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Sir Patrick Stewart Slated to Appear at Hilton Walt Disney World Convention

Sir Patrick Stewart Slated to Appear at Hilton Walt Disney World Convention

Set for Halloween weekend and with more than a dozen confirmed stars, artists, and authors, this weekend-long sci-fi convention presented by Vulcan Events promises to be the sci-fi event of the year. Sir Patrick Stewart—also known as the serene Professor X from the X-Men films and the commanding Captain Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation TV show and films—joins Jewel Staite of Firefly/Serenity and Stargate: Atlantis fame. They will be available all weekend for autographs and photo ops.

Rounding out the line up are Armin Shimerman and Max Grodénchik from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, David Nykl from Stargate: Atlantis, Sherry Jackson from the original Star Trek series, Phil Morris with a number of sci-fi credits to his name and the recently added Jennifer Hetrick from Star Trek: The Next Generation, X-Files, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Representing the creative, behind-the-scenes life of sci-fi are Emmy and Hugo award winning illustrator Rick Sternbach and Star Trek screenwriter and historian Larry Nemecek.

As with Vulcan Events’ past conventions, this show is planned around providing a relaxed and sociable atmosphere where fans can mingle with stars and enjoy the many convention activities including auctions, a Halloween Bash on Saturday night, and special events for children. As a special treat on Friday night, Armin and Max will perform their newly revamped Brotherly Love Tour—about an hour of original Star Trek parody materials—and will host a chocolate dessert meet and greet with fans immediately following the show.

First-time convention goers will be pleasantly surprised at the ambiance and disposition of the average patron. “We may look like geeks in rubber masks but we are doctors, professors, and people from all walks of life. This is our fun; this is our escape” notes Javier Garcia, one of the promoters.

While the all-inclusive tickets are sold out, several ticket options are still available for advanced purchase. Bronze weekend tickets are $89 and single-day general admission tickets start at $20.

About the Celebrity Guests
Sir Patrick Stewart is best known as the Captain of the Enterprise–Captain Jean-Luc Picard–on the seven seasons of TV’s Star Trek: The Next Generation and the four subsequent feature films. He has also embodied Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films as well as countless other roles. His film and television credits include Dune, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Conspiracy Theory, Masterminds, Animal Farm, Jimmy Neutron, King of Texas, Gnomeo & Juliet, and American Dad! As a trained actor with the Royal Shakespearean Company, he has performed across the globe in Shakespearean plays such as I Claudius, Anthony and Cleopatra, Hamlet, Macbeth, and The Tempest.

Jewel Staite’s most memorable role is Kaylee, the beloved mechanic on Fox’s Firefly, and the major motion picture Serenity. Since then, she starred in Bryan Fuller’s Wonderfalls, as well as Dr. Jennifer Keller in Syfy’s Stargate: Atlantis.

David Nykl is known to sci-fi fans as the recurring character on Stargate Atlantis, Dr. Radek Zelenka. Nykl has also made several guest appearances on television including Human Target, Fringe, Eureka, and Sanctuary.

Armin Shimerman is best known for his role as Quark on the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, as Principal Snyder on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and as Pascal on Beauty and the Beast. Shimerman has hundreds of TV credits including Hillstreet Blues, Remington Steel, The Paper Chase, Alien Nation, Seinfeld, Stargate SG-1, Alley McBeal, The Practice, Charmed, and Boston Public. Recently he appeared in episodes of Boston Legal, Numb3rs, and Warehouse 13.

Max Grodénchik is best known for his role as Rom on the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Grodénchik has made several guest appearances on hit TV shows and films such as Apollo 13 and Bruce Almighty. Max also dabbles in singing, songwriting, as well as play writing.

Sherry Jackson played Andrea in the original Star Trek episode “What Are Little Girls Made Of?” She is most known for her role as Terry Williams on Make Room for Daddy. She also appeared in Batman, The Twilight Zone, Gene Roddenberry’s The Lieutenant, Barbary Coast, The Wild Wild West, Lost in Space, Barnaby Jones, Starsky and Hutch, and Fantasy Island.

Phil Morris’ first acting role was in the 1966 Star Trek episode “Miri”. He made his feature film debut in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and later guest-starred on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager. On Seinfeld, he played the Johnnie Cochran-inspired defense attorney Jackie Chiles. Morris also co-starred in the remake of Mission: Impossible as tech wizard Grant Collier (son of Barney Collier, who was played in the original series by Morris’ real-life father Greg Morris). On Smallville, Morris portrayed The Martian Manhunter/John Jones, which became a recurring character in the series. His voice credits include Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Atlantis: Milo’s Return, and The PJs.

Jennifer Hetrick played the recurring role of Vash, Picard’s love interest in the Star Trek: The Next Generation. She reprised her role for the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. She also appeared in The X-Files, Sliders, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, L.A. Law, 24, Prison Break, Cold Case, NCIS, Criminal Minds, Close to Home, and Alias.

Also appearing all weekend are musical guest Sci-Fried and guest authors Glenda C. Finkelstein, William Hatfield, K.L. Nappier and William Mize.

About Vulcan Events
Focused on putting on great events for the fans, Fernando Martinez and Javier Garcia come together to produce intimate conventions offering refreshing alternatives to other convention styles that offer one long line after another. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience, they bring trust and confidence back to the small-convention market.

Disney-Branded Pogo Sticks Recalled

Disney-Branded Pogo Sticks Recalled

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.  It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of product: Pogo sticks

Units: About 159,000

Distributor: Bravo Sports of Santa Fe Springs, Calif.

Note: Disney licensed its brand name to Bravo Sports

Hazard: The bottom rubber tip attached to the pogo stick frame can wear out prematurely, posing a fall hazard to consumers. Also, the end caps on the handlebars can come off, exposing sharp edges. This poses a laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Bravo and CPSC have received 82 reports of the bottom tip wearing out on the pogo sticks, including five reports of injuries. A 9-year-old girl suffered a skull fracture and chipped a tooth. Another 9-year-old girl cut her lip and chin, requiring stitches. Other injuries included scrapes, hits to the head and teeth pushed in.

Consumers can visit the search page on SaferProducts.gov to view incident reports about Bravo’s recalled pogo sticks.

Description: This recall includes pogo sticks in various colors. The models included in this recall are the Disney Hannah Montana Pogo Stick, the Disney/Pixar Toy Story Cruising Cool Pogo Stick, the Disney/Pixar Cars Pogo Stick, the Disney Princess Pogo Stick and the Disney Fairies Cruising Cool Pogo Stick. The pogo sticks have Disney labels between the handlebars. The manufacturing date codes between 01/01/2009-022CO and 11/30/2010-022CO are on a clear label on the stem of the pogo stick near the foot pedals.

Sold at: Burlington Coat Factory, Kmart, Kohls.com, Target and Toys R Us from February 2009 through June 2011 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the pogo sticks and contact Bravo Sports for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Bravo Sports toll-free at (855) 469-3429 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT or visit the firm’s website at www.bravopogorecall.com.

Photos available at .

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov.

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (855) 469-3429

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Reports on SaferProducts.gov

Key to the Kingdom Cel Release and Artist Signing at Walt Disney World

Key to the Kingdom Cel Release and Artist Signing at Walt Disney World

Event: Key to the Kingdom Ink and Paint Cel Premiere
Special Guests: Disney Design Group Artist, Costa Alavezos and Ink & Paint Artists, James Bonserio, Erin Magill, Theodora M. DeLaney, David Rippberger, Lynn Rippberger, Sharon K. Vincent
Event Date: Saturday, September 3, 2011
Event Times: 10:00am -1:00pm & 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Event Location: Studios Animation Gallery, Disney’s Hollywood Studios™

Celebrate 40 Magical years with the newest commemorative release from the Disney Studios Ink & Paint Team!

Key to the Kingdom captures the essence of wonder and excitement that comprised the magical kingdom since it opened its gates on October 1, 1971.

The talented Ink & Paint team hand painted the iconic Mickey Mouse and loveable Pluto onto each Key to the Kingdom cel in this celebratory release comprised of 1500 cels.

An exclusively designed pin has been created to commemorate the release of the new cel, the pin is available with the first 750 orders placed for a framed cel only.

Brand New Phineas & Ferb: Across the Second Dimension Game Play Trailer

Brand New Phineas & Ferb: Across the Second Dimension Game Play Trailer

Here is an all new gameplay trailer for the all new Phineas & Ferb: Across the Second Dimension video game.  Stay tuned to Chip and Co as I will have my review later this week!

Around the “Disney” World – China Pavilion

Around the "Disney" World - China Pavilion

China is one of the pavilions located over at Epcot, in the World Showcase.  Located between Norway and Germany, China is home to Reflections of China, one of the Circle-Vision 360 shows that you will find at Epcot.  Reflections of China is one of the movies that I like to see, as it gives me a picture of China that you don’t often see very often.  That, in a nutshell, is what makes Epcot’s World Showcase such a great place to visit — for most of us, we aren’t going to be able to travel to China, or Japan, or Morocco, or even the UK, so being able to come to Epcot gives us some ideas on what life is like in those parts of the world.  But I digress.

In addition to Reflections of China, the China Pavilion is also home to two dining locations: the Nine Dragons Restaurant and the Lotus Blossom Cafe.  While I have heard mixed reviews about the Lotus Blossom Cafe, my friend Melissa found some reasons to check out Lotus Blossom over Nine Dragons.  If you have eaten at either of these locations, please feel free to comment and let us know what you thought of them.

For our family, China is a quick getaway — a place to relax, take in a movie, but not spend a whole lot of time at.  For those that love exploring every detail of the World Showcase, China has some wonderful art pieces to examine.  Explore the Temple of Heaven before seeing the movie.  Reflect a dreamy Disney day at the reflecting pool.  Do some shopping at the House of Good Fortune, or just take a break from all of the hustle and bustle of a busy Epcot day.  There is something for everyone at the China Pavilion.

  • Around the “Disney” World – Mexico Pavilion (chipandco.com)
  • Drink Around the World Showcase – China and the Joy of Tea (chipandco.com)
  • Exploring the Shows: Epcot (mydreamsofdisney.com)
Around the "Disney" World - China Pavilion

Win a Disney Bluray Combo Pack on Couponing to Disney

Win a Disney Bluray Combo Pack on Couponing to Disney

In case you missed the announcement yesterday we are sponsoring a contest today on Couponing to Disney‘s website. This is your chance to own the 5 Disney Blurays pictured above.

Head on over to our good friends Kristin’s site and get the full details on how to enter.

Click here to enter!

P.S. – We will be giving away another Bluray Combo Pack later this week here on Chip and Co.

Chiquita and Walt Disney World Resort Announce Multi-Year Alliance

Chiquita and Walt Disney World Resort Announce Multi-Year Alliance

Chiquita Brands International (NYSE: CQB) and Walt Disney World Resort announced an agreement today that will bring premium, healthy fresh Chiquita® and Fresh Express® products to a number of retail points at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. and Disney Cruise Line.  This new strategic alliance represents the commitment of both companies to provide consumers with healthy food options.

“We are pleased to work with Disney to offer healthy, nutritious Chiquita and Fresh Express products to the millions of guests who visit Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line  each year,” said Fernando Aguirre, Chiquita chairman and chief executive officer.  “This alliance joins two companies with the shared commitment of providing quality experiences to consumers. This is yet another step in Chiquita’s efforts to improve world nutrition by extending distribution of our healthy fresh products, now to include the world’s favorite vacation destinations.”

Throughout Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line, Chiquita and Fresh Express products will receive brand exclusivity within their respective categories and enjoy significant exposure to important consumer segments.  The new agreement continues Chiquita’s expansion into distribution points beyond traditional channels as well as providing an opportunity for Chiquita to educate consumers about the benefits of proper nutrition.

“This alliance complements our company’s commitment to providing guests with high-quality, healthy food options,” said George Aguel, senior vice president, Corporate Alliances for The Walt Disney Company.

As part of the agreement, Chiquita will serve as the sponsor of both the “Crush ‘n’ Gusher” at Typhoon Lagoon, themed around a tropical fruit processing center, and the “Living with the Land” attraction, where Chiquita will join forces with Disney to help teach guests about nutrition.  In another joint effort, Chiquita will also participate in the “runDisney” marathon series to help promote healthy living and active lifestyles.  Beginning with the upcoming Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend in September, Chiquita will share with guests and participants how its fresh and convenient products can help improve personal nutrition.

Chiquita and Fresh Express products add to Disney’s existing portfolio of nutritious snack items as well as its ongoing effort to promote healthy lifestyles and nutrition for kids and families.  Chiquita bananas and Fresh Express salad items will be featured throughout Walt Disney Resort and offer visitors convenient low calorie snacks.

The Walt Disney Company first pioneered groundbreaking nutritional guidelines in 2006 aimed at giving parents and children healthier eating options. Disney Magic of Healthy Living, a comprehensive initiative launched in 2010, builds on that commitment by inspiring kids and families to explore simple and fun ways to eat right and be active.  Today, more than 85 percent of Disney’s licensed food portfolio consists of healthier options, including produce and low-fat dairy.

Applications open for HGTV’s ‘My Yard Goes Disney’

Applications open for HGTV’s 'My Yard Goes Disney'

If you and your family love Disney rides, family resorts and animated characters, HGTV & Disney wants to transform your backyard! JayTV is teaming up with HGTV to create some of the most amazing backyard transformations you’ve ever seen. It’s a dream come true for families who love Disney!

They are looking for families with great stories about their passion for Disney and their Disney dreams for their backyards! You bring the passion, personality and a bit of sweat equity, and they will bring the plans and construction crews to transform your backyard.

Click below and take the 3 easy steps to getting on TV:

  • Fill out application
  • Include picture of your family
  • Include wide picture of your backyard

Click here to learn more and to enter.

Applications open for HGTV’s 'My Yard Goes Disney'

Top 5 Time Wasters at Disney World

While surfing the Net we all come across many articles about how great Walt Disney World is. Top Five lists abound recommending everything from the best attractions to the tastiest foods and more. And I’ve even written some of these lists.

But today I thought it would be only fair to look at the other side of the Disney Dollar, so to speak. Is everything at Walt Disney World worth the time?

Top 5 Time Wasters at Disney World

Here is my Top Five list of what I consider to be time wasters out of any Disney vacation. I’ve chosen only one from each of the four Parks and one from Downtown Disney:

Magic Kingdom: Tom Sawyer Island

I’m sure back in 1955 when Disneyland first opened this was a fantastic place for kids! Davy Crocket was popular as were Westerns in general. And the works of Mark Twain were still regarded with respect in schools, unlike today. So the chance to crawl over a turn-of-the-century island with a cave and a military Fort must have been almost irresistible.

Even in 1971 when WDW opened, the pull of Tom Sawyer was still strong. But we have to admit that Disney was offering a lot more entertainment on the shores of the Island back then. Characters like Huck and Becky roamed the paths as well as a few soldiers and Indians.

But now it’s just a big empty Island really. You simply walk around and then leave. For me and mine it simply isn’t worth the raft ride until Disney adds some more magic perhaps as they did briefly at Disneyland with the Pirate makeover.

EPCOT: Wonders of Life

Not so much a waste of time anymore as a waste of space. I never got to see the attractions in this Pavilion, which I regret. Cranium Command and Body Wars only exist on YouTube these days, which is a shame. But things change and that’s not a bad thing. If the changes bring better things.

But in the case of Wonders it was simply shut down. Now it’s just a big empty building taking up prime real estate that we’re all paying to see! Oh, Disney does open it for conferences and lectures during The Flower and Garden and the Wine and Food Festivals, but it offers a bland experience at best.

Without a corporate sponsor to pump money into this building, don’t expect anything new in the back corner of Innoventions East anytime soon.

Hollywood Studios: Backlot Tour

In a nutshell: Just stop already! This ‘attraction’ was never really a great thing to begin with, and so as Disney has raided it’s
footprint for other attractions over the years it’s become even less inviting. When I last bothered to give it a chance, the special effects demonstration at the beginning was broken, so perhaps the best part of the ‘attraction’ was missing. Then we just rode past rooms with stuff in them before going out into the sun to drive past other Park Guests who were walking in the same area.

Hardly an exclusive backstage pass! With rumors that this ‘attraction’ will soon be closed entirely swirling around the Internet, I say: It couldn’t happen too soon.

Animal Kingdom: Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Do your kids dream of going to school while at WDW? I didn’t think so, but that’s how it may feel for some when they visit the Watch. It’s filled with educational opportunities, but they usually require a lot of milling around and reading. You may see an animal being cared for. But not likely. You may see a candid moment in an animal’s life on an Animal Cam. But not likely. Getting the idea?

It tries hard to be both educational and entertaining, but simply doesn’t have enough to work with.

Having said that, I do enjoy the train ride over to the Watch on the Harambe Line. And sometimes you can meet the Talking Trashcan! But after that, plan to be bored.

Downtown Disney: Pleasure Island / Hyperion Wharf

Pleasure Island is no more and Hyperion Wharf is in a complete stall. There simply isn’t anything there now.

When Pleasure Island was up and running, I never saw it as a viable family experience anyway. Mainly designed around the nightclub culture, it was more for partying adults than your typical Disney Guest. And the stores in that section of DTD were not usually Disney themed.

But that was all to change with the coming of Hyperion Wharf! A new family environment with this and that and blah blah blah. So where is it? When will it be finished? No one knows.

So until Disney finishes whatever it’s trying to do over the bridge, this area wins as the biggest time waster, and space waster, of Downtown Disney.

In Conclusion: I’ll just say that for some areas, I found it hard to find a time waster, while for others I had to choose between two or three. Do you agree with my list, or do you have a bigger time waster for one or more of the Parks?

Be a sport and let them be known! Perhaps we can save some unsuspecting Walt Disney World Guest from boredom!

The House that Walt Disney Built is Now For Sale

The House that Walt Disney Built is Now For Sale

Now is your chance to own the house that Walt Disney Built.

Located on a one-acre lot in the Los Feliz Hills, the historic four bedroom, five bath French Normandy-style home was built by Walt Disney in 1932, and features painted ceilings, vaulted beamed ceilings, original stained leaded glass, billiards room, sleeping porch, swimming pool, and not surprisingly, a projection/screening room.

A virtual tour can be found here.

Walt’s 4053 Working Way home is listed at $3.65 million.

The House that Walt Disney Built is Now For Sale

Ridemakerz to move in with Team Mickey

Ridemakerz Downtown Disney West Side
Ridemakerz at DTD West Side

With the announcement of Splitsville, an upscale bowling and billiards venue, taking over the 50,000 square feet originally occupied by the Virgin Megastore, the fate of the venues current tenant, Ridemakerz has been in question.  In the official Splitsville announcement, Disney indicated that Ridemakerz would be housed in the Marketplace area, but no specifics were mentioned.

Ridemakerz will be sharing space in the Team Mickey store.  Disney evidently feels that the RC car customization shop will be a good match with the sports and ESPN themed merchandise sold in the Team Mickey space.

Ridemakerz to move in with Team MickeyRidemakerz allows guests to choose the pieces to create one of a kind customized RC cars.  Recent contracts with the Disney company have included Cars 2 chassis for the RC cars being added to the existing NASCAR and sports car themed elements featured in the store.  Guests at Ridemakers choose the pieces that will make up the car, then assemble the care at a series of workbenches with guidance from employees as needed.  The West Side location also featured luxury sports cars and NASCAR racing cars from Ridemakerz owners and affiliates.

According to cast members, Ridemakerz will only occupy part of the space in the current Team Mickey store, severely reducing the display area from its current dimensions.  It will be interesting to see if the new location proves effective for the RC car customization company.

Ridemakerz to move in with Team Mickey

Small Fire Breaks out at Cinderella’s Castle in Walt Disney World

Small Fire Breaks out at Cinderella's Castle in Walt Disney World

Today I was making my rounds in the Forums at WDW Magic and found this interesting article/video from Tuesday, July 19th, 2011. The poster was able to whip out his camera and get some video of a small fire on one of the Spires of Cinderella Castle.

It looks like from the video nobody was hurt and was dealt with immediately. Just goes to show you that pyrotechnics are dangerous and HOT STUFF!

Personally I tend to stay back from anything flammable and electrical no matter where I am. I know the fire crews and safety staff at Walt Disney World are some of the best in the business so my hats off to them for keeping us safe at all times when we are enjoying our home away from home.

 

 

Small Fire Breaks out at Cinderella's Castle in Walt Disney World