New John Carter Trailer is here!

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December 3, 2011

From Academy Award®–winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”—a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present.

The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands.

In Theaters March 9, 2012

Facebook: http://di.sn/JCFacebook

Official Site: http://di.sn/JCOfficial

Twitter: http://di.sn/TwitterJC

New Images from JOHN CARTER (collider.com)
Six New Images From ‘John Carter’ (slashfilm.com)

Capturing Disney in Pictures: 4th Day of Christmas viewing Castle Dreamlights

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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December 3, 2011

Capturing Disney in Pictures: 4th Day of Christmas viewing Castle Dreamlights — Castle Dreamlights at the Magic Kingdom

Every photo has a story.

One of the newest traditions at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is not the lighting of the Main Street Christmas tree, but the lighting of “Castle Dreamlights,” the light display covering Cinderella Castle. The numbers are nearly as high as the park attendance. Disney lighting designers use 200,000 sparkling LED lights, 500 strobes, 15 miles of cable, and 32,000 square feet of fishing net to create Castle Dreamlights. Back in 2007, Walt Disney World started this new holiday tradition where Cinderella Castle changes color in synchronization with the music of “Holiday Wishes.” In this case, a picture is worth thousands of lights.

Picture this…it takes 150 trips for WDW tractor-trailers to deliver fully-loaded truckloads of decorations to 24 resorts, 4 theme parks, Downtown Disney, and other locations. 1,314 wreaths are hung with care, accentuated by 15 miles of garland. 300,000 yards of ribbon and bows are draped over 1,300 Christmas trees spread across the WDW property. 8.5 million lights are strung up throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. That’s a lot of sparkling photo opportunities!

While you’re on your way to claim a seat for the Castle Dreamlights show, stop in at Casey’s Corner, located on the corner of the west side of Main Street. Grab a cold drink, a hot dog, some fries, and walk over for some Dreamlight fun.

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. Or shoot me an email of your favorite Disney location at [email protected].

Disney Movie Rewards Bonus 50 Points Offer

By

Chip

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December 3, 2011

Disney Movie Rewards is offering a bonus 50 points when you enter the code M1D178FEA4JD into your account BEFORE you enter the code for a Disney DVD or Blu-ray. You must enter the code by December 15th in order to get your 50 bonus points.

Thanks to Kristin @ Couponing to Disney for the heads up!

Earn 5 Points a day from Disney Movie Rewards (chipandco.com)
Disney Movie Rewards: Add Today’s 5 Bonus Points To Your Account (couponingtodisney.com)

Disney Movie Rewards Bonus 50 Points Offer

“UP” Characters Will Meet n’ Greet at Animal Kingdom

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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December 3, 2011

"UP" Characters Will Meet n' Greet at Animal Kingdom

Most of you have already heard about the character situation at Disney’s Animal Kingdom…many of the characters are no longer going to be doing meet n’ greets at the popular character locations. When we heard this news there was no rumor of who would take the place of whom, but on the heels of what I can only assume was a huge backlash, Disney has thrown us a bone and announced that the characters from Pixars “UP” will soon be joining our friends at Animal Kingdom for meet n’ greets.

For some of you, Carl Fredrickson and Dug won’t ease your pain over the loss of Jiminy Cricket but the good news is at least it seems we might not be loosing as many characters as we thought…perhaps they are just relocating and bringing in fresh faces. Ok, that’s mostly probably a lie but I’ll miss Jiminy too!

This coming week Jiminy Cricket, Pochahontas, Turk, Lilo and Stitch will say goodbye to the Animal Kingdom. Along with the character loss “The Adventure Begins” welcoming show and the “Adventurers Celebration Gathering.”

What characters would you like to see come to Animal Kingdom?

Disney World Spring Room Only Discount Offer (chipandco.com)

"UP" Characters Will Meet n' Greet at Animal Kingdom

Ghirardelli Shop Coming to Disneyland Resort

By

Chip

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December 3, 2011

Popular Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop Set to Debut at Disney California Adventure Park

Disneyland Resort today announced that Ghirardelli will open a new location inside Disney California Adventure park in late spring 2012. The soda fountain and chocolate shop will add yet another layer of traditional San Francisco flair to the Pacific Wharf area of the park.

“The addition of a world-renown brand like Ghirardelli highlights our focus on providing quality, immersive experiences that transport our guests to a different place – in this case to San Francisco,” said Mary Niven, vice president of Disney California Adventure park. “With the culmination of our expansion only a few months away, it is an exciting time at Disney California Adventure and we look forward to partnering with Ghirardelli in bringing this delicious chocolate experience to our guests.”

The new location will feature Ghirardelli’s world-famous hot fudge sundaes and decadent chocolate products. Each guest will be able to enjoy a complimentary sample of the signature Ghirardelli Squares® chocolate. The Disney California Adventure store follows the 13-year success of a similar location at Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World.

“We are very excited to expand our successful relationship with Disney, particularly as we prepare to celebrate our 160^th anniversary next year,” stated Martin Thompson, Ghirardelli president and CEO. “Our rich heritage, which began in California, combined with our premium brand of high-quality chocolate is a perfect fit with the quality experience Disney offers their guests.”

Ghirardelli joins Disney California Adventure as it completes an expansion that began in 2007. New attractions include the nighttime spectacular “World of Color” and a classic dark ride, The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. The project’s culmination is the 12-acre Cars Land, which opens in summer 2012 along with the newly designed Buena Vista Street entrance to the park, the iconic Carthay Circle Theatre and the Red Car Trolley. The expansion builds upon the transformation of Disneyland Resort into the premier multi-day Southern California vacation destination.

ABOUT THE DISNEYLAND RESORT
Located on approximately 500 acres in Anaheim, Calif., the Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure park – plus the Downtown Disney District comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The Resort’s three hotels are the 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the 969-room Disneyland Hotel and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. With 22,000 Cast Members, the Disneyland Resort is Orange County’s largest employer and generates $4.7 billion for the Southern California economy. The Resort has welcomed more than 600 million guests since opening on July 17, 1955. For detailed information about the Disneyland Resort, please visit www.disneyland.com.

ABOUT THE GHIRARDELLI CHOCOLATE COMPANY
The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is a manufacturer and marketer of premium chocolate products. Incorporated in 1852, Ghirardelli has an incredibly rich American history. As the country’s longest continuously operating chocolate manufacturer, Ghirardelli has established its position as America’s Premium Chocolate Company and will celebrate its 160th anniversary next year. Ghirardelli’s product line includes its signature Squares™ chocolate, Intense Dark™ chocolate, Gourmet Milk™ chocolate, Ghirardelli Chocolate Bars, other chocolate confections, baking chocolate and beverages. These items are sold through select specialty stores, grocery stores, drug stores, mass merchandisers and department stores. In addition, Ghirardelli sells a line of premium chocolate, syrups and drinks for the Food Service channel. Ghirardelli currently owns and operates 18 retail stores in seven states, including the original Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop located in San Francisco’s historic Ghirardelli Square. For more information about Ghirardelli, visit www.ghirardelli.com.

Fun Facts for a Merry Disneyland Holiday Celebration (chipandco.com)
Christmas Magic at Disneyland in 2011 (chipandco.com)

Ghirardelli Shop Coming to Disneyland Resort

New Fantasmic Dining Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By

Chip

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December 3, 2011

Forget sit-down dining when you’re in a hurry to play – the new “A Taste of Hollywood To Go – A Fantasmic! Dining Experience” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios lets you enjoy an affordable picnic plus reserved seating for the fab Fantasmic!, the park’s nightly extravaganza that takes guests inside the dreams of Mickey Mouse – into a world where his magic creates dancing waters, shooting comets, animated fountains, swirling stars, balls of fire and other amazing wonders.

Reserved viewing is first come, first served, so get there early!

It’s just for a short while – Dec. 18–Dec. 31, with reservations starting Dec. 1 at 407-WDW-DINE (a credit card guarantee is required). Pick up is at Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner from 11 a.m. through 1 ½ hours prior to your selected show time. You choose which performance you’d like to attend when you order your meal. Pick up your meal at your convenience and then you’re on your own for an easy picnic lunch or dinner. You might want to try more than one of the picnic goodies, but your Fantasmic! seats are based on the number of guests in your party (entrées ordered must be equal to or greater than your party size).

And, yes, it’s part of the Disney Dining Plan – a quick-service entitlement.

Here’s what you can order:

Fried chicken with maple-glazed sweet potato and baby spinach salad, broccoli and cranberry salad and cheesecake ($14.99)

Veggie wrap with avocado spread, tabbouleh, avocado and tomato salad with citrus vinaigrette and chocolate cake ($14.99)

Olive oil poached salmon with couscous salad with dried cranberries and peas, roasted beet and apple salad and Key lime pie ($14.99)

Teriyaki and orange marinated beef with udon noodle salad and caramelized vegetables and sesame mandarin vinaigrette, seaweed salad with gingered carrots and mandarin orange cheesecake ($14.99)
Fresh fruits, Brie, dipped strawberries and focaccia bread ($11.99)
Chocolate-dipped pretzels, strawberries and marshmallows with chocolate dipping sauce ($9.99)

Kid’s meal with turkey and American cheese wrap and strawberry yogurt, apples and carrots with ranch dip and seven-layer cookie bar ($5.49)

Kid’s meal Power Pack with Goldfish crackers, strawberry yogurt, string cheese, apples and carrots with ranch dip and a seven-layer cookie bar ($5.49)

Source Disney Parks Blog

Fantasmic Dining Package For New Fantasmic Dates Should Be Available For Booking By Phone (easywdw.com)

New Fantasmic Dining Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney Reads: Season of Giving Sweepstakes

By

Chip

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December 3, 2011

Disney Publishing Worldwide has just launched Disney Reads, a new hub and go-to resource on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for all-things Disney Publishing, spotlighting books and magazines, comics, digital apps and eBooks, and much more through contests, quizzes, polls, giveaways, and fan-generated content. Disney Reads will showcase backstage segments from author events, feature exclusive downloadable goodies, and fun Disney fan content.

Please “Like” them and tell your friends, and family to enter the Disney Reads Season of Giving sweepstakes for a chance to win 2 Disney Reads Gift Packs assortment of books (approximate retail value: $700).

Disney Publishing Unveils Disney Princess Magazine (chipandco.com)
Disney Introduces Grand Prize Sweepstakes for ‘D-Lightful Living’ Challenge (chipandco.com)

ABC Family Picks Up “Pretty Little Liars” for a third Season

By

Chip

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December 3, 2011

Michael Riley, president ABC Family, announced today that the network has picked up a third season of its hit original series “Pretty Little Liars.” The all new season will consist of 24 one-hour episodes that will start to air mid 2012. “Pretty Little Liars” is set to return on ABC Family with the rest of season two on Monday, January 2nd at 8:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT.

Since “Pretty Little Liars” premiered on ABC Family in June 2010, the show has been a ratings success and is currently ABC Family’s top rated original series among P12-34 and F12-34. “Pretty Little Liars” was the #1 scripted original series on cable this summer among P12-34 and F12-34, and led its Tuesday 8-9 PM hour, ranking #1 across key persons and female targets versus all basic cable nets (18-34, 18-49 and 12-34).

In the January premiere of “Pretty Little Liars” entitled “Through Many Dangers, Toils and Snares,” airing Monday, January 2nd (8:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT), it picks up a month later in the town of Rosewood after the four Liars were caught by police and a lot has changed in Rosewood and with the girls. No longer the mighty four best friends, the Liars are at each others’ throats and Emily has been iced out completely. But what could have divided them so severely? Has “A” finally won the game of divide and conquer? With Emily now truly on her own, is she ripe for “A’s” picking?

“Pretty Little Liars” is produced by Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television and is executive produced by I. Marlene King, Oliver Goldstick and Leslie Morgenstein. The series stars Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson, Holly Marie Combs, Lucy Hale, Ian Harding, Laura Leighton, Chad Lowe, Shay Mitchell and Sasha Pieterse.

ABC Family Picks Up “Pretty Little Liars” for a third Season

Disney World Spring Room Only Discount Offer

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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December 3, 2011

For everyone who hates the mid-week slump of Wednesday, I have some news to cheer you up! Disney has released a spring only room offer for select resorts, wahoo!

Offer details:

-Book by January 22, 2012 for stays most nights February 21st to March 8 (2012)0r Book by February 28, 2012 for stays most nights April 13th-May 24th (2012) and May 28th-June 14th (2012)

Save 20% at Disney’s All-Star Sports, All-Star Music and Pop Century Resort
Save 25% at Coronado Springs, and Caribbean Beach
Save 20% at Fort Wilderness Cabins and Port Orleans Riverside
Save 30% at Yacht & Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn and Wilderness Lodge
Save 20% at Polynesian, Grand Floridian and Animal Kingdom Lodge (standard view)
Save 30% at Saratoga Springs and Old Key West
Save 25% at Animal Kingdom Villas-Jambo or Kadani and the BoardWalk Villas

Book by January 22, 2012 for stays most night March 9-21 (2012). Book by February 28, 2012 for stays most nights May 25-27

Save 15% at All-Star Sports or All-Star Music and Pop Century
Save 20% at Coronado Springs and Caribbean Beach
Save 15% at Fort Wilderness Cabins and Port Orleans Riverside
Save 25% at Yacht & Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn and Wilderness Lodge
Save 15% at Polynesian, Grand Floridian or Animal Kingdom Lodge (standard view)
Save 25% at Saratoga Springs and Old Key West
Save 20% at Animal Kingdom Villas-Jambo or Kidani and the BoardWalk Villas

Confused yet? Don’t know when to book or where to stay? Use a travel agent specializing in Disney travel and let us do all the work for you! [email protected] for free quotes and free concierge level service. Mention this offer and get a free customized autograph book for your kids!

Disney World Spring Room Only Discount Offer

Capturing Disney in Pictures: 3rd Day of Christmas at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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December 3, 2011

Capturing Disney in Pictures: 3rd Day of Christmas at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa — Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian

Every photo has a story.

With theme park crowds at some of their highest levels during the Christmas Season, you may need a break from the long lines. Hop a monorail and head over to the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa for some holiday shopping in a fabulous resort themed in the style of America’s palace hotels. As you walk into the lobby from the monorail platform, you’ll feel as if you have entered an archetectural era of days gone by. Inspired by the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, Colorado, the five story lobby will take your breath away.

The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa decorates each holiday season with a can’t miss Victorian era inspired gingerbread house. Grab your camera and head to the right side of the lobby, where you’ll find a staircase frequently used for bridal portraits for weddings held at the resort. Snap your own photo here on the stairs, followed by a shot next to their astounding Christmas tree, and then make your way across the lobby to the gingerbread house taken straight from every child’s Christmas morning fantasy.

Picture this…the GF Gingerbread House is whipped up every year from scratch using 800 pounds of flour, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 1,050 pounds of honey, and 180 pounds of apricot glaze. It takes about 400 hours to bake everything, and by everything, I mean the upwards of 10,000 pieces it takes to complete the mouth-watering 16-foot-tall piece of culinary architecture.

Want to learn some neat tips for creating your own holiday gingerbread masterpiece?

Grand Floridian Gingerbread House decorating demos are held Monday through Saturday right out in front of the Victorian Gingerbread House. You’ll need to bring your Disney Rewards Visa, because with all these sweet-treat options, you probably won’t walk away empty handed. There’s usually a classical pianist or a big band performing all your favorite Disney tunes in the lobby. Rest those feet for a while – enjoy your snack.

When you’ve had your fill of gingerbread, walk back upstairs to the monorail level and spend some time in Basin White. Basin White has a very simplistic décor that focuses all your attention on their specialty line of luxury bath and body care. With an amazing selection of bath bombs, salts, scrubs, and perfumes, they have a wide range of specialty soaps that you must smell to believe. You can preview some of their holiday soap bars right here. You’ll not soon forget the clean smells and the colorful soaps. Basin White is a great place to wash your hands with their sugar and salt scrubs before you resume your journey back to the Magic Kingdom. Don’t be surprised if you take some home for the holidays.

Gingerbread for the tummy and fabulous bath products for the body…what a excellent holiday combination.

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. Or shoot me an email of your favorite Disney location at [email protected].

The Search for Hidden Mickeys Goes Digital

By

Chip

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December 3, 2011

Visitors to Walt Disney World can now search for hidden Mickeys using their Kindles, iPads, or smart phones.

The publisher of Steven M. Barrett’s book, Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide To Walt Disney World’s Best Kept Secrets, has made the fifth edition of the best-selling guide available in a variety of digital formats. The book recently made its debut on Amazon’s list of Top Ten Florida ebooks.

For the uninitiated, hidden Mickeys are partial or complete images of Mickey Mouse concealed throughout the parks’ attractions, restaurants, shops, and resorts. What began as an inside joke by Disney’s Imagineers and designers has become a major activity of visitors to “the Happiest Place on Earth” and a passion for more than a few of them.

Barrett’s book provides clues to Mickey’s hiding places and families and friends team up to search them out, competing for points in the process. There is also a section of hints for those who need extra help in their search.

The ebook version takes full advantage of the electronic format, providing hyperlinks from the clues to the hints and back again. And because ereaders allow users to search for any ride or attraction, there’s no need for an index.

The newest edition of Hidden Mickeys documents more than 1,000 hidden Mickeys. Author Barrett has spent more than 10 years exploring the parks in search of the elusive mouse. To his loyal fans, he’s known as The Hidden Mickey Guy and he has made it his mission to personally search out and document each and every hidden Mickey. Barrett maintains updated information on everything related to the mouse hunt at HiddenMickeyGuy.com.

Both the paperback and ebook versions of Hidden Mickeys are published by The Intrepid Traveler, a publisher of travel books located in Branford, Conn. Information on their other titles can be found at www.intrepidtraveler.com/store.

Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide To Walt Disney World’s Best Kept Secrets is available in ebook format from the following vendors:

Amazon (www.amazon.com): $7.19
Apple iBooks Store (accessed via the iPad): $8.99
Barnes and Noble (www.bn.com): $7.37
Sony Reader (ebookstore.sony.com): 7.19
Kobo (www.kobo.com): $7.39
Ebooks, Ltd (www.ebooks.com): $8.99

The Hidden Mickey Guy reveals almost 400 in latest edition (chipandco.com)
Disney Food Blog Dining Adventures e-Book Now Available (chipandco.com)

The Search for Hidden Mickeys Goes Digital

On December 13th, Disney releases SWITCHED AT BIRTH: VOLUME 1 on DVD

By

Chip

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December 3, 2011

From the studio that brought you “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” comes a groundbreaking new drama about the upheaval that two teen girls experience when they discover that they were accidentally switched at birth. Starring Lea Thompson (Back To The Future, “Caroline In The City”), Constance Marie (“George Lopez”), Vanessa Marano (“Gilmore Girls”), Katie Leclerc (“Veronica Mars”), D.W. Moffett (“Friday Night Lights”), and Lucas Grabeel (Disney Channel’s “High School Musical”).

Bay Kennish (Marano), a talented graffiti artist with an edgy streak, grew up in a wealthy family with happily married parents and an older brother. Daphne Vasquez (Leclerc), an athletic teenager who lost her hearing at an early age, grew up with a single mother in a working class neighborhood. When the girls’ worlds collide, family bonds are tested, new romances are sparked, and they start to learn that it’s who they are inside that matters, not where they grew up. Relive the girls’ journey and catch up before the premiere with “Switched At Birth: Volume 1.” Including all 10 episodes plus exclusive collectible iPod skins, this two-disc set is a must-own for every fan!

Check out this clip from the show!

Switched at Birth: Volume 1 Arrives on DVD 12/13/11 (chipandco.com)
ABC Family Orders Additional 22 Episodes Of Hit Switched At Birth (chipandco.com)

On December 13th, Disney releases SWITCHED AT BIRTH: VOLUME 1 on DVD

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