A Ride Wimp’s Guide to Disney World Thrills: Soarin’

October 23, 2010

A Ride Wimp’s Guide to Disney World Thrills: Soarin’ While I usually write about affordable Disney vacations, not long ago, I wrote a different kind of article for Chip and Co., about being a Ride Wimp at Disney World: kind of like a Disney Confessional that, yes, I actually hate the idea of Tower of Terror….and a few other rides as well. Turns out, I have a lot of company. 🙂

So, I thought it might be fun to share some ways that Ride Wimps *can* get some thrills at Disney World too. Because, we’re not all slow, boring, “wow-its-a-small-world-rocks” kind of people… We like our excitement too!

And it is actually possible to be a Ride-Wimp and have some thrills.

With that in mind, this week, let me share my all-time favorite ride at Disney World: Soarin’. I sure do love this ride. And many, many other folks do as well, both Ride-Wimps and thrill-seekers alike.

Soarin’ was actually born in Disney’s California Adventure park where it is known as Soarin’ Over California. The premise here is pretty simple: you feel as if you are in a glider, flying over the state of California. The ride proved to be so popular there that Disney decided to create a second version for Epcot, where it currently exists in the Land pavilion.

So what on earth is so great about this ride? I mean, you know what the lines are usually like for Soarin’, right? What makes all those people stand in line for so darned long?

Well it is just very cool, and you really, truly feel like you are…..soaring! Through a mechanism that raises all seats in the auditorium into the air, you then watch an IMAX type movie….up in the air…..feeling as if you are gliding like a bird. Between the breeze that you feel, and the scents of pine trees as you fly over the woods, and oranges as you soar over orange trees, it is the closest that many of us will ever come to actually knowing what it is like to literally fly through the air.

No plane required. 🙂

My words truly do not do it justice at all. You’ll just have to trust me on this one. It’s awesome, it’s amazing, and I really cannot ride this enough. In fact, it’s usually the first ride we do at Epcot every trip as well as the last…and if we can get a FastPass or two, we’re likely to do it a few times more as well. It does not EVER get old for us.

Now having said the part about being raised into the air, if you are a Ride-Wimp with a fear of heights, you may be wondering if you will like this. Well I am not fond of heights at all, and I love it!! Do yourself a favor and give it a try, you will be so glad you did!

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.

Secretariat – A Wonderful Family Movie

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 23, 2010

Secretariat – A Wonderful Family Movie

I remember when I was a little girl being mesmerized while watching a horse named Secretariat galloping around the track. It was awesome to watch. I was not a fan of horse racing, nor had I ever watched horse races. Like most kids today, I had no idea what the Triple Crown was. But Secretariat wasn’t just a race horse, he was magnificent and had become a star. Being highlighted and praised on all the sports broadcasts, there was a buzz in the air that was strong enough to reach the ears of an 8-year-old girl in South Texas.

This past weekend, my book club girls and I went to the theater to see the new movie, Secretariat. All throughout the movie, there was no denying this was a Disney movie. And I must say that I am impressed with the way Disney depicted this story. Beginning with the words from the 39^th chapter of Job from the best selling book of all time, we were all acutely reminded of how destiny plays a role in our lives. Big Red, who raced under the name of Secretariat, was born to run — that was his destiny.

Secretariat is a wholesome, faith-based story that leaves you feeling good when you leave the theater. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to watch a movie that has a positive message and is purposely made to not focus on the negative but only positive subject matter.

I saw the Belmont race in 1973 so I knew what was going to happen at the end of the movie. Still, I had tears in my eyes and goosebumps all over me as I was reminded of that scene on the big screen. It is not the race, it is the sheer greatness of him and the strength in a woman who believed in something others could not see. To me, Secretariat is a very well-made Disney movie about an extraordinary athlete who had the whole country pulling for him. It reminded me of a time long ago and it made me feel very good. I hope you will enjoy this wonderful movie with your family.

Disney Dining Reservation Planning Tips

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 23, 2010

I have a fairly large family, my wife and I have 5 kids, so our trips to WDW require a bit extra planning. Finding dining reservations for 7 is not always easy. Through the years, I have developed a few tips to make my planning easier, and to make sure I get all the dining reservations I want. I hope they help you out:

Make your WDW hotel reservation early. I usually plan 9 – 12 months in advance.
Plan out your days. I don’t plan much, but do I schedule the one park I plan on being in each day for dinner.
Pick your restaurants based on your park for that night. I pick a first and second choice for each night.
Book your dining reservations as soon as you can. Since I plan early, I make my dining reservations 180 days in advance of the day I check in.
Book popular restaurants towards the end of your stay. If you are wanting to book Chef Mickey’s, Cinderella’s Royal Table or Le Cellier, do them late in your trip. Yes, 180 days seems like a lot, but for popular restaurants, they book up quickly. Even though you are booking as early possible, that means anyone traveling before you has been able to book those restaurants for a week or more. If you push them back to the end of your trip, that gives you a much better chance of finding them available for a good time.

Booking early, and having your plan set, you usually have no problem getting your first choice each day. If for some reason, you book late, and are not booking your dining reservations 180 days in advance (or anywhere close to that), there are a few tricks you can use to find what you want.

Try to avoid the evening Extra Magic Hours and any other special events like the Halloween and Christmas Parties. They bring a larger than normal crowd to the parks, it is best to avoid them if you want to find available restaurants. You can always hop over to the Extra Magic Hours after you eat.
Buy the Hopping add-on to your ticket, as mentioned in #1, it will give you much better flexibility.
Once you arrive at WDW, call Disney Dining from your room phone (there is a speed dial button). Disney often holds cancellations for last minute reservations, many guests have great success getting difficult reservations this way. You can do the same thing by stopping by one of the theme park’s guest services, but I have found calling works a bit better.
If you can’t find your first or second choice, book something nearby. You can always show up at your fist choice 30 minutes before your other reservation to see if you can get in. If you can, great, you got your first choice! If not, you always have a back up reservation.
Don’t get fixated on a restaurant your co-worker’s aunt’s friend told you that you must do. Some restaurants are just popular, and impossible to get into. Just about every Disney restaurant is decent or better. Take a chance on trying someplace new, you will have a better vacation.

Big thanks to Keith Anderson for being a Chip & Co guest blogger. Keith runs MouseMisers.com, and sits around all day finding ways to save you money on your Disney vacation. Stop by and say “hi”. You can also find Keith on Twitter or on Facebook at facebook.com/mousemisers.

Best Things I Love About Disney – The Imagineers

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 23, 2010

Best Things I Love About Disney – The Imagineers

The soul of the Disney Company was and continues to be Walter Elias Disney. The heart of the Disney Company has to be the thousands of Cast Members in every division of the company. That brings us to the mind of the company which has to be the Imagineers. These are the people who conceive, research, design, and build the attractions we all know and love.

I think a lot of visitors take the detail involved in putting together an attraction for granted. Believe it or not this is probably exactly what the Imagineers have in mind when they begin their brainstorming for a new or update of an existing attraction. They want the appearance of an attraction on the property or an update to an attraction to be as seamless as possible and cause the minimal inconvenience to the visitors. They do a wonderful job of this.

They are artists, engineers, construction professionals, etc. but they have one thing in common – they think a bit differently than most of us, completely “outside the box.” After watching some interviews with Imagineers and reading about their work I believe that most of them have never even heard of the “box”. Yes, they would consider that statement a compliment. Take Expedition Everest for example, it looks like a single structure but it is actually three structures with the coaster track being the innermost. This had to be done so that the stresses put on the structure by the coaster wouldn’t shake it to pieces. Even with the aid of very powerful computers it took eighteen months just to complete the design phase.

Next time you see an attraction you have never seen before please look at it a bit differently and appreciate the planning, thought, imagination (perhaps that’s why they call them Imagineers), and work that goes into making it what it is. Enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!

Ken

PHOTO BY DISNEY

Exclusive: Disney’s Sing It – Party Hits Review

Chip

October 23, 2010

I had a chance to try out this NEW game from Disney Interactive Studios. This is the first time I have done any singing type game. I couldn’t have picked a better first game to start out with.

Packed with music and videos it was very cool to sing along with my favorite Disney Stars. I was not familiar with all the songs but that was ok there are plenty of to chose from.

I highly recommend this game to anyone who is a fan of Disney, music, or singing.

For more check out our 60 second 2 Lonely Deeks Review below.

Best Things I Love About Disney – Muppet Vision 3-D

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 23, 2010

Best Things I Love About Disney – Muppet Vision 3-D

I love, love, love the Muppets!!! Muppet Vision 3-D has very special meaning for Muppet fans because it was Jim Henson’s last production. They are all there – Kermit, Miss Piggy, The Swedish Chef, Statler and Waldorf (at my age I see a lot of me in them), etc. etc. The production is crazy, full of their typical insanity, and tons of puns. The theme is a tour of the world famous Muppet Labs and from the time you enter the queue, and go to the pre show you will be in Muppet Labs. Pay attention to the props and subtlties in the queue they are fantastic. Read the doors and signs as you head to the pre show area and enjoy the pre show itself, it is also hilarious.

The theater is large and of course air conditioned and the seats are very comfortable. The production, as the name implies, is done in 3-D so you will be wearing their 3-D glasses but have no fear, I wear glasses and they fit just fine over your own. The only caution you should be aware of is that there are a couple of effects that may scare young children but I have never heard any crying in the theater, just laughter. I whole heartedly recommend a visit to Muppet Vision 3-D. As you visit the Streets of America area just follow the signs:

Best Things I Love About Disney – Muppet Vision 3-D

Look for the Kermit balloon:

Best Things I Love About Disney – Muppet Vision 3-D

You will be there!!! Enjoy the show!! As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!

Ken

Oldies But Goodies…Just Have Fun!!!

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 23, 2010

Oldies But Goodies…Just Have Fun!!!

I’m not generally known as a fun loving and happy go lucky guy. As a matter of fact for the three years before I retired it was part of my job to be stern and intimidating because I was dealing with bad guys every day. I know that many of my fellow Oldies had high stress jobs that didn’t allow for a lot of frivolity or may have had stressful family situations that held them back from being silly. There is a place for us to finally relax and be goofy (not the character, the personality trait). Walt Disney World is the perfect place to let go and do the things you might not normally do in your day to day life.

When you are at Walt Disney World, no one really cares if you act a bit silly. You might find a lot of admiring and supportive faces if you are in your sixties, seventies, or older and find it necessary to skip down Main Street USA or gush a little when you get to meet Mickey for the first (or fifth or tenth) time like I do. There will be a lot of folks surrounding you who wish they had the nerve to do the same thing, who knows, you may even inspire someone. Your admirers don’t really care who you are they are just happy to see you having a wonderful time!!

Go ahead and get in line for the character meet and greets because you might just make a friend with someone fifty years younger than you are and no one will criticize you or think you are dumb. I make it a point to search out the Queen of Hearts on every single visit so I can have my photo taken with my favorite villain. Deep down she really is a sweetheart. We also make the Epcot Character Spot a must do and we have never heard a – What are you doing here this is for kids? At Walt Disney World, everyone is a kid. Some of us are just a little taller and have gray (or like me – no) hair. The characters love to have fun with us Oldies.

Try to get to a character meal also. Dinner at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is a lot of fun because the stepsisters are excellent at getting everyone in the mood. Another reason for trying 1900 Park Fare is the food quality – YUM! Try the strawberry soup. There are lots of other character meals but I feel that this one is the most Senior friendly. After dinner you can go out into the lobby and listen to the orchestra. Don’t stay too long though because you might turn back into one of those Oldies who don’t like to be silly again.

Please take this advice and let go a little bit when you are visiting Walt Disney World. It will absolutely enhance your visit and make you feel young(er) again. I’ll be one of the silly ones!!! Enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!

Ken

Free Epic Mickey App from iTunes

Chip

October 23, 2010

Welcome to Wasteland! Visit directly on your iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad the world where long-forgotten Disney icons of animation can find new life inspired by the Disney Epic Mickey videogame.

Select one of the six Disney Epic Mickey – Tales of Wasteland Digicomics and discover Disney Epic Mickey’s world in a prequel to the videogame storyline. Read it on autoplay or tap into the panels to move throughout the page. Downloading the Disney Epic Mickey app, costumers will in plus have the chance to take a look at the map of Wasteland, the trailer of the videogame and the character files.

~ Includes the 6 Disney Epic Mickey – Tales of Wasteland digicomics: 1 digicomics for free and 5 digicomics bundle for just 2.99$

~ Read your digicomics, bookmark them and share them with your friends

~ Discover the characters section and read about Disney Epic Mickey’s main icons

~ Offers also the map of Wasteland, the character files and the videogame trailer

~ To be updated with additional amazing contents

Click here to learn more.

Come and Take A Sentimental Journey on a Beautiful Antique Horse

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 23, 2010

Come and Take A Sentimental Journey on a Beautiful Antique Horse

Trying to explain to people exactly why I love Disney World so much is nearly impossible for me. I don’t have the vocabulary necessary to describe it to a depth that would allow them to be able to feel it in their heart as I do. I am a student of Walt Disney. Like my dad, Walt was a man who loved spending time with his family. It was during one of his traditional Saturday outings with his daughters, in fact, that he first got the idea for Disneyland. He explained it this way:

“Well, it came about when my daughters were very young and Saturday was always Daddy’s day with the two daughters. So we’d start out and try to go someplace, you know, different things. I’d take them to the merry-go-round and I took them different places and I’d sit while they rode the merry-go-round. Sit on a bench, you know, eating peanuts. I felt that there should be something built where the parents and the children could have fun together.”

The merry-go-round Walt referred to was actually a carousel similar to the one found in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. No matter how many times I visit Disney World, I feel the same gentle tug at my heartstrings as I walk toward Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, formerly Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel. I can’t help but reflect on Walt’s words as I stare at this antique treasure in motion. As all the little princes and princesses go around, I revel in the thought that he would have loved to have seen all that’s been created for families to spend magical moments together.

Sometimes I watch as people walk on past this Disney treasure viewing it as just another carousel that one could find anywhere. They don’t seem to realize that generations upon generations have enjoyed this iconic treasure together in Walt’s Fantasyland. My own family has enjoyed so many memories here. Someday I will be placing my first grandchild on one of those unique stallions.

I hope the next time you visit you will look at Prince Charming Regal Carrousel a little differently. I hope that, like me, you will remember that it was a carousel like this one that started a great dream. I hope that, above all, you will be filled with a thankful spirit for enjoying time with your family – together; just the way Walt dreamt you would.

Exclusive – Dance Star Mickey Display at Target

Chip

October 23, 2010

I ran into this very cool Dance Star Mickey Display at our local Target. It was really cool and he did a load of songs. I especially love the Mickey Moonwalk. So Cool!!! Check out the video below and let us know what you think.

Top 10 Disneyworld Snacks – According to Jess

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

October 23, 2010

I am starting a new side project. Along with my extensive Guide to WDW, I am also going to be doing a series of top tens. Subjects may include food, drinks, items to pack, attractions, resorts, off property attractions, tours, and much, much, more! I am going to start this week by listing my top ten Disney World snacks. Everything on my list is going to be considered a snack by the Disney Dining Plan!

Snacking is one of my all time favorite things to do. I am not someone who is big into sitting down for proper meals, rather, I am a grazer. Often while on the Disney Dining Plan, I use up my snack credits quite quickly! If you are a big snacker like me, indulge yourself in my top ten favorite Walt Disney World Snacks.

Mickey Rice KrispieTreats! These tasty little temptations are absolutely to die for. The taste of marshmallows and rice cereal make me remember my childhood. The fact that they are shaped like Mickey is just an added bonus.
Chili at Roaring Forks inside the Wilderness Lodge. A bowl of chili here is worth only a snack credit, but eats like a meal. Meaty, spicy, and just plain delicious! A great option for a light lunch before that big buffet dinner!
Mickey Ice Cream Bars! You can find them just about anywhere, but you better eat them fast. The rich chocolate and cool vanilla ice cream shaped like the mouse himself makes this snack a winner any time of day!
Pineapple Dole Whip! Aloha Isle in Adventureland serves up this refreshing and very popular item!
3 piece Beignets at Port Orleans French Quarter. These are so good it is a sin that this is the only place you can get them on property.
Chocolate Croissant at Starring Roles Café at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These buttery, chocolaty delights are a great choice for a rich and sinful way to start touring the studios…my suggestion however, do not head on over to Rockin Roller Coaster or Tower of Terror after eating!
Hummus and Pita Chips at Mara. It is good to note that the hummus and pita chips each count as one snack credit on the plan so if you get both it is two credits, but oh so worth it! I love a good healthy snack as well and the delicious hummus and pita chips really hit the spot!
Funnel Cake at Sleepy Hallow in the Magic Kingdom. Crispy, sweet, fried, and oh so good. Big enough to share, but you probably won’t want to!!!
Zebra Domes! I am heading back to Mara and the Animal Kingdom Lodge for this treat. These sweet and slightly grown up treats will keep you coming back for more.
Cupcakes!!! I just love a good cupcake and at WDW they seem to make them extra special. The cake is light and sweet and the frosting borders on too much! A few seasonal sprinkles and you have a timeless crowd pleaser. You can find a good cupcake at most food courts and many bakeries on property!

D23 Gets Inside The Game Grid For An Exclusive Sneak Peek At Tron: Legacy

Chip

October 22, 2010

Readers will have an exclusive all access sneak peek at the upcoming Disney feature film TRON: Legacy (in theatres December 17, 2010) when Disney twenty-three’s Winter issue debuts November 1. Featuring one of the first comprehensive filmmaker interviews for TRON: Legacy, the Winter issue of Disney twenty-three magazine, produced by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, is loaded with stories to delight Disney fans and the general public alike.

This issue of Disney twenty-three offers in-depth discussions with TRON: Legacy filmmakers and features two highly collectible covers. One cover is sent exclusively to D23 Members and the other is available for purchase at select Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstore locations, online at DisneyStore.com and throughout the Disneyland® and Walt Disney World® Resorts.

Director Joseph Kosinski and Producer Sean Bailey offer commentary on everything from behind-the-scenes moments and the personal memories that inspired participation in this cult-classic-sequel to the technical details that breathed life into the project. Writer Steven Lisberger even addresses the nearly thirty year gap between this film and the original release, saying: “The reason it took the 25 to 28 years is because we needed the ten-year-olds to grow up and be powerful enough to make this movie so that they could take their ten-year-old sons to see it.”

TRON: Legacy co-stars are also interviewed in the nine-page spread. Bruce Boxleitner reprises his role from the original 1982 film, admitting that he is “the biggest TRON fan there is,” while newcomer Garrett Hedlund discusses his take on his role as the character that inherits the TRON legacy.

Packed with gorgeous photos, extensive content and splendid artwork, the Winter issue of Disney twenty-three also gives readers an incredible opportunity to explore the architecture of the new Aulani Resort & Spa, Disney’s first resort in Hawaii, appropriately planted in the midst of a culture alive with history and a rich storytelling tradition.

Celebrating the abundant career of Disney Legend Dave Smith, Disney’s Chief Archivist, Disney twenty-three brings readers a final farewell to the man who founded the Walt Disney Archives 40 years ago. Conducted just before he retired, Disney twenty-three’s article presents the last visit to his treasure-laden office, filled with visual riches.

Disney twenty-three also looks back at classic Disney with two very special pieces. The first displays the Holiday Season through the eyes of Walt and his family. A perfect fit for the Winter issue, the piece gives fans the privilege of an intimate look at Walt’s home life. The second is the result of newly-discovered footage that chronicles Walt’s last time in front of the camera in the Studio’s legendary Stage 1.

There’s much more in the Winter issue of Disney twenty-three, including:

THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION: Highlights of D23 Members spending an amazing couple of days at Destination D: Disneyland ’55, a fun-filled celebration of The Happiest Place on Earth.
PERFECT TIMING: The time is just right for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Dean Wellins as he makes his directorial debut and prepares to release his charming animated short, Tick Tock Tale.
LIONS AND TIGERS AND…SANTA? OH MY! The Mickey Mouse Club Circus, one of the wildest shows in Disneyland history, dazzled crowds for six memorable weeks during the 1955 holiday season.
SMALL-SCREEN ADVENTURES: Walt Disney Television Animation celebrates 25 years of groundbreaking creativity.
23 QUESTIONS WITH… Imagineer, celebrated costume designer, and Disney Legend Alice Davis.
A WALK WITH WALT 1938: DREAMING THE FUTURE: The success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs went far beyond the silver screen.
D SOCIETY: George Lucas strikes back, Destination D: Disneyland ’55 has arrived, and D23 Members are smack dab in the middle of D23’s Great Disney Scavenger Hunt at the Disneyland Resort.

And there’s even more for Disney fans to explore in the Winter issue of Disney twenty-three magazine. As with every issue of Disney twenty-three, D23 Members receive an added bonus. This issue, which features a specially designed collectible cover, also comes with an exclusive TRON: Legacy gift that will be shipped to members. To become a D23 Member, visit www.disney.com/D23.

Marvel Invades the Tron Legacy Universe (chipandco.com)
Oakley to Debut 3D Eyewear With Special TRON: Legacy Film Edition (chipandco.com)

D23 Gets Inside The Game Grid For An Exclusive Sneak Peek At Tron: Legacy

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