The Best Thing I Love About Disney Is… Walking at Port Orleans Resort

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August 28, 2010

For those who have never stayed at the Port Orleans Resort, you might want to consider it. On your next visit to Walt Disney World, take a bus over to the resort and spend an hour walking around. When we stay there we stay in the Magnolia bend section of the resort and at least once or twice during each visit we will do a bit of a walking tour.

We normally leave our building and cross the bridge over the Sassagoula and head down to Port Orleans French Quarter. It is much smaller than the Riverside section and has a strong New Orleans/Mardi Gras theme. The food court is unique with many large Mardi Gras masks hanging from the ceiling. The buildings remind one of the New Orleans French Quarter and you must stop and glance at the street signs. Stop by the pool for a visual treat – maxed out Mardi Gras.

When we head back to the Riverside section we walk to the Riverside Mill (food court) and cross the little bridge directly in front of the water wheel to visit the rustically styled Alligator Bayou section. We then head back to the Magnolia Bend section where the buildings resemble old southern mansions which is where we normally stay. A bit of a side trip to Ol’ Man Island brings you to the Main Pool which is designed as an old swimming hole. It’s very unique.

As you walk the resort take note of the gorgeous landscaping – it rivals any Deluxe Resort on property. If you don’t want to walk the resort you can rent many types of bicycles or take a carriage ride in the evening (both for a fee of course).

For a detailed look at the Port Orleans Resort, visit this site http://www.portorleans.org/, it’s very well done.

Lucky 300 Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at World of Color

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 28, 2010

Lucky 300 Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at World of Color

On Thursday, August 26, 300 lucky people, including myself, got the chance to take a peek behind the scenes of California Adventure’s new nighttime spectacular World of Color, as well as learn about the show’s development and a Q&A session with the show’s creators. The meet-up was hosted by Disney Parks Blog.

We checked in outside the California Adventure park where we received some goodies — we got a special Disney Parks Blog pin (you can’t buy these anywhere!) and a color print of a scene from the show (very pretty!). We were given our special wristbands and tickets, and we were on our way.

Lucky 300 Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at World of Color

The meet-up went down in Studio 17 in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. Studio 17 used to house an interactive version of ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire?’. All of the guests were provided with refreshments and could take photos with a unique, psychedelic-looking World of Color ‘frame’. At around 7:30 P.M., the lights dimmed and the room was illuminated by colored spotlights. After a couple minutes of hearing some of the World of Color soundtrack, the black curtains were pulled back to reveal our seating area. The stage sat in the middle while two viewing screens sat on the left and right sides of the room.

Lucky 300 Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at World of Color

(L to R) Heather Hust Rivera, Sayre Wiseman, and Steve Davison.

Heather Hust Rivera, writer for Disney Parks Blog and Disneyland Resort Public Relations, gave all of us a very warm welcome and introduced us to the wonderful people who were responsible for World of Color and its amazing success — Sayre Wiseman, Director of Production at Walt Disney Imagineering; Steve Davison, a Disney Parks Blog author and Vice President of Parades and Spectaculars; and Mary Niven, Vice President of Disney California Adventure park and Guest Services.

Davison showed us footage of the soundtrack recording stages at Abbey Road Studios that he shot with his iPhone, as well as a never-before-seen animatic of the show that was created back in 2008 and shows early concepts for the show. Thanks to Davison, I learned that inspiration from the show came from “The World of Color” by the Sherman Brothers back in the 1960s.

Wiseman shared some stories about her experiences while bringing the show to life, and Niven talked about some of the challenges that arose when it came to making park guests’ experiences as fantastic as possible. Niven shared that she was pleased with show reviews from park guests that had seen the show, but the best review of all was from her granddaughter who said her favorite part of the show was the magic.

Once they were finished sharing their memories and stories, the meet-up guests got their chance to ask questions about the show.

It was showtime! We were escorted from Studio 17 to our reserved viewing area for the show. We had been given a vibrant caramel apple that I couldn’t stop marveling at the entire walk to Paradise Bay. I had never seen these apples before, so I’m going to guess that they were only available to the meet-up guests and staff that night. (Chip featured them as a Disney Food Confession. That post can be viewed here.)

Our viewing area was great. We got to see some of the fun and interactive pre-show with lit-up puppets: Tigger, Lumiere, Genie, Mike Wazowski, and Sebastian. Then the lights dimmed and the music began. My heart fluttered a teensy bit because it meant that I was seeing the show for my fourth time.

Thank you to Heather, Steve, Sayre and Mary, as well as all of the other Disney cast members who made this event happen, for having all of us and for teaching us so much about the show! I can’t wait for the next meet-up!

Our goodies:

Lucky 300 Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at World of Color

Disney Parks Blog pin (not available for purchase!)

Lucky 300 Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at World of Color

Color photograph print of World of Color

Lucky 300 Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at World of Color

World of Color caramel apple

Behind the Scenes Featurette With Nikki Blonsky from HUGE!

By

Chip

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August 28, 2010

Nikki Blonsky and Ari Stidham of ABC Family’s hit series, “Huge,” head into the recording studio with Emmy_® Award-winning composer W.G. Snuffy Walden (“The West Wing,” “Friday Night Lights” and “My So Called Life”) to record a full length version of a song that Nikki Blonsky’s character, Will, sings in the summer finale of “Huge,” premiering Monday, August 30 (9:00 – 10:00 p.m. ET/PT).

Additionally, a song that was sung by Ari Stidham’s character, Ian, in an earlier episode, can be downloaded on www.abcfamily.com for Free Music Monday’s on the day of the finale.

A Ride-Wimp’s Guide to Disney World

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 28, 2010

A Ride-Wimp’s Guide to Disney World

One thing I have learned from my years of researching Disney vacations, is that people have lots of questions about “what the rides are like”. I know this because I have been that person on various Disney message boards who has wanted to know if Mission Space was really “that” bad etc etc…..

Yes. I am publicly admitting that I am a Ride-Wimp. And I know from my research that there are lots of us out there. So for those of you who have wondered what some rides are like…which means of course, will YOU like the ride…..then this article is for you. 🙂

One thing I know about us Ride-Wimps is that we are not all alike: some like fast, but no drops while others don’t mind the drops but have motion sickness. It’s kind of relative, so when I explain to others who ask about the rides, I start by sharing what bothers ME and what I am perfectly fine with. You can use this as a frame of reference as you decide what’s right for you:

I am fine with speed, in fact I LOVE those rides. I am NOT fine with big drops. I get motion sick. I am *somewhat* ok with heights, depending on the circumstances. And I can go either way on dark, again depending on the circumstances.

So to help you can decide which rides YOU want to ride, see what this particular Ride-Wimp will and will not do at Disney World….and why.

Magic Kingdom

I’ve already said I love speed, so it should be no surprise that I am fine with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. But for those of you who are iffy about very fast rides, particularly with lots of tight turns etc, you will want to think carefully about this.

Splash Mountain is *OK* for me. I hate the big drop at the end, but I love the theming of the ride, so am willing to put up with that drop in order to experience the rest of the ride, if all the stars are aligned correctly: in other words, if it’s hot and I’m ok with getting wet, I’m willing. I am NOT willing to get soaked in January, and do the big drop also just to see Brer Rabbit…..

Space Mountain is a tricky one as it is borderline for me in the Ride-Wimp guidebook: love the speed, there are a couple of drops that I could do without ….and am not hugely fond of the dark part of this ride (yes, I know it’s *space* mountain…it’s just that I kind of like to see what is comin’ at me on rides like this…). So I probably end up doing this one every 3^rd or 4^th trip, and I’m ok with that…I know as coasters go, this is pretty tame, and many of you may be just fine with it…but Ride-Wimps will want to be prepared.

Epcot

Some of my favorite rides are in Epcot. Guess which ones…..

Test Track? Oh yeah, I love this ride! But again, if you are a Ride-Wimp that is NOT ok with speed, then pass this one by, because it is veeery fast! Some tight turns and a few other “special” effects may also make you want to think carefully if that doesn’t sound like your personal cup of tea…

Soarin’? This is actually my favorite ride in Disney World, worthy of multiple rides each visit. The height does not bother me because it’s dark, so I don’t see how high up you go LOL….and the movie on the screen makes you forget that it’s dark. This is a ride that I honestly recommend to everyone, Ride-Wimp or not, because it is so amazing that it overcomes the fears of nearly every Ride-Wimp I have met.

Mission Space? Well I have actually done this ride, twice in fact…and not the watered-down version either. It was cool, and I’m glad I did it….but will not again. I really wanted to try this ride when it first came out, and struggled so much with the motion sickness factor, but being a bit of a space junkie, curiosity got the better of me and I got in line. I will say that they do a GREAT job of letting you know what to expect during the pre-show, and my suspicion is that a lot of folks don’t try it just based on those pre-show warnings. (This does not refer to the *milder* version which I have not done, and am not hugely interested in, as it seems like it would be nothing more than a movie in a tiny little space.) What nearly did me in the first time was that miniscule space that you sit in….claustrophobics, heads up to you all….but the castmember, seeing the look on my face after the pre-show very nicely told me that once I saw the space inside the cockpit, if I didn’t want to ride, he’d let me get right off. Very nice fellow, that castmember. 🙂

So, should you try it? If you get motion sick, you really need to think carefully about doing the original version….My reason for trying it was that I wanted to see what that weightlessness feeling is like, and it is very cool. In fact, I think it is what makes this ride a great ride, so much so that, as I said, I have ridden the original version twice, and really have no interest in the mild version. There are some tricks that you can do to attempt to minimize the motion sick part….but frankly, for me the worst part was feeling lousy for hours afterwards….and that is why I won’t do it again: it’s not so great a ride for me that I am willing to lose a half day at the parks feeling crummy. So I can say I’ve been there, done that….and won’t be doing it again.

Hollywood Studios

It’s probably not a huge shocker for you to realize that based on my Ride-Wimp criteria, I do not ride Tower of Terror or Rock’n’Roller Coaster: drops, going upside down, dark….umm, no thanks. While my husband and daughter ride these, I go to Starring Rolls and get a pastry, thank you very much.

What about Star Tours? Well, I know of a number of folks who can’t ride this due to motion sickness. I have had times when it bothered me and times when it didn’t, and so I don’t ride it every visit as a result. Now that it will be closing to be updated, it will be interesting to see how it changes, and I’ll do it when it re-opens…at least once. After that, we’ll just have to see…

I want to mention one other ride here, because while it might not be something that the average Ride-Wimp would think about, Toy Story Midway Mania is something that those who get motion sick may want to be cautious of. This is an awesome ride and I enjoy it a great deal….but the jerking and going backwards part could definitely leave those of you with serious motion sickness feeling a little woozy afterwards. Something to think about….

Animal Kingdom

Expedition Everest is the one ride that I really, really, REALLY want to try….but the whole going backwards thing is, I know, not for me. When this ride first opened, my wonderful husband actually got a seat in the front and took a video of the entire ride, just so I could see if I thought I would like it. I want to like it, I really do…..but so far, my Ride-Wimpiness is winning out here…..

Speaking of videos though, one thing that I do want to share is that YouTube is a wonderful way for Ride-Wimps everywhere to get an idea of what a ride will be like, and then make a more informed decision beyond just crossing your fingers and hoping for the best. Obviously a video can’t convey the entire experience, but it’s a good start.

So there you have it, my list of rides to-do, and not-do. Now, for the rest of you Ride-Wimps, how about you? What will you ride…and what do you steer clear of?

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 special brand of Disney magic that you can’t find anywhere else.

Excerpt 3: Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers (2011)

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 28, 2010

Excerpt 3: Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers (2011)

Chip and Company’s own Chris had an excellent post, Disney World Quick Tips – Finding More Magic this week. It’s a perfect introduction for this week’s excerpt from Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers (2011). The excerpt below will help your little ones find more magic with some of Disney World’s preschooler-friendly recreational activities.

The finishing touches are being put on Beyond the Attractions and it will be available from Amazon in a few short weeks. You can find Excerpt 1 and Excerpt 2 here at Chip and Company. In the meantime, keep checking back for updates. I would even bet you’ll find a giveaway or two on Chip and Company this fall ;).

Recreational Activities

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Disney has deftly leveraged the popularity of spa treatments and has developed a unique and special experience for little girls. After selecting their favorite hair and makeup styles, your little ones will be treated to a princess-style makeover. Girls can even select a manicure, princess outfit, and a photo package. The special girl in your life is sure to feel like pampered royalty after this unforgettable, but costly, experience. Packages range from $50 to $200.

Walt Disney World has two Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations. One is in the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney and the other is in the Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle.

Little boys will not be left out; they can enjoy the Knight package with spiked hair, pirate confetti, colored hair gel, sword, and a shield for $14.95.

The Downtown Disney location offers an additional Hannah Montana-inspired makeover option.

Reservations must be made by calling 407-WDW-STYLE.

For an affordable alternative to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, visit the Harmony Barber Shop between the car barn and the Emporium near the park entrance in Magic Kingdom. Your kids can have their hair styled with gel and lots of pixie dust for $7.50, a fraction of the cost of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience. Children’s haircuts are approximately $15. Call 407-WDW-DINE for a reservation. A credit card guarantee is required when booking.

Boating. Walt Disney World Resort offers a wide range of boating opportunities on its many waterways. If you’re staying at a resort with a marina, you will be able to rent watercraft; if not, the marina at Downtown Disney offers boat rentals.

Fishing. Even preschoolers can participate in fishing at the Walt Disney World Resort. Many Disney resorts offer catch and release bass fishing. The typical two-hour excursion costs about $270 and is guided by a Cast Member. Equipment and beverages are provided.

Call 407-WDW-BASS for more information.

Fort Wilderness and Port Orleans Riverside offer dockside fishing for under $5 per pole per 30 minutes. This fishing experience is reminiscent of simpler times with a traditional cane pole, bobber, and live bait. No reservations are required.

Horsin’ Around. Fort Wilderness offers pony rides at Tri-Circle-D Farm for less than $5. While you’re at the farm, watch a blacksmith at work or meet the horses that pull the carriages down the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street, U.S.A.

Miniature Golf. Walt Disney World offers four miniature golf courses at two different locations: Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland.

Fantasia Gardens. These miniature golf courses are conveniently located within walking distance of the Boardwalk area, across from the Walt Disney World Swan Resort. One whimsical golf course is modeled after scenes from Disney’s classic film, Fantasia. The second course is a miniaturized version of a true 18-hole golf course and is billed as the largest, hardest miniature golf course in the world. Unless you have a budding golf great, the latter is not ideal for small children.

Winter Summerland. These courses are part of the Disney Animal Kingdom Resort area and are located next to Blizzard Beach. They can be reached from the Blizzard Beach bus stop.

Both courses feature Santa Claus; one course is themed after snow and ice while the second course features a sand and beach theme. To set the stage, Christmas music plays.

Miniature golf is $12.50 for adults and $10.50 for preschoolers.

Movie Theater. Downtown Disney’s Pleasure Island hosts a large, 24-theater movie complex. Taking in a relaxing movie can provide the perfect downtime from the hectic pace of your Walt Disney World vacation.

Pirate Adventure Cruise. Disney offers a pirate experience on the “high seas” for daring children. The pirate cruise is actually a pontoon boat that leaves from several docks around the Walt Disney World property. After kids are welcomed aboard and don pirate costuming, the boat takes off in search of treasure and adventure. Children are given a snack after making several stops to claim their loot during the approximately two-hour cruise. The theme of the pirate cruise will vary based upon which cruise is taken.

This activity is appropriate only for older preschoolers. Children must be fully potty-trained and at least four years of age. Parents do not accompany their children.

The following Pirate Cruises are available:
Albatross Treasure Cruise (Yacht and Beach Club Resort)
Bayou Pirate Cruise (Port Orleans Riverside Resort)
Disney’s Pirate Adventure (Grand Floridian Resort)
Island of the Caribbean Pirate Cruise (Caribbean Beach Resort)

The cost is $34 per child and reservations can be made 90 days in advance by calling 407-WDW-PLAY. Cruises run from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on select days.

The Pirates League. As the equivalent of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, The Pirates League in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland is for both boys and girls who want to live the pirate life. Disney’s Pirate Masters will transform landlubbers into true swashbuckling buccaneers. Different packages, beginning at $30, are offered but all pirate experiences include a pirate name, makeover, and personalized pirate oath. Photos are an additional cost for the First Mate and Empress packages.

Children must be at least three years of age to participate. Call 407-WDW-CREW for reservations and more information.

Professional Portrait Service. Have your group portrait taken by a Disney PhotoPass photographer during a 20- or 40-minute session at any of these five Disney resorts: Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club Resort, Grand Floridian Resort, Polynesian Resort, and Wilderness Lodge. Different packages, beginning at $50, are offered; call 407-934-4004 for more details and to make a reservation.

Surrey Bike and Other Bike Rentals. Many of the resorts offer either bike rentals or surrey bike rentals which can be enjoyed by the whole family. Surrey bike rentals range from $21 to $24 for 30 minutes.

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 call follow her on Twitter @DisneyExplorer and Facebook.

Radio Disney Kicks off Third Season of Next Big Thing September 15th

By

Chip

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August 28, 2010

Radio Disney, which Billboard magazine ranked twice among the Top 25 on its Maximum Exposure list of ways to get music noticed, will kick off its third season of “N.B.T.” (Next Big Thing), beginning WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15. “N.B.T.,” a daily multiplatform feature that launched the career of Hollywood Records recording artists Allstar Weekend, puts the spotlight on young recording artists and provides them with national broadcast and online exposure.

Over the course of 10 weeks, Radio Disney and Disney Channel audiences will be invited to look, listen and vote for their favorite artist at RadioDisney.com or by texting* “NBT” to DISNEY (347639). The highest ranked “N.B.T.” artist will have the opportunity to have their single released by Disney Music Group and open for Allstar Weekend at a special holiday performance.

Michael Riley, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Radio Disney, said, “‘N.B.T.’ exemplifies Radio Disney’s multiplatform programming strategy, which extends the listening experience and adds engagement opportunities for kids and families.”

The showcase includes interviews and in-studio performances with a new “N.B.T.” artist every two weeks. During each showcase period on Radio Disney, each artist will have their single on the playlist, and join on-air personalities Ernie D and Jake Whetter in studio. Simultaneously, Disney Channel will present a preview of each artist and a sampling of their musical talent in interstitials hosted by Jake. Each artist will also have two full songs, exclusive videos, photos and bios on RadioDisney.com. Videos will also be featured on Disney.com, the N.B.T. mobile website , and Radio Disney’s YouTube Channel .

Disney World Quick Tip – The fastest way to get to the Magic Kingdom.

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 28, 2010

Disney World Quick Tip – The fastest way to get to the Magic Kingdom.

Getting to the Magic Kingdom can be pretty involved: You have to drive to the parking lot, take a tram to the Ticket and Transportation Center, then get on the ferry or monorail. If you have lots of “stuff,” like strollers or diaper bags, or even little kids who move slowly, it can be a bit involved. So what’s the best way to get to the Magic Kingdom?

Given a choice between the ferry or the monorail, make your decision based on lines. The monorail is a shorter trip by several minutes and the ferry loads more slowly, but if the line for the monorail is down the ramp, take the ferry. You’ll get there faster because the ferry can hold more guests. It’s also a lovely, peaceful ride.

If you’re staying on Disney property but not staying at a monorail resort, take the resort bus. You’ll bypass the Ticket and Transportation Center and go straight to the parks. By cutting out the TTC, even buses from resorts with slower service will get there faster than taking your own car and parking it at the TTC. Obviously, if you have a stroller or a scooter/wheelchair you may want to re-think this option.

If you’re being dropped off, there are a couple of things you can do. Here they are from slowest to fastest:

1. Get dropped off in front of the TTC.

2. Get dropped off at the entrance of the Polynesian and take the monorail from there.

3. Get dropped off in front of the Contemporary Resort and take the walkway to the Magic Kingdom. Keep in mind that you can’t drive into where Disney buses drop off guests, but you can do a very quick drop off in front of that area at the intersection. This works best for people who don’t have strollers and can move quickly. You can also pull into the Contemporary parking lot if you need more time to get your passengers out of the car. Don’t be tempted to park there! You can be towed if you aren’t staying at the resort or don’t have a dining reservation.

Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 3 Will Cross $1 Billion Today

By

Chip

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August 28, 2010

Two weeks after becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time, Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3 will cross the $1 billion mark at the global box office today, joining Alice in Wonderland as the second $1 billion film this year from The Walt Disney Studios – the first studio in history to accomplish this feat. Disney first crossed the $1 billion threshold with Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest in 2006. Toy Story 3 becomes the only animated film to reach this milestone and the seventh title in industry history.

“It’s been an incredible year as we saw the Pixar team bring Buzz and Woody back to the big screen and watched Tim Burton’s vision for Alice in Wonderland take the world by storm,” said Rich Ross, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. “These box office triumphs prove that creative storytelling brought to life by imaginative, inspired and talented professionals is something audiences respond to the world over.”

As of Thursday (8/26/10), Toy Story 3 tallied more than $592.9 million internationally, Disney’s largest international animated release. Latin American audiences have contributed $138 million making Toy Story 3 the highest grossing Disney film ever released in the region. Toy Story 3 is the most successful UK release in Disney history and currently stands as the fourth biggest title in territory history with $102.4 million in box office receipts so far. In Japan, the film has taken in $111.2 million and spent five consecutive weeks as the #1 movie. Toy Story 3 currently ranks as the #7 film in global box office history and domestically ranks #9 with $404.6 million in receipts to date.

Alice in Wonderland began setting records during its opening weekend (March 5-7), becoming the biggest March opening in industry history, the highest 3D opening ever and The Walt Disney Studios’ biggest opening for a non-sequel film. Internationally, the film went on to tally more than $690 million, becoming Disney’s biggest overseas release of all time and the fourth biggest title ever released overseas. Worldwide, the film took in $1.0243 billion, ranking it as the #5 film in global box office history.

Oldies But Goodies – Should Seniors Use Disney’s Magical Express?

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 28, 2010

One thing we value as Seniors above almost everything else is our independence. We have grown up in an era where we were required to depend on ourselves for almost everything. Unfortunately, this may lead to a feeling of reluctance to let others take total control of something that is personally very important – our luggage while flying. Certainly we trust the airlines (sometimes with mixed results) to get our luggage from point of departure to point of arrival but then we can get our hands on our stuff and control it from there. That gives us our independence back because now, we can get our stuff where it needs to go.

Sorry fellow Oldies, here is where I am willing to surrender this particular part of my independence and let Disney handle my stuff!! Disney’s Magical Express is a free service that handles your luggage from the time you arrive in Orlando until the time you leave. They pick it up at the airport, deliver it to your resort, and the resort then delivers it to your room. The only cost that you may incur will be a tip for the bellman if you happen to be in the room when it’s delivered. When it’s time to leave you check your luggage in at the resort and they take it from there. As if by Magic, this is Disney after all, your luggage will be at your home airport baggage terminal when you arrive. This, of course, depends on the airlines doing their job.

Did I forget to mention that the service also includes free transportation to your resort on comfortable air conditioned buses normally operated by very friendly and entertaining drivers. There is also an entertaining video played while in transit – it gets you in the mood. I’m not just repeating the Disney company line, I’ve used the service on every visit since it was instituted. If you want the official information you can find it here: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/benefits/airport-service/

Word of caution – always pack a carry on with essentials (change of clothes, MEDS, etc) because there are occasionally delays of up to a few hours, depending on airport traffic, in getting luggage from the airport to your room. If you do take a carry on with you on the Magical Express bus please tip the driver when he retrieves it for you from under the bus. These people work hard and you will notice that they receive very few tips.

To answer my question posed above, should Seniors use Disney’s Magical Express – Yes! Yes! Yes!

Disney World Quick Tip – Getting Those Character Pictures

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 28, 2010

O.K. I’m 64 years old and I still want my picture taken with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, etc. There are a number of ways to do this and if you want specific characters in specific costumes, i.e. farmer outfits at the Garden Grill you have to go to those places. You can also hunt them down in the parks and wait in line for a quick shot and off you go to search out another one. This method can quickly overcome other plans and the character pictures become an obsession.

I’ve found that a stop at the Epcot Character Spot at park opening gets you a series of character shots with all of the “biggies” in a short time. It’s located right next to Club Cool on the west side of the Fountain of Nations and opens at park opening. Characters are there most of the day and each character has a Photopass photographer with them. If you get there early enough there is not much of a line.

Make sure and bring your own camera and hand it to the person helping the Photopass photographer. They will take pictures while the photographer is working. I found this to be important last trip because our shots with Mickey were missing in our Photopass shots but I had them in my camera. We have found that normally Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy and either Donald or Chip ‘n Dale (oftentimes both) are there. As you can see, you can get a lot of pictures in a short time and it’s indoors and air conditioned. Give it a try!!

Chip and Co. Interviews Melissa Joan Hart.

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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August 28, 2010

Chip and Co. Interviews Melissa Joan Hart.

On Monday I got to sit in on a phone interview with Melissa Joan Hart, one of the stars of Melissa and Joey, airing on the ABC Family Channel. You may remember Melissa from Clarissa Explains it All and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. In her new show, Melissa plays a politico who suddenly finds herself taking care of her niece and nephew after their parents get into trouble. She hasn’t the first clue about parenting, so she hires a “Manny” played by Joey Lawrence, who is recently divorced and has lost his white collar job. Unlike shows like “Who’s the Boss”, which had a similar theme, Melissa and Joey is more focused on the adults and will highlight their relationship.

Melissa and Joey have worked together in the past and it’s apparent from the good chemistry the two have together. They also share a similar work ethic, which no doubt has contributed to their longevity in the business. Says Melissa,

We have a very strong relationship with our siblings and now we have great marriages and children, but we both have this incredible work ethic that I think comes from when we were younger just knowing that we wanted to be in the business and instead of shooting for the stars, instead of just like “I want to be famous, I want to be rich,” like a lot of I think kids do these days, we were more “I want to work. I want longevity. I want to do this.”

In an era when child stars seem to go the way of Lindsay Lohan, Melissa’s words are refreshing. Smart, funny, and as practiced in her craft as you’d expect someone to be who’s been acting since the age of four, in real life Melissa is a married mom with two young children learning how to balance career and work. About twenty minutes into the interview, I found myself thinking “Wow, she’s so nice . . . and normal.” Speaking candidly, Melissa talked about her life as a teen actress during her Clarissa years, away from home and surrounded mainly by adults, and about the amount of work it took to put that show together. She also spoke of the thrill of working on the Sabrina set where, for the first time, she worked with peers her own age, creating fun traditions like cookouts and a weekly bowling night . Some of those people have remained as close as family.

There are a lot of things Melissa loves about the new show, the wardrobe, being one of them. Working with old friends is another: Not only is Joey on the set, but she’s working with lots of familiar talent from her past. But what struck me is that was she truly loves the chance to make people laugh. Sitcoms, she said, make her happy. I had a chance to watch the show the other night and you can see that. It’s cute and funny. And yeah, I like the clothes too.

Best of luck to Melissa in her newest endeavor.

Melissa and Joey airs tonight 8:00 p.m. eastern on the ABC family channel. You can also get caught up with pervious episodes here.

Disney Food Confession – World of Color Candy Apple

By

Chip

-

August 28, 2010

What is it ? It’s a Granny Smith apple smothered in caramel, dunked in white chocolate, and sprinkled in colored sugar.

Why you want it? Almost too pretty to eat. Notice I said almost.

Where can you get it? You can’t…Disney was handing these out at the Disney Parks Blog World of Color meet-up event.

Photo credit – Jessica

If you have a Disney Food Confession email [email protected] or let us know on the Disney Food Confessions Facebook page.. He is accepting Food ideas or Photos if you have them!