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Chip’s Hollywood Studios Touring Plan

By
Chip
-

Chip’s Hollywood Studios Touring Plan

I get a lot of questions and emails on Chip and Company asking me the best ways to tour the parks. I wanted to share with you my next to the last Touring Plan – Hollywood Studios. If you missed my past Touring Plans click here to read about Touring Magic Kingdom and Touring Epcot.

So lets jump right in..

Let me start off by saying:

Hollywood Studios is one of the harder parks to visit. When you are looking at the Disney Park on the map it is pretty scattered. I am unsure the layout structure here as both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot are circular and more fluid, Hollywood Studios on the other hand is more jumbled and not the greatest park to navigate.

Also this park is much harder to plan a Touring Plan as a lot of the park is made up of shows and depending on how long it takes you to view them and when the next available showtime is it makes this park very tricky. Hopefully this touring plan will help you minimize your wait times and make for an enjoyable day.

The basics – Get there early

Like the other parks you want to get there at rope drop.I tell my wife all the time you can sleep when you get home so we make it a point to be there before the park opens.

Quick Tip – If you can get into Hollywood & Vine for breakfast you can sneak down Hollywood Blvd for a quick picture of Sorcerers Mickey’s Hat.

To Infinity and Beyond

As soon as the rope drops we make a B-Line straight to Pixar Place and Toy Story’s Midway Mania. Normally we don’t dash to the biggest ride in the park when the rope drops but here you have to. If you notice you will see 2 clusters of people at rope drop, the ones headed to the all new Star Tours and the other Heading to Tower of Terror/Rock-n-Roller Coaster area. Once you ride Toy Story once or twice grab a fast pass for later.

Quick Tip – Usually by lunch time all the fast passes for Toy Story Mania are completely gone. This has happened every time we have been at the park.

Rock the Tower

With Toy Story Fast Pass in hand head over and ride Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock n Roller Coaster. There probably won’t be a line yet and you can get right on both rides. If there is a line it will be no more than 10 minutes. Most times your safe as people are getting off these rides and heading to Toy Story Mania which you have already ridden 🙂 Go you!

Toy Story Mania Again?

Yes go back and cash in your fast pass for Toy Story Mania. You can pick up another fast pass if you really love the ride or just let it go for now.

Star Tours

If you done with Toy Story Mania walk all the way on the other side of the park to take in all that is Star Tours. All the Star Wars Nerds should be done riding it 10 times by now. If your into the Jedi Academy check to see if it is running right now otherwise just enjoy the ride. I do recommend riding it more than once!

It’s showtime

Now is the time we usually like to see the Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Playhouse Disney LIVE Shows. We need to take a little break from walking back and forth and welcome the coolness of the air conditioning.

Quick Tips – If you have younger children I would avoid going to The Magic of Disney Animation. Maybe when they get older they will enjoy it. It’s a good show for adults. Unless they are Disney Deeks.

Snack-time

After a busy morning it is getting close to lunch time. We like to take an early lunch and Starring Rolls Cafe is on the way to Streets of America our next area to visit. This is my absolute favorite snack location in all of Walt Disney World!

Quick Tip – Try the Butterfinger Cupcake!!!!!!!!

Check the show times

If your picked up a showtime list with your park map you can start to coordinate times to see Indiana Jones, Lights Motor Action, Studio Backlot Tour, American Idol and anything else you might have missed. We like to fill in wait times with the Muppets Vision 3D show,  and the Great Movie Ride. There is no set schedule to follow here just be sure to not go past 3pm because you don’t wait to miss…

Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun!

Check out the all new Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun Parade. We have found the best spot to see the show is near where Hollywood & Sunset Blvd come together. There are some trees there that offer some shade and seats. Being in this location will help after the parade.

Make a Mad Dash

After Block Party Bash since you are near Sunset Blvd make a mad dash to Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage for the 4pm showing. Most of the prime seats will be taken but you can squeeze down front and off to the sides still.

Dinner Time

Most times we have a snack for lunch so after Beauty & the Beast we are getting hungry. There are several great food options here in DHS and we usually book Sci Fi Dine In Theater or 50’s Prime Time Cafe. Also they have a ferry that will take you to Epcot or Disney Boardwalk so there are even more options for dinner. Nothing like a relaxing boat ride to dinner.

Playtime

After dinner the temps have come down a few degrees and if you have little ones now is a good time for them to head over to the Honey I shrunk Kids Movie set. Which is in need of an upgrade. If you don’t have kids you could always get some character autographs & pictures, do some shopping, or revisit some of your favorite rides.

Fantasmic

If you planned your day right you should be here on a night they are running Fantasmic. We like going to the 9pm showing and find ourselves just killing time walking around and relaxing after dinner.This late in the day we have done everything we wanted to do and like to walk around exploring and taking pictures. If you can find Leroy Small he makes for some funny interactions. Check out a video of him picking on me here. Fast Forward it to 1:45 for the abuse.

Well that is about it for my Hollywood Studios Touring Plan. If there is something I missed or if you want to share yours with us let us know in the comment section below.

Chip’s Hollywood Studios Touring Plan

Fake Mickey selling pictures for cash

By
Chip
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Fake Mickey selling pictures for cash

China Daily is reporting on the investigation of a fake Mickey and Minnie extorting cash from tourists outside the Bird’s Nest stadium.

China Daily reporters contacted Disney on Wednesday after witnessing two people in Mickey and Minnie Mouse costumes posing with visitors and then demanding 10 yuan.

“This is a very big deal. We’ll send people to Beijing immediately to see what’s going on,” said Huang Chen at Disney’s Shanghai headquarters. Staff based in its capital office said they had no knowledge of the performers.

As many as eight people are working in the area, with three roaming the square between the National Stadium and the Water Cube dressed as Fu Wa, the 2008 Olympics mascots. Some claim to be disabled to pressure tourists into paying up.

Click here to keep reading this report.

Image Source China Daily

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Night of Joy Getaway Sweepstakes

By
Chip
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Night of Joy Getaway Sweepstakes

Pack Your Bags for a 4-day/3-night Night of Joy Getaway!

Enter for your chance to win a Night of Joy Getaway for four, including Walt Disney World® Resort hotel accommodations, Theme Park admission and Night of Joy admission! PLUS fun surprises courtesy of some of your favorite artists.

Click the picture above to enter!

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Disney’s Lone Ranger Gallops to theaters Dec 2012

By
Chip
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Disney's Lone Ranger Gallops to theaters Dec 2012

Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer‘s big-screen adaptation of The Lone Ranger has been given a December 21, 2012, release. Armie Hammer has signed on to play the role of The Lone Ranger and Johnny Depp is cast as his faithful sidekick Tonto.

Production is set to begin later this year.

Stay tuned to Chip and Co for more details.


Disney's Lone Ranger Gallops to theaters Dec 2012

Google, Apple, Disney, BMW and LEGO are the World’s Most Reputable Companies

By
Chip
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Google, Apple, Disney, BMW and LEGO are the World's Most Reputable CompaniesGoogle (GOOG) and Apple (AAPL) share the top spot in a study of the world’s most reputable companies conducted by Reputation Institute. Disney (DIS), BMW (BAMXY.PK), and LEGO round out the top five in the 2011 Global RepTrak™ 100, a consumer study developed by Reputation Institute to assess the reputations of 100 of the world’s most prominent companies.  The study provides an assessment of the global reputation landscape—the companies that are most liked, trusted, and respected by over 48,000 consumers across 15 countries. Data collection was powered by Survey Sampling International.  Five other companies round out the Top Ten: Sony (SNE), Daimler (DAI.DE), Canon (CAJ), Intel (INTC), and Volkswagen (VLKAY.PK).

A major finding of this study is that most companies have stronger reputations in their home countries than abroad.  But even these powerhouse companies are not able to generate respect in all 15 countries.  Apple, Google, LEGO, and Sony are the only companies to make the top ten in nine of the 15 countries.  Even more telling is the fact that, of the 100 companies, only 12 made the top ten in five or more of the 15 countries.

Reputation Institute examined how these companies were perceived in four regions.  Each region had a different winner: Kellogg’s (K) in North America, Google in Latin America, LEGO in Europe, and Disney in Asia Pacific.  “To build a strong reputation on a global level requires a broad platform that covers all seven dimensions of reputation, including Products & Services, Innovation, Workplace, Governance, Citizenship, Leadership, and Performance,” says Reputation Institute Executive Partner Nicolas Georges Trad. “Companies need to integrate reputation management into the way they do business.”

A second key finding of the study is that companies generate tangible benefits from building strong emotional bonds with consumers.  Across the 15 largest countries in the world, companies with strong reputations receive, on average, three times the support of their less reputable competition.  Reputation can be used to drive this support—when a company improves its RepTrak™ Pulse score by five points, public recommendations increase by 7%.

Because support is greater for better-regarded companies, their financial performance is also higher.  Among the RepTrak™ 100, better-rated companies enjoy a 9% return on assets, compared to lesser-rated companies who earn a 6% ROA.  Despite facing similar risk profiles, investors appear to reward more reputable companies by bidding up their shares.  Companies with higher RepTrak™ Pulse scores have both higher price earnings ratios and earnings per share than lesser-regarded companies.

“The results of the Global RepTrak™ 100 Study confirm that, when evaluating companies, consumers and investors are aligned. The greater the reputation of a company, the more support it earns from consumers, the better its operating performance, and the more money investors are willing to pay for its shares. This is a key feature of the emerging Reputation Economy we now live in,” says Reputation Institute Chairman, Dr. Charles Fombrun.

Finally, a third key finding of this study is that the drivers of reputation vary by industry and by region.  While the product dimension is the top driver of reputation globally, it has a lower impact in BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China).  Perceptions of a company’s performance and governance account for over 30% of a company’s reputation in BRIC countries, and are key differentiators for companies who want to win business there.  As Executive Partner Kasper Ulf Nielsen commented: “Many established brands are finding that merely pumping advertising and products into a market does not yield the return of investment they expect and desire.  Having a local presence and communicating about it are key ways to win trust and support from consumers, politicians, and opinion leaders.  That means focusing on reputation.”

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Fanny Packs: Please Just Say NO!

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

Fanny Packs: Please Just Say NO!

I was born and raised in a tourist town. Just like the pick-pockets in Europe know, there is one way to spot a tourist. No matter where my friends and I went, whether strolling along the beach or shopping in the shops downtown, we could always pick them out of a crowd. No, they didn’t wear funny hats necessarily, nor did they incessantly ask us for directions; they were wearing fanny packs.

The high school I went to was pretty normal for normal people, but do something out of the norm like wearing a fanny pack and you were doomed. Fanny pack was spelled N-E-R-D and if there was one thing none of us wanted to be, it was a nerd.

There are some things you just can’t seem to change your attitude about. I still refuse to wear a fanny pack. I know people who wear them, like my mom who is  nearly 76, and to me that is allowed. For me, though, they look ridiculous; plus they bring unnecessary attention to the tummy and hip area (something I can live without at my age).

That is why I am sharing some ideas on great fanny pack substitutions today. You are sure to look groovy if you use one of these babies instead.

Backpack

Fanny Packs: Please Just Say NO!
This is the way I visit the parks. Everything I need fits nicely into the backpack and it looks perfectly normal while feeling very comfortable. When I get into my favorite rides, I just step through the strap and it is as secure as if it were wrapped around my waist.

Baggalini

Fanny Packs: Please Just Say NO!

Some Disney visitors swear by this bag. It holds just about everything and is handy for the things you want to access quickly. It has several pockets, credit card slots, pen and lipstick holders, a mirror, detachable ID and coin holder, etc. Pretty hand in this messenger bag style.

Disney Messenger Bag

Fanny Packs: Please Just Say NO!

These are too cute, aren’t they; and how appropriate. They have organizer pockets, card slots and a zippered outside pocket for ease of getting to your key to the kingdom. You can even have them personalized at disneystore.com.

If you are a female who insists on wearing a fanny pack, then more power to you. But, if you are old school like me, I hope these suggestions might help you to figure out a good alternative.

Whatever you decide, happy touring!

Director Joe Johnston Joins Bill Campbell, Kevin Smith And Many More For D23’S 20Th Anniversary Celebration Of The Rocketeer

By
Chip
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Director Joe Johnston Joins Bill Campbell, Kevin Smith And Many More For D23’S 20Th Anniversary Celebration Of The Rocketeer

Acclaimed director Joe Johnston joins an out-of-this-world panel as D23: The Official Disney Fan Club celebrates the 20th anniversary of The Rocketeer. Johnston, whose work for Disney includes The Rocketeer, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Hildalgo, also helms this summer’s highly anticipated Captain America: The First Avenger. He joins the Rocketeer himself, actor Bill Campbell, make-up designer Rick Baker, screenwriters Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo and renowned illustrator William Stout to honor this Disney film favorite.* Writer/producer/director Kevin Smith – whose film credits include Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy and Dogma – will host the panel, which also includes rare film footage and photos, immediately before a special screening of the film on June 21, 2011, at the legendary El Capitan Theatre, where the film premiered two decades ago.

The evening celebration includes the first-ever, public presentation of the new, digitally remastered and projected version of The Rocketeer. All audience members will receive a complimentary Rocketeer 20th anniversary program and D23 Members and their guests will receive a special commemorative Rocketeer gift.

Following the screening, the celebration moves to the Hollywood Museum, located in the nearby historic Max Factor building, where guests are invited to explore four floors of movie memories and exhibits highlighted by a special presentation of props and costumes from The Rocketeer, curated exclusively for this event by the Walt Disney Archives.

Rocketeer fans will also have access to a selection of commemorative and limited-edition Rocketeer merchandise and collectibles, available for purchase from D23 and event co-sponsor, Creature Features. Merchandise includes Bulldog Cafe coffee mugs and T-shirts, Rocketeer black light and 20th anniversary posters, assorted commemorative T-shirts and pins, Hughes Industries giclee prints, and the limited edition Cirrus X-3 double pin set (packaged inside a miniature replica of the Hughes Industries 1939 New York World’s Fair prop folder used by Howard Hughes – actor Terry O’ Quinn – in the film). A highlight of the merchandise offerings is the highly detailed Bull Dog Cafe Art Directors Model, limited to an edition size of only 23.

The Rocketeer follows the adventures of stunt pilot Cliff Secord (Billy Campbell) who discovers a stolen rocket pack and sets off on a series of heroic (and sometimes hilarious) adventures that attract the attention of Howard Hughes, the FBI, gangsters, a band of Nazis and one aspiring actress, namely Cliff’s girlfriend Jenny (Oscar® winner Jennifer Connolly). Directed by Johnston, the film also stars Terry O’Quinn, Alan Arkin, Timothy Dalton and Paul Sorvino. Check out the trailer at:

Tickets are on sale now to both the general public and D23 Members online at www.elcapitantickets.com or by calling (818) 845-3110. Event ticket cost is $50 per person. Event check-in begins at 6:45 p.m. at the El Capitan Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Blvd; panel and screening begins at 7:30 p.m. The Walt Disney Archives exhibit will follow the screening from 9:45 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Museum located at 1660 N. Highland Ave.

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New Images and details on Pixar Short – La Luna

By
Chip
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New Images and details on Pixar Short - La Luna

La Luna is the timeless fable of a young boy who is coming of age in the most peculiar of circumstances. Tonight is the very first time his Papa and Grandpa are taking him to work. In an old wooden boat they row far out to sea, and with no land in sight, they stop and wait.  A big surprise awaits the little boy as he discovers his family’s most unusual line of work.

Should he follow the example of his Papa, or his Grandpa?

Will he be able to find his own way in the midst of their conflicting opinions and timeworn traditions?

We first thought that La Luna would be featured before Cars 2 but instead Disney has decided to show in front of Pixar’s Brave movie next year.

New Images and details on Pixar Short - La Luna

New Images and details on Pixar Short - La Luna

Enrico Casarosa is the director of La Luna; he’s been with Pixar since 2002, starting on Cars, with credits following on Ratatouille and Up.

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Cars 2 Spy Photo Contest

By
Chip
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Cars 2 Spy Photo Contest

Submit your best photo of any Cars character revving up fun & You could win a $250 Gift Card!

Just click here or the picture above to enter.

Don’t forget Cars 2 is in theaters June 24th!

Kinect Disney Land – Now taking Preorders

By
Chip
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Kinect Disney Land - Now taking Preorders

Harnessing the controller-free magic of Kinect for Xbox 360, Kinect: Disneyland Adventures will allow children and Disney fans of all ages to explore Disneyland park, enjoy immersive adventures based on popular attractions, engage in challenging quests, and interact with beloved Disney characters using their full bodies and voices, no controller required. Kinect: Disneyland Adventures is your ticket to the magical world of Disneyland through Kinect, right in your living room.

  • Discover Disneyland Park – play at your own pace and customize your own Disneyland experiences right from your living room, whenever you want.
  • Explore the Attractions – experience your favorite Disneyland attractions as immersive adventures, explore Neverland, the Matterhorn & more.
  • Meet the Characters – share magical moments with your favorite Disney characters – hug your favorite princess, high-five Mickey Mouse, collect autographs and accept quests.
  • Collect and Unlock – collect Disney-themed items, rewards and Xbox 360 Achievements as you make your way through the Park to discover new locations and game experiences, including themed parades and firework displays.
  • Friendly Competition – Partner with a friend or family member to explore the Park, have them jump in to lend a hand on difficult challenges and help you earn the most rewards.

Click here to preorder yours today.

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OnLive to Offer Disney Interactive Studios Games

By
Chip
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OnLive to Offer Disney Interactive Studios Games

OnLive, Inc. today announced an agreement with Disney Interactive Studios to add its family-friendly games to the OnLive platform.

Disney Interactive Studios is a multi-platform publisher that creates interactive entertainment based on the vast portfolio of Disney character franchises, in addition to properties based on original intellectual properties. Now, with the unique features of OnLive’s instant-play cloud gaming, players can experience them in a new, highly social way on almost any PC, Mac® or HDTV.

“We are thrilled to be working with Disney Interactive Studios to provide further video game content through OnLive,” said OnLive Founder and CEO Steve Perlman. “With OnLive, the fun, imaginative, immersive worlds of Disney can be experienced and shared instantly. At the same time, OnLive continues to broaden its reach with amazing games that appeal to all age groups and all types of gamers.”

The first two Disney Interactive Studios games to join OnLive, Split/Second and Pure, won consecutive Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 in the racing game category. During an OnLive promotion in June 2011, when you buy either game, you’ll receive an email coupon for 50% off your next OnLive purchase. More great Disney Interactive Studios titles will be released in the coming weeks and months.

For more information on the OnLive Split/Second and Pure promotion, visit http://www.onlive.com.

More information about Disney Interactive Studios can be found at http://disney.go.com/disneyinteractivestudios/.

About OnLive
OnLive is the pioneer of on-demand, instant-play video game services, delivering real-time interactive experiences and rich media through the Internet. With groundbreaking video compression technology, OnLive harnesses cloud computing to provide the power and intelligence needed to instantly deliver the latest, premium game titles to any HDTV via the OnLive Game System or nearly any PC and Mac via a small browser download. The OnLive Viewer app is available for the iPad and is coming soon for Android tablets. OnLive is currently available in North America, and will be available in the UK and expanding into Europe later this year. OnLive technology is backed by hundreds of patents and patents pending. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. OnLive investors include Warner Bros., Autodesk, Maverick Capital, AT&T, British Telecommunications (BT), The Belgacom Group and HTC. More information is available at http://www.onlive.com. # # #

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Coming Soon: Sanuk and Apricot Lane to Open at Downtown Disney District

By
Chip
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Sanuk at Downtown Disney

Sanuk is launching a new flagship store with a grand opening on Friday, June 10, at 10:30 a.m. To celebrate the opening, Sanuk is offering a free bag to the first 100 guests who purchase merchandise at the new Downtown Disney District location.

Apricot Lane at Downtown Disney

On June 15, join the grand opening celebration of Apricot Lane, a new merchandise location (next to AMC 12 Theaters) featuring celebrity-inspired apparel, handbags and accessories. The celebration will feature appearances by style expert Lilliana Vazquez and beauty guru Sara Happ. Also, everyone who attends will be able to purchase one item at 20 percent off.

Apricot Lane Apparel at Downtown Disney

From 9-10 a.m., Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders will have the opportunity to take advantage of an exclusive shopping hour, with personal style tips from Lilliana, mini lip scrubs by Sara and a free gift bag with a $75 purchase.

Then, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., everyone is invited to the grand opening celebration, where you will have the chance to meet Lilliana and Sara. Also, the first 20 guests to purchase a Sara Happ product will receive a free lip product.

Source Disney Parks Blog

Coming Soon: Sanuk and Apricot Lane to Open at Downtown Disney District

Coming Soon: Sanuk and Apricot Lane to Open at Downtown Disney District
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