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Disney World has Made Me a Runner

December 26, 2010

I have never been a runner.

Remember in school having to run the mile? I walked. I’d jog a few steps when the gym teacher would yell at me, but then I’d go right back to walking my 16 minute mile.

Soccer? I never liked soccer: too much running. Softball was more my speed, but I only played that for a few years.

Then, one summer in college, a friend convinced me to run. Several times a week, we’d head out to a beautiful 4-mile lake near campus, and go. I started jogging 1 minute at a time and slowly built up to more running than walking the 4 mile trail (and a 20 lb weight loss!) But, I definitely wasn’t a runner.

A few years after that, I enlisted in the U.S. Army. Just to enter basic combat training (boot camp), I had to run 1 mile in 10 minutes. No problem. In boot camp, we ran several times a week, either group runs, track runs, or interval training. By the end, I could easily run 2 miles in about 19 minutes. But, I still wasn’t a runner.

Over the past few years, I would frequently head out on a run to stay in shape, but rarely ever more than 3 miles. Heck, 4 or 5 miles seemed incredibly long for me. Around 7 or 8 months into my pregnancy- 7-8 months of only walking and doing yoga, I wanted a change- I wanted to become a runner.

I have never enjoyed running, but longed to find a way to enjoy the experience. After all, I have to run for the duration of my career. Then it dawned on me: Walt Disney World. The races run through the parks – and more importantly, through Cinderella Castle! Not convinced? Check out the main page video at runDisney. I’ve almost convinced non-Disney-addicts with that! Somehow, at 36 weeks pregnant, I convinced my husband and a good college friend to sign up for the 2011 Disney Half-Marathon. 13. 1 miles. Sounds scary? It does to me, too, but I’ll be running from EPCOT to the Magic Kindgom, and back. And through both parks.

I purchased the “In training for the Disney Half-Marathon” tech shirts for my husband and myself in hopes of motivation. We followed runDisney’s Training Consultant and Olympic marathoner Jeff Galloway’s training programs, and have set out on our journey to become runners.

Now, with only 1 long run left, I’m ready for January 8^th – my first Disney race, first half-marathon, first medal, and first run through Cinderella Castle. We’re already considering heading back for the Food and Wine Festival Half Marathon, or visiting Disneyland for the first time to run in their half-marathon in September, to earn the Coast to Coast Challenge medal. Or, maybe we’ll become regulars for the WDW January Marathon Weekend. Either way, thanks to Walt Disney World, I finally consider myself a runner. Those 2 mile runs for the Army Physical Fitness Tests (APFT’s) are going to be easy now!

Jenn lives in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. with her husband and 1 year old son. She has been a regular to Walt Disney World her entire life, thanks to having a Floridian family. Jenn can also be found at her own blog, the Disney Babies Blog, that she created while planning to take her 6 month old son to WDW. In her non-Disney life, you can find her playing the clarinet in a D.C. military band. Or, running and practicing yoga.

runDisney 2011 Disney Parks Marathon Schedule (chipandco.com)
Lots of ‘Run ‘n’ Fun’ at Disney Parks: Last Call for Entries in Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Events (chipandco.com)

My favorite Disney World Roller Coasters

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

December 26, 2010

As a roller coaster fan, I’ll admit that I grew up a self-proclaimed roller coaster CHICKEN! In fact, it wasn’t until I went to a theme park in Virginia that I became a fan. But that’s another story for another time.

Over the years, I have become a huge fan of the roller coaster genre, and Walt Disney World, in my opinion, has some of the best roller coasters on the planet. A lot of my friends will disagree with me, saying that this roller coaster, or that roller coaster is better, but to me, there is a whole lot more than how many loops a roller coaster can do, or how far the drop is. To me, what sets the roller coasters at Walt Disney World apart from all of the others is the theming that the Disney Imagineers put into planning the attraction. I believe that Disney spends more time on the theme of an attraction than any other “theme” park in the world, and it is the theme of their lands, attractions, shows, and other things that really sets the parks apart from all of the others. Now, after all of that build-up, I am going to give you my rankings for my favorite roller coaster rides at Walt Disney World.

6) The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm

I know what you are thinking. I am absolutely insane by including The Barnstormer in my listing of my favorite coasters. I have now lost the two readers that come to Chip & Company to read my material. I can’t be serious.

However, my friends, I am serious. The Barnstormer was the very first roller coaster that my daughter Sophie ever rode, and the moment she got on that coaster, she was addicted. There is not a single roller coaster that my daughter will NOT ride. My wife and I enjoyed it too! It was a quick ride, certainly, but when we went that first year, the park wasn’t very busy, and Sophie wanted to ride it again, and again, and again, and again, so we ended up riding that thing probably eight times in a row. You know why we did? Because there was no line. We walked off, turned around, and walked right back on. It was fun. It was quick. It provided excitement for us. It was great.

Today, we don’t ride The Barnstormer as much, simply because Sophie has moved on to many other fun and challenging rides, but I have a soft spot in my heart for those days when Sophie was excited beyond compare by the simple joys of that roller coaster. With the closing of Mickey’s Toontown Fair, I’m not certain what the future holds for The Barnstormer. I hope it stays to be enjoyed for generations to come.

5) Primeval Whirl

When we first wanted to ride Primeval Whirl, it continually amazed us that you had to be 48” tall in order to ride this roller coaster. For the first two years, Sophie wasn’t tall enough to ride it, but in year three, she was. The Whirl is not your typical roller coaster, in fact, I’m not sure if it should be classified as a roller coaster at all. But for our discussion, that’s what I’m calling it.

The Whirl is a fun ride because it takes you fast through some turns, dips, climbs, all sorts of things that spin you around and almost make it seem like you are going to fall right off the edge of the structure. In fact, in some ways Primeval Whirl may have more thrills than some of the other coasters because it is a completely different experience. The circular car really makes a difference, especially when it is turning you around this way and that as you make one of the 90 degree turns on the track.

The Primeval Whirl is located in Animal Kingdom at DinoLand U.S.A.

4) Space Mountain

Space Mountain is a ride that I enjoy, but I haven’t ridden it for a few years. The first time I rode it I kept trying to anticipate which way the coaster was going to turn, and since night vision isn’t my thing, I was anticipating completely wrong! By the end of the ride I had a headache from the jarring. However, I did ride Space Mountain again after that, and when I decided that the key was to just go with the flow, I really enjoyed the ride.

Sophie isn’t a big fan of it because it is in the dark, but she has told us that she is going to try it again when we go in June. However, while the appeal to Space Mountain is that it is in the dark, I feel like it takes away something from the ride. We haven’t ridden it since it was renovated, so I’m looking forward to reacquainting myself with the ride. Space Mountain is the signature attraction in Tomorrowland, located in the Magic Kingdom.

3) Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest is one of those rides that I, for whatever reason, never seemed to ride – until this past June. Then we all rode it, and I liked it! For me the most gut-wrenching part (I say that literally) was when we rode backwards down the track. I did feel like the speed of the coaster was a little slower than I would have liked. But I liked the coaster, and will ride it again. Last time I was in the very back of the train, so this year I’ll see what it’s like at a different location!

For me, I really like the mountain. Additionally, the Disney Imagineers have done a great job in theming this attraction. In so many ways, the theming of an attraction also helps to make the wait in line seem shorter because you can look around and see all the little details of the ride.

Expedition Everest is located in Animal Kingdom, not far from the Kali River Rapids.

2) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

I absolutely LOVE Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It is one of my favorite roller coasters anywhere, not just at Disney World. There is so much to experience with BTMR that it is easy to ride it over and over again just to pick out the things you missed before.

Have you ever ridden it at night? If you haven’t you absolutely must experience that at least once. It introduces a totally different dynamic into the ride.

Have you seen the dancers dancing above the saloon? If you haven’t, look for it. BTMR is one of those attractions that delivers – over and over again!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is located in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom.

1) Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

I wonder where I have been all my life – six years in a row we have gone to Disney for at least one day, and in the previous five years, I never rode the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. How stupid have I been?!

Last June I made the distinct decision that I was going to ride this roller coaster, and when we were at Disney’s Hollywood Studios we did just that. We had a Fastpass for it, so we walked right on. In fact, we walked in the queue so quickly that I didn’t even pay attention to the limo leaving with the previous group of riders. You know what? That was better, because I had NO IDEA how quickly that limo was going to take off!

The initial start is from 0-60 in 2.8 seconds, immediately propelled into the dark with the music of Aerosmith blasting in your ears! The ride contains a corkscrew, a loop-de-loop, and several high speed turns, all with the music playing. The ride is in the dark, but there are several neon signs to look at, so it really is cool! The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster immediately became my favorite roller coaster anywhere, not just at Disney World!

Mike is a Disney Fan from North Carolina. When he isn’t writing for Chip & Company, he also writes for his own blog at My Dreams of Disney. You can follow My Dreams of Disney at it’s Facebook page or follow Mike at his Twitter account.

Keys to the Kingdom Lesson: Chess Anyone?

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

December 26, 2010

Keys to the Kingdom Lesson: Chess Anyone?

Today, I am sharing another tidbit of information I discovered while on my recent Keys to the Kingdom Tour at the Magic Kingdom. After our morning stroll down Main Street, we headed over to Adventureland and Liberty Square to learn a little about a man named Marc Davis.

If you have ever looked around while in the queue at the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, you have probably noticed the scene of two skeletons sitting at a chess game. If you have looked even closer, you have probably noticed that the game is in stalemate so the storyline is that these swashbucklers died trying to figure out their next move. If you have ever wondered where the idea came from, you are lucky to be reading this blog today.

The chess game was the idea of Disney Imagineer Marc Davis. Marc Davis wasn’t just any old imagineer but was, in fact, one of Walt Disney’s “Nine Old Men,” a group of famed core animators for Disney animated films. Mr. Davis started in 1935 on Snow White and he later went on to help develop and animate the characters of Bambi and Thumper in Bambi, Cinderella, Alice of Alice in Wonderland, Tinkerbell in Peter Pan, Maleficent and the raven in Sleeping Beauty, and Cruella De Vil in One Hundred and One Dalmatians. He was also the design creator of many of the characters in some of Disneyland and Walt Disney World’s most famous rides, such as the Carousel of Progress, the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Haunted Mansion. In 1989, Mr. Davis was named a Disney Legend.

Marc Davis was an avid chess player and, although Imagineers are not allowed to autograph their work, some do manage to leave little clues. He found a way to do just that. On Pirates it is in the queue with the skeletons playing chess, but do you know where it is in the Haunted Mansion? If you guessed that it is not “in” the Haunted Mansion but “on” it, you are right! Chess pieces adorn the tops of the mansion. Look closely at my pictures and you will see some of them.

Keys to the Kingdom Lesson: Chess Anyone?

If I had a better photograph that encompassed the entire mansion, you would notice there are a couple of pawns, rooks, kings, queens, etc. on the roof. Rae told us there are no knights, though, because it is always night in the Haunted Mansion – tee hee.

Many people, like me, never even take the time to look at the top of the mansion. We are usually hurried to get to this ride or that. I am so thankful that I took the time to go on the Keys to the Kingdom tour. There is so much hidden magic we miss when we are in a hurry. It is a lot of fun to take the time to look and learn.

There is just one more signature piece I must mention. While you are on POTC, look closely at the coat of arms hanging over the entrance of the final scene. On the crest, Mr. Davis managed to sneak in the name “Marco Daviso,” and adorn the crest with rooks. Next time you are at the Magic Kingdom, look for all of these signature pieces. It really makes it all more personal to think of the genius behind the magic.

What Is ‘The Best Seat In The House’ At Walt Disney World?

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

December 26, 2010

What Is ‘The Best Seat In The House’ At Walt Disney World?

When I first went to Walt Disney World, I thought I had to be at the head of the line for everything. So I arrived early for Shows. Huddled by the Entry Doors of Attractions. And ran to the Rides. Many have done this thinking that it will give them ‘the best seat in the house.’ But it doesn’t!

After my first visit, or what I now affectionately call my learning curve, I took a more leisurely approach. So in this article, I am going to share with you just how to get that ‘best seat in the house’ at each Attraction in the World. The same tips will work for those of you who frequent Disneyland, as many of the Attractions I will be mentioning are located in both Parks. Let’s start with:

Thrill Rides

These include: Space Mountain; Rock and Roller Coaster; Expedition Everest; etc. For these rides, you want to sit in the front car. However, you likely will have to ask to sit in the front car, and you may have to wait a little longer as others are let by you until all of the other seats are filled.

Tip: There is one Roller Coaster that you do not want to do this for. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is much more exciting for those who sit in the back seat. This comes from a Cast Member who gave me the tip after I asked for the front seat. He told me that the Train slows after cresting some of the hills, letting the front cars down the other side gradually until the rear of the Train crests. Then the Train is released and the thrills return. So the riders in the rear of the Train get a better experience. I did this, and he was right!

Splash Mountain; Test Track; Soarin’; Mission Space; Maelstrom; Kali River Rapids; The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror; etc. all give a great ride no matter where you sit.

Live Shows

First off, you will be told by the attending Cast Member of these Attractions that all seats are the ‘best in the house.’ And they are right, to a point. Every seat does yield an adequate view. But the principle I will be applying is based on my personal Movie Theater preference, which is: Always sit two thirds of the way back from the front and dead center.

Shows for which this principle should be applied are: Voyage of the Little Mermaid; Beauty and the Beast; Lights,Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show; Finding Nemo – the Musical; Fantasmic; etc.

Tip: Once inside, the Cast Member will ask you to move all the way to the far side of the Theater and fill all available seats. You will not be allowed to stop half way across! So the strategy has to start outside the Entry Doors. Don’t rush to be first in line. Hold back to about the center of the crowd and file in slowly. Once inside, locate a row that is about one third filled and head for it. By the time you get there and move across, you will be in about the center of the Theater. Go in by means of the center Entry Door and you should get the ‘best seat in the house.’

Playhouse Disney and the Festival of the Lion King, among others, give you a good view no matter where you sit. In fact, it’s best to choose a new seat each time you go.

Staged Shows

Shows like: Sounds Dangerous; Muppet Vision 3D; Country Bear Jamboree; The Hall of Presidents; Mickey’s Philharmagic; Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor; Carousel of Progress; It’s Tough to be a Bug; etc. are all examples where the ‘hold back’ approach works best. Again, you will be asked to move all the way along to the far side of the Theater.

Tip: See the last tip.

These rides or shows: Walt Disney World Railroad; The Haunted Mansion; Jungle Cruise; Star Tours; The Enchanted Tiki Room; Snow White’s Scary Adventures; Peter Pan’s Flight; The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh; It’s a Small World; Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin; Stitch’s Great Escape; Spaceship Earth; Universe of Energy; The Great Movie Ride; Dinosaur; Gran Fiesta Tour; Pirates of the Caribbean; etc. all give you a good view no matter where you sit.

And there you have it. Over five years of exhaustive research into Disney Seatology at your fingertips! So the next time you visit Walt Disney World or Disneyland, you’ll be sure to get the ‘best seat in the house!’

Lee Beatens has two sides as a Writer/Artist. His writing side is showcased at the Blog called Disleelandia, and his artistic side is showcased at the Blog called The CANADIAN Kingdom. His improbable third side is showcased here.

Walt Disney World Fun Facts (chipandco.com)
Freeze Conditions at Disney’s Epcot, Germany Biergarten Holiday Show, Candlelight Processional with Steven Curtis Chapman – Photos and Video (jefflangedvd.com)
Best Things I Love About Disney – The Pursuit Of Trivia (chipandco.com)

What Is ‘The Best Seat In The House’ At Walt Disney World?

I Had Le Cellier and Now I Don’t

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

December 26, 2010

I Had Le Cellier and Now I Don’t
I had them. The perfect ADRs for my husband and my 10th anniversary trip. And now I don’t. Life happens. Our babysitter can’t watch the kids anymore so we are no longer Florida-bound.

It’s a very disappointing turn of events and I held it together when I cancelled our DVC reservation but a lump came to my throat as I cancelled our dining. You may be thinking, “What’s the big deal? They’re just dining reservations.” Some of you know I have small children which means we don’t get out a lot. We weren’t looking forward to the attractions so much as the chance to have an uninterrupted conversation while lingering over grown-up food. It’s the little things. I also know that unless the stars align perfectly I’ll never be able to get this combination of ADRs again.

What Restaurants Now Have Availability?

If you’re looking for a table for two during the third week of January, look no further than these restaurants.

Day 1: Boma. This is the surprise ADR. I’m married to the guy who thinks pepper is an exotic spice. We’ve been to Boma with the whole family before and my husband absolutely loved this buffet. The food is interesting and there are options for more adventurous eaters but there are plenty of “safe” and delicious choices for diners like my husband who like to stick to the familiar.

Day 2: Citricos. We’ve never been to one of the finer Grand Floridian restaurants and we now had our chance. Many of you are thinking, “10th anniversary. Why aren’t they going to Victoria and Albert’s?” If you read my recent article on dressing casually for Disney dining, you know the answer. My husband isn’t putting on a jacket and tie for dinner while on vacation. Period. It was a tough call between Citricos and Narcoossee’s with its seafood menu and enviable location on Seven Seas Lagoon but the Tuscany-inspired menu at Citricos won over my husband.

Day 3: California Grill. We’ve only eaten here once before but it was memorable. This meal began my husband’s love affair with flatbreads. The service was impeccable, the food worthy of this restaurant’s signature dining designation, and the views of the Wishes fireworks exploding over Cinderella Castle are breathtaking. One of the notable things about California Grill is that if you have an early dinner reservation you can return later in the evening to watch Wishes from the outdoor viewing areas.

Day 4: Le Cellier. “Oh no, not Le Cellier.” These were the exact words of the kind Disney Vacation Club agent who was cancelling my ADRS. She echoed my thoughts exactly. If you’ve stalked the Disney forums you know that this reservation can be nearly impossible to get. In fact, we haven’t eaten here since our honeymoon. I don’t know what entrée I was going to order but I had already settled on the Cheddar Cheese Soup as a starter and the chocolate “moose” for dessert. Now, it may be another ten years before I score an ADR here.

Day 5: Raglan Road. This was our “fun” reservation for the week. We don’t eat at Downtown Disney often but I’ve heard a lot of good things about this restaurant with its live entertainment and authentic Irish food by renowned Chef Kevin Dundon. An adult’s only trip seemed the perfect time to give this pub a try followed by an evening of shopping at Downtown Disney.

Day 6: La Hacienda de San Angel. This new Epcot restaurant sold me with its location on World Showcase Lagoon and its large windows offering a one-of-a-kind view of my favorite nighttime entertainment – IllumiNations. We had the perfect ADR time too, 8pm. Plus, it’s a must-do to keep our record of having eaten at every table-service restaurant in World Showcase.

This concludes our tour of our perfect almost ADRs. Hopefully our loss is someone else’s gain and she was able to book a table at some of the best restaurants in Walt Disney World.

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.

Review: Step Up 3 Dances to its own tune

Chip

December 26, 2010

Let me start out by saying I have not seen any of the other Step Up movies. My wife is the one who likes dancing movies like Dirty Dancing, Save the Last Dance and Bring it on. I am more of a Footloose, Saturday Night Fever, and Breakin’ 2 Electric Boogaloo type of person. I don’t know I am not the biggest fan of modern music and just prefer the older stuff. I know I probably sound like an old man..lol

Last week a I received a review copy of Step Up 3 from Disney and thought what the heck it’s Disney they can make one heck of a movie so it would be worth a shot. Let me tell you I am glad I did.

Step Up 3 reminded me alot of Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo. The storyline in both movies is similar, but Step Up really brings it! I am reminded of the first time I saw one of my favorite movies Hackers. It has the NYC Underground feel to it.

As with all my reviews I don’t like to giveaway to much of the plotline. In this one, 2 Street Performing groups the House of Pirates and the House of Samurai are battling for the World Jam Dance Competition. There is a Romeo and Juliet love story mixed in there as well which makes for some interesting twists in the plot.

For those who have seen the previous movies (which are now on my Netflix) the sequel sees the return of Adam Sevani and Alyson Stoner, who portrayed Moose from Step Up 2 the Streets and Camille Gage from Step Up.

Step Up 3 has some of the coolest dance movies I have ever seen. There are some parts in there that seem impossible, while other parts of the movie just blow my mind! Here is a clip of one of those scenes starting a dancer named Chadd Smith.

Having not watched the other 2 movies I was ok coming into this. I was a little worried at first but this movie does great on it’s own. Like me you will probably want to go back and see them cause you will find yourself wanting more. I have since seen Step Up 3 and additional time which says alot.

I highly recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of dancing movies. I give it 2 thumbs up and don’t forget it comes out on 3D, Bluray, DVD, and Digital Download on the 21st of December.

If you have seen this movie let us know what you thought in the comment section below.

Disclosure: This review is based off of my own opinion of this movie. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment furnished a copy of this title for review. All copyright images, and content belong to Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

Step Up 3 is dancing to 3D, Bluray, DVD and Digital Download on Dec 21st. (chipandco.com)
STEP UP 3 on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray & DVD 12/21! (chipandco.com)

Review: Step Up 3 Dances to its own tune

Disneyworld Hidden Gems – Epcot’s UK Pavilion

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

December 26, 2010

Tomes would be written about the attractions at Epcot oft times bypassing the minutiae of the architecture that evokes these feelings of nostalgia and giddiness for travel. My goal is to bring to light the small in order to give the traveller better vantage of the entire picture.

Now we shall move along our tour onto our stop in Epcot’s United Kingdom. This particular “country” has a bit of a bittersweet twinge for me. My family hails from Ireland (originally, however there was a “brief” history through Australia) and though a lot of the “troubles” have ended, the fact that Northern Ireland is represented alongside Scotland, Wales and England will always be a sticking point. (Yes, I understand that this really has no bearing on the land’s layout at Epcot, it’s just a personal gripe of mine.) In any case, shall we?

As we approach the UK from Canada, we find the Eastern façade Sportsman’s Shoppe, a building very much like that of Hampton Court, (modeled after it, so rightfully so!) a Tudor/Baroque style building.

(Hampton Court)

These two styles are due largely to the fact that the palace was begun by Cardinal Wolsey (Chief Minister to Henry VIII- Henry Tudor) and William III began the later renovations after those of the Palace at Versailles in the Baroque style. The work at Hampton Court was stopped in 1694, leaving these two contrasting styles cohabitating and much like most places within WDW they still work extraordinarily well together.

(Sportsman’s Shoppe, East Façade)

We also find a mail drop, a telly booth area and a water feature on the approach to the north side of the pavilion just before the short garden in front of the building itself.

I just recently took notice of this fountain outside of the WC area here. (At first glance, not too incredibly interesting, however, on further review, the spout of said fountain is highly suggestive of a nearby resort. Care to venture a guess which?) Well yes, much like many other renaissance depictions of dolphins, this beaked fish is purportedly our friendly mereswine. (The artistic obtuseness has always creeped me out a bit. This is certainly no exception.) You’ll also take note of the rose spouts on the base of the fountain. This is the representation of White Rose of York (not the Red Rose of Lancaster, which has two petals at the top, not one) is not really significant to current day royals, seeing as how the current monarchy is from the House of Windsor. However the two roses were merged together after the War of the Roses to form the Tudor rose, which is only significant to the architectural style of this façade. (Yorkshire day is on my birthday, coincidentally.) Prince Andrew, second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, consort is the Duke of York. Prince Henry will be accorded the title of Andrew predeceases him. It makes my head spin. Have you had enough royal history? Me too.

I would be remiss without mentioning the window on this Eastern façade. The crests represent England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. When overlaid onto one another, they form the Union Jack, or flag of the United Kingdom (Great Britain, etc…)

Shall we move on?

As we crest the square, we see the Southern facade of Sportsman’s Shoppe. This was modeled after Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford Manor House. (Not to be too cheeky, but Scott “borrowed” the sculpted stones from abbeys and ruined castles across Scotland for his building materials… I suppose I should also note that this has been done for thousands of years across Ireland, the British Isles and most of Europe. It just seems harsh.)

(Sportsman’s Shoppe, South façade)

(Abbotsford Manor House)

I’ve always felt that this building felt like two, now I understand why. I think 400 years was nearly too much to try to mush together. The other buildings in this pavilion work nearly seamlessly, however this one is much more choppy. In any case, gentle reader, I hope to have enlightened you about this small section of the UK pavilion, and have much more to come.

(As a side note, bring back the Man U kits!!!!)

I leave you with this,

“…But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
Gang aft agley,
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain
For promis’d joy….” Robert Burns, “To a Mouse”, 1785

Disneyworld Hidden Gems – Epcot’s Canada Pavilion (chipandco.com)
Video: Karamelle-Küche, New Shop in the Germany Pavilion at Epcot (chipandco.com)

Disneyworld Hidden Gems – Epcot’s UK Pavilion

Merry Christmas from Nancy

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas from Nancy

From my family to yours, wishing you a wonderful and magical Christmas!

~ Nancy author on Chip and Company and from the Affordable Mouse

Merry Christmas from 2 Lonely Deeks and Spiderman (2lonelydeeks.com)

A Christmas Greeting From Ken

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

December 25, 2010

A Christmas Greeting From Ken

I just wanted to wish everyone from Helen and me, the Merriest of Christmases and the best in the New Year!! I also wanted to share some pictures last year’s visit to Walt Disney World. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!

Ken

Here are some more photos from around Walt Disney World.

A Christmas Greeting From Ken

Disney World Quick Tips – Don’t Visit Walt Disney World Through A Viewfinder (chipandco.com)
Disney week in review for the week of 12.19.10 (couponingtodisney.com)

A Special Disneyworld Christmas Message from Brenda

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

December 25, 2010

Brenda (that’s me) and all of my family would like to wish each and every one of you a merry and magical Christmas. We hope you receive every blessing you could dream of and that 2011 will be your best year yet. If you haven’t been to Walt Disney World in a while, plan your dream trip this year!

Here are some more pics from Christmas this year:

A Special Disneyworld Christmas Message from Brenda

Pics from the past couple of years:

A Special Disneyworld Christmas Message from Brenda

Celebrate the Spirit of the Season

Chip

December 25, 2010

The “Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season” fireworks, the boldest and brightest pyrotechnics show at Magic Kingdom, takes place at 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 31. The grand finale “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks begin at 11:50 p.m. On Dec. 31, the park is open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Free: Download Phineas and Ferb’s version of “The 12 Days of Christmas” for FREE!

Chip

December 25, 2010

A Happy Holidays Treat from Walt Disney Records + Phineas and Ferb!

For 48 hours only you can download Phineas and Ferb’s version of “The 12 Days of Christmas” for FREE!

All you have to do is click this link and then click the music tab at the top. The first 30,000 fans get a free song on them!

2 Lonely Deeks Phineas & Ferb: A Very Perry Christmas Review (chipandco.com)
New Seasonal Programming on Disney Channel & Disney XD (chipandco.com)
Phineas & Ferb: A Review From Deek Junior! (imaginerding.com)

Free: Download Phineas and Ferb's version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" for FREE!

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