Resort Hopping 101: Taking the Monorail Express

April 30, 2011

One of our focuses on the website the past few months has been Quick Tips. We like to prepare you for the parks and offer up tips and tricks to making your vacation more enjoyable.

Today I want to talk to you about something outside the Disneyworld Theme Parks and that is the Disney World Resorts. Specifically the Monorail resorts. They are the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and the Contemporary Resorts.

Most people spend about 90% of the their time visiting the parks. I mean thats what your paying an arm and leg for right? I want to share with you something fun my family and I like to do outside the parks while at Disney World.

When we buy our park tickets we normally buy one less day just for touring the other things Disney offers. This tip is also great for rainy days or on days you need a break from the parks. So all aboard the Monorail Express!

Resort Hopping is time honored tradition with my family dating all the way back to the 80’s and my first trips to the House of Mouse. My family would stay off site and we would drive to and walk around some of the Disney resort just to get a feel what it was like to stay in these super expensive, posh resorts.

As I got older and started taking my own trips with my wife we would make our Disney Dining reservations at places like O’hana’s and just find ourselves walking around, exploring, shopping and taking tons of photos around the various resorts. After more and more trips to Disney we started to work them into our planning till we started to make a check list of resorts we have been to and ones we still needed to visit. Needless to say there are still a few we haven’t been to.

The Big 3 as we call them are the Resorts that the Disney’s Monorail stops off at, and some of the easiest to Resort Hop. All you have to do is jump on the Monorail and your there. Depending on where you are staying you might have to take a ride to the Ticket and Transportation Center or TTC first then ride the Monorail to the resorts.

We like to resort hop for meals and to break up the days. It’s nice if you have a child in a stroller as they can nap as you are walking around and shopping. Be sure to bring your camera Disney’s attention to detail is everywhere. You can easily do all 3 resorts in a day. Each one is different and has tons of things to view and experience. My favorite is the beach at the Polynesian Resort. Stop off for a snack or drink, check out the arcades, or go for a leisurely stroll.

Quick Tip – One of the best places to see the Magic Kingdoms Fireworks is from the beach at the Poly!

If you have never tried Resort Hopping and have never spent time at the Big 3 Resorts I suggest jumping aboard the Monorail Express and checking them out, it is very relaxing and a welcomed change from the Disney Parks. Also it is a great way to save a few bucks since that is one less park ticket you have to buy.

If you have ever tried this or have some must see’s at the Monorail Resorts let us know in the comment box below.

>>Chip

Resort Hopping 101: Taking the Monorail Express

Princess Punch-up: Who’s Really the Fairest?

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

April 30, 2011

Princess Punch-up: Who’s Really the Fairest?

Beauty is only skin deep. Although we’ve all heard that saying, we still appreciate and are attracted to, a pretty face. And Walt Disney did little to correct that trend. His first three Princesses were heavy on the looks, light on true depth. But 30 years
have passed and the final six official Princesses have worn a different tiara.

So who would be the fairest Princess of them all if we added more than beauty into the equation? To find out, we will gauge each Princess on the following criteria: Independence; Judgment; Contribution; Personality; and of course, Physical Appearance.

Let’s start by meeting the contestants:

Snow White (1937) – SW

Cinderella (1950) – CIN

Aurora (1959) – SB

Ariel (1989) – LM

Belle (1991) – BEL

Jasmine (1992) – JAS

Pocahontas (1995) – POC

Mulan (1998) – MUL

Substitute: Rapunzel (2011) – RAP

Tiana had to bow out of the contest due to other commitments, and the fact that I haven’t seen her movie The Princess and the Frog yet.

Independence

SW, CIN, and SB definitely lose this category. They were little more than bystanders in their own lives. LM, BEL, JAS, MUL, and RAP all lived in restrictive times but were able to rise above that to find their own path. But each did rely on others to help them do it. So this round goes to Pocahontas.

This Indian Princess was independent from the get go! She had a strong will and a determination to try new things which ultimately led to bridges being built between two very different cultures.

Runner Up: Mulan

Judgment

Again, our first three Princesses didn’t have many decisions to make. Others did it for them, or to them, in the case of Cinderella. When she decided to venture out, it was under the protection of her Fairy Godmother. But that’s not enough to win this round.

LM also loses this round because she went to an evil Witch to get what she wanted! RAP also loses for trusting a thief, although no one could blame her considering the situation!

So that leaves it to the final four Princesses. JAS snuck out from the safety of her palace, but was in no real danger, as she could always identify herself for protection. POC and MUL both risked a lot and put them themselves in great danger, but it was for a
good cause.

But I’m giving this round to Belle. She decided to sacrifice herself, her freedom, and her future, to save her ailing Father. A nobler thing I can’t imagine!

Runner Up: Cinderella

Contribution

SW, CIN, and SB were all good housekeepers. They sang well and were kind to animals. For their times, those were good contributions.

LM, JAS, and RAP were more about their personal journeys. They did touch others along the way, but their stories were more about them.

That leaves BEL, POC, and MUL. BEL eventually left the Beast, although she did return. But I’m disqualifying her for that anyway. And although POC did make for peace, I have to give this round to Mulan. Hey, she helped win a war!

Runner Up: Pocahontas

Personality

All of our contestants have good personalities. But let’s see if we can eliminate some in a lightning round. SW: Too sweet. SB: Not enough to go on. LM: Possibly a bit selfish. BEL: A tad condescending to her ‘provincial’ neighbors? JAS: Spoiled. POC: A bit too intense. MUL: Conflicted.

I’m giving this to Cinderella. No matter how horrid everyone was too her, she just kept singing and working and… loving! Even after her Prince came, she didn’t hold a grudge against her wicked stepfamily. Now that’s character!

Runner Up: Rapunzel

Physical Appearance

This is purely a matter of taste. Some of the Disney Princesses are more overtly sexual than others, even though that’s not something we’re supposed to notice. But come on, a clamshell bra? Who wouldn’t notice? But for me, Jasmine wins this round!

Runner Up: Aurora

And the Winner is…

So if we add up the points, which is the ultimate Princess? The fairest of the fair? Rating each Princess on each of the categories with a 1 for least and 5 for the most relevant, the winner is:

Pocahontas

Runner Up: Cinderella. And hoping that both break a heel on the way to the podium: Belle

If you disagree, leave a comment and tell me why!

Princess Punch-up: Who’s Really the Fairest?

Walt Disney World Marathon Tips and Tricks: Don’t Leave Your Camera

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

April 30, 2011

I’m proudly a “back of the pack” runner, so this tip may not be for everyone. When I’m running, I’m out there to improve my own personal well being, not to be competitive and win races. Though I do like to improve on my own personal records, there are certain races that I’m okay with simply finishing.

My WDW Half Marathon time was much slower than any training speed or practice run I had previously finished. In fact, when running through the Magic Kingdom, I took nearly 14 minutes, when my average speed is somewhere from 10:30-11:15. Why? Because I took full advantage of the photo opportunities along the race. How many races have entertainment? I’ve done a few others now, and the only one that had any entertainment was Disney, so I wanted to enjoy it!

I brought my smart phone with me in my running belt (that orange belt you might notice in the picture) and used it as my entertainment (mp3’s), mile timer (cardio trainer app), and when needed, as my camera. My belt was also amazingly helpful to carry my race nutrition (yup, during a 13.1 mile race, you need “food”) and my phone comfortable. With an easy zipper, I grabbed my phone whenever we reached a new place: the Start Line, the Magic Kingdom sign when entering the Ticket and Transportation Center, the Magic Kingdom, etc…

With characters and other entertainment cheering you on and available for pictures every 1/2 mile or so, I took advantage and stopped at least 6 times for character shots. I easily paused my music, unplugged my headphones, and handed my phone to the cast member “friends” with the characters, and posed while they took our pictures.

While I appreciate and respect those runners that don’t stop from start to finish, I feel as though they’re missing out on the fun. To me, running straight through a Disney endurance race would be like running through Walt Disney World and ignoring the Magic that makes Disney the amazing place that it is – it can still be fulfilling and fun, but not the amazing experience it can be. I’ve even read it on runDisney – run Disney not to beat your personal record. Run Disney to experience Disney running.

Making Your Vacation Rental Safe for Kids.

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

April 30, 2011

Making Your Vacation Rental Safe for Kids.

If you have small children, your own home is probably childproofed, but your hotel room or vacation rental probably isn’t. Add that the natural tendency to unconciously lower one’s guard on vacation combined with excited children in unfamiliar surroundings and the potential for accidents is higher than it should be. You don’t have to panic though, just take a few steps to kid-proof your room and you can worry a lot less. The good news is that most of the safety equipment you’ll need will fit into a gallon-sized Ziploc bag and none of it is expensive. Most importantly, you can install it without tools or marring the surface when you take it off.

Here are a few trouble spots that you’ll want to consider childproofing.

The front door. Make sure the upper latch is always locked as most hotel room doors are easy to open, even for a young toddler. If your child can reach the latch and your worried that he’ll try to get out, try a lever handle lock.

Bathrooms: It can be impractical to childproof a bathroom the way you would at home. If you’re worried about young toddlers getting hurt in the bathroom, keep them out altogther by using a door lock. Since most hotel rooms (including the ones on Disney property) have lever (or European style) handles, the lever lock mentioned above works well. For rental house with a lot of regular doors, a couple of packs of this type doorknob cover will solve the problem of little ones getting into rooms where they’re not safe or welcome (big brother’s room).

Making Your Vacation Rental Safe for Kids.

Your Resort Room Balcony: Most Disney resorts have two locks on the sliding-glass doors that go out to the balconies: One lever type that flips easily and another that’s slightly more difficult to unlock. Some, such as those at The Grand Floridian, are at the top of the door and difficult for little kids to reach, but newer resorts, such as Animal Kingdom Lodge, have them right next to the regular lock. Fortunately, the doors are heavy enough that smaller children can’t open them, but if you have kids who are especially creative, you may want to invest in an adhesive patio door lock.

Electrical Outlets. It’s super easy to pack a few outlet plugs. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find them left behind by the previous tenant.

The kitchen. Move any items that can hurt a child to the upper cabinets. This probably seems obvious, but I once stayed in a beach house rental where the previous guests had left a knife block full of sharp knives in the lower cabinets–which was promptly discovered by two toddlers! This type of cabinet lock will keep little hands out, doesn’t require hardware, and won’t harm the finish:

Making Your Vacation Rental Safe for Kids.

Your Rental House Pool: The big one. A lot of rental homes have pools. Most of them are, to an extent, childproofed. The real issue is that the alarm on the door only works if all the grown ups in the house remember to keep it set. Make sure you talk to the landlord before you visit to see what sort of steps he’s taken to make sure kids can’t get into the pool unsupervised. Even seasoned pool owners forget to set the alarm to the door that goes out to the pool, resulting in tragedies every year. You’ll want to have everyone in your group on the same page about the alarm and any possible door locks you add for additional comfort and safety.

Chris writes here and at Everything Walt Disney World. She’s also a member of the Mouse Chat Podcast and a travel agent with Pixie Vacations. Email her at [email protected] for information on how you can get a free $50 Disney gift card in addition to current discounts when you book your next vacation.

Making Your Vacation Rental Safe for Kids.

Disney Confidential – Free Dining for all!

Anonymouse

April 30, 2011

I interrupt the Chip and Co daily News and Views with this special report!

I have always wanted to do that….

Hey there guys and gals your #1 Disney Gossip Columnist Anonymouse here. Today has been a big news day already and I have learned some JUICY Disney Gossip!

Now that Disney Visa Cardholders have been offered free dining for August 28 through September 24, is it just a matter of time before the general public recieves free dining? Well, yeah. Let’s look at the evidence.

Disney usually gives Disney Visa cardholders a few days advance notice before they offer the general public (you my kiddies) the same discount. I’m thinking Monday or Tuesday of next week, but don’t discount this Friday. What I’m saying is that you should be obsessively checking this site (www.chipandco.com) until the offer comes out! Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone about your little obsession.

But, since we’re chatting, don’t you think this offer is a little, hmmm, odd? I mean, it’s only for a month. The interesting thing is that it covers a period where free dining has already been offered. I think this tells us that there’s no way another free dining offer will come out for the summer. After all, Disney offered free dining to everyone and their brother back in the fall of 2010, you just had to book by late December 2010. So, don’t expect another summer free dining offer. I also have it on good authority from friends in the know that Disney is pretty booked for summer, so it’s probably not needed. If I’m wrong, I will happily eat my pretty pink bow, because I know how important these discounts are and even little ole’ Anonymouse has a heart. However small and dark.

So, what about free dining for the rest of the year? Well, Disney never offered free dining for October through December, so you can almost count on something coming out, the question is when. So keep you little eyes posted and your little hopes up. Anonymouse likes to strap on the feed bag too (although, she is very dainty about it). We”ll let you know.

Well that is all the time I have for today . Good luck and happy discount hunting!

Got any good rumors? Please email me at [email protected] on my Facebook Page.

Disney Confidential – Changes coming to Epcot’s Norway Pavilion (chipandco.com)
Disney Confidential – Watch New Disney Movies in your Pajamas (chipandco.com)
Disney Confidential – Senior Class Trips? (chipandco.com)

Disney Confidential - Free Dining for all!

Oldies But Goodies – How Effective Is Disney Transportation For Seniors?

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

April 30, 2011

Let me be up front with you, as a Disney consumer who happens to be an Oldie I really enjoy the Walt Disney World transportation system. There are a few reasons why. We have stayed off site and driven to the parks each day (that will never happen again), we have also rented a car for an 8 day visit and the only time we used it was for a 1 day trip to Universal so if that comes up again we will do a 1 day rental, but it has become our norm to rely strictly on the Disney transportation system to get us from place to place. On our upcoming visit in October we will be going to see Harry Potter for 1 day but the friends we are vacationing with are driving down so that is covered.

When people hear Disney transportation their thoughts seem to drift towards the bus system and any bad experiences they have had with it. Sure, we have had a few less than perfect experiences but never anything I would call bad. Yes, they get crowded (especially at park closing) and some fellow passengers can occasionally be somewhat rude or annoying but when you consider how many people that bus system moves and the complexity of Walt Disney World it works pretty doggone well. I know I am regularly offered a seat if I am standing but there are lots of folks who need that seat worse than I do so I always politely decline.

So much for the bus system, and yes it is very effective for seniors and those folks who might have some mobility issues. What else is available and how well does it work? Of course there is the monorail which works just beautifully for moving everyone from toddlers to Oldies. The ride is smooth and always well air conditioned. We have heard a lot about accidents but overall the safety record is excellent. The only disadvantage is that it doesn’t go everywhere in Walt Disney World and that’s not likely to happen. But, if you are staying in one of the Magic Kingdom Resorts it can’t be beat for efficiency. The ride from the TTC to Epcot is also a treat. Again, the monorail system is a very effective mode of transportation for us Oldies.

My personal favorite method of transportation at Walt Disney World are the many types of boats that navigate the World’s waterways. I’ll just list a few of them for you:

The ferry from the TTC to the Magic Kingdom
The smaller boats that go between their respective resorts and the Magic Kingdom on the Seven Seas Lagoon
The ones that sail in Bay Lake moving us to and from Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness Lodge, and the Contemporary
Then there are the Friendships that ply the World Showcase Lagoon from one side to the other (but it’s normally faster to walk)
There are also Friendships that go from Epcot to the Boardwalk and then to the Yacht Club and over to the Swan/Dolphin and on to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Saving my favorite for last, the Sassagoula Steamboat Company that runs from Port Orleans Riverside to the French Quarter and on to Downtown Disney. There is also another line that goes between Saratoga Springs and Downtown Disney.

Using the boats is a great way for Seniors (and everyone else) to relax after a hectic day and be ready for a good night’s sleep. So the answer to the question is Disney transportation is very effective for seniors and I didn’t even mention that it’s free!!! As Always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!

Ken

Photo By Disney

Free Dining Out For Dinsey Visa Cardholders

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

April 30, 2011

Free Dining Out For Dinsey Visa Cardholders

We just have preliminary details on the latest free dining offer, but here’s what we know so far:

Disney Rewards Visa Cardholders FREE Dining & Photo Book Offer!

Special magic Your Way packages with a FREE Disney Dining Plan are available for 8/28/11 – 9/24/11 travel dates. Guests who book a stay at one of Disney’s Value Resorts will receive a free Quick Service dining plan. Guests who book a stay at Disney’s Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villas resorts will receive Disney’s Basic Dining Plan free. Guests will also receive a Disney Photopass Photo Book included as part of their package. Availability is limited.

This usually precedes a free dining offer for the general public, but as you can see, it’s very limited date-wise. We’ll keep you posted.

Chris writes here and at Everything Walt Disney World. She’s also a travel agent with Pixie Vacations and a member of the Mouse Chat Podcast. Email her at [email protected] for information on how you can get a free $25 and $50 gift card when you book a new vacation. This offer is in addition to currently available discounts.

Disney World Tips and Tricks: Buying and Protecting Your Disney Tickets

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

April 30, 2011

Disney World Tips and Tricks: Buying and Protecting Your Disney Tickets You’re going to Disney World and have spent months researching where to stay, where to eat, what to see and do, and how to get there and back. A Disney vacation is a sizeable investment, and is worth spending all that time so that you and your family can get your money’s worth and have a truly magical vacation experience.

But what about your Disney park tickets? This is one of the most expensive parts of your Disney vacation budget, so thinking about where you get your tickets, or what to do with them after you get them, is just as important as all the other parts of your trip…..…because clearly, there will be no rides or attractions without them!

So my Walt Disney World tip for today is to give this some thought: carefully research where you are buying from if not getting them through Disney, be cautious, and then once you have them….protect that valuable investment just as you would anything else that costs you hundreds of dollars!

Here are 4 things you should know if you are buying your Disney World tickets yourself:

1. Use Only Authorized Ticket Agencies

Authorized ticket brokers are able to sell tickets for less money than gate prices because they buy tickets in bulk from each attraction and theme park, and these large quantities enable them to receive discounts which they then pass on to their customers. An authorized Disney ticket agency will display the Disney logo and the “authorized ticket agent” designation.

In addition, check to see if the business belongs to the local Chamber of Commerce or the Better Business Bureau, as this is a good indication of the company’s standing in the community. It’s also worth it to see that they have been in business for at least several years.

2. Cheapest is not Always Best

The key to saving money on Disney tickets is frankly to remember what your mother always told you: “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.” So when doing your research, know that you will find websites with prices that are lower than the gate prices at Disney…but use some caution: if they are so low they are unbelievable, you should assume that it’s a scam. You can also take a look at the URL on the website: many scams originate in Romania (you will see an .ro at the end of the URL), where they will usually request that you pay by wire transfer, which is a huge red flag. Always buy discount Walt Disney World tickets with a credit card, so that you can get your money back if there is any problem.

3. Craigslist or eBay? No Thank You!

Anyone who is familiar with Craigslist or eBay will know that really cheap Disney theme park tickets are available on these sites on a regular basis. But buyer beware! The problem with buying discount Walt Disney World tickets from eBay or Craiglist is that there is literally no way that you can be certain that you will get tickets that are valid…until you get to the park gate and try to use them. Only once the ticket is scanned at the turnstile, will you know how many days, if any, are on your tickets.

Sadly, there are many con artists on eBay and Craigslist who are supposedly selling Disney tickets for less. And even if you, in good faith, get a “partially used” park pass, since Disney tickets are non-transferable (and Disney enforces this through a biometric finger scan), you would not be able use it, since it is illegal in the state of Florida to re-sell partially used multi-day admission tickets.

4. Keep Your Ticket Investment Safe!

Have you ever thought about what would happen on your vacation if you lost your tickets? I can’t think of many things that would ruin a vacation quicker than to spend hundreds of dollars on theme park tickets…only to lose them! Happily, there is one very simple way to make sure that your vacation is not ruined by lost theme park tickets: make a copy of the back of them.

The back side, with the magnetic strip, has coded information with all the details of your personal ticket. All these numbers, letters, and dates will actually help Disney replace the tickets if you lose them. And while the tickets do say “Disney is not responsible for misplaced, lost, or stolen tickets”, in all likelihood, if you can provide the coded information, they will usually re-issue the pass.

So save this valuable coded information by making a copy, or taking a photo of the backs, either with a digital camera or cell phone. By doing this, if you lose the tickets while at the park, you will have immediate access to the codes on your camera or cell phone.

It is important to note that receipts that you receive from ticket brokers, while important, will not help in getting your tickets replaced. You must have the codes from the back of your passes.

So that’s my Disney World tip of the day: Buyer beware….and then protect what you buy! Do these things and there will be no unpleasant surprises when it comes to your Disney park tickets!

Disney World Tickets 201: Don’t Let This Happen to You (theaffordablemouse.com)
Tuesday Disney Tips: Save Money by Driving (theaffordablemouse.com)

Disney World Tips and Tricks: Buying and Protecting Your Disney Tickets

Disney Cruise Line Alaska-Last minute deals available!

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

April 29, 2011

If you are itching to sail Alaska but your piggy bank isn’t quite full the month of May might be your good luck charm!
Disney Cruise Line Alaskan itineraries seem to have GTY (guarantee stateroom categories with restrictions) available at great rates.

Here’s what i’ve found so far:
May 3, 2011 (7-Night)=$1,871 for 2 adults
May 17, 2011 (7-Night)=$2,311 for 2 adults
These great opportunities go quickly, take advantage of it if you can!

Star Wars Weekends Brings Sci-Fi Saga to Life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Chip

April 29, 2011

Jedi, Wookiees and Ewoks, Oh My!Once again, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine in May and June for Star Wars Weekends, a sci-fi fan-fest inspired by the popular film saga. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 20-June 12, 2011, Disney’s Hollywood Studios becomes the galaxy’s home for out-of-this-world characters including Sith, Bith, droids, bounty hunters, Twi’leks and Rodians.

Dates are May 20-22, May 27-29, June 3-5 and June 10-12. This year, guests blast into the universe of Star Wars like never before in a new attraction — in 3-D! “Star Tours — The Adventures Continue” takes Jedi from Tatooine to Coruscant and beyond. With several possible missions, you never know where the Force may take you.

There will be Star Wars characters roaming the streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios for meet-and-greets and photo opportunities. Also featured: the chance to purchase special- and limited-edition Star Wars memorabilia, Star Wars trivia contests, Jedi Training Academy, Star Wars parades and the popular “Hyperspace Hoopla” dance party.

There’ll also be celebrities from the Star Wars films and creative geniuses who helped create the saga on hand each weekend for star conversations and autograph sessions. Already announced:

Anthony Daniels, known worldwide for his portrayal of everyone’s favorite protocol droid, C-3PO, will return this year for Weekend 1 (May 20-22) and Weekend 2 (May 27-29).
Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” will appear each weekend as Celebrity Host of a behind-the-scenes talk show entitled “Clone Wars: Behind the Force.”

Guests can visit StarWars.com and Disneyworld.com/starwarsweekends for information updates.

Event activities are included in theme park admission.

Star Wars Weekends Brings Sci-Fi Saga to Life at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Tickets and Details for Disney’s Night of Joy 2011

Chip

April 29, 2011

Christian music Artist of the Year Francesca Battistelli, TobyMac, MercyMe, newsboys, Jeremy Camp, Jars of Clay and Skillet will headline one of the most-decorated lineups in the 29-year history of Disney’s Night of Joy Sept. 9 and Sept. 10, 2011. Filling the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort with the sound of contemporary Christian music will be 16 artists with a 20-year legacy of accolades — 70 GMA Dove Awards and eight GRAMMY® Awards.

Thirteen of the 16 acts were 2011 Dove Award finalists in 19 categories that span the musical spectrum — from rap and hip hop … to rock and pop … to contemporary gospel and praise and worship. They won 11 categories. Nobody was decorated more highly than Battistelli, who also received Dove Awards as Female Vocalist of the Year and for pop/contemporary recorded song (for “Beautiful, Beautiful”). Night of Joy newcomer Chris August earned the nod as New Artist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year plus the Dove for pop-contemporary album (No Far Away).

Here’s the night-by-night Night of Joy 2011 lineup:

Friday, Sept. 9, 2011: newsboys, Jeremy Camp, Skillet, Matthew West, Francesca Battistelli, Group 1 Crew, Sidewalk Prophets and Disciple.

Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011: MercyMe, TobyMac, Jars of Clay, Marvin Sapp, Sanctus Real, Kutless, Chris August and VaShawn Mitchell.

Night of Joy is an after-hours event that requires a special ticket. Event hours are 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. each evening. While artists are performing at several stages, many popular Magic Kingdom attractions also are available for Night of Joy guests.

Tickets are available beginning May 1, 2011. One-night tickets are $51.95 plus tax in advance, $59.95 plus tax day of. Two-night tickets are $92.95. Groups of 10 or more can purchase one-night tickets in advance for $46.95 plus tax each and two-night tickets for $87.95. Additional information is available at www.nightofjoy.com.

Tickets and Details for Disney's Night of Joy 2011

Register to Attend a Pixar Speaker Session at Epcot May 14-15

Chip

April 29, 2011

Just a heads up to all you Pixar fans who plan to attend Pixar’s 25th Anniversary Weekend May 13-15 at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival: Registration is now open for the “Presenting Pixar” speaker sessions, featuring special guests who will give you an inside look at Pixar Animation Studios.

Speakers will take the stage May 14-15 at the following times:

Noon – Jay Ward: “Cars 101 – Inspiration for all of the CARacters you know and love”
2 p.m. – Jonas Rivera: “Pixar: Celebrating 25 Years of Animation”
4 p.m. – Michael Giacchino: “Behind the Music: A Score is Born”
6 p.m. – Special presentation by Jay Ward, Jonas Rivera and Michael Giacchino

Oscar-winning Composer Michael Giacchino began studying music composition at Julliard and UCLA, eventually becoming a producer for Disney Interactive Division, writing music for video games. His work grabbed the attention of Television Producer JJ Abrams, who hired him to write the score for ABC’s “Alias,” and “Lost,” the latter of which Michael earned an Emmy.

Michael’s more recent composition credits include Disney•Pixar’s “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille,” as well as “Up,” which earned him an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and two Grammy Awards. He’s currently working on Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 2.”

Oscar-nominated Producer Jonas Rivera joined Pixar Animation Studios in 1994 as a production office assistant on the studio’s first feature film, “Toy Story.” Working on almost every Pixar feature film to date, Rivera’s ability and expertise has enabled him to advance in his role on each of the studio’s subsequent productions. Some of his film credits include: “A Bug’s Life,” “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.,” and “Cars.” He most recently served as producer on the Academy Award-winning feature “Up.”

“Cars” Franchise Guardian Jay Ward came to Pixar Animation Studios in December 1998 to work as an art department production assistant on the 2001 feature film, “Monsters, Inc.” In 2001, he began early development work on the 2006 film, “Cars.” During production, Jay’s knowledge of the automotive world allowed him to perform different roles on the film, including character team manager and consultant to the film’s director and co-director, John Lasseter and Joe Ranft. Ward continues to contribute his enthusiasm for cars and his artistic passions to the creation of any and everything within the “Cars” franchise.

As you can see, preparations are already underway for the celebration, which also will feature themed topiaries, Disney-Pixar character meet-and-greet experiences, kids’ activities and more.

Visit http://www.pixarweekend.com/ to register for the “Presenting Pixar” sessions and to learn more.

Source Disney Parks Blog

Pixar’s 25th Anniversary Weekend Celebration (chipandco.com)

Register to Attend a Pixar Speaker Session at Epcot May 14-15

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Related articles

1. Use Only Authorized Ticket Agencies

2. Cheapest is not Always Best

3. Craigslist or eBay? No Thank You!

4. Keep Your Ticket Investment Safe!

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