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Reserve your spot now – Disneyland Candlelight Experience

By
Chip
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Hey Disneyland Resort fans – an interesting opportunity has come across my desk, and I wanted to share it with you. It is a limited-capacity event that combines some rare Disney Parks experiences, and is unlike anything we’ve ever offered – especially here on the Disney Parks Blog. Take a look below.

Over-the-Top, Dream-Come-True Holiday Experience at the Disneyland Resort Over-the-Top, Dream-Come-True Holiday Experience at the Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Candlelight Experience

December 4–5, 2011, $1,250* per person based on double occupancy, includes:

  • One-night stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011; valet parking for one vehicle included.
  • An evening of holiday elegance beginning with a private reception and dinner at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
  • Reserved seating for the 8 p.m. performance of Candlelight on December 4.
  • Exclusive 2011 Candlelight mementos.
  • A sunrise breakfast at The Plaza Inn, one of Walt Disney’s favorite dining locations, on his 110th birthday, December 5. Breakfast will be followed by a pre-opening walk through Disneyland park.
  • A visit to several locations in the park with Disney Legends and Creative Staff as they share their stories about Walt Disney, Disneyland park and the magic of the holiday season. Guest speakers currently scheduled include Dave Smith, Bob Gurr, Marty Sklar, Tony Baxter, and David Caranci. Speakers are subject to change.
  • A visit to Walt Disney’s private apartment above the firehouse on Main Street, U.S.A.
  • Reserved viewing of “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade.
  • Theme park entrance for both days.

To reserve this special opportunity, call 866-309-9683. Full payment is required at time of booking, and bookings must be made by November 25, 2011. You must be at least 18 years old to RSVP for this event, but your guests may be younger. Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in.

*Package rate shown is based on double occupancy and standard accommodations. Single occupancy, standard room rate is $1,500. For groups of three (3) to five (5), a charge of $1,000 per person applies for each additional guest occupying the same room, with a maximum of five (5) occupants within the same room. Excludes applicable taxes and fees.

Offer is limited and restrictions apply. May not be combined with other offers, packages or discounts. No items in this package may be redeemed for cash, and all items (and portions thereof) are non-refundable and non-transferable. No credit or compensation will be given for unused portions of this package and such unused elements will be forfeited if not used in conjunction with the Candlelight Experience. No substitutions, refunds or credit for any package element that is canceled for any reason including, but not limited to, inclement weather. Please do not bring any items to be signed by the guest speakers. Walt Disney Travel Company CST: 1022229-50.

All elements of the event and the package are subject to change and cancellation without notice.

Over-the-Top, Dream-Come-True Holiday Experience at the Disneyland Resort by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Reserve your spot now - Disneyland Candlelight Experience

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Reserve your spot now - Disneyland Candlelight Experience

Beauty & the Beast is Coming Back to Theaters – In 3-D!

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Beauty & the Beast is Coming Back to Theaters - In 3-D!
Beauty and the Beast 3D, 2012

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1991)
3-D Release Date: January 13, 2012
Stars: Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson
Directors: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

I have never made a blu-ray purchase quicker than the one I made on October, 5th of last year when Disney released Beauty and the Beast from the dreaded Disney Vault.  I remember the date vividly because that also happened to be my daughter’s 9th birthday, and of course she too loves the classic Disney movie just as much as I do.  Well, now the mastermind geniuses over at Disney are giving us another “red-letter date” to look forward to – January 13, 2012, when they will re-release Beauty and the Beast in theatres, and this time in 3-D!

Disney is obviously one of (if not the) the most well-known movie studios in the entire world.  Their niche in taking classic fairy tales and re-inventing them for new generations is unmatched by any other studio or franchise.  They have embedded Disney imagery in our minds with classics such as Snow White, Cinderella, Tangled, and of course, Beauty and the Beast.  The movie is a triumphant story of finding love in the most unexpected of places.  It is even more about friendship, companionship and the bond of family.  The classic fairy tale (originally written in 1740) is much darker, but of course Disney’s version is filled with nothing but joy and heartfelt emotion.  Belle is one of the most recognizable “Disney Princesses” of all-time, which is quite a feat since she is not really an actual Princess.  The movie is filled with colorful characters who are all household names – Lumiere (the candlestick), Cogsworth (the clock), Mrs. Potts (the teapot), Chip (the teacup) and the film’s token villain, Gaston, who is just as hilarious as he is sinister.

If you have small kids who have not yet experienced the classic film Beauty and the Beast, then Disney has just given you a real gift in the form of the re-release on January, 13th of next year.  And, even if you or your kids have seen it, it has never been seen in 3-D before, and judging by the success of the 3-D release of Lion King recently, it will only come with a wave of fandom, both young and old, so get your tickets early and often, because if one thing is for sure, Beauty and the Beast will be a magical movie-going experience…again.

Disney Movie Rewards Launches DisneyDads.com

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Disney Movie Rewards Launches DisneyDads.com

Disney Movie Rewards, Walt Disney Studio’s rewards and home entertainment division, would like to introduce the newly refreshed and re-launched of DisneyDads.com!

The New DisneyDads.com Features:
· Interactive social platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, as well as reader commenting abilities
· Information relating to parenting directed at men and fathers
· Disney information and reviews on relevant theatrical and home entertainment titles
· The latest promotions by Disney Movie Rewards and Disney Movie Club
· And much more!

Please visit www.disneydads.com, as well as Twitter @disneydads!

24 Days of MouseVent Begins 12/1/11

By
Chip
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24 Days of MouseVent Begins 12/1/11

MouseVent, an audio Advent calendar, will begin it’s second year of spreading holiday greetings from the Disney fan community for 24 days beginning December 1, 2011. The project is created for the Disney fan community, by the Disney fan community to spread Christmas cheer.

Organizer Alan Hooper wanted to bring the Disney community worldwide for a type of Christmas party. “At a time of festivities I often wondered if it would be possible to bring a wide range of podcasters, musicians and authors together into one place. Individually everyone does a great job in their own field, but it is in only a few small circles that the podcasters join together or help each other out. I set out to create a project that brought established / professional Disney podcasters to the same table as novice brand new ones,” says Hooper. “Last year we saw podcasters rip up their format to create a theatrical production to be different. And Disney employed musician create submissions direct for the MouseVent Project. MouseVent isn’t a commercial venture, everyone that takes part in it receives no financial gain or do I. Again this was to create an even playing field for everyone. Everyone who takes part donates their time and effort and in return receives an acknowledgement in the project. This is another aspect of the project that pushed me along, to find where the Disney Fan community linked together.”

MouseVent a project is created from audio by 24 contributors compiled and published by Alan Hooper. Hooper has worked on developing Disney related fan sites for over a decade. Hooper’s connection with podcasting came 2 years ago when at a Disney Fan convention in the UK. Hooper says, “I got talking with a couple of fellow Disney fans that did a podcast. After a few hours of chatting we decided to give it a go. Together Chris, Steve and myself host Your MouseCast, a Disney Podcast from a British view point. Then October 27th, 2011 came and I had this idea for an audio advent calendar. Luckily last year was a success and everyone joined in.”

The Calendar is available online at www.mousevent.com. Each day, starting December 1st, will display information and details about each days contributor. Disney aficionados can also subscribe via iTunes by searching for ‘MouseVent2011’.  If you device doesn’t sync with iTunes you can also subscribe via our RSS feed at http://mousevent2011.podbean.com/feed/ and via Stitcher Smart Radio (Stitcher streams audio to mobile devices) check out their app.

LINKS:

24 Days of MouseVent Begins 12/1/11

Disney Planning 101 – the 5 W’s of WDW

By
Catie
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Disney Planning 101 - the 5 W's of WDW

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be a daunting task – one that can be a lot of fun, but can also be overwhelming at times. The hardest part for most people (myself included!) is figuring out where to start, what to plan first?

Using the 5 W’s (and 1 H!) – Who/What/When/Where/Why/How can help you get a grip in what you need to do to make your WDW vacation unforgettable:

Who: First off, who do you want to experience the Happiest Place on Earth with? Are you planning on bringing just your close family or will it be a family reunion of sorts, with 20 people all traveling together? This makes a huge impact on everything from where you stay, to where you eat, and how you spend your days. If it’s your first trip, I would suggest traveling with a smaller group, fewer people means fewer opinions on what you should spend your time doing, so it’s more likely that everyone will get to experience more of what they want to see

What: What will you do while you are there? There is SO much to do, that this might be the hardest question of all! There are 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a shopping/entertainment complex, and countless other places to explore within the walls of Walt Disney World. Personally, I like to start with a day in the Magic Kingdom, it really is the true essence of the Disney experience. Beyond that, it really depends on what you like – there’s Hollywood Studios for the movie buff,Animal Kingdom for the animal lover, and Epcot for the tech nerd/world traveler, and tons of restaurants and places to shop mixed in there too. I recommend checking out a book like Birnbaum’s Guide to Walt Disney World (published with updates annually!), or the Passporter (a really cool planner that you can write in!), and of course internet research on www.chipandco.com will help you make the most out of your days at WDW. One tip that will be invaluble is DON’T try and do too much – I have been guilty of it, I want to see and do everything at WDW, and it’s just not possible. If your trip is a week long, chances are good you’ll be able to see all 4 theme parks, but if you’re only going for 3 days, be realistic and pick out the things you know you want to do, and leave the others for your next trip.

When: When will you travel, and how long will you stay at WDW? Busy times at WDW include Spring Break (anytime from February through April), summertime, and holiday time (including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years). While there are other “peak” times, these are the main ones, and your best bet is to avoid them all and go at a random time, during the week if possible. That being said, any day has the potential of being crowded at WDW, so the best thing to do would be to prepare yourself for it, and remember that you’re in a magical place where you will have a great time no matter what you are doing!

Where: Where will you stay, and where will you eat? These are two VERY important questions to tackle early on in your trip planning. When it comes to a hotel, there are TONS to choose from on WDW property, in price ranges “Value”, “Moderate”, and “Deluxe”. If you feel like you will only use the room for sleeping, Value might be your best bet (definitely have had lots of luck here, the rooms are pretty basic but the food courts are great and the bus service has been good in my experience!). If you’re celebrating a special occasion and want to indulge, something in the Moderate or Deluxe price range might better suit you. For a rundown of Disney Resort choices, check out this page. Of course you can stay off property too, the hotel rates tend to be better, but you will probably need to rent a car (which is an added expense to consider!). As for FOOD, there are tons of choices! One great thing about WDW is they allow you to make Dining Reservations up to 6 months (180 days) in advance (great for those who like to plan ahead!), plus there is the Disney Dining Plan, which allows you to pre pay for some or all of your meals, so that makes things even easier. Whether you’re into character meals, buffets, snacks, theme restaurants, 5 star 6 course meals, mexican, french, american….no matter what, Disney has it all and more! Quick dining tip: when picking restaurants, try and pick ones that are in the same general area of the park/resort you will be visiting that day, it makes things much easier on everyone, trust me!

Why: Why go to Walt Disney World in the first place? There are so many reasons, but some top ones: It truly is a magical place where you can escape it all and act like a kid again, the theme parks are beautifully themed, the resorts are amazing, the food is out of this world, there is something for everyone to enjoy, and most of all, its FUN and a special place to share with those you love.

How: How will you make it happen – how will you get there, and how will you pay for it? Let’s be honest here, a Walt Disney World vacation doesn’t come cheaply, but there are lots of ways you can save money while you’re there. Some popular ones in my household: make a budget before you go, and stick to it (sounds easy, right? It can be harder than you think!), bring snacks/light meals with you to save money on costly Park snacks/meals (things like granola bars, fruit snacks, and juice boxes work well!), and try to limit spur of the moment purchases that you won’t ever use again once you leave WDW. As for Transportation, if you live in Upstate NY like me, plane is the best way to go, and sites like Travelocity.com or Kayak.com are great for comparing prices and finding the lowest fares. If you decide to stay on Disney property, Disney’s Magical Express shuttle will transport you and all your luggage (for free!) from Orlando’s airport to your WDW resort. Otherwise, there are plenty of car rental companies within the airport, or you can choose to drive from home (can be the most economical choice depending on how many people you’re traveling with and how far away you live from WDW!). Again, the thing I want to stress here is plan ahead, do your research and find which options work best for you

The time you spend planning your WDW vacation will all pay off in the end – no matter what you decide to do, you will have a magical time in an amazing vacation spot. Start your planning by working out the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How, and everything else will come easily. Happy planning!

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University of Alabama Football Team to Receive Disney Spirit Award for Inspiring Efforts to Aid Tornado Victims

By
Chip
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University of Alabama Football Team to Receive Disney Spirit Award for Inspiring Efforts to Aid Tornado Victims

Junior long snapper Carson Tinker and Crimson Tide teammates recognized for contributions to Tuscaloosa, Ala. community in wake of devastating tornado last April; UA is fourth team to receive the honor in the award’s history

The University of Alabama football team will receive the 2011 Disney Spirit Award, given annually by Disney Sports to college football’s most inspirational player or team. Long snapper Carson Tinker will accept the award on behalf of the Crimson Tide squad, which was chosen because of its extraordinary efforts last April to aid tornado victims and help rebuild the Tuscaloosa, Ala., community, ultimately bringing much needed hope to the area.

The EF-4 tornado on April 27 packed 195-mph winds that demolished 7,000 homes, 600 businesses and took 50 lives, including Tinker’s girlfriend, Ashley Harrison, who was ripped from Tinker’s arms by the massive tornado.

The Alabama student-athletes immediately reached out to support their community – the same people who have supported them religiously year after year. Tinker put his own loss aside to visit with a 10-year-old boy who lost his mother, father and sister in the twister.

Linebacker Courtney Upshaw raised nearly $20,000 in relief funds in his hometown of Eufaula, Ala., while former tight end Preston Dial loaded up an 18-wheeler and drove in supplies from Mobile, Ala. Offensive lineman Barrett Jones lugged a chain saw around Tuscaloosa to remove debris from homes and yards. And the University of Alabama Athletic Department contributed $1 million to the UA Acts of Kindness Fund, which provides relief to faculty, staff, and students of The University of Alabama who are experiencing hardship.

Even former Crimson Tide players pitched in. Javier Arenas of the Kansas City Chiefs donated $1,600 in supplies, and several other ex-players made large monetary donations.

After escaping death that day, Tinker has vowed to make the most of everyday and his story of compassion and selflessness, along with the contributions of his teammates, remain a source of inspiration and hope for Tuscaloosa and the surrounding area.

‘This award does not represent me, it represents our team, our University and the Tuscaloosa community. Everyone reached out and pulled together as a family in the face of this tragedy. The tornado took so much from us, but with a spirit of hope and a lot of hard work, we have begun the healing process. I am very proud of how this team and this community rallied together after such devastating storm.’

— Carson Tinker, University of Alabama long snapper

Despite the April tragedy, the Crimson Tide team is thriving, going 10-1 so far this season and ranking No. 2 nationally. Offering a temporary escape from the devastation, their play on the field has helped turn sorrow and sadness to smiles and cheers around Tuscaloosa.

“The compassion and generosity that these young men displayed were instrumental in the rebuilding efforts of a community in dire need of physical as well as emotional help, and Disney Sports is proud to honor them for their contributions,” said Disney Sports executive Faron Kelley.  ”The Crimson Tide and the University of Alabama have shown that sports can have a healing power far beyond the field or court.”

Kelley will present the award, along with a special video message from 2010 Disney Spirit Award winner D.J. Williams, during The Home Depot College Football Awards at Walt Disney World Resort on Dec. 8.  The 21st annual awards show is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. ET and will be televised live on ESPN.

Tinker and his teammates become the 16th recipient of the award, joining past honorees Daniel Huffman (1996), Dwight Collins (1997), Matt Hartl (1998), East Carolina University (1999), Hameen Ali (2000), the United States Service Academy football teams (2001), Dewayne White (2002), Neil Parry (2003), Tim Frisby (2004), the Tulane University football team (2005), University of Louisville band member Patrick Henry Hughes (2006), Zerbin Singleton (2007), Tim Tebow (2008), Mark Herzlich (2009) and Williams (2010).

Williams, now a Green Bay Packers tight end, was selected last year while at the University of Arkansas for his courage in overcoming a childhood fractured by an alcoholic, drug-addicted and abusive father. He used his personal struggle to raise awareness and inspire others to abandon troubled relationships and seek help.

In 2009, Herzlich, now a New York Giants linebacker, was selected after overcoming a rare form of bone cancer and helping inspire more than $120,000 in donations for cancer-related causes.

The year before, Tebow, the Denver Broncos starting quarterback, was chosen because of his remarkable humanitarian efforts in support of less fortunate people in the U.S. and abroad.

Disney Spirit Award Recipients:

Date    Recipient                                School (Hometown)                                      

1996    Daniel Huffman                      Rossville High School (Rossville, Ill.)

1997    Dwight Collins                        Central Florida University (Lake Charles, La.)

1998    Matt Hartl                               Northwestern University (Denver, Colo.)

1999    East Carolina University *      East Carolina University (Greenville, N.C.)

2000    Hameen Ali                             College of William & Mary (Dover, Del.)

2001    U.S. Air Force Academy **   U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

U.S. Military Academy **      U.S. Military Academy (West Point, N.Y.)

U.S. Naval Academy **         U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, Md.)

2002    Dewayne White                      University of Louisville (Marbury, Ala.)

2003    Neil Parry                                San Jose State University (Sonora, Calif.)

2004    Tim Frisby                               University of South Carolina (Allentown, Pa.)

2005    Tulane University*                  Tulane University (New Orleans, La.)

2006    Patrick Henry Hughes             University of Louisville (Louisville, Ky.)

2007    Zerbin Singleton                     United States Naval Academy (Annapolis, Md.)

2008    Tim Tebow                              University of Florida (Jacksonville, Fla.)

2009    Mark Herzlich                         Boston College (Wayne, Pa.)

2010    D.J. Williams                           University of Arkansas (Little Rock, Ark.)

2011    Carson Tinker*                        University of Alabama (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)

*   presented to entire football team

** presented to football teams at all three service academies

-30-

Media Note:  Media interested in attending The Home Depot College Football Awards Show can apply for credentials at www.espncollegefootballawards.com.  

Contact:

Tony Morreale, Walt Disney World Public Relations – 407/566-5339 or [email protected]

Baby Einstein Releases Nine of Its Most Popular Compositions as Individual DVD’s on February 7, 2012

By
Chip
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Baby Einstein Releases Nine of Its Most Popular Compositions as Individual DVD's on February 7, 2012

Back by popular demand, The Baby Einstein Company will be releasing nine of its most popular videos to market as individual DVDs on Tuesday, February 7th.  These fan-favorite DVDs help provide today’s parents and caregivers with compelling content that engage babies and provides meaningful ways to spend time together.

The DVDs can be found at stores across the U.S. and Canada only and/or at www.BabyEinstein.com and retail for the suggested price of $14.99 U.S./$16.99 Canada.

The nine titles are as follows:

            •           Baby Lullaby – Take your baby on a soothing journey with classical lullabies by Bach, Brahms and Mozart. Enjoy relaxing ocean waves,sweet puppet shows, and tranquil images. From fun time to rest time, Baby Lullaby is the perfect way to spend special time with your baby.

            •           Baby Beethoven – Parent and baby can listen to the joyous sounds and cherished works of Beethoven. See how music celebrates the sounds of different instruments.Together, they will experience a world of enchanting sights and sounds and make new discoveries with Baby Beethoven.

            •           Baby Mozart – Parent and baby will discover the joy of classical music together and listen to Mozart’s popular works – including “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” – delightfully re-orchestrated for little ears. They’ll look at real-life images and enchanting puppet shows bringing a symphony of sights and sounds together as they share new discoveries with Baby Mozart.

            •           Neptune’s Oceans – Dive in with your little explorer for a voyage of undersea discovery! Journey across Neptune’s Oceans to encounter amazing marine life in their natural habitats. Penguins, whales, dolphins, sea lions and crabs come to life inengaging musical portraits. Together, you and your baby will ride a tide of fun as you explore this wondrous new world!

            •           Wild Animal Safari – Parents can take their little explorer on an exotic musical expedition to meet wild animals from across the globe. Together, they’ll journey to the jungle, savanna, desert and forest on a wild, wonderful voyage of discovery with Wild Animal Safari.

            •           Animals Around Me – Parent and child set off on a fun-filled “field trip” to discover animals found at the park, on the farm, and in their own backyard – whether furry or feathered, winged or wiggly, bumpy or cuddly, they’ll explore the Animals Around Me.

            •           World of Rhythm – Your little one will want to keep a beat, snap his fingers and march his feet! Join characters Pillie, the musical woodpecker, and Coco, the dancing cockatoo, and share the excitement of rhythm with your baby. World of Rhythm explores rhythm in music, rhythm in nature and rhythm as a form of expression. It’s a fun way to encourage children to express themselves through singing, dancing, clapping and playing!

            •           World of Colors – Parent and child share a rainbow of sights and sounds and discover the wonders of color together! They’ll join puppet host “Vincent Van Goat” as he creates six Van Gogh masterpieces exploring red, green, blue, yellow, orange and purple with World of Colors.

            •           World of Words – Parent and child join playful puppet host Bard the Dragon on an exciting adventure using everyday words, such as flower, cat, and moon, plus beautiful scenery from nature with World of Words.

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Baby Einstein Releases Nine of Its Most Popular Compositions as Individual DVD's on February 7, 2012

‘The Rocketeer’ Comes to Blu-Ray December 13th!

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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'The Rocketeer' Comes to Blu-Ray December 13th!

One of my personal favorite comic book adaptions is headed for Blu-ray this December, and I couldn’t be more excited. Disney is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of director Joe Johnston’s adventure film, ‘The Rocketeer’, starring Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Timothy Dalton, and Alan Arkin. This will be a great Christmas gift for the comic book fans and film fans in your family. Joe Johnston recently released ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ this summer to critical acclaim, and this film is very much in the same vein of the Marvel comics film. Disney has released a new press release for the release, which you can see after the jump. ‘The Rocketeer’ will be released December 13!

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Top Celebs Headline Candlelight Processional at Epcot

By
Chip
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Top Celebs Headline Candlelight Processional at Epcot

Academy award-winning actress Mira Sorvino returns to Walt Disney World Resort Nov. 25-27, 2011, to kick off Candlelight Processional, the enormously popular Disney holiday celebration that will continue nightly through Dec. 30, 2011, at Epcot.

Sorvino is among a dozen celebrities, ranging from contemporary Christian and country music artists to a soap opera legend and award-winning actor, who will take the stage for the joyous retelling of the Christmas story. They join a 50-piece orchestra and mass choir at Epcot America Gardens Theatre for performances at 5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. most nights. The lineup (artists subject to change):

Nov. 25-27: Mira Sorvino
Nov. 28-Dec. 1: Michael W. Smith
Dec. 2-3: Geena Davis
Dec. 4-6: Edward James Olmos (guest shows at 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. only)
Dec. 7-9: Isabella Rossellini
Dec. 10-12: Neil Patrick Harris
Dec. 13-15: Lorraine Bracco
Dec. 16-18: Chita Rivera
Dec. 19-21: Trace Adkins
Dec. 22-24: Susan Lucci
Dec. 25-27: Blair Underwood
Dec. 28-30: Marlee Matlin

For a guaranteed seat to Candlelight Processional, guests can purchase a special dining package (on select nights) by calling 407-WDW-DINE. Candlelight information online is at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/candlelight-processional/

Related articles
  • Geena Davis to replace Whoopi Goldberg at Epcot’s Candlelight Processional (chipandco.com)
  • News & Events coming to Disney World in November / December 2011 (chipandco.com)
Top Celebs Headline Candlelight Processional at Epcot

Disney Hodgepodge: Five Random Disney Things I Learned

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Disney Hodgepodge: Five Random Disney Things I Learned
Today’s article is quite the hodgepodge. It is a list of random things I either learned or was reminded of while on my last Disney trip. Enjoy!

1. Two Mouths are Better than One. My mom and I have similar taste in food and in the past we’ve tackled the Epcot Food & Wine Festival without an effective plan. We would stop at a booth and each order what we wanted. The end result? We picked the same thing and after eating only a few dishes, we were stuffed to the gills. This year, we used our noggin instead of just our taste buds and went in with a plan. We picked dishes we both would enjoy and split them, thus doubling the number of items we ate. Over the course of week, we had at least one dish from almost all the booths which was a marked improvement over our previous attempts.

2. Invest in a Stroller Rain Cover. This is one essential that I have been cavalier about packing in the past. It has rarely rained during our October trips so I never worried about having a rain cover for our stroller. Big mistake. I looked at the weather forecast a few days before our trip and saw dark rain clouds for more than half the days on our trip. Luckily, Kingdom Strollers, who provided our double stroller, includes rain covers upon request. We were able to keep the kids and the stroller very, very dry while spending our days in the parks instead of climbing the walls in our resort room.

3. Rain Can Be Your Friend. Now that you’re armed with a good rain cover for your stroller and ponchos for the adults, don’t be afraid to hit the parks in the rain. Attraction lines can be practically non-existent. The rain helped to make for a somewhat lazy morning mid-trip and we didn’t make it to Epcot for rope drop. Still, we were able to ride Soarin’ during the first hour the park was open with only a 15-minute wait thanks to the inclement weather.

4. Be Part of the Community. Rain is a common theme for this list so it’s appropriate that it plays a role here. I was looking for a way to keep my toddler entertained during a rainy afternoon and we decided to check out the Community Center; Disney Vacation Club properties have a Community Center. We’ve been DVC members for a few years but never visited before. I won’t be making that mistake again. I likened the Community Center to a large playroom when describing it to my husband. It is stocked with a variety of familiar toys, arts & crafts supplies, and games. It was a friendly place for my son to have some room to spread out for some free play time. The comfy couches for me weren’t half bad, either.

5. Snakes aren’t the Only Thing Indy is Afraid Of. It turns out that during periods of heavy rain, the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! show is abridged. The airport scene and rooftop stunt scenes were cut from our show for safety reasons.

Stay tuned for another edition of Disney Hodgepodge next week as I share five more random Disney lessons.

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Disney Hodgepodge: Five Random Disney Things I Learned

DVD Review: Disney’s Prep & Landing

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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DVD Review: Disney's Prep & Landing

Disney’s Prep & Landing is coming to DVD just in time for the holidays. This modern take on Christmas first debuted on ABC in November 2009 and was the network’s first animated television special produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Prep & Landing is a holiday story about a high tech team of elves that must prepare homes all over the world for the arrival of Santa. Their mission statement: Get in. Get out. Never be noticed. After working for a tireless 227 years, an elf named Wayne (voiced by Dave Foley) is upset when he doesn’t receive an expected promotion. Instead he is partnered with an idealistic rookie elf named Lanny (voiced by Derek Richardson) to execute a Christmas Eve mission. While on their journey, Lanny helps Wayne rediscover his love for his job while helping Santa get through a snowstorm to deliver a little boy’s Christmas gift.

Disney’s Prep & Landing has quickly become one of my favorites. This holiday special won an Emmy Award in 2010 for Outstanding Animated Program. The humor alone makes it worth while to watch and I have found myself quoting the movie on multiple occasions. One of my favorite parts is when the elves are revving the engines, the reindeer, for the sleigh. I could not stop laughing the first time I watched it and it is still funny after multiple viewings. I also really enjoyed the music from Michael Giacchino (Cars 2, Up, Ratatouille).

The DVD also includes several bonus features:
Prep & Landing Stocking Stuffer Shorts:

  • “Tiny’s Big Adventure” – The assistant to the North Pole Christmas Eve Command Center is trying to make a pot of coffee and in the process, accidentally ruins the elves’ break room.
  • “Operation Secret Santa” – Lead elves Lanny and Wayne are sent on a special assignment by Mrs. Clause (voiced by Betty White) into Santa’s office.
  • Prep & Landing Kringle Academy Training Videos – Elf training videos shot in Santa’s workshop.
  • Welcome to Kringle Academy
  • Equipment Training
  • Dos and Don’ts
  • North Pole News – Newsreel with big stories for the tiniest elf.
  • North Pole Commercials – Three ads straight from the North Pole.

I really liked the Stocking Stuffer Shorts. Tiny’s Big Adventure is short but sweet and funny. Operation Secret Santa is also a great addition to the DVD. Wayne and a nervous Lanny help Mrs. Clause retrieve something from Santa’s office. It is a heart warming short that illustrates the spirit of the Christmas season. The training videos and commercials are a fun addition but not something I would watch multiple times.

The DVD also features Disney’s FastPlay which lets you watch the feature and the bonus features from beginning to end without having to touch a button on your remote. It is a nice touch since the running time for Prep & Landing is only 22 minutes.

You can pick up your copy of Disney’s Prep & Landing on November 22, 2011. As Lanny would say, that is so tinsel!

For more information on the release you can visit www.disney.com/PrepandLanding.

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DVD Review: Disney's Prep & Landing

Stitch gets his own Gingerbread House at Walt Disney World Resort

By
Chip
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Stitch Gets In on Gingerbread Fun

There’s no place like Walt Disney World Resort for sugar fans during the winter holidays, with six spots for ogling amazing gingerbread creations: Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and the Liberty Inn at American Adventure at Epcot.

Stitch Gets In on Gingerbread Fun

Joining this year’s line-up is a fantabulous new creation in the lobby of Disney’s BoardWalk Resort. The gingerbread and chocolate gazebo is back but now you can also see Stitch’s Bakery Store Front, a miniature replica of the BoardWalk Bakery that Stitch has taken over (Lilo’s there too) – 14 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Disney cast members will be inside the creation decorating gingerbread houses.

Stitch Gets In on Gingerbread Fun

To satisfy your sweet tooth, you can purchase mini gingerbread houses, stolen bread and gingerbread “shingles” (cookies).

Stitch Gets In on Gingerbread Fun

Disney Pin collectors can head to Dundy’s Sundries on the BoardWalk for the limited edition pin that features Stitch and the gingerbread display.

What’s your favorite gingerbread creation?

Source Disney Parks Blog

Stitch gets his own Gingerbread House at Walt Disney World Resort

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Stitch gets his own Gingerbread House at Walt Disney World Resort
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