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Chip & Company Week in Review for week of April 18th, 2011

Chip & Company Week in Review for week of April 18th, 2011

This has been a busy week for the writers over at Chip & Company!  There is so much to talk about.  This week we’ll be looking more at posts about the “The Ballad of Nessie”, the upcoming release of the Cars Blueray combo pack, and more details about the incredible D23 Scavenger Hunt!

  • As I mentioned, Disney’s “The Ballad of Nessie” was explored in more detail this week. In this post, we looked at who the creators of the tall tale are, and where you will be able to see it when it hits theaters!
  • In addition to what is appearing on the big screen, this week we talked about the upcoming release of the Cars Blueray Combo Pack this month.  Only one word works for me with regards to this: Awesome!
  • Are you going to D23 next month?  If so, you may want to read this next post very carefully!  Decide for yourselves if you want to participate in the D23 Scavenger Hunt.  Grand Prize – a dream preview cruise on the Disney Fantasy!
  • Did you hear about Shanghai Disneyland? It is the very first Disney theme park to be built in Mainland China.  From everything I’ve read, this will be tough to pull off, so let’s see how it goes!
  • Our writer Chris is also a Pixie Vacations travel agent.  Did you see where she is offering a gift card to those that book their vacations through her?  If not, read about it here.
  • Are you going to participate in the Aids Walk Orange County event in Anaheim, California?  If so, take a look at the D23 Eat and Greet Event!
  • Did you hear about the partnership between Chip and Company and Passporter?  All week Chip has been having contests each day, based on the reaction on the Facebook page, it was a great success!  Why don’t you relive all the excitement?  You know you want to!
  • Aljon and our friends over at Sorcerer Radio have been crazy busy!  Take a look at what they were doing last week, and tune in for more Disney music than anyone!
  • Have you seen the Disney Nature music video about African Cats?  If not, take a look, I think you’ll enjoy it!
  • Lastly, did you see the collaboration between Crunch Pack and Disney Consumer Products?  Sounds tasty!

In addition to the incredible news stories that Chip & Company releases, we also have some extremely talented writers giving their views on all things Disney.  If you missed them, take a look at some of these gems:

I hope you have enjoyed this week’s edition of the Chip & Company Week in Review.  Look for more great news and views stories throughout the week on our website or facebook page!

Chip & Company Week in Review for week of April 18th, 2011

Chip and Co Featured Partner – Deals to Disney

Chip and Co Featured Partner - Deals to DisneyDeals to Disney started almost a year ago as a way to keep readers informed with the latest Disney specials that I can help book as a travel agent and other tips and tricks for saving money at Disney.  These are things that I have learned over the last 25 years of going to Disney and 8 years of paying for those trips and taking my own children with me.  Most posts start with a question from a reader planning their trip to Disney- and I just share the answer with everyone so if others had the same question, the answer is right there!

I’m looking forward to going to stay at the Aulani- I live just over an hour away from this new Disney resort, so this is something I’ve been following closely and posting about often.

On the Deals to Disney Facebook page and twitter, there are also quick tips and reminders.  This is also a way to ask your questions directly.

Next week Thursday I’ll be co-hosting a Disney Blog Hop with Babes in Disneyland.  Come link up your site or come find some new favorites!

Chip and Co Featured Partner - Deals to Disney

Disney Cast Members Challenge: 20,000 Ways to Protect the Environment

Disney Cast Members Challenge: 20,000 Ways to Protect the Environment

Connecting with nature is an everyday passion for the 62,000 cast members at the Walt Disney World Resort.  As part of this commitment, cast members are challenging themselves this Earth Day to double the 10,000 conservation pledges they made last year to reduce their carbon footprint.

Inspired by the upcoming Earth Day release of Disneynature film “African Cats,” cast members are focusing their efforts on making a difference for animals and nature.

“Connecting with nature can mean something different to each of us,” said Jackie Ogden, vice president of Disney’s Animal Programs and Environmental Initiatives. “But no matter what the pledge, every individual can make a difference for this fragile planet and help its natural inhabitants.”

Cast members hope to reach 20,000 pledges by adding one more environmentally friendly commitment to their work and home routine.

Some of their ideas include:
•             Raising thermostats by two degrees in the summer and lowering them by two degrees in the winter.
•             Using reusable shopping bags, utensils, and drinking containers.
•             Eating sustainably caught or farmed seafood.
•             Recycling anything and everything possible.
•             Minimizing the use of pesticides and fertilizers.
•             Reducing water use by installing low-flow shower heads and turning off the faucet while brushing teeth.

Environmental conservation is a long journey. Here’s how five cast members carried out their pledge during the past year.

Disney Cast Members Challenge: 20,000 Ways to Protect the Environment

Lady Gaga visits Magic Kingdom park

Lady Gaga visits Magic Kingdom park

Grammy Award-winning singer Lady Gaga (right) poses April 16, 2011 with the Evil Queen from Disney’s classic animated film “Snow White” at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Todd Anderson, photographer

Lady Gaga visits Magic Kingdom park

CARS 2: Meet Okuni, Kingpin Nobunaga, Pinion Tanaka & Zen Master!‏

Here are the latest crew of turbo-charged characters racing to screens in this summers blockbuster Cars 2!

 

CARS 2: Meet Okuni, Kingpin Nobunaga, Pinion Tanaka & Zen Master!‏

Okuni
Okuni is a micro car Kabuki dancer who dons the traditional white-painted face and an exquisite colorful kimono for her performances at the Kabuki theater in Tokyo, Japan.

CARS 2: Meet Okuni, Kingpin Nobunaga, Pinion Tanaka & Zen Master!‏

 

Kingpin Nobunaga
As a professional Sumo wrestler at an arena in Tokyo, Japan, Kingpin Nobunaga is a gold-painted micro van who fights his fiercest matches when he’s wearing his lucky purple mawashi.

CARS 2: Meet Okuni, Kingpin Nobunaga, Pinion Tanaka & Zen Master!‏

Pinion Tanaka
Pinion Tanaka is a gold-painted micro van and a professional Sumo wrestler from Tokyo, Japan, who’s always a menacing sight in the ring in his signature teal mawashi.

CARS 2: Meet Okuni, Kingpin Nobunaga, Pinion Tanaka & Zen Master!‏

Zen Master
A master in the art of sculpting the serene zen rock garden at the Tokyo museum, Zen Master wears his old woven reed hat and uses his antique wood rake to create mesmerizing patterns in the garden’s sand.

Like CARS 2 on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/PixarCars

CARS 2 hits the track on June 24, 2011 and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

CARS 2: Meet Okuni, Kingpin Nobunaga, Pinion Tanaka & Zen Master!‏

Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure on Blu Ray is, well, fabulous!

Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure on Blu Ray is, well, fabulous!

If you are a fan of the High School Musical movies, Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure will be like catching up with an old friend.  The dialogue is witty, cute, and oh-so-Sharpay, as we find out that Ashley Tilsdale can carry a Disney movie on her own. The acting and production quality are great as well.

The movie opens almost a year after graduation where we learn that Sharpay has taken a year off to find herself and her father is now on her heals trying to get her to w-w-w-work! After a casting director sees her preform with her pup, Boi, he suggests that Sharpay come out to New York for a Broadway audition.  She jumps on the opportunity assuming she is going to hit Broadway and fame will fall into her lap.  This just isn’t so, and after things start to crumble, Sharpay has to learn the hard way that it takes a lot of hard work and talent to make your dreams come true.  Without giving away too many of the plot points I will say that there is  a cute boy, puppy love, and even a few musical numbers in this 89 minute flick.

I can’t help but strangely bringing in a Twilight reference here: If you are a Twilight fan, a good comparison I can make is that Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure is to the High School Musical movies what the Bree Tanner novella was to the Twilight book series.  Sure fans of the series would love a full on sequel but this is a sweet little addition to the franchise.  In true Disney form, we get to see a soft and fun side of the pink-accesorized glamour girl and root for her as she reaches for her dream.  Sure a Zac Efron cameo would have been nice, but there are some good laughs and some great shoes to be seen!

The Blu Ray also comes with a few bonus features, including a featurette about the history of Sharpay Evans, a gag reel, and some Sneak Peaks.  While the gag reel leaves you a little wanting, I think these are always fun and the featurette was well done.  The menu is adorable and the pink box made me smile when it arrived on the doorstep.

All in all, I think its not just worth a watch but worth adding to your collection if you are even the tiniest bit a High School Musical fan!

 

Review: GoGo squeeZ on the Go

Review: GoGo squeeZ on the Go
When I was given the opportunity to review GoGo squeeZ applesauce, I jumped at the chance. My two-year old is an applesauce aficionado. He’s hot and cold about other fruits such as melon, halved grapes, and bananas but applesauce has captured his affection for quite some time. I’ve given up trying to neatly feed him his typical container of applesauce. When I do, he squeals in protest and pounds his chest as if to say, “Me do;” he is a big boy, after all. Instead, I brace myself for the mess as he grips his spoon, concentrates, and slowly navigates a spoonful of applesauce tilted at a precarious angle to his mouth. This independent behavior would pose some challenges on our upcoming trip to Walt Disney World. GoGo squeeZ seemed like it could be the answer.

GoGo squeeZ is a 100 percent fruit, applesauce snack that is gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free and contains no artificial flavors or preservatives. As a mom who fed her kids organic baby food, I like that. However, the best is yet to come. GoGo squeeZ applesauce comes in a re-sealable pouch that reminds me of the pouches of fruit drinks that are popular for kids’ lunches. The sturdy, wide, built-in “straw” has a small cap that simply needs to be unscrewed. This small cap was my one concern and I was careful to keep it out of his reach.

I had planned to test out the GoGo squeeZ during an outing to the park today. Unfortunately, we were running very far behind schedule and didn’t quite make it there. Instead, I gave my son the plain GoGo squeeZ applesauce for his snack at home. No explanation or coaching was required. He caught on immediately and loved it. You’ll notice the emphasis on loved. This is because after he finished the pouch, he still clutched it, desperately trying to squeeze out more. After I pried it out of his hands, I let him try the AppleBanana flavor; it didn’t last long and he began frantically signing the word, “more.” Explaining that he had enough was futile and it took some comforting to assuage his disappointment.

His clean hands, face, clothes, and the clean table after snack time were remarkable and a distinct difference from the applesauce containers we ordinarily use.

I know what’s being added to my carry-on luggage for our upcoming flight to Orlando – the 3.2 oz. GoGo squeeZ pouches. I’ll even ship pouches to our Walt Disney World resort to use when touring the theme parks. I’m only disappointed we’ll be missing the free samples at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival Center by a few days; they will be available during the weekends of April 22 and May 13. However, we’ll be sure to stop by and take part in the GoGo on the Go Challenge during our visit.

This product is perfect for family travel and one of my favorite finds for on-the-go health and convenience – kids get delicious, all-natural fruit goodness without the mess!

GoGo squeeze samples were provided for this review but the opinions are my own.

Coming to DVD & Bluray on May 24th – Gnomeo & Juliet

Coming to DVD & Bluray on May 24th - Gnomeo & Juliet

This coming summer to the U.S., don’t miss the chance to bring home GNOMEO & JULIET – the hilarious twist on William Shakespeare’s legendary tale Romeo & Juliet as you’ve never seen it before, perfect for the whole family. Enter the secret world of garden gnomes and meet two adorable gnomes from completely different worlds who fight the odds to be together. From a director of Shrek 2, and featuring fun, all-new music by Sir Elton John, the out-of-the-ordinary animated comedy GNOMEO & JULIET releases on Blu-ray™, Blu-ray 3D™, DVD, Movie Download and On-Demand – May 24, 2011.

Uniquely packaged with families’ top of mind, GNOMEO & JULIET will be made available for purchase by Walt Disney Studios as either a 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray 3D + DVD with Digital Copy), a 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray 2D + DVD) and/or a 1-Disc DVD.

Disney Blu-ray Combo Packs provide families with an enhanced entertainment experience – with the value and flexibility to enjoy your favorite movies on a variety of platforms of choice.

And for those who enjoy to learn more about the making of the film, GNOMEO & JULIET discs come enclosed with never-before-seen bonus features including “Elton Builds A Garden,” “Frog talk with Ashley Jensen,”, “Crocodile Rock Music Video featuring Elton John and Nelly Furtado.” And for those who purchase the Blu-ray Disc, it includes hours of extra exclusive bonus features including alternate endings, deleted scenes and more.

“Makes you smile from start to finish.” – Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

GNOMEO & JULIET is brought to life by the extraordinary voices of Golden Globe nominee James McAvoy (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe) as Gnomeo; Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) as Juliet; Academy Award winner Michael Caine (Inception) as Lord Redbrick; Jason Statham (The Trasnsporter franchise) as Tybalt; Ashley Jensen (TV’s Ugly Betty) as Nanette; Patrick Stewart (X-Men franchise) as William Shakespeare; Ozzy Osbourne (TV’s The Osbournes) as Fawn and Maggie Smith (Harry Potter franchise) as Lady Blueberry.

“It’s family-friendly fun.” – Ashley Muldoon, OK! Magazine

Bonus Features:

DVD & Movie Download:

  • Elton Builds a Garden
  • Frog Talk with Ashley Jensen
  • “Crocodile Rock” Music Video, featuring Elton John and Nelly Furtado

Blu-ray:

DVD Bonus plus:

  • 2 Alternate Endings with Filmmaker Introductions
  • Deleted & Alternate Scenes with Filmmaker Introductions, including:
  • Alternate Opening
  • Alternate Scene
  • 6 Deleted Scenes
  • The Fawn of Darkness, featuring Ozzy Osbourne

 

Coming to DVD & Bluray on May 24th - Gnomeo & Juliet

Passporter Guidebook a Day Giveaway – Final Day

Passporter Guidebook a Day Giveaway - Final Day

Great news everyone! Chip and Company has partnered with one of the best Disney Guidebooks and Forums on the planet!! I am excited to announce that Passporter is our official Disney Forum and Premier Disney Planning Guide.

In return we are sponsoring the Going Behind the Scenes: Trivia, News, and Rumors at Walt Disney World in the Passporter Forums! So be sure to pop in there and say hi!

In celebration of our partnership we are giving away a ton of Passporter Guidebooks this week! (Thanks to Jennifer)

Here is a list of books we are giving away all this week.

To enter today’s giveaway of the Disney Weddings & Honeymoon paperback is tell us if you have, or are planning on getting married at Disney. Also if you celebrated your Honeymoon at Disney we would love to hear it!

It is just that easy. I will pick one person from all that entries tonight at midnight to win this awesome Disney Weddings & Honeymoon paperback guidebook!

Remember the more you post and share the better your chances are to win. So post, tweet, and share as often as you like!

I will post the winners name in Facebook so be sure to use a valid name and a way to contact me below. Bonus entries will go out to anyone who Tweets, or Shares this Giveaway on Facebook (Like or Share Buttons)

Good Luck Everyone!

P.S. – If you didn’t want to wait to win you could always purchase the Passporter Guidebooks at the links above!

  • Disney Planning 101: Which guidebook or online subscription is right for you? (chipandco.com)
Passporter Guidebook a Day Giveaway - Final Day

Marvel and Disney Publishing Worldwide launch Muppets giant-sized comic

Marvel and Disney Publishing Worldwide launch Muppets giant-sized comic

Marvel and Disney Publishing will debut DISNEY•MUPPETS PRESENTS: MEET THE MUPPETS, a giant-sized comic featuring Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzy, Gonzo and the Muppet gang. Hitting stores in July 2011, this 96-page comic features stories from acclaimed writer/artist Roger Langridge.

In DISNEY•MUPPETS PRESENTS: MEET THE MUPPETS, the gang plans to revive their variety show and bring back favorite sketches like “Pigs in Space” and “Veterinarian’s Hospital.” Meanwhile, Kermit misses the swamp, and the gang tries to cheer him up. Fozzy revamps his standup act, but everything he tries gets the same boos as his original routine. Scooter attempts to figure out once and for all what species Gonzo belongs to. And a psychic tells Miss Piggy she’s going to lose something green.

“Together with Disney Publishing, we’re extremely excited to bring the Muppets to the comics world and continue to grow their audience” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Entertainment Editor-in-Chief. “Marvel will ensure that DISNEY•MUPPETS PRESENTS will be available at all retail segments for its cross-generational fan base. The Muppets are some of the most beloved pop culture icons ever, so we can’t wait for fans to experience these great stories from Roger Langridge”

DISNEY • MUPPETS PRESENTS: MEET THE MUPPETS
Written and Penciled by ROGER LANGRIDGE
Cover by ROGER LANGRIDGE
All Ages … Giant-Size Comic Dimensions: 8” x 10 ¾”…$5.99
ON SALE IN JULY

Source

Marvel and Disney Publishing Worldwide launch Muppets giant-sized comic

HILARIOUS! Star Wars Windows 7 Ads

HILARIOUS! Star Wars Windows 7 Ads

So I was browsing the net on my lunch and ran across these funny Star Wars Windows 7 Parodies! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did! Great job to Sneakzebra for coming up with these!

Death Star: Chewbacca

Death Star: Darth Vader

Death Star: Stormtrooper

HILARIOUS! Star Wars Windows 7 Ads

Who will be at Star Wars Weekends 2011?

As the days draw closer to Star Wars Weekends 2011 and the re-opening of Star Tours II at Disney’s Hollywood Studios those making plans to attend want to know what other Wars celebs will be attending this year. That said read on for the latest tremors in the Force!

Who will be at Star Wars Weekends 2011?
Clone Wars voice actors James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan) & Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka) at Star Wars Celebration V!

 

What we know…

According to sources such as the Disney Parks Blog and StarWars.com (the official Star Wars website) here are the confirmed actors appearing at this year’s festivities:

  • 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). Trivia fact: C-3PO (or “See-Threepio” as many fans remember) is one of the few characters to appear in all seven Star Wars feature films.
  • Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano, in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” will appear each weekend this year as Celebrity Host of a behind-the-scenes talk show entitled “Clone Wars: Behind the Force.” Ashley is no stranger to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Ashley, who grew up in central Florida, had one of her first show-business roles as a parade performer at the theme park.
  • James Arnold Taylor, the actor who lends is voice to Obi-Wan Kenobi in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” is slated to host festivities for the duration of the event. This was announced on his Facebook page as well as in a recent interview on the “Force Cast Podcast.”

Who will be at Star Wars Weekends 2011?

“Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future.” – Master Yoda

Recent additions…

The following celebrities have been reported to attend on several Disney news sites, fan sites and podcasts. We look to have confirmation by Lucasfilm/StarWars.com and Disney Parks in the coming days.

Who will be at Star Wars Weekends 2011?
Ray Park and his alter ego Darth Maul at Star Wars Weekends 2010. Photo by the Star Wars Blog.

Ray Park (Darth Maul)

Who will be at Star Wars Weekends 2011?
Jeremy Bulloch, the original Boba Fett!

Jermey Bulloch (Boba Fett – Episodes V & VI)

 

Who will be at Star Wars Weekends 2011?
Peter Mayhew the actor behind Han's best friend Chewbacca! *Image by Disney

Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)

 

Who will be at Star Wars Weekends 2011?
Dee Bradley Baker, Spongebob Squarepants. He is best known for his voice-work on Phineas and Ferb, American Dad!, Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Cody/Rex & Clones), Spongebob Squarepants!

Dee Bradley Baker (All Clone Troopers)

George Lucas and C-3PO
George Lucas and C-3PO

CROSS YOUR FINGERS FOR George Lucas – a.k.a. The MAN!

Again, while the name George Lucas’ name has been rumored to appear it has NOT been confirmed by Disney or Lucasfilm. I would say that it MAY be possible that George Lucas would try to make the re-opening and dedication of Star Tours II as he attended the opening of the original Star Tours attraction at Disneyland and cut the ribbon with then Disney C.E.O. Michael Eisner in 1987. Lucas was also on hand during the “Last Tour to Endor” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that took place the same weekend of Celebration V. Let’s hope we get more confirmed guests soon.

Roundup:

Attending ALL Star Wars Weekends: Host for the entire Star Wars Weekends events, James Arnold Taylor (voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi) and “Behind the Force” talk show hostess, Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka Tano).

WEEK 1 (May 20-22): Anthony Daniels (C-3pO)

WEEK 2 (May 27-29): Dee Bradley Baker

WEEK 3 (June 3-5): Ray Park, Jeremy Bulloch

WEEK 4 (June 10-12): Ray Park, Peter Mayhew

That is all the news… for the moment. Until next time, may the Force be with you!

Who will be at Star Wars Weekends 2011?