans! As for HOW to go about booking it, you could do it all online yourself, or use a travel agent (not sure if you need one? Check out this article for Travel Agent Tips)

-Research Your Dining Options: This one may seem crazy, like how are you supposed to know what you might want to eat 8 months from now? But trust me, its very important to plan your Advanced Dining Reservations, or ADR’s, as the more popular places full up fast. Chip’s Guide to Disney World Dining and www.disneyworld.com/dining are both good resources for figuring out your ADR’s. Once you pick some places you might like, think about which day and meal you would like to eat there, and make a list of that information so you can have it handy when it’s time to make the reservations

 

6 months before your trip (180 days to be exact)

-Time to book those ADR’s – so here is a brief rundown on how this works. You have researched what restaurants you want to eat at and have your list handy. 180 days before your trip is when you can make your ADR’s, beginning online at 6am ET and via phone at 7am ET (1/407-WDW-DINE). What is an ADR, exactly, you might be wondering? Well, its basically like call ahead seating, where you arrive at the restaurant at your appointed time and are given a pager, and you’re paged when the next table becomes available

-Book your airline tickets – I have personally found this to be a good time to book a flight, the prices tend to be a little lower, and overall it works out well. This would also be a good time to research how you will actually get to the park, whether it be renting a car or taking a shuttle

 

From 6 months to 2 months before your trip:

-Research all there is to do – this is a really fun one, it’s time to actually think about all the fun things you will do while you are at Walt Disney World! Research the parks and the rides and the shows and everything else they have to offer. There are TONS of ways to do this, some of my faves are books – Specifically the Passporter Walt Disney World Guide, and also Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World, both of which are full of information in an easy to understand layout, and also the internet can be a great tool. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the sheer volume of Disney World information online, so here are some sites I prefer to do my research on:
www.chipandco.com
www.allears.net
www.wdwinfo.com
www.disneyworld.com

Guide to Career Education has a lot of great information available for WDW junkies and others interested in getting into the travel and tourism profession.

-Plan to take some time for yourselves : Whether you are traveling with other adults or with children and the whole family, everyone deserves a little time to themselves on vacation, so take a look at these adult friendly WDW activites and think about incorporating some of them into your trip

 

1 month before your trip: You’re officially in the home stretch, Mickey is just a hop skip and a jump away! Don’t forget to:

–Make your list of things you need to pack....if you’re having trouble figuring out what you will need, start Here

-Go Shopping! Stock up on the things you know you’ll need, like extra batteries, sunscreen, make sure you have enough of any prescriptions you take, etc (It’s good to plan ahead on these things, especially the ‘essentials’ that cost next to nothing at home cost an arm and a leg at a WDW souvenir shop!)

 

1 week before your trip:

-Start packing: Utilize that list you made and make extra sure you have everything you need, doing this ahead of time can save you time, money, and headaches down the road!

-Check in online : If you’re staying at one of Walt Disney World’s Resort Hotels, this can be done up to 10 days in advance of your trip, and once you arrive at the Resort there’s a separate (shorter) check in line, and the process is a lot faster than traditional hotel check in

-Confirm ADR’s and transportation: You can check your ADR information online through Disney’s Dining website, and as for transportation, you will want to call your car rental company to make sure they have the correct information and vehicle ready for your arrival (because there’s nothing worse then getting a rental car that’s half the size of the one you were promised…trust me on this one!

-Check out these Last Minute Tips to make sure you’re fully prepared for your WDW vacation

 

The Day of your trip: Don’t forget to Have Fun, because above all else, you are going to the Happiest Place on Earth, and even if you forget something or forget to plan something, you will have an amazing time!

Related articles
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Planning Your First WDW Trip: Where to Begin?

10 Tips on how to Spread the Disney Addiction

By
Chip
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10 Tips on how to Spread the Disney Addiction

Most people try to fight the urges to spread the love and the magic that is Disney. But I have to ask you why fight it? Wouldn’t it just be easier to just let it wash over you like cold water from the Surf Pool at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park on a hot summers day. Let Tinkerbell shower you with sparkling fairy dust and just fly away from all your cares and worries and just embrace the warmth of Disney goodness.

I want to help equip you with some easy, affordable, and strategic ways to share and spread that wonderful magic that is known as the Disney Addiction.

10. Email – This is a wonderful tool for sending  all your friends, family, and co workers pictures of all the fun times and breathtaking views of the parks. Also during meal times send photos of all the yummy Disney Food Confessions from around the parks and resorts. Be sure to especially send it to those who are on a diet as this will help motivate them and increase the love they have for Disney. If you want to go overboard, and make your pictures really good, you could even enroll in some basic photography classes online before your trip.

Quick Tip – Everyone loves Forwards so be sure to send them to everyone on your contact list.

9. Toys – If you have a little one be sure to start buying them Disney Toys early. Let them sleep with Mickey & Minnie or one of the hundreds of other Disney Characters. Don’t just wait for holidays or birthdays to get your loved ones toys anytime is a great time for sharing Disney Toys.

Quick Tip – Goto Dollar General or Dollar Tree as they have many inexpensive Disney Toys for your child to play with for hours of fun without breaking the bank. Makes good Easter Basket & Stocking Stuffers too.

8. Food – How many times have you been in the park or at a Disney Resort and wish you could make that specific item at home.. Well now you can..Try out In the Disney Kitchen section.  Have a party and make Dole Whips, bring your neighbors Mickey Mouse ears shaped rice crispy treats, the possibilities are endless.

Quick Tip – It’s a proven fact all Disney Food is fat & calorie free so eat as much as you like. Especially when your on vacation in Disney World!

7. Clothing – No greater market strategy is to wear Disney apparel from head to toe. Grab those Mickey Crocs, throw on those Toy Story Sweat Pants, proudly wear that Grumpy t-shirt. Heck even wear your Mickey Mouse ears when you go down to the All you can Eat Chinese Buffet. Stand tall and support Disney even when your not walking around the greatest place on earth.

Quick tip – Guys support the home team by wearing that Tinkerbell shirt and hat at your next football, boxing, or hockey game. Your fellow man friends will love it.

6. Stickers – How many times has somebody cut you off and waved the bird at you as you are fuming? You stare at the stickers they have on the back of their car. Sometimes you see a Fish, OBX, or even what I have on every car I have ever owned Ron Jon’s stickers. Next time you stop short, not signal when you turn, or any other unavoidable  accident on the road do it with pride with a set of Disney Family Stickers on your vehicle. Got a large family? even better slather your car with the whole bunch. Don’t forget to put Rover and Mr Whiskers on there too!

Quick Tip – Some states even allow you to plaster your whole back windshield with Disney Stickers. Consult your state laws to see if you qualify.

5. Postcards – Next time you are at Disneyland or Disney World be sure to bring your address book and a bunch of stamps with you. What for you may ask? Postcards. Send your loved ones Postcards from Disney. Tell them about the great time you are having, all the delicious food you are eating, and how much fun they are missing out on.

Quick Tip – Space Ship Earth and various other places at Disney World will allow you to email photos from the park to friends and family. Make a funny face next time you are on Space Ship Earth Ride and email that to your ex.

4. Blogging – Start a website/Blog or share articles from Disney sites like Chip and Co! Great way to meet new people and to share with everyone your experiences and knowledge of Disney. Not a gifted writer no problem just post stories of Disney News you find on the internet. At the top and bottom of all our articles you can Share the Love, try it out!

Quick Tip – Forget your own website why not just tell everyone about Chip and Company!

3. Picasa/Flickr – Speaking of photos what is great is all the many tools and places you can store, edit, and share your photos of the Disney Parks online. Customize your photos to include captions like “Wish you were here”, “Missing You”, or even “Having a great time without you” Have fun with them. Everyone knows a good caption can really enhance a photo.

Quick Tip – Portable picture viewers are great to attach to your key chains to share photos from your Disney Trips to co workers at the water cooler.  Don’t just talk about last nights episode of American Idol, show everyone your child’s first trip to Epcot when she was 3 months old.

2. Videos – On the same lines of media You Tube has some excellent resources from the Disney Parks and Resorts. Use some of the previous methods to share these videos with co workers and friends. Link videos to your instant messages, social media accounts, and on your recently started blog. Show your family what riding through Space Mountain is like they will thank you for it later after they booked and enjoyed their Disney vacation. There are countless videos of News Stories, Disney Movie trailers, and Park Experiences. If you are more of a social person invite people over to your house for Home Movie Night..Just don’t forget the popcorn..

Quick Tip – Be sure to subscribe to the Chip and Company You Tube Channel!

1. Social Media – Just about everybody has a Facebook account. Why not spread the love through sharing? For example on this article alone you can share it with Facebook, Twitter, and many other social media sites. Find Disney News Stories, Disney Views and blast them all over your home pages and pages of your friends. Who doesn’t love 100 twitter messages about what you are doing at Disney or how much you miss Tonga Toast. This is the information age so why not share information about Disney with those you love?

Quick Tip – Have you joined us on our Facebook Page yet? If not your should. If you have already create another Facebook account and Like us with that page too. Also check out our You might be a Disney Addict if… page.

This list is just the tip of the iceberg there are numerous other ways to share the Disney Addiction. Be creative and be persistent… Nobody likes a quitter! Show everyone around you how much you love Disney and share with them why you go back to Disney year after year after year!

Thanks for reading

>>Chip

This article is a joke I am not trying to put anyone down or make fun of you or myself for being a Disney Addict. I love all things Disney and just did this for fun.

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10 Tips on how to Spread the Disney Addiction

HGTV Stars to Highlight This Year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

By
Chip
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HGTV Stars to Highlight This Year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

While winter is still in full swing, we at Walt Disney World Resort are already thinking of spring and the 19th annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, presented by HGTV! This year’s festival will run from March 7 to May 20, 2012, and will include favorite elements like beloved Disney character topiaries, “how to” demonstrations and presentations by HGTV and Disney experts, unique gardens themed to the countries of World Showcase, the Flower Power Concert series and much more.

The festival will include special activities for kids like Bambi’s Butterfly House, presented by HGTV; the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden; Sounds of Nature, presented by Nature Conservancy; and unique play structures offer fun for the little ones—the Evos™ play systems for ages six and older and the Weevos™ play systems for ages two through five.

We are EXTREMELY excited to continue our relationship with HGTV, with their expertise and support of the festival returning for a second year. HGTV stars scheduled to appear this year include (Talent/dates subject to change):

  • John Gidding, HGTV’s Curb Appeal: The Block—presenting March 9 – 11
  • Sabrina Soto, HGTV’s The High/Low Project—presenting March 16 – 18
  • Jason Cameron, DIY Network’s Desperate Landscapes and Man Caves—presenting March 23 – 25
  • Camille Styles, HGTV.com Entertainment contributor—presenting March 30 – April 1
  • Dan Faires, HGTV.com’s DanMade, Fan Favorite HGTV Design Star Season 5—presenting April 6 – 8
  • Brandon Johnson, host of HGTV’s My Yard Goes Disney—presenting April 13 – 15
  • Meg Caswell, HGTV’s Meg’s Great Rooms—presenting April 20 – 22
  • Monica Pedersen, HGTV Dream Home Tour 2012 and Designed to Sell—presenting April 27 – 29
  • Antonio Ballatore, HGTV’s The Antonio Treatment—presenting May 4 – 6
  • To be determined—presenting May 11 – 13
  • Genevieve Gorder, HGTV’s Dear Genevieve and HGTV Design Star—presenting May 18 – 20

Musical entertainment pairs perfectly with botanical beauty during the nightly Flower Power concert series. Enjoy a varied lineup of performers throughout the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, March 7 through May 20, 2012. The concerts will again groove-ify the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. throughout the festival dates. Scheduled to appear this year include (Talent/dates/times subject to change):

For more information on the festival, you can check out disneyworld.com/flower and continue to check back for more updates. See you in the spring.

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HGTV Stars to Highlight This Year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule February 2012

By
Chip
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Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule February 2012

Refurbishment information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to visiting. Updated information is available here.

Current

  • Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm (Disneyland) closed through 1/18/12 to remove holiday decor.
  • Haunted Mansion (Disneyland) closed through 1/23/12 for removal of holiday decor.
  • Redwood Challenge Creek Trail (DCS) closed through 1/28/12 for refurbishment.
  • Refreshment Corner (Disneyland) closed through 2/24/12 for refurbishment.
  • Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor (Disneyland) closed until Spring 2012 for renovation.
  • Candy Palace (Disneyland) closed until Spring 2012 for renovation.
  • Matterhorn Bobsleds (Disneyland) closed through 6/14/12 for refurbishment.
  • Carnation Cafe (Disneyland) closed until Summer 2012 for renovation/expansion.

Upcoming

  • Theater A at Soarin’ Over California (DCA) closed 1/23/12-1/27/12 for refurbishment. Theater B remains open.
  • “it’s a small world” (Disneyland) closed 1/23/12-2/2/12 for removal of holiday decor.
  • Sailing Ship Columbia (Disneyland) closed 1/23/12-2/17/12 for refurbishment.
  • Grizzly River Run (DCA) closed 1/23/12-3/9/12 for refurbishment.
  • Davy Crockett Canoes (Disneyland) closed 1/24/12 for refurbishment.
  • Cafe Orleans (Disneyland) closed 1/24/12-1/26/12 for refurbishment.
  • Soarin’ Over California (DCA) closed 1/30/12-2/3/12 for refurbishment.
  • Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port (Disneyland) closed 1/30/12-2/10/12 for refurbishment.

Source Mousesavers Newsletter

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Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule February 2012

Spring Break At WDW – How to Deal With the Crowds

By
Catie
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Spring Break At WDW - How to Deal With the Crowds

Anyone who has ever been to Walt Disney World during February, March, or April would use the same words to describe it – rainy, and CROWDED! This is definitely one of the ‘peak’ times to visit, which means prices are higher, lines are longer, and tempers are shorter.

Having visited WDW every year during this time growing up, I have compiled some ‘helpful hints’ that can make your trip less stressful:

Eat at “off” times: If you want to get Advance Dining Reservations to popular WDW restaurants like Cinderella’s Royal Table where you can dine with the Princesses, or Chef Mickey’s where you can meet and greet the Mouse himself, you may have to willing to take those weird reservation times, like a 10:45 am breakfast, or a 4:55 pm dinner. Everyone else wants to eat at these places too, so if they are that important to you, be willing to take whatever reservation they can give you

Explore New Places: The 4 theme parks of WDW are amazing places, and obviously the main reason why people travel there, and that means they are also going to be packed to capacity during these peak times (we’re talking 90+ minute waits for popular rides, crowded counter service restaurants, and hordes of strollers all waiting to bang you in the ankles). This would be a great time to explore what Disney World has to offer beyond the parks like watersports (including water skiing and boat/jetski rentals), spa treatments, and plenty of shopping/dining options at Downtown Disney. The best part of all these is they don’t require a park admission, and just might give you a chance to relax and unwind (after all, isn’t that what vacations are really for?)

Extra Magic Hours: This is one of the best perks of staying at one of the WDW Resort Hotels – each day, one theme park stays open an hour later or opens an hour early for WDW Resort guests ONLY. It’s called Extra Magic Hours, and its a great chance to get in some early mroning or late night rides with shorter lines and fewer crowds. You can pick up an Extra Magic Hours Schedule at your WDW resort upon your arrival

Have A Plan…and be willing to change it: When visiting a place like Disney World where there is SO much to do, it is always helpful to have a rough idea of how you will spend your days. During busy season, the key to this is definitely having a ‘rough’ plan – and realizing that things could change and you should have a backup, if at all possible. So plan, but don’t overplan (you’ll just end up disappointed if you plan out every minute, because it never works out exactly as you plan!)

Know your “must do’s”: Whether this is your first trip to WDW or your 100th, you should do some research ahead of time and pick 3-5 rides/attractions/shows you really want to do at each park – and make those your goal. Check the wait times when you arrive at the park, utilize Fastpasses, and be willing to wait. Patience is key, and if you really love the ride, it will be well worth the time spent in line!

DON’T STRESS: The bottom line is, you are still going to the most magical place on earth, so you will have a great time no matter what! Just try and be flexible, and don’t get too upset if you don’t see it all…there’s always next time!

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Spring Break At WDW - How to Deal With the Crowds

Disney World Refurbishment Schedule February 2012

By
Chip
-

Disney World Refurbishment Schedule February 2012

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

  • Beach Sand Renourishment (Polynesian Resort) through 1/16/12; only portions of the beach will be closed at any one time.
  • Pool Slide at Samawati Springs Pool (Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village) closed through 2/3/12 for refurbishment. The pool will remain open; guests can use the slide at Jambo House.
  • Fantasmic! (Hollywood Studios) will not be performed through 2/12/12.
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant (Magic Kingdom) closed through 2/17/12 for refurbishment and move to Storybook Circus.
  • Pool slide (Contemporary Resort) closed through 2/17/12. The pool will remain open.
  • Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure (Hollywood Studios) closed through 3/11/12 for refurbishment.
  • Typhoon Lagoon closed through 3/17/12 for annual refurbishment.
  • Plaza Ice Cream Parlor (Magic Kingdom) closed through 3/27/12 for refurbishment.
  • Tutto Italia Restaurant (Epcot) closed through 4/30/12 for refurbishment.
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom) closed through 5/27/12 for refurbishment.
  • Innoventions: House of Innoventions exhibit closed through May 2012 for refurbishment.
  • Grand Floridian Spa (Grand Floridian Resort) closed through mid-2013 due to construction at the resort. The Grand Floridian Fitness Center will remain open and guests may use The Spa at Saratoga Springs Resort.

Upcoming

  • Doubloon Lagoon Pool (Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter) closed 1/17/12-1/18/12 for refurbishment. The Ol’ Man Island Pool at Port Orleans Resort – Riverside will available to guests.
  • Main Street Electrical Parade (Magic Kingdom) will not be performed 1/20/12-2/10/12.
  • Alligator Bayou Pool near buildings 24 & 25 (Port Orleans Resort – Riverside) closed 1/23/12-1/27/12 for refurbishment. All other leisure pools and the Ol’ Man Island feature pool will be open.
  • Kali River Rapids (Animal Kingdom) closed 1/23/12-2/9/12 for refurbishment.
  • Liberty Square Riverboat (Magic Kingdom) closed 1/28/12-2/3/12 for refurbishment.
  • Alligator Bayou Pool near buildings 16, 17 & 18 (Port Orleans Resort – Riverside) closed 1/30/12-2/3/12 for refurbishment. All other leisure pools and the Ol’ Man Island feature pool will be open.
  • Ol’ Man Island Pool (Port Orleans Resort – Riverside) closed 2/6/12-2/8/12 for refurbishment. All leisure pool and Doubloon Lagoon feature pool at Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter will be availble to guests.
  • Piano Pool (All-Star Music Resort) closed 2/6/12-3/2/12 for refurbishment. The Calypso Pool will remain open.
  • Meadow Feature Pool Slide (Ft. Wilderness Resort & Campground) closed 2/6/12-3/2/12 for refurbishment. The Meadow Feature Pool will remain open.
  • Beach Pool Slide (Grand Floridian Resort) closed 2/6/12-3/2/12 for refurbishment. The Beach Pool will remain open.
  • Studio Backlot Tour (Hollywood Studios) closed 2/13/12-3/10/12 for refurbishment.
  • Magic Carpets of Aladdin (Magic Kingdom) closed 2/26/12-3/11/12 for refurbishment.
  • Alligator Bayou Pool near buildings 36 & 39 (Port Orleans Resort – Riverside) closed 2/27/12-3/1/12 for refurbishment.
  • Test Track (Epcot) closed April 2012-September 2012 for update.
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Disney World Refurbishment Schedule February 2012
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