Toy Story 3 Box Office Totals Approach $400 Million

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July 5, 2010

toy story 3 logo disney pixar june 18 2010

The Toy Story 3 box office totals will pass $400 million this weekend. These amazing Toy Story 3 box office totals prove Pixar really make the right decision to bring out a third film in the franchise. Through July 1st, the domestic box office for Toy Story 3 had passed $258 million, and the foreign box office totals had passed $114 million. That is a combined $372 million that should only grow as the Fourth of July weekend sees the theaters flooded with even more viewers. It likely means that Toy Story 3 will soar past the $400 million mark, and set sights on possibly making it through the $500 million mark in less than a week from now.

Toy Story 3 just hit theaters on Friday, June 18th, and after just 14 days in theaters around the world, was about to hit the $400 million mark in box office receipts. That is about as impressive as it gets when it comes to theatrical film releases, and there are at least a couple great weekends in July that could really increase those totals. It is becoming quite obvious that Toy Story 3 will be moving towards possibly being the highest grossing film in 2010. There are still a couple of movies that could compete for that title, including Eclipse and Inception (which debuts July 16th), but Toy Story 3 sure has a great head start, and could soon get close to passing what Iron Man 2 was able to achieve back in May.

Sure, there is a lot of summer left in front of us, and in that time any number of movies could rack up box office totals that compare favorably to what Toy Story 3 has done so far. It’s hard to predict that anything else will come close though, and with such highly regarded reviews of the film, it has only led to more and more people turning out at the box office. Can this latest Pixar cartoon continue to show well against Twilight: Eclipse? Well it seems like they are catering to different audiences, and it also appears as though both films will be in theaters deep into the summer of 2010. What we might see on the other end is anyone’s guess, but right now Toy Story 3 is producing some amazing box office totals, and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down yet.

It is definitely going to be interesting to see where Toy Story 3 stands on the all time box office list when its run in theaters comes to an end, and equally interesting to see if it can become the highest grossing cartoon of all time.

Toy Story 3 Box Office Results (Through July 1, 2010)

Opening Weekend: $110.3 million
Domestic Box Office: $258.8 million
Foreign Box Office: $114.2 million

Source

Star Tours 2.0 will be ever-changing journey at Disneyland and Disney World

By

Chip

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July 5, 2010

Star Tours Disneyland Disneys Hollywood Studios 54696247

Imagine a theme park ride that is never the same experience twice.

Riders aboard the new Star Tours attraction coming to Disneyland in Anaheim and Disney’s Hollywood Studios near Orlando, Fla., in 2011 will have the power to change the storyline throughout the simulator ride, resulting in a different beginning, middle and end for every journey.

Star Tours 2.0, taking place between the “Star Wars” prequels and the original trilogy, will update the 1980s simulator ride with high-definition 3-D technology and special effects.

In the new ride dubbed “The Adventures Continue,” riders on board the StarSpeeder 3000 transport ship will join a pod race on the fictional planet Tatooine; fly above the skyscrapers of Coruscant, another fictional planet; and visit other destinations in the “Star Wars” universe.

Although not yet confirmed, those other destinations may include the Wookie planet of Kashyyyk, the unfinished Death Star space station and Queen Amidala’s home planet of Naboo, according to images released by Disney and LucasFilm.

Click here to keep reading.

Ask a Disney Question: Can I get free dining after I’ve already booked?

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 5, 2010

This question comes to us from Joan, who asks: “I booked a trip for December through AAA with the dining plan for three meals a day . Please tell me this would be free. Thanks.”

Joan. Thanks for reading Chip and Co and for your question. Free dining has not been announced yet for December. We don’t actually know if it will be, but the rumor is pretty persistent and from some good sources, so I’m thinking it might happen. We’ll announced it here as soon as we find out any information.

A good Disney certified travel agent will keep up with discounts as they come out and notify her clients. The only problem with this is that sometimes there can be a delay in agents getting the information. This delay can take up to 3 – 5 days because of the way Disney makes this information available to their agents, which can mean that the agents who have better connections (or who are searching Internet forums for information) are getting their clients free dining while other agents aren’t even aware that it exists. By the time an agent who isn’t “in the know” gets the information, there’s no more availability. I’ve had this happen myself and ended up informing my agent that the discount was out there; he had no idea.

I mention this because you may also want to do some searching yourself. I’ve found that the posters on Passporter and Disboards are pretty savvy. If there’s a discount out there, they usually know the moment it’s been announced. Keep up with those forums and check out Mousesavers, which has historical data on when discounts are released.

If free dining is announced, call your agent and have him change your reservation to include dining, if there’s availability. If this seems like more work than you want to do and you have faith in your travel agent, simply wait for him to inform you if free dining has been announced. You may want to send him an email expressing your interest so that he knows to keep you in mind if something comes up. By the way, you can do this with any discount, so if something better comes out, have him apply that instead.

One small but very important caveat: You’re only allowed to have one discount at a time, so if your AAA agent already booked your trip with a discount (say, a percentage off the room), you’ll need to have him switch that discount to free dining. He’ll be able to run the numbers and tell you which one is a better deal. Generally free dining is a better deal if you have more than two people and you’re staying at a value resort. For a couple staying at a deluxe, the room discount is a much better deal.

Good luck. I hope this helps.

Have a Disney question? We have answers! Write us at Chip and Co. We answer every question.

Let Freedom Ring on Independence Day

By

Chip

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July 4, 2010

The Stars and Stripes and the Liberty Bell are the most cherished symbols of freedom in The United States of America. For this Fourth of July, when all Americans will be celebrating the holiday, I attempted to learn more about our own Liberty Bell replica that anchors Liberty Square.

The bell was cast for Walt Disney World in Annecy-le Vieux, France by the Paccard Fonderie, using the exact same mold as the original Liberty Bell. The Liberty Square bell stands eight feet tall, weighs two and a half tons, and is comprised of copper, tin, lead, zinc, arsenic, gold and silver. It was hoisted into its present location by a crane, just in time for the 1989 Independence Day Celebration.

If the replica is absolutely true to the original, its strike note is E-flat. Let Freedom Ring!

Ten Tips for Staying Cool at Disney World This Summer

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 4, 2010

With the arrival of summer, vacation season begins and many families will be visiting Walt Disney World. While a Disney vacation is a special one, visiting central Florida in the hottest part of summer will require some planning if you want this to be a magical vacation…and not a miserable one. So let’s talk about some ways to stay cool if you will be traveling to Disney World this summer.

Keeping in mind that everyone’s definition of “hot” differs, let me give you a frame of reference if you have never been to Disney World in the summer. I am a warm-weather lover. In fact, I am actually a hot-weather lover. Summer is by far my favorite time of the year, and I am happiest when temperatures are well into the 80s. So if I say that it is too hot for me….well you get the picture, right?

I love Disney World at any time of the year, but being at the parks when the heat index is close to 100 is too hot for me.

So then, in order to keep our cool, here are some of our family’s favorite heat-coping strategies:

Do not stay at the parks from open to close. Really. It is just too much. Nothing makes me sadder than seeing little ones with beet red faces and sweat pouring off of them, sitting in their strollers crying, as their family waits in yet another line in the Magic Kingdom. Don’t do it. Plan for a break back at your room every day. Whether it’s to go to the pool or take a nap (and we’ve done both) everyone will really be much happier if you do this, when you return to the parks in the evening.
Consider which are the outside attractions and which are indoors and air-conditioned, and plan accordingly. As in, do the outside ones first thing when it is coolest…or later in the evening after sunset. Plan to be in as much air conditioning as possible after 11 a.m. Keep in mind that those air-conditioned places are good for naps too….
Think about the rides/attractions that are wet and will cool you off, and plan for those as well. By that I mean that when it is hottest and you really want to go on Splash Mountain to cool off…so will everyone else. Plan your Fastpasses accordingly.
Have access to lots of water to drink. Bring water bottles with you and refill if needed. We have often frozen them overnight, and then put them in the backpack frozen the next morning. It’s also a great way to cool off the back of the person carrying the backpack.
Mister fans are great. Save some money by getting some at home to bring with you. And remember to bring extra batteries.
Really think about touring the parks with the weather in mind. For example, World Showcase is just not the place to be in the heat of the day. As much as I love that area, it is just miserable walking in the sun around the lagoon, because there is not much shade. World Showcase is an evening place for us in the summer. Animal Kingdom is another park where I would very carefully think about how long I wanted to be there during the heat of the day. Seriously, even the animals know to take it easy in the afternoon there….so you will truly see more of them if you go early or go late.
Go to the parks when they open. Really. You will get a lot more done when crowds are lower first thing (because most people do not want to do this), and will be in perfect shape to have lunch and then leave for your break (see #1) just as everyone is arriving for the day.
Prepare to use lots of sunscreen. Bring it from home because it is much cheaper than buying it at the parks.
Know where the First Aid Stations are in each park in case someone gets overheated and needs assistance, and keep an eye out for where you can go inside to cool off quickly if needed: gift shops, food court, Hall of Presidents etc.
Remember that Florida has pools everywhere for a reason.

Take it from this hot-weather loving person: your enjoyment of Disney World in the summer will be in direct proportion to how much you plan in advance for keeping cool. These are just a few things we have done to cope with the heat and there are of course many more tips for handling the heat.

What are your favorites?

Ten Small Ways to Save Big for your Walt Disney World Vacation

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 4, 2010

You’ve done all the planning, made your reservations, and taken advantage of every discount you could find. Now there’s the not so small matter of paying for it all!

Here are ten small ideas that can add up to saving big for your Disney trip.

Vacation Club. This is a twist on the traditional Christmas Club. Save a little bit each month for your Disney vacation by depositing a portion of your paycheck directly into your Disney vacation fund. It’s easier for me to save the money if it’s not available in my general checking account waiting to be spent on those cool new shoes.
Reward Yourself. You clip coupons, scour the weekend paper for the best sales, and fill out those annoying rebate forms. Reward your efforts by putting your savings into your Disney vacation fund. I routinely save over a hundred dollars a month using this technique. Couponing to Disney is a great resource for finding some great deals.
Earn Rewards. If you’re spending money, you should be earning rewards, right? Sign up for a rewards credit card, the Disney Rewards Visa Card is my favorite. If debit cards are more your speed, debit reward cards are gaining in popularity although their rewards are usually less than their credit counterparts. Disney also has a Rewards debit card.
Massage and Mani/Pedi Clinics. We all like a little pampering but the price of beauty can add up. Try a massage or a manicure/pedicure at a local massage or beauty school clinic for the fraction of the cost. You’ll also feel good helping students gain experience.
Designer Savings. Saving for a Disney trip shouldn’t have to mean depriving yourself the rest of the year. If you’re a fashion lover, check out member only sites such as Zulily, for your baby needs, and Gilt Groupe, for fashion and luxury brands, that offer savings up to 70% on designer items.
Adjust the Thermostat. Energy websites show that increasing the temperature just one degree in the summer can save approximately 10% on your cooling costs. Likewise, setting the programmable thermostat one degree cooler in the winter will save on average 5%. Once you’ve adjusted to the temperature change, try adjusting the thermostat just one more degree for even bigger savings.
Go Green. Bottled water seems to be everywhere these days; go green and save money by filtering tap water and investing in a couple of stainless steel, reusable water bottles for when you’re on the go.
After Christmas Sales. We have relatives that we never see until after the Christmas holidays and we don’t exchange presents until we get together later in the year. I get some amazing deals on their Christmas presents in the days following Christmas. The same goes for stocking up on Christmas cards, wrapping paper, bows, and decorations during after Christmas sales. Throughout the year, I keep my eye out for bargains on stocking stuffers and teacher gifts to try to keep our Christmas expenditures in check.
Bag It. With tax and tip, a casual lunch with co-workers adds up; this is lunch money that can buy more than a couple of Mickey bars at Disney World. Keeping that in mind makes it a little easier to bring lunch at least once a week. By doing a little prep the night before, I save hundreds of dollars a year and eat healthier too. Talk your spouse into taking the challenge or pack a lunch twice a week and you’ll be meeting your Disney goals before you know it.
Make Coffee. You’ll be able to pay for a couple of nice table-service meals at Walt Disney World if you channel your inner barista and brew your own coffee instead of making a daily stop at Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks. If your mornings are a blur trying to get yourself and kids out the door on time, look into a coffeepot that allows you to program it to automatically brew at the specified time.

Our own Chris and Chip have more tips for saving for your Disney vacation.
Please share your best tips for saving for your Disney trip in the comments section below.
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 at www.twitter.com/DisneyExplorer.

The Pros and Cons of Longer vs. Shorter Trips.

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 4, 2010

Before I had children, I was a huge fan of shorter trips to Disney World. I’d usually go for three nights, sometimes as little as two, going from morning until night. Happily, because my visit was so short, I never went home feeling exhausted. What I found when I had children however, was that this type of trip doesn’t work very well, at least with the under-five crowd. The biggest issue is that kids take a while to adjust to their surroundings; in our case, the first night or two they tend not to sleep very well, which makes for a very grumpy day for all of us in the parks. And if anything goes wrong–and if you’re a parent, you know how high the potential for that is–your whole trip is pretty much doomed.

Having said that, probably the biggest reason people don’t take shorter, more frequent trips is a big one: Cost. Go for just two long weekends a year and you’re better off buying an annual pass because ticket prices are more expensive on the front end (the first three days, as opposed to just a few dollars a day after day four). Plus, if you’re not close enough that you can drive, airfare can really add up. From a financial standpoint then, longer trips are ideal.

Still, I love taking shorter trips. I love the excitement of always being in “planning mode” even if it’s just for a short weekend trip. When I come back from a trip and don’t have another one planned or when I have one planned so far out that it seems like it’s never going to happen, I really start to miss Disney World, which is how I’m starting to feel right now as I hit the six month mark from my last trip. This got me thinking about the pros and cons of longer vs. shorter trips. Here are a few:

Benefits of a longer trip:

1. Opportunity to relax and really immerse yourself in the experience.

2. If something goes wrong (sickness, lost luggage, weird weather) you still have time to make up for it.

3. Paying airfare once.

Cons of a longer trip:

1. Can be difficult to get time off of work and school.

2. Burn out. No matter how much you love Disney, at some point you have to slow down. You may even get tired of being there.

3. If you’ve been going like a true theme park commando for a week or more, it’s hard not to feel like you need a vacation from your vacation when you get home.

Benefits of a shorter trip:

1. You stay in planning mode, so it’s less likely you’ll experience the post-Disney blahs when you get home.

2. You get to enjoy different times of the year: Food and Wine, Flower and Garden, Christmas. You don’t just have to pick just one. You can do all of them.

3. It’s easier to take a long weekend off rather than an entire week or more. This is especially true with kids who are in school, which allows you to go during slower times of the year.

4. It’s more okay to splurge. Two nights at the Grand Floridian look a lot more affordable than an entire week.

Cons of a shorter trip:

1. You have to try hard to see everything you want to see.

2. Little flexibility for minor disasters. If something goes wrong, you’re out of luck.

3. The cost of park admission and airfare. There are ways around this. You can buy an annual pass, which confers other benefits like resort discounts, and you can drive. But the bottom line is you will be paying more by taking more trips, even if number of nights you stay remains the same.

So what about you? Do you prefer longer or shorter stays? Given a choice, would you rather go on three short trips or one long trip every year?

Photo copyright UndercoverTourist.com.

What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Walt Disney World?

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 4, 2010

What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Walt Disney World?

Planning a vacation to Walt Disney World starts with deciding when you are going to visit. Figuring this out can be challenging though, as there are so many things to consider: work and school schedules, weather, and even special Disney events that may be occurring all play a part in your decision. And if you are trying to make your Disney vacation as affordable as possible, then that is another consideration to throw into the mix, as the time of year will radically affect your costs. Here are a few things that you will want to carefully think about as you try to decide when you are visiting Disney World.

Certain Times of the Year at Disney are Just More Expensive

Deciding on the time of year for your visit affects everything else about your Disney vacation, including cost. Certain seasons are just more expensive than others. And if you have school-age children, like the majority of families that visit Walt Disney World, then traveling during school vacations is often a necessity. Not surprisingly, summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Years, and spring/Easter breaks are the busiest times to visit, and accordingly the most expensive. If you simply must travel during those peak times, then you must also be prepared for resort accommodations to be more expensive than they would during other non-peak times of the year. And while there are always lots of options for affordable lodging in the Orlando area, you may find that your choices may be limited if you do not plan ahead.

How do You Feel About Crowds?

Crowd levels are important to consider as well, as they can dramatically affect the enjoyment of a Disney World vacation. If you hate crowds, and don’t like standing in line, do not plan a visit during peak times! It is a surefire recipe for a miserable, rather than magical vacation!

What’s the Weather Going to be Like?

Don’t overlook the weather factor. Most people are well aware of how hot and humid Florida can be in the summer: if you are visiting Disney World during this time of year, be prepared to go early, take mid-day breaks, and relax in the pool in the afternoon. And if you just can’t handle heat and humidity at all, then choose another season to go. Winter months, on the other hand, can be very unpredictable: a glorious and sunny day in the 70s one day, and 30s at night the next. Visiting during the winter requires a different kind of pre-planning, with special attention paid to packing wisely before you leave home!

The very best way to plan a Disney vacation starts with a realistic appraisal of your family’s schedule, considering how everyone in your family feels about things like crowds and weather, and then scheduling your vacation accordingly. Disney World is magical all year long…but will be far more magical for your family if it is the RIGHT time of year for your family.

Ask a Disney Question: Eating Gluten-Free at Disney World.

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 4, 2010

This question comes from Arnold, who asks: “What Walt Disney World restaurants are best for gluten free diets?

Arnold, thanks for your question and for reading Chip and Co. I also want to apologize for taking so long to answer this question, but I wanted to give it the time it deserves. The good news is that with a little planning, it’s very easy to follow a gluten-free diet at Disney World. In fact, Disney World is a very accommodating place for anyone on a special diet. Table service restaurants should give you no problem at all, but counter service locations can be a bit more problematic. Let’s start with table service first.

You can look at menus ahead of time to determine whether or not something on the menu fits your needs; two sites we like with frequently updated menus are WDWInfo and AllEars. Don’t worry if you don’t see anything on the menu; even on short notice, the chef can whip up a gluten-free dish, but for added comfort, make note of food allergies when you make your advanced dining reservation (ADR). You can also call Disney’s hotline for special diets at 407-824-5967 or email at [email protected] and request a special diet worksheet. Fill it out and fax or email it back. Call again 72 hours before your ADR. Almost all restaurants can substitute gluten-free pasta for wheat pasta in a dish that’s already on the menu or the chef can prepare something especially for you. At buffets, the chef or a cast member will personally take you around the buffet and let you know what is safe for you to eat. Whether you go through the above steps or simply try to “wing it”, make sure you tell your server about your needs so that she can alert the kitchen to avoid contamination of your food.

I know that cross-contamination can be a big issue when eating in restaurants, but I haven’t heard any reports of people getting sick from ingesting gluten at Disney. When I called Disney to discuss how they handle the issue of cross-contamination, they assured me that Disney chefs are trained to avoid contamination of knives, cutting boards, etc., with wheat. Disney takes steps to avoid cross contamination beyond the kitchen: Your meal will be brought out separate from the other guests at your table to further reduce the risk.

Almost all counter service restaurants have gluten-free options. Most often a gluten-free bun can be substituted for a wheat bun. Veggie burgers and hot dogs are gluten free. You can even get gluten-free chicken nuggets at Backlot Express in Hollywood Studios. I won’t tell you that the bun you get with your sandwich is going to be just like a wheat bun or that the gluten-free brownie or cookie is going to the stuff of your dreams, but it’s all very acceptable. Check out this post on The Mouse for Less for lots of great information and recommendations on counter-service and table-service options.

You can find gluten-free packaged cookies and snacks in resort gift shops, but the variety is limited. If you’re worried about finding what you like and particularly if you’ll be staying somewhere with a refrigerator or full-kitchen, you may want to do some shopping off site. Super Target has a limited but very well-priced supply of gluten-free items. There’s a Whole Foods near Universal that has just about everything you could want. I generally find the prices comparable to Publix. If you don’t have a vehicle, consider using a grocery delivery service. We Go Shop will shop where you ask them for a small fee and they are a very reliable company.

Good luck. I hope this helps.

Have a Disney question? We have answers. Write us at Chip and Co! We answer every question.

This post is part of the Disney Blog Carnival. Head over there to see more great posts like this.

Kids Sail FREE on Disney Cruise Line Select Mexican Riviera Cruises

By

Chip

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July 4, 2010

Kids Sail Free on Select Mexican Riviera Cruises
Great news! From Jan. 23 — March 20, 2011, kids age 17 and under sail FREE* when traveling with two full-fare Guests in the same stateroom on select 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises from Los Angeles!

You can enjoy the beauty of the Baja California and Mexican coasts on a voyage filled with unmatched Disney entertainment, legendary service and magic made for everyone of every age.

Bookings are open now through July 31, 2010, to book this special offer, contact Pixie Vacations.

www.PixieVacations.com
Phone: 678-815-1584
Email: [email protected]

Americana Dolls at Disneyworld’s Magic Kingdom

By

Chip

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July 4, 2010

Happy Fourth from Disney Parks Blog:

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. It’s a day to celebrate our independence, spend time with friends and family, grill outdoors, playing games, watch fireworks and show our patriotism for the great US of A.

For many Guests at the Walt Disney World Resort, the place to be on July Fourth to ring in America’s birthday is the Magic Kingdom (what’s more Americana than Main Street U.S.A.?) The Magic Kingdom puts on a dazzling nighttime fireworks spectacular called, “Celebrate America!” and is loaded with patriotic spirit.

To bring even more spirit to the Magic Kingdom on Independence Day, Precious Moments Dolls will be joining the celebration at Uptown Jewelers July 2-4 premiering their Disney Theme Park Exclusive, Stars and Stripes Collection. Doll creator, Linda Rick will be on hand to tell the story of the new collection as well answer guests questions and personally sign her newest releases.

Click here for more.

Happy 4th of July from Mickey Mouse

By

Chip

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July 4, 2010

A celebratory spirit fills the air every July 4th at the Walt Disney World Resort. Mickey Mouse and friends mark the holiday in grand style, with fireworks displays and special entertainment all across the Florida Vacation Kingdom.