The book will be called “A is for Alien” and will follow Ripley and the rest of the Nostromo crew on a space adventure that introduces the alphabet from A to Z with fun illustrations from the Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi horror film “Alien” originally distributed by 20th Century Fox and now owned by Disney.
Definitely a fun book to own that your kids will for sure love!
New Disney World And Disneyland Loungefly Backpacks Are Coming This Month!
New Disney World And Disneyland Loungefly Backpacks are coming to Disney Parks and shopDisney this month! They are perfect to start 2024 in style and filled with magic!
The Walt Disney World version features the four themed park icons, Spaceship Earth, Cinderella Castle, Tower of Terror and Tree of Life in different shades of blue. It also features fireworks and Tinker Bell flying over them spreading some pixie dust! Such a cute backpack to bring magic with you everywhere you go.
DISNEYLAND
The Disneyland version features icons from both themed parks like Spaceship Earth and Matterhorn from Disneyland Park and Carthay Circle and Pixar Pal-A-Round from Disney California Adventure. It also features Sleeping Beauty Castle, fireworks and Tinker Bell.
The Edison at Disney Springs is ringing in 2024 with an exciting addition to its offerings, the “Shaken and Stirred” cocktail class series. This exclusive series is set to provide an intimate, hands-on mixology experience for groups of just 10 guests. Each session will be led by a private bartender, promising a personalized dive into the world of premium spirits and cocktail craftsmanship.
The classes are designed to cater to all levels of experience, from beginners to cocktail enthusiasts, with each participant having the opportunity to learn the finer points of mixology, enjoy tastings, and a light lunch. The series is priced at $100 per person and will occur on select Saturdays at 1 p.m.
Demand is high, and the first two sessions have already sold ou!. The schedule for the classes is as follows:
January 13: Bourbon & American Whiskeys – SOLD OUT
January 27: Mixology 101: Building off the Basics – SOLD OUT
February 10: Building the Home Cocktail Bar
February 24: Tiki, Rum & Midcentury Libations
March 9: Tequila & Distilled Agave Spirits
March 23: Pre-Prohibition-era Cocktail
Interested in checking out a class? Book HERE before they all sell out!
Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!
Pixar Fest returns to Disneyland Resort from April 26 through Aug. 4, 2024, celebrating friendship and beyond with colorful décor, themed entertainment and more. Depicted here, is an all-new sculpture featuring Pixar pals like Woody and Buzz that guests will be able to snap a photo in front of at Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland Park when the celebration begins. (Artist Concept/Disneyland Resort)
(Artist Concept/Disneyland Resort)
First Look Pixar Fest Décor Coming to Disneyland Resort in 2024
Get ready for a burst of color and magic at Disneyland Resort as Pixar Fest takes center stage from April 26th through Aug. 4th. The celebration promises an array of delightful experiences, including a sneak peek at a new sculpture featuring beloved Pixar characters, set to grace Main Street, U.S.A.
Disneyland Resort unveiled a vibrant rendering of the upcoming sculpture, offering a glimpse into the Pixar pals that will adorn Main Street during the fest. Woody and Buzz Lightyear are just a couple of the beloved characters that guests can expect to encounter as they explore the park.
Pixar Fest extends its magic beyond visual delights, with the announcement that “Turning Red” will be a featured story in new scenes added to “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular.” This nighttime extravaganza at Disneyland Park is set to showcase the heartwarming tales of Pixar films, bringing them to life through stunning visuals and enchanting performances.
Throughout the celebration, guests can immerse themselves in the spirit of friendship and beyond, encountering themed menu items and enjoying heartwarming entertainment that captures the essence of Pixar’s beloved stories.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Disneyland Resort has big plans for 2024, with over 300 days packed with unique celebrations and limited-time offerings. As part of the year’s debut experiences, the Pixar Place Hotel is set to open its doors on Jan. 30, offering guests a Pixar-inspired retreat. Additionally, the evolution of the Downtown Disney District will welcome new restaurants, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is set to make its debut later in the year, promising even more enchantment for visitors.
As Disneyland Resort continues to evolve and introduce fresh experiences, Pixar Fest stands out as a highlight, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the joy, friendship, and magic that define Pixar’s storytelling legacy.
Disney+ Subscribers: Enjoy a FREE Dining Plan at Walt Disney World
Attention food enthusiasts! The delectable offer we’ve eagerly anticipated is here, just in time for the new year! Disney+ subscribers can now enjoy a complimentary dining plan when they purchase specific vacation packages for Walt Disney World. Recognizing the love families have for Disney dining, this exclusive offer provides them with an excellent opportunity to enhance their vacation savings.
Starting Jan. 3, 2024, Disney+ subscribers can get a FREE dining plan when purchasing a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel and theme park ticket with a Park Hopper option. This offer is valid for arrivals most nights July 1 through Sept. 30, 2024. To learn more about other perks available to Disney+ subscribers, click here.
Our dining plans – the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan or the Disney Dining Plan – are a great option for families. Each plan includes a certain number of meals and snacks based on the number of nights of their stay, and there are over 200 dining locations to choose from across all of Disney World!
For example, if a family is eager to head to the parks early, they can grab a quick breakfast at their Disney Resort hotel. For lunch, quick bites can be found at locations around all four parks, like PizzeRizzo at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a personal pizza or Regal Eagle Smokehouse at EPCOT for a beef brisket sandwich. And for those with the Disney Dining Plan, they may end their day at a table-service restaurant like the all-you-care-to-enjoy Polynesian-inspired dinner at ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (with special options kids will love, too) … and don’t forget to save room for the legendary ‘Ohana bread pudding. These are just a few of the many ways guests can use their dining plans. Please note that reservations are subject to availability. And yes, guests can use those snack credits on DOLE Whip or a Mickey ice cream bar.
Bonus Tip: On DisneyWorld.com and the My Disney Experience app, guests can also easily view all available reservations for their selected date, and reservations are sorted by morning, afternoon and evening, so they can tell which menu will be served.
More 2024 Deals
There are even more offers available for those looking to book their Walt Disney World vacation. Guests can save up to 35% at select Disney Resort hotels when they stay 5 nights or longer most nights March 25 through Oct. 3, 2024.
Disney Resort Benefits
Disney Resort hotel guests can receive great benefits, including complimentary transportation and early theme park entry every day.*** And with a Disney Resort hotel reservation, guests will be able to make dining reservations for their entire length of stay (for up to a 10-night stay) up to 60 days in advance of their arrival! This helps simplify their vacation planning, since they can make all their reservations on the same day, rather than checking availability day after day.
At select Disney Resort hotels, guests can also catch an outdoor Movie Under the Stars or take part in fun recreational activities. Guests may even get a surprise visit from a Disney character or two!
While guests count down the days to their visit, they can be sure to catch up on the latest additions to Disney+!
*Must be 18+ to subscribe to Disney+.
**Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room.
***30-minute early theme park entry requires valid theme park admission, a Disney MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile pass or card, and may require a park reservation depending on the type of admission and the date of visit. Visit DisneyWorld.com/stayinthemagic to learn more.
First Look at the 2024 D23 Gold Member Collector Set
Get ready to be captivated, enthusiasts of the extraordinary and aficionados of the profound! D23 is thrilled to unveil a captivating mystery box, packed with the most enchanting magic, exclusively for all new and renewing D23 Gold Members in 2024!
The Magic & Mystery Box Collector Set includes a Sorcerer Mickey figurine, a surprise figurine, two undisclosed pins, and a deck of playing cards. Additionally, it features a Membership Card and Certificate to complete the magical experience.
Which magical companion will you receive? The first enigma in the D23 Magic & Mystery Box is a mystery animated conjurer, with abilities beyond comprehension, from across the worlds of Disney, including:
The Genie – Aladdin (1992)
Maleficent – Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Merlin – The Sword in the Stone (1963)
Mama Odie – The Princess and the Frog (2009)
In addition to Sorcerer Mickey, each D23 Gold Member will randomly receive one of the above magical figures—all of which range from 5 to 7 inches in height, and were designed by the wizards at Gentle Giant Studios.
D23 Gold Members will receive two of the following beautifully sculpted pins in each D23 Magic & Mystery Box, randomly selected out of seven enchanted objects from some of Disney’s most revered animated films and attractions:
Yzma’s Llama Potion – The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
One of the most important tools in any magician’s collection, a finely crafted playing card deck will also be included in your D23 Magic & Mystery Box. Expertly designed just for this Collector Set, the deck includes imaginative illustrations of magical characters and creatures from across the worlds of Disney Animation! And finally, the Official Disney Fan Club’s 15th Anniversary, a refreshed Membership Card and Certificate—featuring Sorcerer Mickey—will be included for all new and renewing Gold Members! If you haven’t become a member of D23 yet, now is the perfect time to join!
2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Food Booths Announced
Indulge in a sensory spectacle of culinary creativity at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, taking place from January 12 through February 19, 2024.
Immerse yourself in a vibrant palette of flavors, where each dish is a work of gastronomic artistry.
For both art enthusiasts and food connoisseurs, this festival offers a visual and palatable feast. Step into a realm where culinary creations mirror artistic masterpieces, showcasing the prowess of epicurean experts who craft delectable delights that rival the works of the great masters.
Embark on a gastronomic journey by exploring the diverse offerings at various festival food studios:
The Artist’s Table (American Adventure Pavilion) Treat your senses to artistically elevated comfort foods—like dumplings, hummingbird cake and more. Pair your dish with beer or a glass of wine.
Cuisine Classique (Near Test Track Presented by Chevrolet) – NEW! Enjoy carefully crafted classics, like beef Wellington and roasted mussels—as well as a flavorful beer or cocktail.
The Craftsman’s Courtyard (Near Disney Traders) Indulge your appetite when you order steak or pork belly sandwiches from the grill.
Deco Delights (Near Port of Entry) Satisfy your sweet tooth with sleek desserts inspired by the art deco era— from the gilded glamour of the roaring 1920’s to the bright pastels of Miami Beach.
The Deconstructed Dish (Near Port of Entry) Rediscover your favorite dishes fragmented and presented in a playful way—like a BLT and key lime pie.
El Artista Hambriento (Mexico Pavilion) A fiesta of flavor awaits! Delight in classic Mexican fare—from savory carne asada to chilled lobster with chipotle aïoli.
Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food and Little Sparks of Magic Sweeten your day with colorful treats, like rainbow cake or a sugar cookie with a fun twist. You’ll also find a variety of beers and hard ciders.
Goshiki (Japan Pavilion) Celebrate the Japanese culinary arts with delectable dishes featuring “the 5 colors” of Japanese cuisine. Highlights include sushi donuts, daifuku mochi and sake.
Gourmet Landscapes (Canada) Savor stunning dishes artfully composed with the finest ingredients that have been farmed and foraged from the land. Enjoy wild mushroom risotto, roasted bone marrow and more.
L’Art de la Cuisine Francaise (France Pavilion) Discover delicious French treats and baked goods, from savory to sweet—including salmon served hot or cold and warm brie in a bread bowl. Pair your dish with a French wine or frozen martini.
L’Arte di Mangiare (Italy Pavilion) Indulge in Baroque cuisine, prepared with rich color and dramatic flavor. This food studio serves up fried mozzarella, pasta and more.
The Painted Panda (China Pavilion) Enjoy decorative cuisine inspired by magnificent Chinese art, like General Tso’s chicken shumai or the char siu pork bun. Plus, sip bubble tea, Chinese-inspired cocktails and other refreshing beverages.
Pastoral Palate (Germany Pavilion) Help yourself to hearty dishes inspired by the rustic settings where Bavarian Folk Art is painted. Indulge in a red wine-braised beef short rib and black forest cake.
Pop Eats (Near Port of Entry) Delight in mouthwatering masterpieces inspired by the most captivating pop art of the 20th century. Highlights include tomato soup with grilled cheese.
Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina (Morocco Pavilion) Take your taste buds on a Moroccan adventure as you enjoy delectable dishes like grilled kebabs, stoned-baked Moroccan bread and more. Pair your dish with hard cider or the chai tea mint mimosa.
Vibrante & Vívido: Encanto Cocina (Between the Morocco & France Pavilions) Feast on authentic Colombian cuisine inspired by the Disney animated film Encanto—like an empanada with chorizo or mango cheesecake.
(Harrison Cooney, photographer).
Additional Locations Delight your appetite with mouthwatering morsels, nibbles and noshes from these year-round food stops—each offering special menu items in addition to the regular menu.
Refreshment Port (near Canada): Serving poutine, the Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie and refreshing beverages
Refreshment Outpost: Serving delicious beers from breweries in Louisiana, Florida and New York
Funnel Cake: Serving a specialty funnel cake
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company (all 4 in-park locations): Serving a unique art-inspired beverage at each location
Swirled Showcase: Serving soft-serve ice cream in a dish or waffle cone
Check back here on Chip and Company for additional details including full menus for each food studio.
Now that is is officially 2024, we can finally say Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe is opening next year! Work on the new park has been progressing at an impressive rate, with hotels, attractions, and theming popping up. X user bioreconstruct shared some latest updates which show the icons that will mark the portal entrance to the lands within Epic Universe.
The icon for the entrance to the expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is an impressive statue of a hand holding a magical wand pointing toward the sky.
Aerial photo of the Dark Universe portal. Recently topped with theming. At the classic Universal monsters land in Epic Universe. pic.twitter.com/2Ku2mm387M
The impressive entrance portal to the land that is expected to be the Dark Universe has recently been topped with addtional theming.
Aerial look across Epic Universe. Dec 23, 2023 • Trees at Burning Blade Tavern • Large Viking figure in rock work chips at Meade Hall • Scaffolding at Bowser's Fortress • Concrete partially removed at the park portal half circle • Frame for lounge at top of in-park resort pic.twitter.com/ov0tDhEmya
Zooming out a bit, you can really see how the park is coming together. The large site is separated into the various themed lands that will be contained within Epic Universe, with each land beginning to take on its own personality.
We cannot wait to step through the gates of Epic Universe when the park opens in 2025!
Ready to book your next epic vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Universal Orlando vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Universal destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Universal vacation package through me!
If part of your New Years Resolutions for 2024 includes dining at Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Hollywood Studios, we have some news you’ll want to hear. The popular dining spot has recently updated its menu, focusing on a set selection of tasty sides and salads after waving goodbye to some old favorites.
Let’s start with what’s left the roundup. From the “Reach for the Sides” section, a few items have ridden off into the sunset. We bid farewell to “The Married Spuds”, the crunchy “Force Field Fried Pickles”, the homestyle “Mean Old Potato Salad”, and the hearty “Campfire-roasted Vegetables”. It’s a sad goodbye, but don’t hang your hat just yet!
Potato Barrels (plant-based) have trotted onto the scene, with no description listed for what exactly this side will contain. The current list of available sides is:
Potato Barrels (Plant-based)
The Claw! Veggie Slaw (Plant-based)
Slinky Doooooooooog’s Mac & Cheese
Buckin’ Baked Beans (Plant-based)
Cowpoke Corn on the Cob
When it comes to greens, the “Get a Wiggle on your Greens!” lineup has seen a change too. Rex’s Romaine and Kale Salad has taken a bow, leaving you with two refreshing options: Rootin’ Tootin Tomato Salad and Wheezy’s Watermelon Salad. So, while the choices might be fewer, they’re still packed with flavor and fun!
So next time you’re at Hollywood Studios and your stomach starts to growl like a grizzly bear, head on over to Roundup Rodeo BBQ. Sure, the menu might be a bit different, but it’s still filled with delicious dishes and a Rootin’ Tootin’ good time. Yeehaw!
Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!
The grand opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in the Magic Kingdom is coming later this year. The ride is currently undergoing a complete transformation to allow guests to be transported to the bayou, and we have been following along via updates to the rides exterior. The latest update is the installation of green and flowered trees and bushes that have completely transformed the appearance of the former Splash Mountain.
X user bioreconstruct posted updated photos of the attraction recently, which are striking. The mountain is almost unrecognizable as the new trees and bushes have transformed its appearance.
When Disney announced the closure of Splash Mountain and the transformation of the attraction to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, many were left wondering how the rides appearance would be adapted to fit in with the bayou theme.
Themed Spanish Moss in a tree at Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Real Spanish Moss will probably accumulate over time. pic.twitter.com/euGvUWO9Oa
The installation of the tower with tiara was a nice start, and this latest addition really shows how the Imagineers are completely adapting the exterior of the ride.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is slated to open later this year, and we cannot wait to venture into the Bayou with Tiana!
Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!
If you thought the magical Disney100 celebration at EPCOT was over, think again! Even though the party was supposed to wrap up on December 31st, some of that special Disney magic is still sprinkling around the park! Here’s what you can still enjoy!
As of January 1, 2024, many Disney100 celebration items at EPCOT were still being offered, despite the advertised end date of December 31, 2023. These offerings include the beloved Soarin’ Over California, the version of the ride that temporarily took the place of Soarin’ Around the World. Disney brought Soarin’ Over California back for the Disney100 celebration, and have not yet switched the attraction back to Soarin’ Around the World.
As you walk around, you’ll still see the beautiful Disney100 banners and decorations, including the large Disney 100 mural that adorns the construction walls near the front of the World Showcase. These items were supposed to be gone by now, but hey, who’s complaining? More time to snap those perfect photos with the sparkling centenary decor!
The Disney100 light show on Spaceship Earth is still dazzling guests with its spectacular lights and music. It’s like the whole globe is celebrating Disney’s100 years of magic! Mickey and Minnie are still decked out in the Disney100 bests at the Meet and Greet in the Imagination Pavilion.
Considering the advertised end date for these items was December 31, 2023, they will certainly be retired soon. If you have not yet had the chance to experience all of the Disney100 celebration items at EPCOT, hurry over to the park before they are gone!
Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!
Ana Ofelia Murguía, the esteemed Mexican actor renowned for lending her voice to the character in Disney and Pixar’s 2017 animated film “Coco,” passed away on Sunday, December 31, at the age of 90, as reported by BBC News.
In “Coco,” a heartwarming tale set during Mexico’s Día de los Muertos, Murguía voiced the elderly Mama Coco. The film, celebrated for its representation of Mexican culture and its exploration of profound themes like death within the realm of a children’s movie, earned two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Original Song for “Remember Me.” Murguía’s poignant portrayal of Mama Coco, especially during the emotional climax where she sings the central song “Remember Me” alongside Miguel, left a lasting impact.
Born in Mexico in 1933, Murguía received the Golden Ariel special lifetime achievement award in 2011, a testament to her invaluable contributions to Mexican cinema. Throughout her illustrious career, she secured the Best Supporting Actress title at the Ariel Awards (Mexico’s equivalent of the Oscars) in 1979, 1986, and 1996.
With over 100 acting credits to her name, Murguía began her journey with an appearance on the Mexican telenovela “La Tormenta.” Notable roles in productions like 1994’s “The Queen of the Night,” 1992’s “Mi Querido Tom Mix,” and 1979’s “Life Sentence” solidified her status as a distinguished figure in the world of acting.
Murguía’s last on-screen performance was in a 2018 episode of “José José: El Príncipe de la Canción,” a fictionalized retelling of the life story of the renowned Mexican singer José José. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those who admired her artistry and the profound impact she made on Mexican performing arts.
