Top 5 Theming Triumphs at Disney World

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December 10, 2011

Top 5 Theming Triumphs at Disney World

I know right out of the gate that I don’t have a hope of picking five winners that everyone will agree with in today’s Top 5 list. But you know me; I’m going to try anyway!

Some theme parks may have a ride or two to rival Disney’s, but no one can match Disney theming. Whether it is a restaurant, attraction, or Land, the Mouse just knows what looks good!

So here are my Top 5 theming triumphs from Walt Disney World:

No. 5: Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

(see picture above)

I’m a HUGE science fiction fan! So they had me at the name. But when I went inside and was escorted to a table in the shape of a car, and not only a car, but also a car in a drive-in theater, I was in geek heaven. The low lighting was a bonus (even if it does make taking good pictures almost impossible) and the food was very good. But my favorite theming plus from the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant was the giant screen showing trailers from 1950’s horror films!

There’s nothing like eating a burger while you watch THEM eat other people!

No. 4: Polynesian Resort

No-Brainer Alert! Come on: Polynesia; Tiki Gods; Lush foliage everywhere (and mostly inside the lobby!); and a Monorail gliding past the entrance. Not only could I stay in the Polynesian Resort, but I could also live there! Add to this package two of the greatest gift shops in WDW, one of the best restaurants, an awesome Coffee Bar, and Tiki Motifs everywhere, and you’ve got a theming triumph!

No. 3: Jungle Cruise Queue

Top 5 Theming Triumphs at Disney World

I’d pay to take this plunge!

This attraction is classic. But I almost enjoy waiting in line more than I do taking the ride! I know, I’m strange like that. But it’s so much fun trying to spot all of the inside jokes along the queue rails. From the signs to the jungle office spiel, there’s so much to see and hear on the Jungle Cruise. And then you get to ride in a cool boat and listen to corny jokes! Excellent theming to introduce excellent theming. Now that’s a triumph!

No. 2: Toy Story Midway Mania

Top 5 Theming Triumphs at Disney World

Boy. Tough crowd.

I’ve only sampled Toy Story Midway Mania once so far, so I don’t know what to think of it yet, but the queue is awesome! Blowing Andy’s room up so that you feel like a toy is brilliant. And I don’t think any other attraction has so many elements to keep you distracted while you wait, and wait, and wait… and then you meet interactive Mr. Potato Head!

He called me out as he tried to guess my ‘wait’. Too cool! Anywhere I can interact with “Don Rickles” is a theming triumph to me.

No. 1: Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The whole Park. Name an area and it is heavily themed. Visit a gift shop and it is heavily themed. Eat in a restaurant and it is heavily themed. Ride an attraction and it… well, you get it. WOW is all I can say each time I visit this young Park. It may not be the thrill-a-minute experience of the other Parks, but nowhere is there more unified theming than Disney’s Animal Kingdom. A theming triumph beyond question!

Are there new theming milestones coming in Walt Disney World’s future? No doubt, as the new Fantasyland expansion moves ahead to completion. And what’s coming after that? I can’t wait to find out!

But until then, there just may be a few other existing theming triumphs I’ve missed. If you have a favorite, please let me know in the comments section below.

Top 5 Snacks for Small Children at Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)
My First Time at Disney as a Grown Up (disneyonwheelsblog.com)

Walt Disney Imagineers Install Nemo Icons at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

By

Chip

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December 10, 2011

There couldn’t be a better occasion to share a sneak peek at the new Disney’s Art of Animation Resort than today, Walt Disney’s birthday.

Walt was a pioneer in the art form of hand-drawn animation, and continually experimented with new technology and storytelling mediums (like television) that would give him new ways to bring stories and characters to life.

Walt Disney Imagineers will continue this tradition in 2012 with the debut of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, which will allow guests to immerse themselves in one of four beloved animated films by staying (and playing) in resort buildings themed after family favorites – including one inspired by Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Nemo.”

In this video clip, provided by Walt Disney Imagineering, Imagineer Ryan Parrish offers the first sneak peek inside the resort, as well as a look at the three large character icons featured in the “Finding Nemo” courtyard.

To read more about Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, check out the posts below:

Source Disney Parks Blog

Topping Out Ceremony Held at the New Disney Art of Animation Resort (chipandco.com)
Happy Birthday, Walt Disney! (chipandco.com)

Walt Disney Imagineers Install Nemo Icons at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Now Open Katsura Grill at Epcot’s Japan Pavilion

By

Chip

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December 10, 2011

Just in time for the busy winter holidays, Katsura Grill at the Japan Pavilion in Epcot World Showcase is open – a beautiful space that replaces the former Yakitori House. The new exterior is inspired by the strolling gardens at the historic Katsura Imperial Villa outside Kyoto, Japan, established in the 1600s and one of Japan’s cultural treasures.

It’s a nice respite on World Showcase Promenade, with quick-service dishes from sushi to Japanese curry, teriyaki and udon noodles – no big changes from the old menu (but they did add edamame, a favorite lo-cal, high-protein snack) and tweaked a few of the old favorites. Our new favorite addition is Okonomiyaki, a traditional Japanese pancake (sometimes described as a pizza) topped with veggies and a tangy sauce – crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Also new is a crispy, panko-breaded chicken sandwich, and a cold ramen noodle dish with shredded crab stick in a sweet soy dressing.

Sip a Kirin beer, plum wine or hot or cold sake and enjoy the gardens!

Source Disney Parks Blog

News! Epcot’s Katsura Grill Grand Opening and Menu Announced (disneyfoodblog.com)
First Look! Epcot’s Kabuki Cafe and Menu (disneyfoodblog.com)

Now Open Katsura Grill at Epcot’s Japan Pavilion

New AllergyEats website helps people with Food Allergies at Disney World

By

Chip

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December 10, 2011

Walt Disney World, known for being the happiest place on earth, is one of the most popular vacation spots for families. Now, families with food allergies will be even happier because AllergyEats ( www.allergyeats.com ), the biggest and fastest growing source for finding allergy-friendly restaurants, has just launched a new website focused exclusively on restaurants in and around Disney ( www.allergyeats.com/disney ).

People who log onto this new, free AllergyEats Disney World microsite can quickly and easily view and rate the food allergy-friendliness of all the restaurants in Walt Disney World’s parks and hotels, as well as thousands of restaurants in the greater Orlando area.

“Walt Disney World is widely-regarded as the ‘gold standard’ in terms of accommodating food-allergic guests, but some establishments still handle food allergies better than others and not all of the local restaurants are run by Disney itself,” said Paul Antico, Founder of AllergyEats and the father of three food-allergic children.

“The new AllergyEats Disney World microsite allows people with food allergies to learn more about their restaurant options and make more informed decisions about where to dine while visiting the area,” Antico added. “Whether people are planning their vacations in advance or looking for a meal while onsite at the parks, the AllergyEats Disney World microsite is a great resource to access restaurants’ AllergyEats allergy-friendliness ratings and review peer feedback from other food-allergic and gluten intolerant diners.”

In addition to the valuable ratings and peer-based feedback, the new microsite features Disney Dining Tips, along with other helpful information and resources for food-allergic families – and more features are coming soon. The Disney microsite also provides easy access to the main AllergyEats site, which features more than 600,000 restaurants nationwide that users can rate, as well as restaurants’ menus (including gluten-free menus), allergen lists, nutrition information, certifications, web links, directions and more.

AllergyEats is a free, user-friendly resource that provides valuable peer-based feedback about how well (or poorly) restaurants accommodate the needs of food-allergic customers. Most restaurant review sites include information about establishments’ food, ambiance or service, but AllergyEats is singularly focused on food allergies, with peer reviews spotlighting where people with food allergies or intolerances have more comfortably eaten and where they’ve encountered challenges.

AllergyEats also features a new, free AllergyEats app (available at iTunes and the Android store), providing access to important information about restaurants’ peer ratings, feedback, menus and other information while on-the-go.

The AllergyEats core site, smartphone app and new AllergyEats Disney World microsite allow food-allergic and gluten intolerant diners to quickly and easily find restaurants that will more likely cater to their special dietary requirements — and avoid the ones that won’t.

“In my professional life, running AllergyEats, and in my personal life, dining out with my food-allergic children, I’ve seen firsthand that some restaurants are genuinely concerned about the health and safety of their guests and are very willing to accommodate food-allergic diners,” Antico explained. “And those are the restaurants we visit and recommend to others.”

“Whenever people dine out, whether their experience was positive, negative or somewhere in between, we hope they’ll take just a minute to rate the restaurant on AllergyEats, using the core website ( www.allergyeats.com ), the AllergyEats app and the AllergyEats Disney World microsite ( www.allergyeats.com/disney ). This valuable feedback helps the entire food allergy and intolerance community make more informed decisions about where to dine out — and which restaurants to avoid,” Antico continued.

AllergyEats has been endorsed by highly-respected food, health and allergy organizations and individuals, including the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Gluten Intolerance Group, Massachusetts Restaurant Association, Chef Ming Tsai and more. For more information, please go to www.AllergyEats.com .

I Won’t Be Able To Eat Anything – Special Dietary Requests at Disney World (chipandco.com)
Special Dietary Needs: Ordering off the Menu. (disneyfoodreport.com)

New AllergyEats website helps people with Food Allergies at Disney World

Holiday Sleigh Rides at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

December 10, 2011

Ft. Wilderness holiday sleigh ride Disney World — Holiday Sleigh Ride

Dashing through the…woods…in a one-horse open sleigh! Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground offers a wintry experience to put any Guest in a festive spirit.

Now through the end of December, fire-engine red sleighs adorned with garland and holiday lights will take Guests through scenic trails in the Resort’s 700-acre backwoods. Since snow falls only on Main Street, U.S.A., at Walt Disney World, the sleighs are equipped with tires instead of runners for a smooth ride that is sure to be remembered.

Four adults or two adults and up to three children should fit comfortably in each sleigh. The 25-minute rides depart from the Blacksmith’s Shop inside Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. Routes may vary but often carry riders over the river and through the woods…OK, not over the river, but certainly past many wonderfully decorated campsites and through beautiful scenery for a relaxing time with loved ones. Some campers return annually and have made it a sort of competition to see who can create the most magical display. If your driver offers you a choice, this is a fun option to request.

Holiday Sleigh Rides cost $60 per group to ride. Children ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Rides depart every half hour nightly between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., and between 3:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Christmas Eve. Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance and require credit card guarantee. If you need to cancel, do so 24 hours in advance to avoid paying the entire fee. Book the experience by calling 407-WDW-PLAY.

Is Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground right for you? (chipandco.com)

Holiday Sleigh Rides at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

Disney/ABC Forms New Daytime Unit, Times Square Studios

By

Chip

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December 10, 2011

Amid high-profile changes to the ABC daytime schedule and a forthcoming change in the Disney/ABC Television Group’s executive ranks, the network is forming a new unit to oversee its current daytime programming and develop new projects.

The unit, Times Square Studios, will focus its development efforts “primarily in the areas of non-scripted lifestyle and health for daytime and syndication,” according to a company release on the move.

Longtime ABC shows “The View,” “General Hospital” and “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” will fall under the purview of the new division, as will the new or forthcoming shows, ”The Chew,” “The Revolution,” “Katie,” the Disney/ABC Television Group announcement said. “LIVE! with Kelly” will remain with the ABC Owned Television Stations Group division.

The executive directly overseeing the new unit will be Vicki Dummer, who will be promoted from senior vice president of Current Series & Specials, ABC Entertainment Group, to executive vice president of Times Square Studios, Current Series & Specials, the network said. She will continue to Paul Lee, president of ABC Entertainment Group.

The network also has announced that Brian Frons, president of Daytime, Disney/ABC Television Group, will depart the company in January 2012, though he will provide counsel to the new venture until then.

“I am honored, humbled and thrilled to have been entrusted with this new opportunity,” Dummer said. “Brian built an amazing team, and I’m looking forward to jumping into this new role.”

Frons noted, “While my decision to try something new was not arrived at easily, nine years is a long time in television terms. … I’ll miss my colleagues and the wonderful talent that makes our shows, but know they are in very capable hands with Vicki going forward.”

Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of Disney/ABC Television Group, lamented Frons departure but hailed the new structure for daytime programming.

“Brian Frons has been the driving force in our successful Daytime division since joining us in 2002, and while we understand his decision to leave at the end of his contract, we’re sad to see him go,” Sweeney said. “We took this opportunity to rethink our business, and the result was the creation of Times Square Studios,” she added. “Having it be part of the ABC Entertainment Group, under the supervision of proven executives Vicki Dummer and Paul Lee, provides us the opportunity to bring greater creative resources, development strength and operational flexibility to this key area of our business.”

In addition to the personnel moves involving Dummer and Frons, the network named two executives who will report to Dummer. Abra Potkin, a former CBS News and entertainment development executive, will be senior vice president, East Coast Programming & Development, Times Square Studios, and ABC Daytime veteran Ann Lewis Roberts will be senior vice president, West Coast Current Programming & Development, Times Square Studios.

ABC News and ABCNews.com are units of the Disney/ABC Television Group.

Disney World to be Featured on ‘The Chew’ Oct. 26 (chipandco.com)

Disney/ABC Forms New Daytime Unit, Times Square Studios

Decorating the Disney Dream for the Holidays

By

Chip

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December 10, 2011

If you think decorating your home for the holidays is a big task, imagine decorating a 1,115-foot-long ship.

For the first time ever, that was the task this year for the Holiday Services department at Walt Disney World Resort. They worked hard to prepare and install more than 300 custom designed décor pieces to adorn the Disney Dream for its very first holiday season.

Check out this video for an inside peek:

Since the first holiday season of the Disney Magic, it has been a tradition to transform Disney Cruise Line ships into a winter wonderland for the holidays. But with a ship three decks taller and more than 150 feet longer, the task this year of decorating the Disney Dream was much larger than years past. Here’s a look at some of the décor by the numbers:

1,016 feet of garland, which is more than three football fields and nearly enough to stretch the entire length of the ship
66 holiday sprays ranging from 15 inches to six feet
29 wreaths ranging from 24 inches to five feet in diameter
41 Christmas trees ranging from two feet to 30 feet
One 20-foot-tall tree takes center stage in the atrium lobby weighing more than one ton and featuring 300 branches and more than 20,000 white LED lights

What’s more, the holiday décor is designed uniquely for specific locations around the ship, with themes and customized ornaments for certain spaces like the youth clubs and dining rooms.

Do you have themed décor for different rooms of your home?

Decorating the Disney Dream for the Holidays by Jonathan Frontado: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Muppet Mania Features Disneyland Band!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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December 9, 2011

Muppet Mania Features Disneyland Band!

Muppet Mania has swept the nation and left us all singing “mana-mana”, no matter how many times we tell our children to stop…it’s still in all of our heads.

While the muppets were busy making parents reminisce and kids smile you may not have noticed a familiar background in the muppet scenes. Did you notice the Disneyland band in the opening scene?

The marching band in the opening musical number (you know, the big one with lots of singers, dancers and even Cirque du Soleil performers) was actualy the Disneyland band? Yep! Within 2 days the members to represent the Disneyland band were chosen and the scene was filmed.

There is nothing like discovering even more magic inside the magic!

Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule December 2011 (chipandco.com)
UNITE HERE Local 11 Members Ratify Five-Year Agreement with Disneyland Resort (chipandco.com)

Buy 4 Nights, Get 1 Free @ Aulani!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

December 9, 2011

Buy 4 Nights, Get 1 Free @ Aulani!

‘Tis the season for deals and steals. Every shop window is advertising “buy one get one free” or other miscellaneous discounts. Rarely do we see anything with the words “buy ____, get _____ Free” in regards to vacations, but alas…Disney has warmed our hearts.

Disney’s newest destination: Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai’i is offering a great deal! Buy 4 nights, get 1 free!

You must book this offer by December 16, 2011

Travel window includes dates from:

January 4 to January 12, 2012
January 16 to January 25, 2012

Aulani is the perfect destination to reward yourself and your family for surviving the holidays. Do as much, or as little as you like in this tropical paradise; Disney style.

TIP: If you are enrolled in a frequent flyer program or a credit card/airline incentive that has a “free companion airfare”, Hawaii is the perfect choice to use that ticket. You won’t find greater savings than a free flight to Hawaii!

Book with [email protected] and receive a $50 Disney Gift Card to use however you like (did I mention there was a 5,000 square foot spa?)

Terms and Conditions:

*The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Excludes Resort fees and taxes. Not valid in combination with any other discounts or offers. Offer excludes suites and 3-Bedroom Grand Villas. Additional per adult charges may apply if more than 2 adults per room. Offer applied once per reservation and not valid for previously booked rooms. Check for offers for other lengths of stay. Advance reservations required. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Limit 2 rooms per reservation.

Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Announces a Special Offer to Celebrate its Grand Opening (chipandco.com)
Aulani Hawaii Special Vacation Offer (pixievacations.com)

Wheelchair Friendly Attractions – Toy Story Mania!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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December 9, 2011

One of my favorite attractions at Walt Disney World is Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Along with the great queue & themeing, it is also a ride that is great for wheelchair users. Disney put a lot of thought in every detail.

As you go through the queue, you are shrunk down to the size of a toy. The queue is one of my favorites, I love seeing Mr. Potato Head, and is easy to navigate in my wheelchair. Whether you go through the regular queue or the FASTPASS line, you will come to a gate where a Cast Member will send wheelchairs in their party in a separate direction from other guests. You avoid the stairs this way and are sent to a different area to ride the attraction.

The separate loading area is one of my favorite parts of Toy Story Mania. Several attractions have wheelchair access vehicles but the attraction is just slowed down or stopped completely for wheelchair users to board. Having a separate area allows both you and the Cast Members to take your time without having an effect on the regular queue.

Another great thing is that you can stay in your wheelchair since the Toy Story has an accessible ride vehicle. You use a ramp to enter the vehicle and Cast Members help you to secure your wheelchair. The ride spins around quite a bit but my wheelchair has always been very secure and I’ve never felt uncomfortable.

On the accessible vehicle the shooter has a button on the top as well as the string to pull. Both work so you can use which ever one is easiest for you.

Wheelchair Friendly Attractions - Toy Story Mania!

Toy Story Mania is also the most popular attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, possibly on property. Even on days when the parks are not that crowded, FASTPASSES for this attraction will be gone early in the morning. We waited 10 minutes just to get a FASTPASS in September. If you don’t want to wait in a long line or want to ride the attraction multiple times make sure you are at rope drop. It can be a pain to make a plan to ride Toy Story Mania but the ease of access makes it worth it to me.

If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below or e-mail me at mel(at)chipandco.com

Top 5 Theming Triumphs at Disney World (chipandco.com)
HKDL Toy Story Land : The “Perfect” Shots (disneyandmore.blogspot.com)

Wheelchair Friendly Attractions - Toy Story Mania!

It’s Toy Story Showtime! New Disney Storybook App

By

Chip

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December 9, 2011

Miss your friends Woody, Buzz, and Jessie? You can catch up with them as they put on a talent show in the new app – “Toy Story Showtime!”

This interactive storybook app, aimed at children ages 4-6, is Disney Publishing’s second Disney Learning app and is designed to help learners explore essential early reading concepts through engaging and interactive ways. “Toy Story Showtime!” features Buzz Lightyear as he sets out to impress Jessie the Cowgirl in a talent show; readers can assist him with his comedy and juggling acts while they discover new vocabulary words through context and story-based repetition.

The “Toy Story Showtime!” app is available for $4.99 from the App Store on iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch:

Toy Story Showtime! Featured Highlights:
·Age-appropriate sight word vocabulary is explored through storytelling and interactivity.
·Advanced vocabulary is introduced through context, supported by art and animation, and reinforced through repetition. Tapping vocabulary words provides age-appropriate definitions.
·Narration with word-by-word highlights supports the read-along experience.
·Special feature taps engage and surprise young readers. Find and tap the pea; tilt, trace, and shake to trigger Buzz’s moves; shake to toss roses on the stage, and much more!
·End of book activities provide extended practice with early-learning concepts.
·Info Page offers story extension activities for parents and caregivers.

Sneak Peek: Toy Story Toons – Small Fry (chipandco.com)
“Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure” (jedimouseketeer.blogspot.com)

It's Toy Story Showtime! New Disney Storybook App

Capturing Disney in Pictures: 9th Day of Christmas at the Contemporary’s Gingerbread Tree

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

December 9, 2011

Capturing Disney in Pictures: 9th Day of Christmas at the Contemporary's Gingerbread Tree — Contemporary Resort's holiday Gingerbread Tree

Every photo has a story.

Lou Mongello reports in his Walt Disney Trivia Book that the Contemporary Resort was originally referred to the “Tempo Bay Resort Hotel.” He cites early picture
postcards of the Contemporary with a written description listing the name as
the Tempo Bay Resort Hotel. Mongello says the word “Tempo” was chosen because the hotel was designed to be a backdrop for the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. Of course the resort opened as the Contemporary Resort, the name most seasoned Walt Disney World visitors are familiar with.

Now is the time to visit the Contemporary’s 4^th floor Grand Canyon Concourse
for a glimpse of the holiday decorations. The Contemporary Gingerbread Tree,
located by the elevators and the Fantasia Gift Shop, is created in the simple
artistic style made famous by Disney Imagineer Mary Blair, the artist
responsible for the iconic 90-foot mural at the Contemporary Resort. If these
figures look familiar, it’s because Blair is also the artist behind the “It’s a
Small World” attraction at the Magic Kingdom.

Picture this…1050 pounds of honey, 800 pounds of flour, 600 pounds of chocolate, 600 pounds of apricot glaze, and 35 pounds of spices are used to create the tree. Cast Members spent 1200 hours and three months to make, cut, and bake over 4,900 shingles. The tree is 6 feet wide and 17 feet tall. There is a small gift shop, open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, where you can purchase butter cookies, ornaments, lollipops, peppermint bark, and gingerbread cookies in assorted shapes and holiday colors.

If you need break from the Magic Kingdom holiday crowds, the Contemporary Resort is just a 10-15 minute walk from the MK entrance gates. You’ll have a great view of Space Mountain and Disney’s Bay Lake Towers on the walk over. The Contemporary Resort is the only Disney Resort building a monorail travels through. So you could enjoy the walk over and hop a Disney monorail for the trip back. Take a gingerbread snack with you, and enjoy the scenery.

Thanks for stopping by for a photographical Disney ride!

Do you have any fabulous Disney vacation pictures you’d like to share? Drop by and share your photos on facebook at Mouze Kateerz. Take a virtual Disney vacation twice a day in photographs. Visit my blog at mouzekateerz.com, or shoot me an email of your favorite Disney location at [email protected].

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