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Disney Junior’s “Jake And The Never Land Pirates” Hooks Celebrity Guest Stars For Season 2

Disney Junior's "Jake And The Never Land Pirates" Hooks Celebrity Guest Stars For Season 2

Disney Junior’s No. 1 series, “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” has hooked Sharon Osbourne (“America’s Got Talent”) and Jane Kaczmarek (“Malcolm in the Middle”) to voice recurring guest roles opposite the infamous Captain Hook for the series’ second season, slated to premiere in early 2012. The duo joins a talented roster of familiar voices who portray both regular and recurring roles for the series, including David Arquette, Tori Spelling, Lisa Loeb, Adam West and Ariel Winter.

In the new season, Osbourne will voice the role of Captain Hook’s mother who comes to pay her son a visit and is none too happy with him when she finds out that he has been stealing treasure from Jake and his crew. Kaczmarek will voice Red Jessica, a swashbuckling pirate gal who nabs Captain Hook’s attention after searching for the Ruby Heart of Hearts, a legendary and rare gemstone.

“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” is cable’s No. 1 series among Boys 2-5 and is on track to be Disney Channel’s No. 1 preschool series ever and most co-viewed series among all Disney Junior and Nickelodeon series, with 47% of Moms watching with their preschooler. A music-filled interactive treasure hunt, the series introduces a crew of kid pirates – leader Jake and pals Izzy and Cubby – and follows their Never Land adventures as they work to outwit two infamous characters, the one and only Captain Hook and Smee, from Disney’s classic “Peter Pan.” The series features original “pirate rock” music performed by The Never Land Pirate Band whose animated alter egos, Sharky and Bones, pop up to sing pirate ditties throughout every episode.

“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” airs daily during Disney Channel’s Disney Junior programming block for kids age 2-7. The series stars Colin Ford as Jake; Madison Pettis as Izzy; Jonathan Morgan Heit as Cubby; David Arquette as Skully; Corey Burton as Captain Hook; Jeff Bennett as Mr. Smee and Bones and Loren Hoskins as Sharky. Rob LaDuca (“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”) is executive producer. The series is produced by Disney Television Animation.

Disney Junior's "Jake And The Never Land Pirates" Hooks Celebrity Guest Stars For Season 2

Dick Van Dyke and The Vantastix perform at D23 Expo

Dick Van Dyke and The Vantastix perform at D23 Expo

Disney fans attending the first day of Disney’s D23 Expo, presented by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, August 19-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center, will be able to end their day with an unforgettable evening of harmony provided by Dick Van Dyke & The Vantastix. The popular vocal quartet is comprised of legendary television, Broadway, and film star Dick Van Dyke and three renowned west coast musicians—Mike Mendyke, Bryan Chadima and Eric Bradley. The group will appear in concert on Stage 23 at the D23 Expo on Friday, August 19, 2011, at 8:15 p.m.

Songs from Van Dyke’s varied entertainment career in addition to many well-known Disney hits and timeless pop standards will be performed by Van Dyke and The Vantastix in a show rich in humor, pure entertainment and sing-along favorites. Much of the show’s song roster is based on Put On A Happy Face, the group’s inaugural a cappella album, which features 14 well-known tunes. The CD will be available for purchase in the D23 Expo Treasure Trove store.

Dick Van Dyke & The Vantastix is the result of a chance meeting of Van Dyke and Mendyke at a Malibu coffee shop in September 2000. With the addition of Chadima and Bradley, the group started “just for fun,” gathering weekly for pizza and singing around Van Dyke’s piano, and soon built up an impressive repertoire of children’s songs and standards.

After their first casual performance during the wrap party for Van Dyke’s long-running mystery TV series Diagnosis Murder, the group began to get requests to appear at charity events and benefits. They have performed at the City of Hope Hospital; the Beverly Hilton for the Society of Singers Concert honoring Dame Julie Andrews; the Hollywood Bowl as part of an evening of TV theme songs; and at the awarding of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Rose Marie, who appeared with Van Dyke on The Dick Van Dyke Show.

There have also been television appearances at the TV Land Awards, Larry King Live, and a performance of the National Anthem for the NBA Playoffs and more. The group continues to perform at benefits in the greater Los Angeles area.

“Hard work and planning are important if one wants to get ahead in life,” Van Dyke says. “More important is leaving one’s self open to the twists and turns, the wonderful surprises that life has to offer. If you can’t bend with the wind, go with the flow, you’re gonna miss some great adventures. These three guys walked into my life from out of nowhere and turned my Golden Years into pure platinum. We always have a great time performing together, and we’re looking forward to appearing at the D23 Expo.”

  • Dick Van Dyke – Van Dyke began his remarkable career more than 50 years ago in a record-pantomime act called The Merry Mutes. He then went on to host several TV shows before starring on Broadway in Bye Bye Birdie, for which he received a Tony Award®. The classic sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show came next, then the screen version of Birdie, followed by the classic Disney film musical Mary Poppins, the equally adored movie musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the recent hit Night at the Museum, and a host of other wonderfully entertaining films. Winner of five Emmy Awards®, Van Dyke completed nine seasons of the TV series Diagnosis Murder.
  • Bryan Chadima – Bryan Chadima is a writer, musical director, arranger, and singer. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and graduated from Western Michigan University. He has toured nationally and recorded albums with numerous vocal groups and shows including Blind Man’s Bluff, Gold Company, Vox Lumiere, and The Three Waiters. His musical directing credits include Klub Kokomo and Baby It’s You. Chadima arranges most of the material performed by the Vantastix.
  • Eric Bradley – Bradley’s road to Los Angeles began in Connecticut where he grew up then at the University of Miami, where he studied music, film, and television, and then to Chicago, where he started his career as a vocalist and voice-over actor. Bradley now enjoys a career as a studio singer in LA. His film and TV credits include The Simpsons Movie, Spiderman 3, Blades of Glory, King Kong, Superman Returns, The Polar Express, Enchanted, I Am Legend, How I Met Your Mother, Family Guy, and the Oscars telecast. He also sings with jazz sensation Sixth Wave, the 2001 National Harmony Sweepstakes Champions.
  • Mike Mendyke – An MIT graduate and former NASA engineer with degrees in aerospace engineering and music, Mendyke believes every vocal group should include at least one rocket scientist. After eight years in the defense industry, he began recording albums and touring the U.S. and Japan with the vocal group Five O’Clock Shadow. A longtime advocate of vocal music, Mendyke is a past board member and former treasurer for The Contemporary A Cappella Society. Mendyke also runs an online marketing business, as well as music distribution services.

Tickets to the D23 Expo are available at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 Expo, including the Disney Legends Ceremony, and can be purchased for single days or for the full three days of festivities. Admission is $47 for a one-day adult ticket and $37 for children 3-12. Three-day passes are $136 for adults and $106 for children. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will receive a discount for up to four admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 Expo for themselves and their guests.

NEW ABC Family Original Movie Event – Teen Spirit Premieres Aug 7th

NEW ABC Family Original Movie Event - Teen Spirit Premieres Aug 7th

Amber Pollock (Cassie Scerbo, Make It or Break It) is the queen bee of Eugene Ashley High School, and the only thing missing to her reign is the Prom Queen title. Having worked for years towards obtaining the crown and most popular girl status, Amber lets nothing and no one stand in her way.

That bad behavior comes back to literally haunt her when a freak accident at Prom ends Amber’s short, nearly-perfect life and, facing an unpleasant after-life, she is given the task that could save her soul – to get the school’s least popular girl to be voted Prom Queen. Amber is sure her future is sunk when she learns her charge is none other than Lisa Sommers (Lindsey Shaw, Pretty Little Liars), a shy girl who makes claymation films with her three best friends and whose fashion sense is not up to Amber’s standards.

As for Lisa herself, the last thing she wants is to be Prom Queen, but when Amber offers to help her get the attention of her crush, Nick (Chris Zylka), Lisa gives Amber the benefit of the doubt. Will a head-to-toe makeover and some confidence-building advice really be able to turn a shy and awkward teen into a high school social power player? Only Heaven knows!

16th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival by the Numbers

16th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival by the Numbers

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival offers a “Passport to a World of Flavors” Sept. 30-Nov. 13.

The 45-day outdoor festival at Disney’s Epcot theme park serves up authentic cuisine; wine, beer and inventive new cocktails; entertainment; and cultural exhibits of more than 25 international regions.  Exotic marketplaces from Hawaii to Portugal offer exciting taste treats.  The festival is believed to be the largest food and wine event of its kind in the world, beginning at the Festival Welcome Center in Future World and fanning around the promenade encircling World Showcase Lagoon.

Here are some facts about the 16th annual event:

  • More than 300 national and international wines
  • 45 fabulous days long
  • More than 76 kinds of international foods, each appetizer-sized portion priced $3-$8
  • 160 of America’s most celebrated chefs and Walt Disney World chefs
  • Over 300 wine and beer seminars
  • More than 1,200 fireworks rockets exploding each night over World Showcase Lagoon in   “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth”         grand finale to the festival
  • 135 Eat to the Beat! concerts performed
  • 33,000 bottles of wine and champagne
  • 289,000 servings of beer
  • 900,000 sumptuous samplings
  • 338,000 wine glasses
  • 100,000 desserts including freshly baked waffles with berry compote and whipped cream (Belgium marketplace), white chocolate macadamia mousse with dark chocolate pearls (Desserts & Champagne marketplace) and chocolate cannoli (Italy marketplace).
  • 4,000 pounds of lobster for Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine Lobster Rolls and Linda Bean’s Lobster Claw Cuddlers at the Hops & Barley marketplace plus Lobster and Scallop Fisherman’s Pie at the Ireland marketplace.

Disney Junior’s “Jake And The Never Land Pirates” Releases Its First Music Soundtrack & DVD This Fall

Disney Junior's "Jake And The Never Land Pirates" Releases Its First Music Soundtrack & DVD This Fall

A new soundtrack and DVD inspired by Disney Junior’s #1 series Jake and the Never Land Pirates, are planned to set sail this September with Walt Disney Records’ album release of eighteen hook-filled songs from the series on September 20 and The Walt Disney Studios “Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Yo Ho, Mateys Away!” DVD release featuring seven episodes from the series on September 27.

Jake and the Never Land Pirates is cable’s #1 series among Boys 2-5 and is on track to be Disney Channel’s #1 preschool series ever. It is the most co-viewed series among all Disney Junior and Nickelodeon series, with 47% of Moms watching with their preschooler. A music-filled interactive treasure hunt, the series introduces a crew of kid pirates – leader Jake and pals Izzy and Cubby – and follows their Never Land adventures as they work to outwit two infamous characters, the one and only Captain Hook and Smee, from Disney’s classic “Peter Pan.” Every episode features the animated Sharky and Bones characters as they pop up throughout to perform original pirate ditties, and each episode concludes with a live action music video featuring The Never Land Pirate Band.

About the Album Release:
Written and performed by Loren Hoskins and Kevin Hendrickson, a.k.a. Sharky and Bones of The Never Land Pirate Band, the album features 18 swashbuckling tracks sure to thrill any young pirate. Also included are downloadable activities and games to plan the perfect pirate party, a Sing-Along version of the show’s theme song and a bonus track from a future episode. The deluxe edition includes a pirate bandana. The album arrives at stores and online retailers September 20.

The album features a variety of songs that kids and parents can enjoy together. Songs include the kooky, comical “Hot Lava,” “Aw Coconuts,” “Pirate Password,” and the arrrghhh-rated “Talk Like a Pirate.” Some songs refer to popular characters in the show, such as “What’s Cookin’ Smee,” “Captain Hook (Is A Cranky Crook),” “Tick Tock Croc” and “Bucky’s Shanty.” Others capture the island spirit of Never Land, such as “Castaway on Pirate Island,” “Shipwreck Shuffle” and “Never Sky,” as well as the “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” theme song. All songs can be heard in episodes of the show.

Portland, Oregon-based Hoskins and Hendrickson have been creating pirate rock music for kids of all ages for more than a decade. The duo produced four previous children’s albums and even led their own pirate band. The pirate rockers also provide the musical score for “Jake and the Never Land Pirates.”

The Jake and the Never Land Pirates soundtrack will be available wherever music is sold on September 20. For more information on Walt Disney Records’ releases, please visit www.Disney.com/music, become a fan at www.Facebook.com/disneymusicor follow us at www.Twitter.com/disneymusic.

About the DVD Release:
On September 27, The Walt Disney Studios will be releasing Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Yo Ho, Mateys Away!, a DVD packed full with seven episodes from the series and two incredible bonus features including Yo Ho, You Want To Be A Pirate?, where Jake teaches viewers how to talk like a pirate, and Pirate Party With Pirate-oke, a collection of music videos performed by The Never Land Pirate Band that allow viewers to enjoy with or without the sing-along/karaoke-like feature.

Retailing for the suggested price of $19.99 in the U.S. and $24.99 in Canada, the Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Yo Ho, Mateys Away! DVD also comes packaged with a bonus 7-track CD sampler and a pirate eye patch.

About “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” TV Series:
“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” airs daily during Disney Channel’s Disney Junior programming block for kids age 2-7. The series stars the voices of Colin Ford (TV’s “Supernatural”) as Jake, Madison Pettis (TV’s “Cory in the House”) as Izzy, Jonathan Morgan Heit (“Bedtime Stories”) as Cubby, David Arquette (“Scream 4”) as Skully the lookout parrot, Corey Burton (TV’s “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”) as Captain Hook, and Jeff Bennet (TV’s “Johnny Bravo”) as Mr. Smee.

Top 10 Ways to Know if You’re an Extreme Disney Fan: Part 2

Top 10 Ways to Know if You're an Extreme Disney Fan: Part 2

Chances are that if you are like myself and the other writers here at Chip and Co., you are a Extreme Disney Fan. We have yet to find a cure, but the symptoms of this condition are rather obvious. Most likely your own friends and family have pointed them out to you or questioned your sanity a time or two. Still not sure? Check out my Top 10 Ways to Know If You’re an Extreme Disney Fan: Part 2!

1. You can navigate the Disney parks better than you can your own hometown. (Guilty)

2. You are known to randomly break into a Disney song without warning. (The Circle of Life is my favorite!)

3. Visits to other theme parks are just disappointing. (I can totally relate to this. I am ruined in regards to other entertainment opportunities.)

4. The only Spanish you know is “Por Favor Mantenganse Alejado de las Puertas.” (On a Monorail, I’m considered bilingual!)

5. You go to the movies to a see a Disney movie…without kids. (So true)

6. You listen to a Disney soundtrack on a regular basis.

7. You need another Christmas tree just for your Disney ornaments.

8. All of your past Christmas cards were taken by a PhotoPass photographer. (Admit it, you know it’s true)

9. Your backup plan in life is to become a Jungle Cruise Captain.

10. “You know a man with a wooden leg named Smith!” (Best. Joke. Ever.)

Have you shown any of these symptoms? If so, you are probably an extreme Disney fan so be sure to comment below and share with others who share your condition.

Related Articles:

Top 10 Ways to Know If You’re an Extreme Disney Fan

Top 10 Ways to Know If You're an Extreme Disney Fan

Chances are that if you are like myself and the other writers here at Chip and Co., you are a Extreme Disney Fan. We have yet to find a cure, but the symptoms of this condition are rather obvious. Most likely your own friends and family have pointed them out to you or questioned your sanitya time or two. Still not sure? Check out my Top 10 Ways to Know If You’re an Extreme Disney Fan.

1. You refer to your own meals as quick service or table service meals. (This actually happened at my house yesterday when I was talking about dinner)

2. You sing the theme to Wishes when watching your town’s 4th of July fireworks display. (I did this earlier this week from my car)

3. You ask your family members at least once a day, “where we be right now if we were at Disney?” (This usually happens to me when I’m hungry and my answer is usually Le Cellier).

4. You get excited when you drive past an airport. (This happens to me every time!)

5. You hum the Twilight Zone theme when you board an elevator. (Only when I’m alone. If not, I hum it in my mind or quote Rod Serling’s lines to myself)

6. You watch the free Disney planning DVD’s just for fun. (Done this several times; and if you’re reading this, I’m sure you have too!)

7. You find hidden Mickeys everywhere! (It’s true)

8. No one asks you anymore about where you’re going on vacation. (It’s no longer a question of where, it’s when. Otherwise, I just don’t bring it up to avoid their puzzled expressions and an awkward moment)

9. You quote lines from Disney films in everyday conversation. (Who doesn’t?)

10. You name your pets after Disney characters. (Don’t judge)

Have you shown any of these symptoms? If so, you are probably an extreme Disney fan so be sure to comment below and share with others who share your condition.

Top 10 Ways to Know If You're an Extreme Disney Fan

Review: Cars 2 Special Collector’s Edition Magazine

Review: Cars 2 Special Collector's Edition Magazine

In conjunction with the release of the movie, Disney also put out this 96-page magazine which re-tells the story of Cars 2.  In addition to the full story, you’ll also find games, puzzles and posters in this fun magazine that’s aimed at a reading level of about second grade and up. The artwork is enjoyable for anyone who liked the movies and who enjoys Pixar films. I think the games and puzzles really sell the magazine–as a mom, anything that gets your kids to put down the video games is good, right?  If you’re trying to sneak in some summer reading for your kids, this might be a good choice.

There is one possible flaw to this magazine. A lot of boys have moved on from Cars storyline by the time they’ve reached the reading level required to enjoy this book on their own. They might still enjoy the movie, but the Cars series is less interesting to most grade school boys than say, Star Wars or Harry Potter.  My four-year old was more interested in this magazine than his older brother, but at his age, he’s not reading yet.  I think it’s still a fun choice for kids and I’d definitely pick it up for a long road trip–the games alone make it worth the price. In fact, I think the games are the magazine’s strong point.

If you have a Cars fan in your house, regardless of age, definitely check out the magazine. For $9.99, it’s an entertaining read.  Just be advised that while the format is little kid friendly, the words and storyline are more for a slightly older kid.

CARS 2 World Grand Prix Read and Race Review

CARS 2 World Grand Prix Read and Race Review

Now on iTunes is the Cars 2 World Grand Prix Read and Race app.

For my 5 year old son, reading is a bore but this isn’t like any regular book.  As you read along with the narrator (it can also be turned off for independent readers), you get to customize cars for your team to race with later.  If you skip ahead, you may miss one of those “customization” spots during the story.  He enjoyed picking colors, spoilers, wheels and going back to the story- then the big race at the end!

During the race we noticed it takes a very light turn to stay on the course- he got used to it as he tried.  The user can pick which car to race out of their team and one of two tracks to race on- we liked driving through Radiator Springs.

He has been asking to play this over and over ever since we tried it out.  We use computer games as rewards, and he will do what is asked if something like this is his reward.  This one falls between educational and fun in our family!  Something for me (I require an educational element) and something for them so it made everyone happy!

Even my 3 year old son enjoys following along and designing his cars. He hasn’t tried the race yet, but we’ll have to give him some help at first so he can get used to the turns.

This app is $6.99 on iTunes for iPhone and iPad.

 

CARS 2 World Grand Prix Read and Race Review

My Top 5 Disney World Snacks

My Top 5 Disney World Snacks

Those with a sweet tooth who have visited Walt Disney World know that there are other attractions at the parks besides the rides and shows, such as Disney snacks! There are so many delicious, Disney treats available all throughout Walt Disney World that it’s difficult to pick only a few; but I’ve managed to come up with a list of my favorite tasty snacks!

1. Mickey Premium Bar-You just can’t beat this classic ice cream treat in the shape of Mickey! It’s practically a rite of passage for anyone’s first trip to Disney World; and a perfect snack, no matter what the age, to recharge and cool down while touring the parks.

2. Dole Whip-Check out this post on How to make your own Dole Whip’s! This snack is one of the most popular of them all with Disney World fans. A Dole Whip is pineapple flavored soft serve. It’s creamy, sweet, delicious, and tastes just like fresh pineapple! There are other fruit flavors too, but pineapple seems to be the favorite. You can also have a Dole Whip float with your soft serve served in fresh pineapple juice. Get yourself a Dole Whip at Aloha Isle in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom or Captain Cook’s Snack Company at the Polynesian.

3. Popcorn-I know this snack isn’t very orginal, but a trip to Disney World without it’s popcorn just isn’t right! The warm, buttery smell of this delicious snack makes a stop at a snack cart a must; and my favorite place for popcorn is at the Magic Kingdom. Did you know that Walt Disney wanted walking into the Magic Kingdom to resemble walking into a movie theater? Think of the posters of the attractions on the walls when you pass under the train station and the red pavement designed to look like a red carpet, I think there’s a reason a popcorn cart is always parked near the entrance, don’t you? For more interesting Disney history, check out Teaching History Through the Parks: Magic Kingdom.

4. Ice Cream Sandwich-This scrumptious treat consists of a generous helping of creamy ice cream between two chocolate chip cookies! Just a glimpse of this snack will make your mouth water. You can find it at Main Street Bakery and at Sleepy Hollow, both great places for Disney snacks.

5. School Bread-This snack can be found in Kringla Bakeri Og at the Norway pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase. It’s a custard filled pastry topped with shredded coconut and those who have experienced this tasty goodness think that it’s some of the best sweet treats to be had.

Are of these Disney snacks your favorites?

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My Top 5 Disney World Snacks

Top 5 tips for interacting with a Disney Addict

Top 5 tips for interacting with a Disney Addict Disney Addicts are just like you. They just have more pairs of Mickey Ears.

For those of you who are not Disney Addicts this addiction may seem confusing and overwhelming. The idea that someone would choose to take every vacation at the same location might challenge you. “What is the big deal?”, you might ask yourself, “Isn’t Disney just a sweltering hot, packed-out theme-park full of kiddy rides and over-priced fast food?”

What you must understand is that to a true Disney Addict, every trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland is a homecoming. To the Disney Addict WDW and Dland is where they belong; where they can be themselves and be surrounded by magic.

Disney Addicts are somewhat of a mystery to the rest of the population and so I wanted to give you my top 5 tips for interacting with the Disney Addict in order to make your relationship healthier.

Top 5 tips for interacting with a Disney AddictTIP 1 – Clothing: You should make every effort to not call a Disney Addict “weird” simply because they wear ties with mickey heads to board meetings, or mickey-shaped earrings while having a night on the town. Do not call attention to the fact that every t-shirt they own has a Disney Character on it. Instead of lambasting them when they return from their vacation with a new pair of plush Mickey costume gloves, you should look for more discrete Disney based gifts to give them for holiday gifts. There are many purses, socks, scarfs, dresses and other items with mickeys “hidden” into the pattern that will allow the individual to show their Disney pride in more subtle ways.

Top 5 tips for interacting with a Disney AddictTIP 2 – Food: Part of the addiction to Disney World/Disneyland centers around an obsession with specific Disney-park foods. I have a friend who is a stage-four Disney Addict (65+ trips and he’s 24 yrs old) who swears there must be “crack or something in Casey’s Corner Hotdogs”. He has told me many times he will be driving down the street and suddenly have an overwhelming urge to book a trip just thinking about the hotdogs. My friend Suzanne Broughton swears that the Disneyland Corndog is THE addiction of choice for Dlanders and even got the scoop in her video The Disneyland Corn Dog Story. For my husband (pictured above) its the Dole Whip that triggers his irrational need to book a trip to WDW. You can help to quell this addiction by learning to make replicas of these foods at home. Our very own Chip wrote an article on How to Make your own Dole Whips , and as you saw in the Disneyland Corn Dog Story its an off-the-shelf batter that is used to make the Disneyland corn dogs. Spring for a mickey-head-shaped waffle maker and try giving your Addict small reminders of “home” with Disney Park-like foods.

Top 5 tips for interacting with a Disney AddictTIP 3 – Technology: You should never point and laugh when you discover that a Disney Addicts computer screensaver contains nothing but photos from past Disney trips. Nor should you mock them when their Facebook status contains at least one mention of how many days until their next trip. Don’t be surprised when every bookmark on their computer is a Disney blog such as Tips from the Disney Diva or Chip & Co . Technology allows Disney Addicts to feel a part of the magic in the time in-between trips. It both feeds and satisfies their addiction simultaneously. Take me for example, I’m working through my Disney “DT’s” by blogging tips that allow me to live vicariously through those planning their vacations. Whenever you run across a great article send it to your Disney Addict friend and help them through technology.

Top 5 tips for interacting with a Disney Addict TIP 4 – Polite Conversation: Disney Addicts lose all concept of time when talking to other people about their Disney Vacations. You should be careful when making small-talk with the Disney Addict to never mention anything Disney related unless you genuinely want to talk to the Addict about it. Make sure you have a plan of how you will exit the conversation gracefully once you are tired of talking about how many times their kid threw-up after riding Expedition Everest. The worst thing you can do to an Addict is act like Disney World/ Disneyland is stupid and not worth talking about, or that they are crazy for going so many times.

Top 5 tips for interacting with a Disney Addict TIP 5 – Planning Trips: To A Disney Addict planning a trip to WDW or Dland is an ART FORM. No, they can’t just show up and figure out that day what to do. Yes, they really do need to book the dining reservations 180 days in advance. No, they don’t need a park map. It doesn’t make them weird, well maybe a little weird, but it makes YOUR trip to Disney a whole lot more enjoyable because they know what the plan is before you arrive. So if they’re sleeping, eating, and speaking Disney 24/7 and its getting a little old try saying something more like “I know you are excited about our trip, I am to, I trust you to plan it, you don’t have to discuss every element with me. I enjoy the surprise of the trip!” instead of “Shush! I’m sick and tired of hearing about this stupid trip!” OK? Remember all this planning is actually a method the addict uses to elongate the trip itself. When Addicts start packing a month ahead of the trip it makes me them  feel like the trip has already begun. So let them plan, really, what can it hurt?

So now you have some tips to interacting with a Disney Addict. They are people and should be treated as such, even though they are obsessed with mice, ducks, dogs, dwarfs, and weird dog-like animals with buck-teeth. Good luck!

Kristin, Tips from the Disney Diva

Where to Find Disney Characters and Buffet Dining at Aulani

Mural at Makahiki – Bounty of the Islands at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, celebrates the beauty and culture of Hawai`i with a touch of Disney magic – and that has to include the much-loved Disney characters. And one place you’ll always find them is “Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration at the Makahiki” on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays.

Makahiki – Bounty of the Islands is destined to be a favorite, not just for the Disney touches, but for the extravagant daily buffets for breakfast and dinner. And the beautiful interior is a visual feast, with spectacular art by local painters, wood carvers and glassmakers. As day turns to night, the restaurant lighting gradually turns from rose to indigo with the setting of the sun. (The “Makahiki season,” by the way, was the ancient Hawaiian New Year festival, a time of peace, play and renewal.)

With a daily buffet for breakfast and dinner, the spirit of the Makahiki is celebrated in the fresh and flavorful cuisine.

Starting with breakfast, the spread includes everything from a simple Continental offering to a Western breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage, oatmeal, potatoes, pancakes, waffles, French toast – even baked beans with barbecued ham. The Chinese/Japanese buffet has soy milk, dim sum, crispy dough, wok-fried noodles, seared island fish, tamago, greens, miso soup, steamed rice, dried seaweed and pickled vegetables.

House-Made Dessert at Makahiki – Bounty of the Islands

The casual dinner buffet features line-caught sustainable seafood, fresh salads with local greens, rotating carving stations, Asian-inspired entrees and house-made desserts.

A melting pot of cultures, the expansive buffet features starters from a Nicoise salad to cheeses, lobster bisque and cioppino. On ice, shrimp, marinated squid, scallops, mussels, lobster and tiger prawns showcase the abundance of seafood.

Dining at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa

Entrees might include sustainable catch in banana leaves, seafood paella, grille poke, roast duck with plum sauce and chicken wrapped in seaweed. For Asian flavors, there’s sushi and sashimi, Chinese pork buns, fried noodles, dim sum and wok-fried seasonal vegetables.

The grill heats up with chicken wings, pork chops, Asian-spiced lamb chops, sausages and assorted satay, with live-action stations featuring pastas with vegetables, meatballs, clam stew, Portuguese sausage, and carved meats or fish.

Delicious tastes with a little something for everyone – and much of the seafood, fruit and vegetables sourced locally.

Source Disney Parks Blog

Where to Find Disney Characters and Buffet Dining at Aulani

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