Home Blog Page 4901

Heidi Klum and Seal Celebrate Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort

By
Chip
-

Heidi Klum and Seal at the Disneyland ResortTwo of the Halloween season’s most famous and enthusiastic fans also happen to enjoy visiting the Disneyland Resort, so it should come as no surprise that Heidi Klum and Seal came to visit us during the first week of Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort.

As you can see, there was no Halloween hat too whimsical for this fun-loving couple!

Source Disney Parks Blog

Heidi Klum and Seal Celebrate Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort

Related articles
  • Create Your Own Disney Halloween Pumpkins (chipandco.com)
  • Disneyland Resort Releases 2010 Community Report (chipandco.com)
Heidi Klum and Seal Celebrate Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort

Star Wars: The Old Republic Beta Test Weekend Update

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

Star Wars: The Old Republic Beta Test Weekend Update

Beta Testing Weekends for Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ began earlier this month and during our first weekend, we invited more players into testing than we’ve ever invited before in a single weekend! Now we’re getting ready for another Beta Testing Weekend, starting on October 7th and finishing on October 10th. With increased invite numbers from the first weekend, even more of you will get to play The Old Republic.

If you don’t get invited to this weekend’s test, don’t worry. More Beta Testing Weekends will occur before the launch of The Old Republic. To have an opportunity to get into future Beta Testing Weekends, be sure to sign up for future testing on www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com and opt-in for game testing.

Invites to the Beta Testing Weekend are being sent this week. If you are selected, an email invite will be sent to the email address associated with your Star Wars: The Old Republic account. Please add the email address [email protected] to your ‘safe senders’ list in your email client to ensure delivery. If you are uncertain whether you have been invited, login to the official Star Wars: The Old Republic website’s tester page. If you have been invited, the client will be available to download from that page. If you have other questions, please ask them in the official Forums.

Also, be sure to keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook pages for the latest updates on our upcoming Beta Testing Weekends!

*Source – http://www.swtor.com/news/news-article/20111004

Pre-order Star Wars: The Old RepublicStar Wars: The Old Republic Beta Test Weekend Update or the Star Wars: The Old Republic Collector’s Bundle.

2012 Disney’s Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine

By
Chip
-

2012 Disney’s Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine

Program Celebrates Five Years 
of Igniting Lives, Dreams and Passions

Plans are underway for the fifth class of Disney’s Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine. In March, 2012, 100 high school students ages 13-19 from across the United States will gather in the world’s most creative classroom, Walt Disney World Resort, for a weekend of special events, educational workshops, personal enhancement and professional enrichment that will unite them with entertainment experts, motivational speakers and world-class business professionals.

The students will be selected by a distinguished panel of leaders from the communications, education and entertainment industries who will judge nominations from parents, teachers, mentors and youth. Applications can be submitted at www.disneysdreamersacademy.com through Oct. 31, 2011. Participants will be announced in early December 2011.

Since its launch in 2007 by Disney and syndicated-radio-show host/author/comedian Steve Harvey, Disney’s Dreamers Academy has shown a world of possibilities to hundreds of teens. Every year, Dreamers participate in “immersive” workshops that allow them to take a plunge into real-world career scenarios. Each participant learns important interview skills, communication techniques and networking strategies. With a focus on hands-on experience and training, Disney’s Dreamers Academy encourages youth to DREAM BIG.

“Over the past four years, we have helped more than 400 Dreamers unlock their potential and get started on their journeys in life,” said Disney’s Dreamers Academy Executive Champion Tracey D. Powell. “The fifth Disney’s Dreamers Academy marks another year of continued motivation, education and success. Steve Harvey and Essence Communications share in our vision of enriching lives. Everyone leaves this program inspired to live their best life.”

Participants and a parent or guardian will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for the 2012 Disney’s Dreamers Academy March 8-11, 2012.

Steve Harvey, speaking on the program, said, “Disney’s Dreamers Academy gives hope and inspiration and exposes youth to a world of possibilities. The fifth year of this program will prove to be the best yet. We are excited about another opportunity to transform lives and give students an inside look at what their future can hold.”

Disney’s Dreamers Academy has evolved into a year-round initiative with its informational Facebook and Twitter social media platforms, an interactive website, presence at community-outreach-partner events like the Essence Music Festival, the National Association of Black Journalists Convention, the Bud Billiken Parade, and the addition of the recently formed Disney’s Dreamers Academy Speakers Resource Group, which consists of various Dreamers Academy event speakers and presenters who serve as program ambassadors. This year, Dreamers also had the chance to win internships, allowing them the opportunity to test skills learned at Disney’s Dreamers Academy.

Essence Communications President Michelle Ebanks added, “We are excited about the fifth Disney’s Dreamers Academy. This program transcends the normal classroom setting, taking learning to the next level. This year we plan to go above and beyond to encourage Dreamers. Our valued partnership with Disney Parks and Steve Harvey serves as a firm commitment to the community and leaders of tomorrow.”

For more information visit www.disneysdreamersacademy.com, www.facebook.com/disneysdreamersacademy or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dreamersacademy.

About Walt Disney World Resort / The Walt Disney Co.:
Walt Disney World Resort is a contiguous 40-square-mile, world-class entertainment and recreation center located at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., 20 miles southwest of Orlando. The Walt Disney Co. has a rich legacy of creativity and exceptional storytelling that brings families together in unique and memorable ways. Creative excellence is coupled with a strong commitment to community service and diversity. The Walt Disney Co. is dedicated to making a positive impact in communities around the world, with a primary focus on brightening the lives of children.

About Steve Harvey:
Steve Harvey began doing stand-up comedy in the mid-1980s, which eventually led to a long stint as host of “It’s Showtime at the Apollo.” His success as a stand-up comedian led to multiple TV sitcoms, including “Me and The Boys”, “The Steve Harvey Show” and “Steve Harvey’s Big Time Challenge.”His first book, “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man,” quickly became a bestseller in 2009. Harvey has appeared on “The Oprah Show,” “Nightline,” “Good Morning America” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Currently, Harvey hosts the nationally syndicated television game show “Family Feud,” and the nationally syndicated “Steve Harvey Morning Show” which airs in over 60 markets and has over 7 million listeners.

About Essence Communications Inc.:
Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media and communications company dedicated to African-American women. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online, the Essence brand is “Where Black Women Come First”. The company’s flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women, generating brand extensions such as the Essence Music Festival, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood, Window on Our Women (WOW I & II) and Smart Beauty I, II & III consumer insights, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD).

Related articles
  • Disney’s Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine Gears up at NABJ Conference (chipandco.com)
  • Coming to Disney World Spring 2012: Blooms, Baseball and more (chipandco.com)
2012 Disney’s Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine

Guide to Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

Guide to Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

As Chip so eloquently wrote, the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is underway!  He was able to get shots of all of the kiosks while he was on vacation, and last weekend I was able to spend a day at Epcot with my family, where we tried out some great food items!

Since we only had a short amount of time, my wife and I went through the list of food items available to determine what we would like to try out.  Being a family that doesn’t often experiment much with food, I was worried that we wouldn’t find much in the way of things that we would like.  However, that fear was quickly put to rest when I saw what the menu had in store for us!  Here is the list of the food that we tried out while we were there:

  • Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
  • Rib Eye Tacos from Mexico
  • Shrimp Tacos from Mexico
  • Seared Mahi Mahi with steamed Rice, Hearts of Palm, and Coconut-Lime Sauce from Brazil
  • Swedish Meatballs with Lingon Berries from Scandanavia
  • Coq au Vin sur gratin de macaroni (Red Wine braised Chicken, Mushrooms, Pearl Onions, Macaroni Gratin) from France
  • Cannolo Al Cioccolato (Chocolate Covered Cannoli shell filled with Sweet Ricotta Cheese, Chocolate, and Candied Fruit) from Italy

I will be presenting a review for each one of these items in the days to come.

For me, there are five things that I think will lead to an incredible Food and Wine Festival experience.  They are:

  1. Make sure that you get a map of the World Showcase so that you can see where all of the kiosk stations are.
  2. To add to your enjoyment, pickup a Marketplace Discovery Passport.  You can get these at the Festival Welcome Center.  Then, as you go throughout the countries, you can get your passport stamped when you try out some cuisine.
  3. One thing that is handy to have is a Food and Wine Festival gift card.  You can get these throughout Epcot, and they are handy in that they have a wrist strap so that you can just keep it on your wrist.  You can also use Disney Dining Plan snack credits for a vast majority of items there!
  4. It was fun for my wife, daughter, niece and I to be able to try out many of the different items.  When we would try something, each of us would sample part of it, and it was fun to compare what we liked best!
  5. Lastly, you should note that some of the kiosks can get quite busy.  When we were there, we avoided the beer stations because the lines were long, and around dinner time, the Mexico kiosk was quite busy (although we waited that one out!)  Just keep that in mind as you tour the World Showcase!

I hope that you are able to get some good information out of these tips, and keep in mind, I’ll be sharing some reviews with you in the days to come!  Bon Appetit!

Related articles
  • Anticipating the Walt Disney World Food & Wine Festival! (mydreamsofdisney.com)
Guide to Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

Top 5 Reasons Why the First Week of November is One of the Best Weeks to Visit Walt Disney World

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

Top 5 Reasons Why the First Week of November is One of the Best Weeks to Visit Walt Disney World

I’m always trying to get the most out of my family’s Walt Disney World vacations. This can mean different things for different years. Some trips it’s about experiencing the most new attractions, other times it’s eating at the most popular restaurants to see what all the fuss is about, and other years, it’s trying to make our vacations as economical as possible. We’ve never tried to hit as many special events in a single trip as possible. Looking at the calendar this year, it seems the first week in November may be the perfect week to give this lofty goal a try.

1. Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This free (park admission required), annual event in Epcot runs for about six weeks from late September through mid-November. It also happens to be my favorite. Over two dozen countries (with new ones added each year) are represented with kiosks serving up traditional fare and local wines and beers. The tapas-sized selections run about $3- 8 dollars. It takes strategy and serious sharing to be able to sample all your favorites but it’s a great way to spend an afternoon and evening in Epcot’s World Showcase. There are also special culinary events (many require the purchase of an event ticket) and the Eat to the Beat concert series.

2. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This special ticket event takes place in Magic Kingdom select nights beginning mid-September and traditionally running for one last time the night after Halloween, November 1st. The party runs from 7pm – midnight. Guests (young and old) are invited to show off their best Halloween costume and Disney characters are dressed in their Halloween finery. A Halloween party wouldn’t be complete without trick-or-treating throughout the Magic Kingdom. Add in HalloWishes, a special edition of Wishes, and the “Boo To You” Parade, lead by the Headless Horseman, and it’s a night of spooktacular fun.

3. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Beginning November 8 this year, guests at Walt Disney World can celebrate the holiday season with this special after-hours event in the Magic Kingdom. A separate event ticket is required. Similar to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, this event features a holiday version of Wishes, a special Christmas parade, and special shows throughout the Magic Kingdom. Instead of Halloween candy, indulge in cookies and hot chocolate while enjoying the falling “snow” on Main Street.

4. Tuesday and Wednesday’s have Lower Airline Fares. After reviewing the schedule of special events, the dates align well with airline travel. To enjoy the last night of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party on Tuesday, November 1st, I would fly into Orlando early in the day and kick the vacation off with the special Magic Kingdom Halloween party. After a week of touring the Walt Disney World resort and enjoying all the delicious food at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, I would close our trip out with an opening night ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on Tuesday, November 8th. The sad trip home would begin the following morning, Wednesday. Traditionally, lower airline fares can be found for Tuesday and Wednesday travel so hopefully I would find some savings to offset the cost of the special event tickets!

5. Less crowds, Less Cost. The fall months are one of my favorite times to visit Walt Disney World. Besides having mild weather, the kids are back in school so Walt Disney World is less crowded. For my family, less crowds means experiencing more attractions which is a greater return for our vacation dollars. Also, the first week in November “falls” into one of the lower priced Disney resort seasons. A Disney resort room during this time of year will cost less than many other weeks.

There you have it – that’s how I would spend one week in November, enjoying three of the best special events Walt Disney World has to offer.

Related articles
Top 5 Reasons Why the First Week of November is One of the Best Weeks to Visit Walt Disney World

Healthy Eating options for Adults at Disney World

By
Catie
-

Healthy Eating options for Adults at Disney World

Healthy Eating options for Adults at Disney World

Walt Disney World is famous for many things – one of them being its FOOD. They really work hard on creating unique and delicious dining experiences for all of their guests, and in my opinion, they do a great job of it!

I don’t know about you, but I tend to eat pretty healthy at home – lots of vegetables and fruits, and not a lot of fried food. Luckily, Disney understands this and offers a lot of both the amazing-but-not-good-for-you stuff, as well as many healthier options.

Almost all quick service dining locations have some kind of healthier alternatives, for example, most have some kind of salad/grilled chicken sandwich/veggie burger option (so if you’re in a hurry, you’re not stuck with just burgers and fries or pizzas as options) One thing I have noticed is that portion size at counter/quick service locations is pretty generous, so much so that a sandwich or ‘personal pizza’ could easily be split between two adults, so keep that in mind too, as that could potentially save you some money as well (…which leaves more money to spend on souvenirs!).

As for snacks, there are many carts/bakeries/shops etc that offer fresh fruit as well as other healthier options for snacking mixed in with the bad for you (but still delicious) items, like no sugar added frozen fruit bars, fruit cups, and the line of Chip and Dale’s snacks (packaged nuts, pretzels, dried fruits, etc)

Buffets/all you can eat meals are common at Walt Disney World, and I know I personally love them, it allows me to try a wide variety of foods while making me feel like I am getting my money’s worth. Unfortunately, a lot of people share my thoughts on this and tend to overeat-by a LOT-in these situations. My advice in that situation would be to fill half of your plate with green vegetables or salad before you even look at any other parts of the buffet (and when I say salad I mean the raw veggies and lettuce kind, not the macaroni salad and 1 cucumber drenched in ranch dressing kind). Sure, the veggies might not be the biggest bang for your buck, but if you fill up on those, you are much better off (trust me!)

Table Service restaurants can be a little trickier as far as healthy eating, but many restaurants have options such as baked fish or chicken, and there’s always salad/vegetable side options available.

Some of the more noteworthy healthy options at WDW include:

  • Sunshine Seasons at Epcot: a food court style quick service eatery fresh salads and soups (made from vegetables grown right there at Epcot’s The Land!), stir fried veggies and noodles, and rotisserie chicken. The best part is it’s all prepared super fresh right in front of you, so you can tell they really are using the best, freshest ingredients possible

 

  • The Wave at the Contemporary Resort: A casual restaurant offering, according to Disney, “American-style cooking blended with world flavors, healthful fresh menu selections and trendy cocktails”. Sounds right up my alley, with items on the menu like pan seared sea scallops, oven roasted chicken, and no sugar added chocolate mint mousse, you can feed your appetite and still stay on your diet

 

  • Tusker House in Animal Kingdom Lodge: a buffet offering both African and American fare, and many lighter options such as a large selection of salads including Green Bean and Onion salad, Tandoori Tofu, Salmon Filet, and a delicious Marrakesh Couscous with roasted vegetables. Of the buffets, it is definitely one of the healthier options out there
  • Cosmic Ray’s in the Magic Kingdom: a counter service restaurant offering rotisserie chicken meals, Turkey and Vegetable sandwiches, and a delicious Greek salad. Cosmic Ray’s is pretty big with a decent selection, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding something healthy here.

Do some planning before your trip and check out WDW restaurant menus to see what you might like and what healthy options are out there

On a side note, should your dietary needs extend beyond just keeping your waistline small, you should visit Disney’s Special Dietary Requests page, which will help you figure out what to do if you require a special menu (ie gluten free, sugar free, etc)

No matter what your dietary needs/wants/whims, you will find that Disney has you covered. Oh, and if all else fails, there is always the Mickey Ice Cream Bar!

Related articles
  • WDW Tiki Room Trivia Facebook Contest – Win “Hidden Mickey” Novel Collection (chipandco.com)
  • Eating Vegetarian and Vegan at Disney World. (chipandco.com)
Healthy Eating options for Adults at Disney World

Top 5 Disney World Resorts for the Holidays

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

Top 5 Disney World Resorts for the Holidays

With the weather beginning to turn cold, many people are beginning to turn their attention to the approaching holidays, particularly Christmas! Christmas is my favorite time of the year; and when it comes to decking the halls, no one does it better than Walt Disney World!

By the time Thanksgiving rolls around each year, Walt Disney World is decorated for the holidays and even hosts their own Christmas festivities. For example, at the Magic Kingdom you can enjoy Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, or check out Animal Kingdom’s  Jingle Jungle Parade. Epcot also offers a Candlelight Processional, and Hollywood Studios glows as bright as the stars with the Osbourne Spectacle of Dancing Lights! Even Disney resorts get into the Christmas spirit with their own holiday touches, which only adds to the holiday fun and atmosphere! In fact, one of my favorite things to do at Disney World around the holidays is to check out resort Christmas decor. If you’re trying to decide which Disney resort to stay at during this magical time of the year, check out my Top 5 Disney Resorts for the holidays!

5. Animal Kingdom Lodge-For a warm holiday stay, check out Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. While live African animals roaming about outside isn’t quite a traditional way to celebrate the Christmas season, this cozy, majestic lodge is an ideal place to make memories with your family. You’re also sure to enjoy the gigantic Christmas tree in the lobby, which is especially beautiful at night!

4. Yacht and Beach Club-At this resort, you can enjoy both a beach vacation and a magical, holiday stay! This elegant, seaside inspired resort offers lots to see and do; and at the holidays, it has something extra special in the lobby, a working carousel made out of gingerbread! You get the best of both worlds at the Yacht and Beach Club, a retreat to those lazy, summer days and some Christmas magic!

3. Fort Wilderness-Don’t want to spend the holidays in a hotel room? How about staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness? If you are staying in a camper, you will feel right at home in your own space; and if you stay in one of the cabins, you have plenty of room and a homey, traditional atmosphere for your Christmas vacation! You can also celebrate a traditional Christmas with sleigh rides through the woods; and even enjoy a Fort Wilderness tradition where guests decorate their campsites for Christmas!

2. Grand Floridian-Disney’s flagship resort goes all out for the holiday season as its gorgeous lobby is transformed into a winter wonderland! Not only can you find a towering, Victorian, Christmas tree, but also a life-size, edible gingerbread house that actually sells gingerbread goodies! At this resort, you can enjoy a classic, picture-perfect holiday in absolute luxury and Disney magic.

1. Wilderness Lodge-When guests visit this cozy lodge, they will feel as if they stepped right into a Christmas card! At Wilderness Lodge, guests will enjoy a taste of the Pacific Northwest and a warm, cozy atmosphere. After a day filled with Disney magic, sip some hot chocolate by Wilderness Lodge’s Grand Canyon fireplace, enjoy the resort’s massive Christmas tree, and then dream about Christmas morning in your warm, rustic resort room. This resort will fill a guest with Christmas cheer and is the best setting for a magical, classic holiday!

Have you ever visited Walt Disney World during the holidays? Which resort do you think is the best for the Christmas season? Let us know!

Related Articles:

  •  2011 Walt Disney World Resort Christmas Events & Attractions
  • Quizzes: Which Walt Disney World Deluxe Resort is Right for You? (aglassslippervacation.com)
Related articles
Top 5 Disney World Resorts for the Holidays

2011 Disney World Resort Christmas Events & Attractions

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

2011 Disney World Resort Christmas Events & Attractions

‘Tis the season…and if your Disney vacation is happening in November or December you’re going to need to be prepared for the special events.

There’s something for everyone and things happening everywhere, but of course here at Chip and Co we have everything you need to know!

Let’s take a look at what’s happening in Disney World for the holidays!

Holiday’s Around the World (Epcot)

Storytellers – Throughout the World Showcase storytellers share stories of their heritage, look for special guests strolling around in their native lands. Father Christmas (United Kingdom), Santa and Mrs. Claus (the American Adventure) and other icons representing Kwanzaa and Hanukkah will also be around the showcase.

Candlelight Processional-Celebrate the reason for the season with celebrity narrators telling the story of Christmas and a 50-piece orchestra and mass choir. This event is among the most popular and is only held on select nights. Dinner packages are now available for booking.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights – These are not the Osborne’s from across the pond…the Osborne lights showcase the display from the Arkansas family of Jennings Osborne. In 1995 the Festival of Lights was moved from Arkansas to Disney World, what started out as a daughters simple Christmas wish grew to a display of 5 million of lights that now transform the Streets of America at Hollywood Studios. Don’t miss the chance to view this amazing spectacle!

Magic Kingdom
The Magic Kingdom is well known for its Castle transformation during the holiday season. Don’t miss the Castle Lighting Ceremony (early November through the start of January) a show that takes place on the castle stage where the characters magically transform the castle into an ice palace with 200,000 white lights.

Christmas themed parade-Dancing deer, sweet confections, and Santa himself headline this holiday parade.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party-This is a special event and requires a separate admission ticket. For details about the party, click here.

Animal Kingdom
Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade turns into Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade in mid-November. If you’re looking for Santa Goofy…this is the place to find him!

Downtown Disney
Even those without park tickets can still experience some holiday Disney magic. Meet Santa during the Festival of the Seasons (various school bands and choirs perform) at his Chalet where he hosts meet and greets daily.

There are many more events happening outside of the parks. Each resort has it’s own special celebration…don’t worry…we’ll tell you all about it!

Related articles
  • 2011 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Details (chipandco.com)
  • Walt Disney World Resort Christmas Events & Attractions (chipandco.com)
2011 Disney World Resort Christmas Events & Attractions

Marvel Studios Presents “The Avengers” Exclusive Footage at New York Comic Con

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-
Marvel Studios Presents "The Avengers" Exclusive Footage at New York Comic Con
Producer Kevin Feige and Select Cast Members to Appear Saturday, October 15th in the IGN Theater – Presented by Sprint!

Norwalk, CT, October 4, 2011: New York Comic Con (NYCC) is proud to announce Marvel Studios, for the first time ever, will participate in this October’s NYCC. Marvel Studios will present a special event in NYCC’s IGN Theater – Presented by Sprint on Saturday, October 15th from 6:30-7:30 PM, a high-profile panel focused on the upcoming feature film Marvel’s The Avengers. Marvel Studios will debut never-before-seen footage from The Avengers, and panelists will include Kevin Feige (Producer), Chris Evans (Captain America), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson), and Cobie Smulders (Agent Hill). The Avengers is scheduled for release on May 4th, 2012.

The sixth annual New York Comic Con will take place October 13-16, 2011 at the Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan. NYCC, which attracted 96,000 attendees in 2010, celebrates comics, movies, television, toys, games, and the popular arts from around the planet. Tickets are now on sale via the website www.NewYorkComicCon.com, with limited 4-Day tickets remaining.

“I am incredibly honored Marvel Studios has decided to participate in New York Comic Con in such a significant way,” notes Lance Fensterman, Group Vice President for ReedPOP and Show Manager for NYCC. “The center of our show is creating exclusive opportunities for fans to meet their favorite stars and creators. The Avengers presentation is exactly this kind of once-in-a-lifetime event. We’re very excited to be able to host cast and crew from The Avengers and know our fans will be on the edges of their seats. As always, we want to present the very best that the pop culture world has to offer in art and entertainment, and The Avengers panel is at the head of that list!”

As previously announced, Marvel will also be bringing high profile comics guests to New York Comic Con including Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Entertainment, Axel Alonso, Marvel’s Editor-in-Chief, and notable Marvel creators Jason Aaron, Matt Fraction, Kieron Gillen, and Stuart Immonen.

“Marvel’s The Avengers” is the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, and directed by Joss Whedon “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effectswhen “Marvel’s The Avengers” assemble in summer 2012.

“Marvel’s The Avengers,” is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures. The film is being produced by Marvel Studios’ President, Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Jon Favreau, Patricia Whitcher and Louis D’Esposito. Marvel Studios’ Jeremy Latcham and Victoria Alonso will co-produce. The film will be released May 4, 2012.

ABOUT MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT: Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit www.marvel.com. Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark.

ABOUT REEDPOP: ReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions which is exclusively devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium brands in the pop culture arena. ReedPOP is dedicated to producing celebrations of popular culture throughout the world that transcend ordinary events by providing unique access and dynamic personal experiences for consumers and fans. The ReedPOP portfolio includes: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East & West, Star Wars Celebration V, New York Anime Festival (NYAF), and UFC Fan Expo. The staff at ReedPOP is a fan based group of professionals producing shows for other fans, thus making them uniquely qualified to service those with whom they share a common passion. ReedPOP is focused on bringing its expertise and knowledge to world communities in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.

Downtown Disney: 5 Snacks Worth a Visit

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

Downtown Disney: 5 Snacks Worth a Visit

When I’m visiting Walt Disney World (WDW) one of my hobbies is snacking. (It’s my trip – I can call eating a hobby, right?) And WDW offers plenty of tasty Disney snacks to satisfy the rumbly in my tumbly.

Now, many guests think of the theme parks when the Disney snack attack hits. But Downtown Disney (DTD) has its own special treats, things that aren’t found anywhere else at WDW (although they may be found other places).

So, to avoid appearing like too much of a glutton, here are 5 snacks worth a visit to DTD – as if you need another reason!

Make-Your-Own Treat, Goofy’s Candy Company: While there are plenty of Goofy’s Candy Co. stations throughout WDW, the DTD location is where you can unleash your inner mad candy scientist with a made-to-order snack. Start by choosing a goodie (crisped rice treat, marshmallow, pretzel rod, apple, cookie) as your tasty treat foundation. Dip in caramel, dark chocolate or milk chocolate. Select toppings, like mini M & Ms or crushed Oreos, that are sweet snacks in themselves. Then watch your trusty assistants help bring your creation to life. Name it Frankencandy, and enjoy it….if you dare. (Bwa ha ha.)

Chip & Company identify the 5 Best Candy Stops at WDW.

“Doh-Bar,” Cookes of Dublin: How to describe this so-bad-it’s-good-for-you treat? Melted candy bars dipped in dough and then fried. Yep, that just about describes it. Sort of like state fair food, definitely a dining adventure, and even a bit scary. But oh-so-worth trying, even if just once, because there’s just something about fried food. It’ll definitely make you say Doh! (The candy bar may vary or contain nuts. I’ve tried a Snickers bar; it can be hard to tell.)

Downtown Disney: 5 Snacks Worth a Visit
Ghirardelli Gold Rush sundae at Downtown Disney.

The Gold Rush sundae, Ghirardelli Ice Cream:  With so much ice cream at WDW – and admit it, who doesn’t love a Mickey bar, why Ghirardelli? Well, I could tell you it’s the premium ice cream. That’s part of the reason. Or the rich toppings, like hot fudge, berries, caramel. That’s another good reason. The picture-perfect presentation of a whipped cream and a cherry? That, too. But the combination of all those things? Irresistible. And why the No Way, Jose? It’s almost a random selection, but vanilla ice cream, hot fudge and melted peanut butter. Great tastes that taste great together!

Read more about Ghirardelli Soda Fountain at DTD.

Cupcakes, BabyCakes NYC : Disney does well in working with guests who have dietary restrictions. So it makes perfect sense to me that BabyCakes NYC, a gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free, casein-free, dairy-free refined sugar-free vegan bakery, would be welcomed at DTD. But what suprised me, who doesn’t regularly eat vegan but is devoted to exploring all Disney snackage, is the rich taste of the goodies.

For those who notice such things, BabyCakes NYC uses high-quality ingredients, which emphasizes the flavors. So if you’re looking to eat gluten-free while at Disney, or just to have a really fresh sweet, then BabyCakes NYC at DTD is a small slice of (cupcake, cookie, doughnut, brownie) heaven.

Chip and Company compares BabyCakes NYC and Starring Rolls.

Cinnamon Pretzel, Wetzel’s Pretzels: I know many Disney fans have a love affair with the stuffed cream-cheese pretzels found at Magic Kingdom (and other theme parks). They can be good, true – although I find them too sweet for my taste. For a subtler sweetness, a bit of spice, and a fresh pretzel, I far prefer those at the Wetzel Pretzels at DTD Marketplace and West Side. I’ve never thought of pretzels as melt-in-your-mouth good…until I had one served piping hot one morning.

These are some of my top treats for a Disney snack attack. But seeing as DT is big, I’m sure I’ve missed something. What’s your favorite snack at Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World?

Related articles
  • Downtown Disney removes signs, props from Pleasure Island buildings (chipandco.com)
  • Downtown Disney: Characters in Flight balloon ride (chipandco.com)
Downtown Disney: 5 Snacks Worth a Visit

Top 5 Thrill Rides at Walt Disney World

By
Catie
-

Top 5 Thrill Rides at Walt Disney World

For those of you who love amusement parks and roller coasters and the general feeling of going fast, try these WDW rides:

1. Rock N Roller Coaster –This Aerosmith themed roller coaster is located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where you embark on a VIP limo ride to an Aerosmith concert. You travel up and down and even upside down as you race to get to the show on time. The best part? It goes 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds!

2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – A part of Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom, this coaster puts you on a runaway train ride without a conductor! Speeds reach up to 30 mph which may not seem like much, but pair that with sharp turns and you will be holding onto the safety bar real tight for sure!

3. Space Mountain – Speed through space on this space age themed coaster that’s staged mostly in the dark, so there’s even more suspense since you can’t even see what’s coming!

4. Expedition Everest – Speed through the mountains, dive into glacier valleys, and climb up through snow covered peaks on this train tour of Mount Everest. Beware of the yeti who is lurking nearby, looking to ruin your ride!

5. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – The idea behind this one is a family came to stay at the Hollywood Tower Hotel one night, and disappeared somewhere on the 13th floor. Of course the regular elevator is out of service, so your ride vehicle is the super creepy freight elevator, where you encounter a huge sudden drop (a result of the cables snapping in the elevator). The great thing about this ride is that it’s never the same twice – the number of times/how far you drop is random, so it really is a thrill each time

Disney World is more than the castle and characters, they really do have some great rides that adults can enjoy as well.

Need something a little more tame after doing all the rides listed above? Check out my blog for my “Top 5 rides for the kid in you” series, rides that may not get your adrenaline pumping, but they are still a good time for those of all ages!

Related articles
  • Top 10 Extreme Rides at Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)
  • Ride the Disney World Mountains (chipandco.com)
Top 5 Thrill Rides at Walt Disney World

Disney World Food Review – The Good, the Bad, and the YUM!

By
Chip
-

Disney World Food Review - The Good, the Bad, and the YUM!

My family and I live for the food at Disney World. When planning our vacation most of our entire trip revolves around the food. Being a Disney Foodie and dined at almost every Disney World Restaurant we know what to expect when going out. Our past trip was a major challenge in 2 ways.

  1. This is the first time we went off the Disney Dining Plan and opted for the Tables in Wonderland instead.
  2. Our 5 year old decided she wasn’t going to eat but maybe 3 or 4 bites of food so the buffets were wasted on her.

So we arrived at Disney World with a bunch of buffets and a child who wouldn’t eat.

No problem with the Disney World Online Advanced Dining Reservation System, I was able to go online and change many of our buffets to a traditional restaurant.

So with new ADR’s in hand we ventured off to a few new stops and some classic ones we haven’t been to in a while.

Disney World Food Review - The Good, the Bad, and the YUM!

The Good

Beaches and Cream – This won the award for the best place to dine for us this time around. Last year it was Boma but they fell off the map (more later) on this trip. Beaches and Cream was so good we went back twice! While not daring enough to try the Kitchen Sink they have one tasty burger! Both times I went I got a Cherry & Vanilla Coke, a Cheeseburger with everything and either fries or onion rings.

For dessert we had the Milky Way Sundae (seen above) I am not a huge Ice Cream fan but this was delish!

Price was under $50 both times or 1 TS credit if your on the Disney Dining Plan.There are no reservations but both times there was less than a 5 minute wait.

Disney World Food Review - The Good, the Bad, and the YUM!

The Bad

It’s funny how one restaurant can go from First to Worst. Boma was that restaurant this time around. Last year we loved Boma so much we went back twice. The food was flavorful, rich and delicious. This time around the food was tasteless, bland, and service was really bad.

I am not sure if they have a new chef or if they were told to make the food bland but it was bad. I already removed Boma from our January trip and I hope when we go back next October they will have their act together.

Disney World Food Review - The Good, the Bad, and the YUM!

Disney World Food Review - The Good, the Bad, and the YUM!

The YUM

Starring Rolls Cafe in Hollywood Studios won the award for the Yummiest Food this go around. This 4 little beauties above were so good they made me forget how HOT and Crowded the parks were.  Pictures can not do them justice so all I can say is save those snack credits and hit them up atleast 4 times a visit. (one visit for each cupcake)

Overall the whole trip was good and bad. Good that most of the food was great as always, bad cause my wife and infant both were sick and then my oldest and myself got sick when we returned.

I am looking forward to January as we have a whole list of new places to eat. This time we are going with the Disney Dining Plan as the Tables in Wonderland wasn’t for us. We are foodies and love to eat! Stay tuned for the next edition of the Good, Bad, and YUM!

Related articles
  • Disney Dining Comparison: Tables in Wonderland vs. Disney Dining Plan (chipandco.com)
  • Disney World Quick Tips – Disney Food for Less (chipandco.com)
Disney World Food Review - The Good, the Bad, and the YUM!
1...4,9004,9014,902...5,454Page 4,901 of 5,454