Casey’s Corner – A Kid Approved Counter Service!

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November 11, 2011

Casey's Corner - A Kid Approved Counter Service!

I have to say I love Casey’s Corner! A trip to Magic Kingdom would not be complete for me without stopping to sit outside and enjoy a hot dog and an ice cold diet coke! I don’t know if it is the food that I love or the tradition of doing it each trip, but it is so fun! As much as I love it, there is one person in my family who actually enjoys it more. That is my 4 year old daughter and that is saying something because she is really picky about what she eats!

Casey’s Corner is a great place to stop and have lunch, especially is you have younger children. The theme is so fun, a vintage baseball look makes it interesting for the kids to look around while in line! The menu is pretty simple which makes ordering easy too! There are a variety of hotdogs, corn dog nuggets, fries, drinks and desserts. If you are on the Disney Dining Plan you get one entree, one side, a large drink and a dessert. There is not a kids menu available here so your kids are free to pick whatever they want off the menu which I really like.

Quite possibly one of the best items and most kid friendly would have to be the corn dog nuggets! People, including myself, love these little things. They are great for kids because they are small and fit perfectly into a child’s hand. They also don’t make a huge mess all over your child’s clothing like the Chili Cheese Dog would! A cup of fries and a drink compliment them nicely. But my daughters favorite part of the meal would have to be the dessert options! You and your kids get to pick from a brownie, a box of Cracker Jacks and… Cotton Candy! What a perfect way to end a very fun festive meal than baseball themed desserts! My daughter always opts for the bag of cotton candy and I can’t say I blame her! If your child is too full to nibble on the cotton candy or Cracker Jacks save them for later during the parade for a fun treat!

After we get our food we always look for a spot to sit outside on the ice cream parlor chairs so we can listen to a wonderful Cast Member play the piano. He has worked there for many years and is so nice! He talks to us every trip we take, like he actually remembers us! He even lets my daughter play the first note of a song and the last note, dedicating it to her! It is a lot of fun being swept up in the nostalgia of this corner of Magic Kingdom!

If you have kids and are headed to Magic Kingdom I highly recommend stopping in for some kid approved corn dog nuggets, cotton candy and music! My family has made it into a tradition that we love, and I know your family will too!

Top 5 WDW Restaurants for Teens (chipandco.com)
Top 5 Magic Kingdom Snack Spots (chipandco.com)

Casey's Corner - A Kid Approved Counter Service!

Is Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort For You?

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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November 11, 2011

Is Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort For You?

When you arrive at Walt Disney World and approach Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort for the first time it’s difficult to believe that you are in central Florida as opposed to a beautiful woodland setting in the far northern part of the United States. The setting itself is gorgeous and it is matched by the beauty and splendor of the resort. It is one of Walt Disney World’s best themed resorts and a favorite of thousands of regular visitors, in fact, many visitors to this resort simply will not stay anywhere else. I can’t say that I blame them because it is one of the most relaxing of all the Disney resort hotels. Let’s look at the Pros and Cons of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort:

PROS:

The setting and the resort itself are absolutely beautiful, as good or better than any other at Walt Disney World.
The theme of the resort is striking, not just in it’s detail and accuracy, but also in it’s scope and splendor. Yes there is a running stream inside the lobby.
The cast members are truly helpful and friendly but that is the norm for Walt Disney World.
The quality of the dining venues is excellent from the Roaring Fork Snack Shop self service cafe to the Whispering Canyon Cafe table service to the Artist Point Signature restaurant. (See also CONS). Roaring Fork is pretty typical of Disney quick serve hotel locations. The Whispering Canyon Cafe serves excellent food with plenty of variety in a raucous but fun setting and Artist Point is an outstanding upscale restaurant that serves not only many standard choices but a variety of exotic game dishes. For you salmon fans, the Cedar Plank Salmon at Artist Point is NOT TO BE MISSED!!,
Transportation is very good but buses are generally shared with at least one other resort (varies). There is excellent boat transportation to the Magic Kingdom, Contemporary Resort (where you can catch the Monorail), and Fort Wilderness (home of the Hoop De Doo Review). The boats are a fun and very relaxing way to get around.
The rooms are varied and some are particularly family friendly. They run from the standard two queen bed room, to the king bed room to the queen bed and bunk bed combination room(family friendly). The king bed rooms are also the barrier free rooms and there are 37 of them.
The huge lobby is a nice place to sit and relax after a hard day in the parks. There is a gigantic stone fireplace that is particularly striking.
The main pool is very scenic with a great view of the resort, grounds, and Fire Rock Geyser which erupts every hour on the hour from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. There are two spas (Disney for hot tubs) at the main pool. There is a quiet pool with a spa in the Disney Vacation Club Villas area, also very nice.

CONS:

There are not many Cons here but the one that is most prominent is the number of restaurants. The quality of the restaurants is absolutely not the issue but this resort could use one more casual table service venue. You can only eat at Whispering Canyon or Roaring Fork so many times before they become stale and most folks (especially with kids) can’t afford to eat too often at Artist Point (I could eat there every evening but that’s me – the food is amazing).
This is the only Magic Kingdom Area Resort without Monorail service. You can, however, take a boat to the Contemporary Resort to catch the Monorail. It’s a very nice ride if the weather cooperates (which it generally does). It simply would not be practical to run a Monorail spur to the Wilderness Lodge.

The Wilderness Lodge Resort is one of Walt Disney World’s best and most popular resorts. Any stay here will be both fun and rewarding in that you will find it easy to relax in a beautiful and calm setting. Although lots of folks stay here there is no sense of frenzy like I have noticed at some of the other popular Deluxe resorts. I use the term frenzy reluctantly because it’s nothing I can really put a finger on but it just does not exist at this resort. It would be worth your while to consider this resort for a future visit to Walt Disney World. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!

Ken

Disney’s It’s a Small World RUSSIA Collection Now at Nordstrom

By

Chip

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November 11, 2011

Here is the winter delivery of Disney’s It’s a Small World collection of stylish kids apparel, gifts and accessories available at Nordstrom stores nationwide and on Nordstrom.com.

The collection launched with designs inspired by Small World art of Japan and now we are proud to release the Winter Russia collection inspired by the patterns and designs found in the original Small World art of Russia. For adults, there are also Small World inspired FEED bags and diaper bags from Petunia Pickle Bottom too. The collection celebrates the 45^th anniversary of the famous Disneyland attraction and brings together beauty, meaning and Walt Disney’s belief that we are united in our love of children.

As part of the philanthropic give-back, Disney teamed up with FEED Projects, to offer pieces in each seasonal delivery that will provide Vitamin A tablets to children in third world countries that are in need. So far, 2,972,800 million children have been provided with Vitamin A tablets from this program since March.

For more information:

Website: www.nordstrom.com/smallworld

Twitter: @DisneyBaby and @Nordstrom

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Nordstrom and Disney Celebrate 45th Anniversary of ‘It’s A Small World’ With Kid’s Fashion Apparel and Accessories Collection (chipandco.com)
Christmas Magic at Disneyland in 2011 (chipandco.com)

Disney's It's a Small World RUSSIA Collection Now at Nordstrom

Disney Leaders Yvonne Chang and Eugene Campbell Finalists for Don Quijote Awards

By

Chip

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November 11, 2011

Orlando, Fla., Nov. 9, 2011 – Two Disney leaders were named finalists for the 14th Annual Don Quijote Awards, a program that recognizes “business excellence, dedication to serve the community and outstanding professionalism among Central Florida’s Hispanic community.”

Yvonne Chang, director of Operations Integration for Disney Vacation Club, was named one of three finalists for the Professional of the Year award.

Eugene Campbell, vice president of Domestic Minority Business Development for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, was named one of three finalists for the Hispanic Community Champion award.

Winners will be announced Dec. 3 by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando and the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund of Florida, Inc. (HBIF), during a gala event at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

“The Don Quijote Awards truly bring to light the tremendous perseverance and business success of Central Florida’s Hispanic community,” HBIF President and CEO Augusto Sanabria said in a statement. “We honor each of these finalists for their hard work, dedication and community involvement.”

For more information, visit www.donquijoteawards.com.

Eats and Entertainment – Dinner shows at WDW

By

Catie

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November 11, 2011

Eats and Entertainment – Dinner shows at WDW

Walt Disney World has so much to offer, including some of the finest cuisine in the country. So how does WDW make the best food even better? Easy, just add entertainment!

Dinner shows have been a WDW staple since the first Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review opened in 1974. Read on to learn more and you can make the decision if the combo of live entertainment and great eats is right for you!

The Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue: Performed 3 times a night (5pm, 7:15pm, and 9:30 pm) at Pioneer Hall in Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, this Wild West themed show is full of laughs and good times. The actors dance and whoop it up with the best of them, and even get the audience involved and bring them up on stage to join in on the antics. There is nothing classy about this show, so if you’re looking for a quiet, civilized dinner, you better go elsewhere! The food is served family style (meaning they will bring you as much as you want!) and consists of bread and salad, followed by ribs, friend chicken, mashed potatoes and baked beans, and finished off with strawberry shortcake for dessert. Simple and delicious food (the fried chicken is especially mouth-watering!), and the entertainment truly is funny and engaging. Prices range from $59-$68 a person for adults ($30-35 for children), and the more you pay the better your seats are and the closer you are to the stage and all the action! If you’re using the Disney Dining Plan (which I strongly recommend!), the Hoop Dee Doo costs 2 Table Service credits (and in my opinion is totally worth it!). Oh, and one more VERY important thing, they serve unlimited “adult” beverages too (Draft Bud Light, Chardonnay, Rose, Sangria, and Merlot), which is definitely a plus!

The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show: This tropical luau themed show is performed at 5:15pm and 8pm nightly, and features hula dancers and a fire-knife performer! The outdoor setting is beautiful and magical, and the performers tell the story of a young native girl and her traditions and people. The food is delicious polynesian themed dishes like pork ribs, roast chicken, rice, and vegetables, with a special volcano dessert! As with the Hoop Dee Doo, the admission price includes soft drinks as well as unlimited beer and wine. Prices are $59-$68 apiece for adults, with child admission ranging from $30-$35, and the higher price will get you seats closer to the stage and all the action! For those on the Disney Dining Plan, this show also costs 2 Table Service credits per person. I personally prefer the earlier seating for this show, because once the show is done, I like to walk around the Polynesian along the paths and pretend I really am in someplace tropical and exotic! This show has always been a favorite of mine, and I remember as a kid learning to do the luau with the dancers, and it is a memorable experience for this of all ages!

Mickey’s Backyard BBQ Dinner Show: This one is relatively new to WDW, and is a dance party with live entertainment and…characters! So basically, a character meal with dancing, and delicious food! The buffet style meal includes chicken, ribs, hot dogs, corn on the cob, cornbread, baked beans, watermelon, cake, and all you care to drink beer/wine/soft drinks. Like the other 2 shows, the cost of the BBQ on the Disney Dining Plan is 2 Table Service credits, out of pocket you will pay $55 for an adult and $32 for a child. Unlike the other 2 shows, there is no better/preferred seating, there is 1 price for all seats. The characters (Mickey, Minnie and friends) come out to dance and interact with everyone, but one big difference here versus other character meals is that the characters do NOT visit every table, if you want an autograph or photo you have to approach the characters, which might work better for some people than others. Overall, it’s a good time, with great food, and who wouldn’t love to square dance with Mickey as their partner?

One thing I want to note is that reservations are HIGHLY recommended should you decide to partake in any of the dinner shows, so plan ahead and book one of these shows and you’ll be set for a night of great food, great entertainment, and great fun!

How to get onstage at the Hoop Dee Doo Musical (meetthemagic.com)
Disney Dining Review: Mickey’s Backyard BBQ (mydreamsofdisney.com)

Eats and Entertainment – Dinner shows at WDW

Disney World Restaurant Changes – Enchanted Grove Name Change & Sleepy Hollow New Menu

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

November 11, 2011

Unless you’re an amateur park historian or a Cheshire cat fan, you might not even notice it, but the Enchanted Grove, located across from Cosmic Ray’s in the Magic Kingdom, just got a name change. Now you can get your sodas and snacks at the Cheshire Cafe. They kept the old menu but increased the price of lemonade, strawberry punch, iced coffee and smart water. Finally they are still sponsored by Minute Maid so you can still expect that fresh squeezed goodness.

Also in Disney World Resturant Changes Sleepy Hollow Refreshments added some new menu items:

Nutella and Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich
Ham, Prosciutto, and Swiss Waffle Sandwich
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich
Waffle with powder sugar or cinnamon
Waffle with Strawberries and cream

They’ve taken away the chicken and wild rice soup and the Mickey waffles, but we’ll gladly trade those for anything with Nutella!

Thanks to Disney Food Blog, one of our favorite sources for anything Disney food, and the Laurie over at the Passporter message boards for bringing this to our attention.

First Look!: Magic Kingdom’s Cheshire Cafe Photos and Menu (disneyfoodblog.com)
Snack Options at Magic Kingdom (chipandco.com)

Disney World Restaurant Changes - Enchanted Grove Name Change & Sleepy Hollow New Menu

11-11-11 Popular Wedding Day at WDW

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

November 11, 2011

11-11-11 Popular Wedding Day at WDW

Eleven couples are getting married at Walt Disney World on 11-11-11. Walt Disney World has become a very popular location for Fairytale weddings, but did you know you can say, “I do” aboard Disney Cruise Line?

Each of the Disney ships have several locations on-board for your wedding ceremony and reception but the most popular location for Disney Cruise Line weddings is on Castaway Cay; Disney’s private island.

Capacity for wedding parties ranges from 18 to 100 and you choose your floral arrangements, music and cake and champagne. Wedding packages start at $2,500 (for up to 8 guests) and go up from there.

Visit Disney’s Fairytale Weddings page or call 321-939-4610 to see what else is included in your Disney Cruise Line ceremony and for pricing.

If you think a Fairtytale Wedding is in your future, don’t be shy about contacting a travel agent to help you with your big day. You will find the right agent to be a great means of support for those moments when you need answers and your wedding coordinator is unavailable.

Eleven Couples to Say ‘I Do’ at Disney World Resort on 11/11/11 (chipandco.com)
Disney Souvenirs & Collectibles – Princess Wedding Dance Snowglobe (chipandco.com)

Can you meet Rapunzel at Walt Disney World?

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

November 11, 2011

Can you meet Rapunzel at Walt Disney World? Everybody wants to get a little face time with Disney’s newest Princess! If you are heading to Walt Disney World in the near future you just might have your chance. (photo credit Christie Gera)

For those of us who were lucky enough to have met “Punzie” AND Flynn Ryder at the same time you will remember a time of coloring, mini-show from Rapunzel and Flynn, dancing, and THEN a meet and greet. Oh, and you also likely remember that LONG LONG line to meet them. However, when Flynn went on the “rare character” list and no longer was a regular at the Rapunzel Meet and Greet, Walt Disney World changed things up a bit. So what do you need to know if you want to meet Rapunzel at Walt Disney World now?

Can you meet Rapunzel at Walt Disney World? WHERE is the meet and greet? The Rapunzel Meet and Greet happens in Fairytale Garden. If you’ve been to Walt Disney World before you will recognize this as where Storytime with Belle use to be. If not there are two easy ways to get there. You can either take the path AFTER the Tomorrowland Bridge towards Fantasyland and then turn left, OR you can go through the castle and take the first path on your right down to Fairytale Garden.

WHEN should I go? I know the tendency is to sprint towards Dumbo or Peter Pan after rope drop at Magic Kingdom, but if you are SERIOUS about seeing Rapunzel then you really should make a bee-line for her. Someone from your party needs to stay there and hold your spot and the rest of you can go on to Dumbo or Peter Pan and rejoin you before 9am, as the character greet BEGINS AT 9:15am. I have consistently heard that the wait climbs to well over an hour after the first 45 minutes the par Can you meet Rapunzel at Walt Disney World? k is open. So unless you’re willing to camp out for “Punzie” you probably should go first thing in the morning. Oh, and get there at rope drop!!!

WHAT will happen? The cast member will only allow a certain amount of people in the meet and greet at a time. There is a period of time where the kids color some coloring sheets from the movie Tangled, while the adults all line up along the stone wall. (Photo credit Christie Gera)

After approximately 10 minutes, Rapunzel comes out, the kids rejoin their adult in line and in order you can take photos and get autographs and get back on your way!

Rapunzel is a delight, and any time with face characters when you have really little children with you is a good idea! Just make sure you plan ahead so that the dream of seeing Rapunzel doesn’t turn into a NIGHTMARE of a wait!

Love, The Diva

www.tipsfromthedisneydiva.com

Waiting For Rapunzel (delightfullydisney.com)
Wounded Veteran Prevails Over Physical Disabilities to Compete in Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (chipandco.com)

Can you meet Rapunzel at Walt Disney World?

Man arrested for peeping over restroom stall in Epcot

By

Chip

-

November 11, 2011

According to WOFL FOX 35 in Orlando, Lloyd Miller was arrested for returning to park property after being banned and peeping at women over a restroom stall in Epcot.

A Walt Disney World Security investigator said he was discovered in a ladies restroom by a park guest. The victim, a Pennsylvania woman who is visiting Orlando with her husband and two young daughters, said she spotted Miller peeking over the top of a stall.

An arrest affidavit states that Miller was, “ducking down below the partition and standing over the toilet to avoid detection.” The woman and one of her daughters went to use a restroom located near the front of the park. She stated, “As we walked in, I saw a head duck down from above the top of the stall.” The woman said she thought it was another woman who was using the facilities, so she and her daughter proceeded into the bathroom.

“I then got nervous, because it was quiet in the bathroom except my daughter and me, and something didn’t feel right,” she continued.

As the woman and her daughter were leaving the restroom, she looked back and saw Miller looking at her. The woman then turned to her daughter and yelled for her to run away. The woman stated that Miller left the bathroom seconds later and approached her saying, “It was an accident.” When the woman’s husband approached Miller, witnesses said, “he ran away in full stride heading towards the exit.”

Walt Disney Security intercepted Miller at the park’s exit and determined that Miller had been previously banned from all of the Walt Disney World properties. Miller was arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail. He faces charges of loitering and prowling, trespass on property after warning, and voyeurism.

Click here to read more

Don’t forget there are cast members and cameras everywhere at Walt Disney World. If you feel something is not right get a Cast Member and they will handle the rest. I have experience with some bad situations and was very proud of the professional manner and training these cast members receive to handle any and all situations.

>>Chip

Best Bathrooms in Walt Disney World – Epcot (chipandco.com)

Man arrested for peeping over restroom stall in Epcot

Last Chance to enter! Win 2 Copies of Cars 2 Bluray/DVD Combo Pack!

By

Chip

-

November 11, 2011

My top choice for animated movie of the year Cars 2 is now out on Bluray & DVD! If you haven’t had a chance to run out and pick this up yet then have we got something special for you!

Chip and Co & Episodes and Reels are giving away 2 Copies of Cars 2 Bluray/DVD Combo Pack!

This would make for an excellent Stocking Stuffer for Christmas!! Here are the details on how to enter!

Before you enter you must:

Like Chip and Co on Facebook. You can click here to Like us or you can use the box on the right side of this page.
You must also like our friends at Episode & Reels. The guys over there are the Official Chip and Co Movie Reviewers and we are stoked to have them join the Chip and Co crew.

I will be confirming you are fans of both sites if you are chosen as a winner

Once you have added us as a friend then you can enter:

Comment below and tell us your favorite Cars 2 Character. You can enter as many times as you like so if you were happen to search Chip and Co and find all the new characters from the movie each name will count as 1 entry.
As an added bonus if you can quote any lines from either Cars movies that will count as 1 entry as well! Well Dadgum!

For an additional entry:

Follow us on Twitter
Share this article via Twitter, Facebook, Google + etc. (1 share = 1 entry)
Finally subscribe to our Newsletter.

If you share or subscribe let us know in the comment box below so I can count that as an entry.

Contest ends Friday Morning November 11th at 10am. I will pick two lucky people and notify them via Facebook that they won. They will have 24 hours to respond back or I will pick another. So please use a valid way for me to contact you.

Good Luck!

Cars 2 Bluray $10 Off Details and Movie Clips! (chipandco.com)
$5 off Disney’s Cars 2 5-Disc Bluray Combo Pack (chipandco.com)

Last Chance to enter! Win 2 Copies of Cars 2 Bluray/DVD Combo Pack!

Trailer and Synopsis for New Studio Ghibli Film ‘The Secret Wrold of Arrietty’

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

November 10, 2011

Trailer and Synopsis for New Studio Ghibli Film 'The Secret Wrold of Arrietty'

Disney has once again teamed with Japenese powerhouse Studio Ghibli for a new film by the popular studio, “The Secret World of Arrietty.” Hit the jump for a preview of the film and a full synopsis.

Continue

Disney Souvenirs & Collectibles – Princess Wedding Dance Snowglobe

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

November 10, 2011

Disney Souvenirs & Collectibles – Princess Wedding Dance Snowglobe

What is it? My favorite Disney souvenir is my Princess Wedding Dance Snowglobe from Walt Disney World in Florida.

Why is it so special? The reason I treasure this snowglobe above all the others in my collection, and among all of my other Disney treasures, is because my mom purchased it as a gift for me during a very special trip. You see, my mom was the one who introduced me to Walt Disney World when I was a teen. My first trip was when I was 15 and my sister, Linda, was 17. Together with my mom and stepdad, we enjoyed an awesome trip.

After my stepdad passed on in August 2003, my mom soon began planning a trip for my family and my sister’s family to go along with her to Walt Disney World as a tribute trip to Louis’ memory. After all, Louis was the whole reason she went to Walt Disney World in the first place, taking her two teenage daughters to tag along.

The trip she planned for all of us in 2004 was a lovely, loving time for each of us. That particular visit to WDW stands out to me for several reasons: it was the first trip I had taken with my mom since I was a teen; it was the first trip I had taken with my sister since we were teens; and my mom and Louis had made an unforgettable trip for us again. What put it on an even grander scale was that our children, our spouses, our mom, my sister and me were all together in the most magical place on earth. It was truly wonderful!

On the last day of our visit, my mother told me she had bought me something special as a remembrance of the trip. The Princess Wedding Dance snowglobe was my gift. It is the most beautiful snowglobe in my collection. It resembles a beautiful wedding cake and displays all the Disney princesses and princes in their wedding attire. When you wind it up, it plays beautiful music as each couple dances to their wedding song. I would have to say that even now, whenever I look at it, it is and always will be one of my most treasured Disney mementos; not only because of the sheer beauty of it but because of the wonderful memories I hold of that special visit. I am so thankful that I am blessed to have this treasure to enjoy for all my years to come and to serve as a reminder of just what a wonderful and loving mother I have been blessed to have for all these years.

Where did you get it? The gift shop at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

How much did it cost? I believe it was just under $100, but is priceless to me.

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