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Suffering from Disney World-itis?

Suffering from Disney World-itis?

If you are here, sorry to tell you … you have it. In one form or another or at varying degrees, you are suffering from Disney World-itis. Me? Yep. Got it, and got it bad. To the point of getting butterflies in my tummy looking at other people’s pics of their recent trips. Counting the days until my next trip to the World … starting at 365 days the day I leave from my last trip.

And that’s just the beginning. You should see my house!

No matter who I am talking to or what the conversation starts off as, I always end up talking about Disney World. I could be talking to a total stranger in line at the commissary about the price of artichokes and somehow we are talking about the coolness of the animatronics on the Pirates ride. Or talking to my doctor about my medications suddenly turns to the best time of year to hit the parks. Even a discussion with my contractor about building my deck ends up in a discussion about the best places to eat at the World.

Doesn’t matter. Talk to me for more then five minutes and I can guarantee we will be Disneying it up in no time.

And seeing Disney everywhere is another symptom of World-itis. For example, if a piece of squished gum on the street looks like a hidden Mickey … you got it!

I see hidden Mickeys everywhere: in the toasted markings in my toast; in the bin of bolts at the home improvement store; in the knots of wood on a piece of lumber; the shape of a puddle in the parking lot; in the clouds overhead; the screws holding the coat hook on the back of a restroom door. Oh, I could go on, but you get the point.

Then there are the real Mickeys I seem to find everywhere. We went to “the largest flea market on the mid-Atlantic” last weekend. Over 400 flea market and antiques vendors and tons of stuff. I found no less than two dozen antique Mickeys, in addition to countless other Disney characters. Of course, not being able to plop down hundreds of dollars for an item … even if it was a Mickey from the ‘30s … wasn’t doing my World-itis any good.

I did get a slight World-itis fix in that I found a special edition pin set from 2008 – the Summer of Champions pin set. Even though I bought it in a flea market in Maryland, I could close my eyes and pretend I just bought it at the pin store at Downtown Disney. OK, so it’s a stretch. But if you knew how my mind worked … well, then, I would be worried about you.

Then there is the stalking symptom. If you, like me, stalk the discussion boards, websites and social networking pages to peek at other people’s photos and read their comments, stories and trip reports – just to take a trip to the World vicariously through them – you too have World-itis.

But still, all the talking and stalking, buying and hidden Mickey sightings just don’t cut it. I gotta get back to the World. And I need to get there soon. And yet, I am still six and a half months away. I can’t stand it! I gotta get my fix! AAAAaaaaaaAAAAaaaaa!!!!!!!

OK, I need to take a trip to the boards to stalk some of my favorite trip reports. Would love to see some of your photos here too. Please post them … and help a World-itis sufferer get through another day … another day closer to my actual trip.

Jane M. Usero
SFC(ret), U.S. Army

Jane is a veteran of the Chip Panel an elite group of Disney Guest Bloggers featured on the Chip and Company site. If you love Disney and enjoy writing you should apply to the Chip Panel..

Suffering from Disney World-itis?

The Best Thing I Love About Disney World: The Magic of the People

The Best Thing I Love About Disney World: The Magic of the People

One of the most enjoyable series here on Chip and Co. is the “Best Thing I Love About Disney World”, where different writers share some of the things that are truly special to them. I haven’t written one yet, so I thought it was time. 🙂

So here is one of the best things that I love about Disney World: I love the people.

Yes, I know there are a lot of folks that are clearly not having a magical day while they are at Disney. But by and large, I really think that those people are the exception. In my experience, most people are the opposite….they are warm, friendly and helpful. In fact, I have honestly not ever found another place where the vast majority of people are just so…..happy. And I’m not talking about just the castmembers either, although they are a very special group of people.

I am talking about the people that you strike up a conversation with while waiting in line. You know, we’ve met some pretty cool people by just asking the simple question: “Where are you from?” We waited in the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad line once with an Imagineer and his young daughter, who were just spending a Sunday afternoon like you or I would, visiting Disney World. What a really nice guy….and what great stories he had to share! I love meeting people this way, and honestly, it makes waiting in line go a lot quicker.

I am also talking about the people that you chat with on the busses at the end of the day. I know I know, there are some pretty hot, cranky, sweaty people at this point each night. But there are also some really nice people, adults as well as teens, who are quick to give up their seat for a mom who has a sleeping child in her arms…

And I am also talking about the folks who jump in to do “random acts of kindness” whether it is giving away a FastPass that they aren’t going to use, or offering to take a group picture for a family, or giving up a seat waiting for the parade so that a little one can be up front for a good view.

Having lived near major cities my entire life, I grew up learning “not to talk to strangers” but at Disney, people look each other in the eye, smile, and say “good morning” or wish one another a Happy Birthday, or congratulate newlyweds. I realize that it’s a different situation….but that is actually my point. It IS different from the life that most of us live, and that is truly one of the things I love about Disney! You don’t walk around worrying about strangers at Disney: everyone else is just another Disney friend.

I’m not entirely sure why this is, but I guess that Disney magic just brings out the best in most people…..and to me, that’s one of the most magical things that Disney does.

Nancy, her husband and college-age daughter live in the Baltimore MD area, but consider Walt Disney World their second “home”. She started her site, The Affordable Mouse, as a way to share ideas about how to plan affordable Disney vacations. Her favorite things at Disney World (in no particular order) are Soarin’, most of the food in World Showcase, Illuminations…and that “Disney magic” found in the most unexpected places.

The Best Thing I Love About Disney World: The Magic of the People

Disney World Quick Tips – Start Early, Leave Early

Disney World Quick Tips – Start Early, Leave Early

How do you find this type of non crowd shot at the Magic Kingdom? You start early! A lot of people love the evening Extra Magic Hours (EMH) and see them as an opportunity to really maximize their touring. I’ve tried both morning and evening hours and have found the morning hour to be more productive than the evening. It’s the same if you just go at “rope drop” even if there are no early Extra Magic Hours. All attractions are virtual “walk ons” and lines simply do not exist.

There is a bit of caution here, as the day progresses, you will notice the crowds increasing. This is of particular importance if you go early to a park that will have Extra Magic Hours that evening. We have found that going early to a park (with evening EMH) is wonderful because the night owls arrive late keeping the crowds down a bit later into the day. Generally about noon we head out of the EMH park and head for one without the extra hours. Those parks are generally less crowded. One hint: if you can, try to go to a park that had EMH the night before and the crowds will be at a minimum. This is not a 100% guarantee but you have stacked all of the odds in your favor.

I think that if you are not a night owl and want to maximize your touring while getting plenty of rest each night, try some of these hints. This type of plan will help you enjoy your vacation without crashing from sheer exhaustion. I’m sure you will find this helpful. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!

Ken

Disney World Quick Tips – Start Early, Leave Early

Disney Trip Rituals

Disney Trip Rituals

 

Sometimes, without knowing it, we develop certain rituals within our lives that help to enhance our experiences in some way. My family is no exception to this rule and we have some trip traditions that we have been following for years. We did not set out to develop these rituals, but nonetheless they are a large part of every planned Disney World trip.

I am not talking about doing things just because they are good ideas, like getting a fastpass for Rock N Rollercoaster or stopping your newspaper delivery before each trip. I am talking about traditions developed during our trips, specifically for our trips. Does your family have traditions when traveling to Disney? See if any of ours sound familiar to you:

  1. Grumpy and Dopey lead the way. We always have Grumpy and Dopey leading the way. My husband’s mascot has always been Grumpy (as he has been known to be a little grumpy) and mine has always been Dopey (because I mostly live life with my head in the clouds). We purchased our stuffed Grumpy and Dopey during our first trip and, as you can see from the picture, you can find them on our dashboard during every trip.
  2. Up at 2 and out by 3. We always have a quiet house by 8:00 the night we leave and depart our driveway at 3:00 a.m. My hubby does most of the driving, so he is in bed at 6:00 p.m. and the rest of us at 8:00. At 2:00 a.m. we wake up, fix to-go cups of coffee for my hubby and me while the kids grab their pillows and blankets and we are on the road at 3:00. We avoid traffic this way while allowing the kids to get some more sleep. 
  3. Familiar family breakfast. We always stop at the same family-style restaurant for breakfast. Since we leave at 3:00 in the morning, the kids go back to sleep and without fail wake up about 45 minutes before our breakfast destination. By the time we get there, we are more than ready for coffee and breakfast and so are they. The place where we stop is right on the highway, has great food and is perfect timing for us. Since it is a perfect fit, we have never had any reason to change it.
  4. State plate game. We always played a game with the kids when they were growing up and they still make us stick to the bargain. Once we arrive at our Disney resort, the first one to spot a Texas license plate (besides ours) wins a prize. This is always a Disney-related prize and now that they are older, they are cut-throat, trying to keep each other from seeing out the windows. It is hilarious to watch and a fun way to start off the trip. 
  5. First day at MK. We always visit the Magic Kingdom on our first day. For us, nothing says “Welcome to Disney World” like being on Main Street USA. When we arrive into the park, we stand there staring at the castle for a little bit and breathe in and out to let ourselves know that, yes, we are truly back home.
  6. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. We always attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on our first night. It is wonderful to spend five hours being enchanted by Christmas at Disney. We watch the parade and the shows, ride all of our favorite rides over and over again and eat Christmas cookies and drink hot chocolate while snow falls on our heads. We wait all year to view the most breathtaking scene Disney has to offer, Castle Dream Lights, and it is always well worth the wait. What a welcome gift.
  7. Family picture. Every year, we take a Photopass picture of the whole group in front of Cinderella’s castle. I have the exact same pose in the exact same spot for the past ten years. This is a neat way to watch how the family has grown, and I do mean grown as we started visiting when my youngest was 6 and he is now 6’3”.
  8. Matching t-shirts. Each year, I purchase new matching shirts. This is an easy way to spot each other in a crowd and it makes for a good picture in front of the castle, as well as Christmas card picture. We have had orange, chartreuse (twice), blue (twice) and this year we will be in red. So, if you see a tall family in red shirts standing in front of Cinderella’s castle in November, stop and say Hi. Even if it isn’t us, someone will be glad you did.  
  9. Christmas card photo. We always use a picture of us in our matching shirts for Christmas cards. We like using the Photopass pictures because you can add borders and captions and really make them personal. Sometimes our card picture is taken in front of the castle, sometimes in front of the huge gingerbread house inside the lobby of the Grand  Floridian or sometimes in front of the tree at the resort where we are staying. There are a number of opportunities for good pictures at Disney World.
  10. Incorporating something new. When you have been to “the World” a number of times, it is important to incorporate new ideas into your trip. When planning our itinerary, I always include an activity, show or restaurant we have never been before. This way, we always experience new things along with the familiar favorites.
  11. Cast member thank yous. Before we leave it is my great pleasure to make up business card-sized thank you cards for extraordinary cast members. This is not something I thought of on my own, but I read long ago about the idea and fell in love with it. My cards have Disney characters on them and generally say things that convey how they made our trip extra special. I carry these cards in my bag and whenever a cast member does something extraordinary, which has been quite often, I give them one and thank them for their help. I must say that I get so much more from that gesture than they do. This is one of the things I enjoy immensely when visiting the parks, resorts, riding the bus, etc. The cast members truly care about making the guests happy and, to me, they really deserve recognition.
  12. Mousekeeping envelopes. We always have specially decorated envelopes to leave in our room for Mousekeeping. These cast members work hard and I appreciate it. In my experiences with them, they have been very polite, considerate, helpful and fun-loving people. They leave us towel animals and we leave them a tip in a decorated thank you envelope.
  13. Commemorative pins. Our pin purchases are not like everyone else’s. We do not trade our pins, we collect them. Each pin is associated with a memory from one of our trips. Each year, we purchase a pin commemorating the resort we stayed in that year. We also buy a pin for each ride that is new or show we have seen for the first time.
  14. Mickey & Minnie annual toys. We always purchase Mickey & Minnie holiday stuffed toys with the year under the foot. We have them for each year and set them out to share the holiday season with us once we get home. They are part of our joy at Christmastime.
  15. Christmas ornaments. One of the things our family really looks forward to is going to the Days of Christmas store in Downtown Disney and purchasing the current year’s ornaments. Each of us gets one new ornament every year. When we get home, we have the pleasure of decorating our tree with all of our specially chosen ornaments while reminiscing about our trips throughout the years.
  16. Chef Mickey’s goodbye. On the last day of our vacation, we always eat at Chef Mickey’s character breakfast. We enjoy great food, a great atmosphere, and talk about how wonderful our trip has been. We also talk about what new things we might enjoy for next year.

I think the traditions we develop seem to make everything run smoother. They are not rules so if one of them wasn’t followed it wouldn’t ruin our trip, it just makes it comfortable and extra special to us. 

What rituals has your family developed through the years? If you haven’t started any yet, I hope this year will be the beginning of something new. Whatever your favorites are, I hope you will have a lot of time to enjoy them together and I hope that all your trips will provide you with opportunities to discover more and more special traditions for you and your family.

Disney Trip Rituals

Missing Disney Films from Disneyworld

Missing Disney Films from Disneyworld

I was thinking about this over the weekend and I maybe I am oblivious to it but last time we were at Walt Disney World there were several newer Disney Movies that had no presences at the Florida theme park.

Having a toddler at home who watches Disney Movies as much as we will let her I began to think back on previous trips and if I ever saw them. A few that come to mind are:

Now I know you can meet the various characters around the parks so that is not what I am saying. What I am talking about it the actual presence of them at a Ride, Restaurant or Attraction.

Just off the top of my head I can think of countless ways to incorporate these Disney Icons into the Rides, Restaurants, or Attractions at the park and probably with minimal effort.

Bolt – Now I haven’t been to the Best Friends Pet Care Resorts yet so I am unsure the decorations around there but I could image you could incorporate the Movie Bolt into the theme.

Cars – This is a no brainer. Incorporate Cars into Tomorrowland Speedway. Now I know at Disney California Adventure there is Carsland which has a ride similar to Test Track but I am talking about upgrading whats already at Walt Disney World.

Up – My first thought was to get Figment of out Journey into Imagination but then the more I thought about it you would need to make a new ride all together. Maybe something fun with Carl’s House flying high in the sky or a chase scene coaster going after Kevin..Something similar to Spiderman at Universal Studios.

Wall-e – This of course would be adding Wall-e & Eve in on Space Mountain. You wouldn’t need to do a whole site design but what if you worked in some projection videos of Wall-E & Eve flying among the starts or the Axiom out in space.

Princess & the Frog – Another easy one. Tiana’s Restaurant in either Port Orleans or in the Magic Kingdom.

Meet the Robinsons – Now I might be in the minority here but I liked Meet the Robinsons..This might be a good replacement for Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Make like a time travel show.

Ratatouille – Remy needs his own restaurant..
These are just a few ideas I had to work in the current Disney Movies into different theme park rides & attractions. Do you have any ideas?

Let us know in the comment section below.

Missing Disney Films from Disneyworld

Ask a Disney Question: When can I make advanced dining reservations?

Ask a Disney Question: When can I make advanced dining reservations?

This question comes from KP, who asks: 

I know during the summer there was the “glitch” that allowed anyone to book 190 days. Before, it would ask you to put your reservation number in, if the date was past 180 days. Now, the 190 day dates are showing up online, but it says “this service is not available online. If you want to book past 180 days and have a reservation, please call” the number. Do you know if this means you have to either call or else you can’t do 180 plus 10 now? If so, will this change soon. It seems like this would be a step backwards. Thanks for your help.

KP:  Thanks for your question and for bringing this to our attention. This seems like a new “glitch” with the ADR system and a not very welcome one at that. From what I can find, you do need to call Disney dining (407-WDW-DINE) if you’re staying on site and want to make reservations for 180 days plus 10. Everyone else can make them online, including those making them under the 180-day mark.

We will post updates here as soon as we get them, but for now it seems like everyone’s best bet is to call Disney dining if they’re in this sitation.

Sorry I don’t have a better answer for you at this time.

Have a Disney question?  We’ve got answers. Write us at Chip and Co. We answer every question.

Chris writes here and at Everything Walt Disney World.

Oldies But Goodies – When Should Seniors Visit Walt Disney World

Oldies But Goodies – When Should Seniors Visit Walt Disney World

There are lots of wonderful times for everyone including us Oldies to visit Walt Disney World. There are times, however, when we are unable to really choose the best time for ourselves. If you are traveling with a group that includes school age grandchildren the trip windows are limited by school commitments. If you are traveling with a group of adult family members the visit time may be determined by their job commitments, and if you are traveling with a Senior group, the schedule for the trip is likely also out of your hands. The only real time that you can pick and choose is if you travel by yourselves or with a small and very tight group of other Seniors or adult family members.

We, like a lot of Oldies, don’t mind being around people but at some times of year the crowds are absolutely psycho and shoulder to shoulder. We avoid these times and unless you have a specific reason for being there I recommend that you avoid Easter(Spring Break), the 4th of July Holiday period, and the week between Christmas and New Year‘s Day. There are three other periods where the crowds are very heavy but not quite at the levels of the above three. These periods are President’s Week, Memorial Day, and the week after Thanksgiving – very busy!! Mid June through mid August are manageable but the heat and humidity are incredible and unless you are very heat tolerant you might want to pick another time frame. We have lived in Southern Arizona for the last 26 years where we have 100+ degree temperatures at least 100-125 days a year and temperatures of 110 to 115 are not at all uncommon. We do not go to Walt Disney World in the summer because the humidity amplifies the heat. Oldies, if you do go at this time please read up on precautions you need to take and please take those precautions.

We generally visit during October (after the Columbus Day holiday) and November (prior to Thanksgiving) because crowd levels are lower and the weather is magnificent. Park hours may be shorter but because of the lower crowds you can get a lot more touring done in a much shorter time. January traditionally has the lowest crowd levels but we have a very low tolerance for chilly weather so we avoid that time frame. If you can handle the cool weather that is the easiest time to tour but remember that is also a big time for attraction refurbs ( ex. Splash Mountain closes each January). We are now thinking that two visits from now we will likely visit in the spring for the Flower and Garden Festival and give that time of year a shot depending on how Spring Break and Easter fall.

It seems like there are pluses and minuses no matter when you visit. But – Walt Disney World is still the most magical place in the world and with proper planning you can always be assured of a good time. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!

Ken

Oldies But Goodies – When Should Seniors Visit Walt Disney World

Planning a Disney Familymoon

Planning a Disney Familymoon
Long before I knew what it was called, I suggested a familymoon to my then-fiancé when we were planning our honeymoon. According to The Wedding Channel, a familymoon is a postnuptial getaway that includes the kids.

My husband’s son was a few months shy of his eleventh birthday when we married and he was as integral a part of our wedding as he is a part of our life. I was not just marrying his father; we were creating a family. A honeymoon is a time to celebrate the start of your new life as a couple but it seemed lacking for our new family. We also wanted to celebrate our new family and make sure our son knew I wasn’t just gaining a husband; I was blessed to have a son. We immediately knew a familymoon was the answer for us but where? The answer came quickly and was obvious. Walt Disney World. And so, the plans were set into motion. My husband and I chose a honeymoon location in Florida for logistical reasons. After a few wonderful days alone, we drove across the state and met our son at the Orlando International Airport for the start of our family vacation.

The next week was just about perfect. There were a few glitches. I will never live down lunch at Aunt Polly’s which was a complete fail for my husband and son. There were many successes. My son and husband’s love of the Fettuccine Alfredo at L’Originale Alfredo di Roma’s was born (they still mourn the closing of its doors). There was over planning (on my part). There are countless memories. My favorite is my poor son being so tired (in a good way), he almost fell asleep in his dinner on more than one night.

Why Disney is Perfect for a Familymoon

There is something for everyone. Blending families can be a delicate task and often not everyone has the same interests. Parents have to avoid the impression of favoring one family member’s preferences over another. By familymooning at Walt Disney World, everyone wins. Young or old, thrill seeker or ride wimp, active or not so much, every member of the family will find a lot to do.

Keep Busy. Sometimes families experience growing pains. You know how arguments can be started on a long road trip when people are stuck in a car together without much to do but talk? To me, new families risk that same danger with a more sedentary familymoon like a beach vacation. All the rides and activities at Disney World can help keep any tensions at bay; you can bond over attractions without a lot of talking if you so desire. If tensions flare up, the resort is so large it’s easy to split up for an hour or so and have a cooling off period while still having fun.

Make it Special. Most people remember their honeymoon even if they don’t remember a lot about other vacations. A familymoon should be no different. You don’t have to leave Disney property or spend a lot of money to create special experiences for your new family. Bond over the famous Kitchen Sink dessert at Beaches & Cream, be awed by IllumiNations in Epcot, or rent a surrey bicycle for the whole family at a resort. If your budget allows, spend an evening at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Fort Wilderness or take the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage to watch Wishes.

One-on-One time. On our familymoon, my husband spent one-on-one time with his son every day to help reassure him that their relationship was just as strong even though we were married. Oftentimes it was as simple as a trip to the arcade but it was important time for the two of them. The variety of options at the Walt Disney World Resort makes it a breeze to carve out some parent-child time with activities such as miniature golf, a makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League, fishing at Port Orleans Riverside, or even an afternoon at DisneyQuest.

People wonder why I love Walt Disney World so much. There are many reasons, many which I have written about before, but there is no denying that one of them is because it is the place where treasured memories were made, bonds were permanently forged, and where my new life really began.

This article is dedicated to my son, a very special young man who will be twenty-one in a few short weeks and has made my life better in ways he’ll never know.

Lisa M. Battista is the author of Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers When she’s not chasing after her little ones, you can most likely find her at the beach or in the kitchen trying her hand at a new recipe. You can follow her on Twitter @DisneyExplorer or become a fan of Beyond the Attractions on Facebook.

Planning a Disney Familymoon

Top 10 Disneyworld Attractions that Won’t Make you Lose your Lunch!

Top 10 Disneyworld Attractions that Won’t Make you Lose your Lunch!

Here is the next edition of  Top 10 According to Jess:

I am a big thrill seeker. I could ride Splash Mountain all day long, take the trek to the top of Everest every hour on the hour, and spend enough time on Rockin Roller Coaster to make Aerosmith question my sanity. Let’s face it though, there is a lot more to Disney than big thrills and there are some days when a slower pace is just what the Dr. ordered. Here are my top ten attractions that won’t make you lose your lunch!

  1. Soarin’: This virtual hang glider ride over California is located in the land pavilion at Epcot. The combination of sight, smell, and sensation will leave you breathless!
  2. Pirates of the Caribbean; This classic ride located in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom will take you through a swash buckling tale that will make everyone in your group smile! You will also be guaranteed to be singing “Yo Ho Yo Ho, a pirate’s life for me” for the rest of the day!
  3. The Haunted Mansion: Head over to the Magic Kingdoms Liberty Square for this gem. The 999 happy haunts that live in this mansion are always happy to entertain!
  4. Muppet Vision 3D: This show, located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, is one of my favorites. The Muppets never disappoint when it comes to laughter and old school entertainment!
  5. Kilimanjaro Safari: This scenic ride through the Animal Kingdoms menagerie is so incredibly awesome. Each time you ride it is a little different. You will see elephants, hippos, rhinos, lions, gazelle, giraffes, zebras, and so much more!
  6. Turtle Talk with Crush: Dude, you need to check this out! Crush from Finding Nemo fame wows audiences in Epcot every day! This interactive show is a must do and a great way to get out of the sun for a bit!
  7. The Jungle Cruise: This ride is worth going on for the cast members alone. The scripts are hilarious. It is a great way to see some fun animatronics animals while you are entertained with a little stand up comedy!
  8. Toy Story Mania: Head over to Pixar Place in Hollywood Studios for this adventure through Andy’s room. Play interactive midway style games with your pals from the Toy Story movies.
  9. Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin: Help Buzz battle the evil emperor Zurg on this ride. Located in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom, This ride is simply a must do!
  10. Captain EO: This Epcot original is only here with us for a brief engagement! I say, catch it while you can! This 3D feature stars the late great Michael Jackson. It is definitely worth a view!
Top 10 Disneyworld Attractions that Won’t Make you Lose your Lunch!

Meet 3 New Characters from Disney’s Tangled: Pascal, the Pub Thugs, and Maximus

Meet 3 New Characters from Disney’s Tangled: Pascal, the Pub Thugs, and Maximus

PASCAL:

Rapunzel’s one true friend is her silent, color-changing sidekick, PASCAL. Pascal may be just a small chameleon, but he plays a big role in Rapunzel’s life. Confidante, coach and cheerleader, Pascal is a driving force behind Rapunzel’s decision to leave her lonely tower. This supportive and encouraging companion’s true colors just might hold a key to unlocking a royal mystery.

MAXIMUS:

The Captain of the Guard’s horse, MAXIMUS, has made it his personal mission to capture the wanted criminal, Flynn Rider. Fearless in his pursuit, the horse defies danger to follow Flynn where other guards refuse to go – it seems nothing will stop this “tough-guy cop” from getting his man.  Once Maximus meets Rapunzel his heart softens, and he begins to see the world differently.  What started as a relentless pursuit may just be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

PUB THUGS:

Few thugs are quite as tough – or as terrifying – as the menacing HOOKHAND (voiced by Brad Garrett.) No one knows how he lost his hand, and no one in his right mind would stick around to find out. Hookhand has big plans for his hook—he knows just how to use it: to make beautiful music. In fact, he dreams of one day being a concert pianist.

Let’s face it: BIG NOSE THUG is not the most handsome chap in the pub. In fact, with his boils, scabs, lumps and bruises, some might find him a little hard to look at.  But you can’t judge a book by its cover, and you shouldn’t judge a thug by his scars; on the inside, Big Nose is the most  “beautiful” of all the thugs.  A hopeless romantic, he dreams of one thing: finding true love. Maybe one day he’ll meet a lucky lady who can look past his appearance and see his inner beauty and heart of gold. Jeffrey Tambor lends his voice to Big Nose.

Just one look at the fierce VLADAMIR will have even the toughest tough guy shaking in his boots – but don’t let his ferocious façade fool you… with a voice by Richard Kiel, Vlad is a softie at heart with a special hobby: he collects ceramic unicorns.

The smallest of the pub thugs, SHORTY, voiced by Paul F. Tompkins, likes to have the last word… even if that last word isn’t always terribly coherent.

The KILLER SEWING THUG is strong enough to rip you to pieces, but skilled enough to stitch you right back together again!   You’d never know it by looking at this ruffian with his bulging muscles and bad-guy braids, but he’s really a tailor at heart who is more cut out for sewing, darning and mending than for fighting, raiding and looting. In fact, look closely and you’ll notice he’s adorned with essential sewing trimmings and accessories from helmet to boot.

TOR FLORIST is a tough thug with a green thumb. At first glance he appears to be covered in weapons, but upon closer inspection you’ll find all his trappings are actually tools of his craft: spades, shovels and shears. He secretly dreams of being a

Florist, and is more likely to plant a wisteria in your backyard than a fist in your stomach… but best to play it safe because you never know!

With a scary, iron mask hiding his face, ATTILA CUPCAKE is the most intimidating of all the thugs; but once you get to know him you realize that he’s actually a quiet softy who is more comfortable in an apron than body armor.  Attila is most at home in front of his oven, cooking and baking away.  His specialty? Cupcakes. He dreams of the day that he can put down his sword and pick up his spatula… and maybe, just maybe open his own bakery.

Like TANGLED on Facebook at: www.Facebook.com/DisneyTangled.

  • ‘Tangled’ Stars and Directors Meet Rapunzel and Flynn Rider at the Disneyland Resort (chipandco.com)
Meet 3 New Characters from Disney’s Tangled: Pascal, the Pub Thugs, and Maximus

TRON Legacy – TRON Night Photos & “Quorra Saves Sam” Film Clip!

TRON Legacy – TRON Night Photos & “Quorra Saves Sam” Film Clip!

Here are the Photos from last night’s TRON Night screening of 23 minutes of TRON: Legacy footage. Also we have the “Quorra Saves Sam” Film Clip! for your viewing pleasure below. I don’t know about you but I can’t wait till December!

Like TRON: Legacy on Facebook at: www.Facebook.com/TRON.

TRON Legacy – TRON Night Photos & “Quorra Saves Sam” Film Clip!

Disney Launches Disney Epic Mickey Digicomics App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch

Disney Launches Disney Epic Mickey Digicomics App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch

Disney Publishing Worldwide announced today its Disney Epic Mickey App for viewing Disney Digicomics is now available for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch on the App store. The first Disney Digicomic available in the app is “Tales of Wasteland”, which comprise 6 eight-page short comic stories that take place in Wasteland, an alternate world made up of Disney’s forgotten creative efforts. Users get a preview of Wasteland and feature characters from the upcoming Disney Epic Mickey video game, including Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt Disney’s first cartoon star.

The Disney Epic Mickey App expands Disney Publishing’s growing library of originally created apps for iOS and marks the first Disney comic content developed specifically for digital release.

“Disney Publishing’s launch of this Digicomics app extends the storytelling experience of Disney Epic Mickey,” said Russell Hampton, president, Disney Publishing Worldwide. “We are proud to continue delivering the very best reading experiences to families around the world across all formats.”

Disney Epic Mickey App Highlights:

  • Enjoy the Disney Digicomics on a double spread when using iPad
  • Readers can choose between a guided reading experience in the landscape view or a portrait view that lets users flip and pan through the comics.
  • Readers can view a map to discover more details about Wasteland and can read character bios
  • The Disney Epic Mickey video game trailer is featured in the Digicomics
  • The Disney Epic Mickey Digicomics App will be updated later this fall with new content, including a graphic novel and six motion comics.

Disney Epic Mickey is available from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. The first comic story, “Tales of Wasteland” is free and the additional five may be bought as a bundle for $2.99.

Disney Launches Disney Epic Mickey Digicomics App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
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