While Phineas and Ferb do it all to make every day the best day ever, evil lurks just around the corner! But there is hope for the unsuspecting citizens of Danville. Now, for the very first time, crack open the top- secret archives of O.W.C.A. (Organization Without a Cool Acronym) to expose… THE PERRY FILES!

Join Perry the Platypus–a.k.a. Agent P.–on his most exciting adventures as he thwarts his nemesis, Dr. Doofenshmirtz, at every turn. With groovy gadgets, mad skills and his trademark brown fedora, this semi- aquatic, egg-layin’ mammal of action is unstoppable! Experience the hilarious havoc as he defends the Tristate Area against Doof’s “inators,” battles rogue agent “Dennis the Bunny,” and much more. When it comes to secret agents, Perry’s not only the real deal, he’s real teal!

Available June 5 on Disney DVD with Digital Copy and Perry Activity Pack!

Cast:

Vincent Martella (TV’s “Everybody Hates Chris”) as voice of Phineas 

Thomas Brodie-Sangster (TV’s “Phineas and Ferb”) as voice of Ferb 

Dan Povenmire (TV’s “Phineas and Ferb”) as voice of Dr. Heinz Doofenschmirtz 

Ashley Tisdale (Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure) as voice of Candace 

Alyson Stoner (Step Up 3D, Camp Rock 1 & 2) as voice of Isabella 

Caroline Rhea (TV’s “The Suite Life of Zach and Cody”) as voice of Mom

Creators/Executive Producers:

Dan Povenmire (TV’s “Family Guy” and “The Simpsons”) 

Jeff “Swampy” Marsh (TV’s “Rocko’s Modern Life” and “The Simpsons”) 

Bonus Features:

Nerves of Teal

Do you have nerves of teal? Then OWCA (Organization Without a Cool Acronym) wants you! See if you have what it takes to become like Agent P in this spy recruiting video.

Platybus Tour

Take a look inside the Platybus, the traveling Phineas and Ferb exhibit that toured North America.

Related articles

• Phineas & Ferb’s ‘Platypus Day’ Celebration is NOW! (chipandco.com)
• ‘Phineas and Ferb’ VIPs Tour Epcot as Imagineers Prep Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure (video) (jedimouseketeer.blogspot.com)

Great news for Central Florida residents. ClickOrlando.com is reporting that all of the major Orlando theme parks are ready to begin hiring for the summer season. According to the report, Disney will is looking to fill positions from housekeepers to performers. Universal Orlando is looking to fill part time and seasonal positions that range from food service jobs to attraction operators.

SeaWorld is also looking to fill around 300 positions of various types. SeaWorld spokeswoman Christine O’Neal says “These are positions of various levels, they include seasonal positions part time positions certainly, some full time and entry level leadership and also some salaried and professional positions.”

While the theme parks generally start hiring this time every year it seems they are looking to fill more positions that usual. It could be a record breaking year for theme park attendance.

Related articles

• Central Fla. theme parks looking to hire thousands (clickorlando.com)
• DisneyStore.com: 25% off Theme Park Merchandise (Including Dooney!) (couponingtodisney.com)

Growing up, I was lucky enough to get to travel to Walt Disney World almost every year for vacation. And now, as an Adult Who Loves WDW, I find that there are some things that I loved as a kid that I still love doing, but I also have discovered some new and exciting things that might be right up your alley too!

So here are my Top Five Walt Disney World Theme Park Activities For Adults (In no particular order!)

1. “Behind The Scenes” Tours – There are a few of these out there, including the “Keys To The Kingdom Tour” where you can actually go UNDER the streets of the Magic Kingdom and find out how the magic happens! Each Theme Park offers their own unique tours/experiences, from Segway tours and under the sea diving at Epcot, or a backstage safari at Animal Kingdom, there is something for everyone, and while most cost extra/require a separate ticket purchase, I think they are well worth the money!

2. Fun(ky) Photos – Everyone has a million pictures of Cinderella’s Castle or of themselves with various characters, so why not try and think outside the box, and create some unique and funny memories of your Walt Disney World Trip? Here is an article on Disney Photo Travel Tips & Techniques, and there are some great suggestions on using scenery to create layered photos, capturing the moment using candid shots, and much more! If you aren’t that creative when it comes to photography (or if you happen to like having those pictures of the castle and characters – I know I do!), then you might want to think about utilizing Disney’s Photopass service, a free service where you can have your photo taken all over the Parks, some of the spots are nice like the ones in front of Cinderella’s Castle, but a fun activity would be to stroll around the Parks and find the Photopass photographers that are off the beaten path, for some unique and memorable photo ops! On our last trip, my husband brought an old Mick-A-Matic camera from the 70′s that he fixed up, and it certainly got some attention – even from Donald Duck – who just about threw a fit because it wasn’t a Donald camera ha! Pictures are my favorite trip souvenir, and I love spending time capturing trip memories!

3. Drink Around The World – This is a really popular adults only activity, where you sample signature drinks from each country in Epcot’s World Showcase. My best advice when it comes to attempting this? Make sure you drink a lot of water in addition to the ‘adult’ beverages, and make sure you keep food in your stomach too! And if you’re not a big drinker, a stroll around the World Showcase is still culturally enriching and interesting, and you can usually catch some performances in the various countries

4. Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party – This is something I just recently learned about, and it would be the perfect way to get to enjoy delicious desserts while also ensuring a perfect spot for viewing the Magic Kingdom fireworks! It’s a separate ticket that you need to purchase in advance, and it gives you access to an intimate dessert party at the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant, where you then can sit and view the fireworks (and if you don’t know where this is at the Park, trust me, these are PRIME viewing spots!). What could be better than ending a day of touring the Magic Kingdom with delicious desserts and fireworks?

5. Dine In Style – Just because you are at a Disney Theme Park doesn’t mean all the meals are loud, full blown character affairs. There are plenty of places to eat where you can relax and enjoy the atmosphere while sampling some delicious food. Places like The Hollywood Brown Derby, Tony’s Town Square, The Coral Reef, plus not to mention tons of World Showcase restaurants – Chefs De France, Le Cellier, Tutto Italia just to name a few – are all great places for adult diners to unwind and enjoy some Disney Fine Dining

Those are my top five, but I couldn’t write about what to do at WDW without mentioning some awesome rides/attractions! Some of the attractions I didn’t like as a kid are much more meaningful to me now (probably because I am old enough to understand what they are talking about ha!). Rides like Spaceship Earth or the Studio Backlot Tour, and attractions like the Hall Of Presidents that used to seem boring are now things that I really enjoy doing, and are worth the wait in line for those of you who want a ride/attraction with substance (or at least something more stimulating than a flying elephant!)

Feel free to agree or disagree with my choices, I would love to know what you think, and what YOUR favorite adult things to do at the WDW Parks are! And check back right here at Chip and Co next week for my list of top non theme park activities for adults!

Related articles

• Celebrating Memorial Day – Being Patriotic At WDW (livinginagrownupworld.wordpress.com)
• Disney To Do List: How to Have the Total WDW Experience at the Magic Kingdom (aglassslippervacation.com)

School is almost out and many of people are planning to head down to Walt Disney World for a little sun and fun. Our friend Lauren from Pixie Vacations wants to give you a little spending money for your Disney vacation.

This weeks giveaway is for a $25 Disney Gift Card!

To enter, all you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

The contest ends Saturday June 2nd at 11:59pm. On Monday I will pick one lucky winner and notify them via Email or Facebook that they won. Be sure to use a valid way for me to contact you. You have 24 hours to respond or I will pick another winner so be watching your emails and Facebook Monday Morning!!!

Please note if you are just skipping over the ways to enter and not Liking the Pages in the Giveaway you will not be chosen as a winner. (We can see all entries) So please be honest and not fudge entering the contest.

For bonus entries, share this post using any of the buttons at the top of this page. You can tweet and share as often as you like, because each counts as bonus entries!

Also stay tuned to Twitter our man Johnathan will be hosting #DisneyTrivia for bonus entries!!

Good Luck

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Related articles

• Mongrammed Disney Tote Bag Giveaway (chipandco.com)
• Passporter 2012 Guidebook Giveaway (chipandco.com)

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival was named by the Travel Channel as one of the country’s top food and wine festivals. Chefs are cooking up fantastic new experiences for this year’s fest, which open September 28 and runs for a record 46 days through November 12.

There’s no better setting for noshing, sipping and wandering than Epcot’s World Showcase, with a one-of-a-kind backdrop of architectural icons from around the globe.

Fresh for 2012:

• Two new festival marketplaces: TERRA Marketplace offers vegan menu items, including Trick’n Chick’n Curry with Basmati Rice and Chili Colorado with House-Made Chips and Cashew Cheese. The FLORIDA Marketplace introduces fresh twists on regional flavors. There are more than 25 ethnic and regional marketplaces in all.
• Feel like a VIP with Marketplace Chef Tours. Each Wednesday, festival chefs host a walking-and-tasting tour around World Showcase with stops at several international marketplaces. You get to taste five marketplace dishes and five beverage items, like beer, wine and cocktails – and learn a few culinary secrets.

• More kid-friendly tastes. Kids of all ages can try inventive new sips during the family’s marketplace dine-around. Pair with yummy bites like beef empanadas and cheese fondue (new this year).
• Don’t miss (free) Eat to the Beat! Check out pop acts like Smash Mouth (October 11-12) and Javier Colon, winner of “The Voice” (October 13-14). With 18 different bands, look for Blues Traveler (November 5-6) and Dennis DeYoung, original member of STYX (November 7-8). Night Ranger kicks off the concert series September 28-30, and other returning fan favorites include Boyz II Men, The Pointer Sisters, Sister Hazel and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

• Back for an encore: look for HGTV designers, celeb chefs, culinary demos and wine seminars, and special culinary programs – more than 270 chefs are showing off for the festival. And, yes, the fab Party for the Senses returns October 6, 13, 20, 27 and November 3.

Call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) to make reservations. Information and reservations for select events and programs will be updated throughout the summer at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine.

Related articles

• Blues Traveler, Smash Mouth and More Set for ‘Eat to the Beat’ Concert Series This Fall at Epcot (chipandco.com)

2013 Marathon Weekend – January 10-13, 2013

Imagine a weekend of runs where every mile is filled with Disney fun at the 2013 Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna on January 10-13, 2013. Join us for a weekend of races that are magical as they are memorable, from Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo to running through all four Theme Parks in the Marathon. Complete with medals of Mickey Mouse and his friends, you’d be, well, goofy to miss it!

Registration now open for the Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend!

Weekend events will include:

• Walt Disney World® Marathon
• Walt Disney World® Half Marathon
• Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge – 63% Full
• Disney Family Fun Run 5K
• runDisney Kids’ Races
• Pasta in the Park Party

* The marathon relay will not return to the Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend in 2013.

Related articles

• Changes Coming to 20th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon Course (chipandco.com)
• Runners to Race Around the “High Banks” and “Bases” As Part of 20th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon Course (chipandco.com)

Nothing says “girly girl” quite the way that a totally princess-ed out girl can! And nothing at Walt Disney World quite princess-es out your girly girl like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

There are two locations for the BBB at Walt Disney World. The first is at the World of Disney Store in Downtown Disney and the other is INSIDE Cinderella’s Castle. Yup you read that correctly, INSIDE the castle.

WHEN SHOULD I MAKE RESERVATIONS? You really need to make your reservation AS CLOSE TO 180 DAYS IN ADVANCE of your trip as you can by calling 407-WDW-STYLE.  However, if you are under the 180 days mark when you decide to book your Walt Disney World trip, then I say book them AS SOON AS YOU CAN! Time slots do fill up quickly, so do not hesitate.

WHICH PACKAGE SHOULD I CHOOSE? There are three packagesof princess-fication for you to pick from for your girl

• Coach Package includes choice of hairstyling, shimmering makeup, princess sash, face gem and princess cinch bag—$54.95 plus tax.
• Crown Package includes choice of hairstyling, shimmering makeup, nail polish, princess sash, face gem and princess cinch bag—$59.95 plus tax
• Courtyard Package includes exclusive Courtyard hairstyling, shimmering makeup, nail polish, face gem, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique t-shirt, trendy tutu, princess sash and princess cinch bag—$89.95 plus tax.
• Castle Package includes the Crown Package components plus Imaging Package (one 6″ x 8″ and four 4″ x 6″ photos in a princess-themed photo holder) and complete Disney Princess costume with coordinating wand and tiara accessories—starting at $189.95 plus tax.

They also offer a “Knight Package” for boys over 3 years old for $15.95 (plus tax) with a style and a mighty sword but I’m thinking why go prince when you could go PIRATE at Pirates League and rock their little world.

I’m not going to lie to you. I think you should ALWAYS bring your own princess costumes to WDW. You can find them really in-expensively on ebay, yards ales, consignment shops/sales, LOTS of places. They cost a FORTUNE at WDW. Usually WELL over $50.00 per gown. The difference between the other two packages is only $5.00 and consider the fact that you get to keep the nail polish and it extends your time there its worth it. So the Disney Diva‘s recommended package choice is the CROWN Package and BRING YOUR OWN COSTUME WITH YOU!!!

WHAT ARE GOOD TIMES TO BOOK? Here’s a Disney Diva secret for you. You can book your Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique reservation BEFORE park opens! Why would you want to do this? Well first of all it gets you in the park earlier, but secondly it gives you a really GREAT view of an almost empty street leading up to the castle. Which to me is the BEST way to see Cinderella’s castle for the first time! If you have breakfast reservations at Cinderella’s Royal Table you should also look into booking your BBB reservation about 1.5 hours prior to your reservation. Also, if you are going to any Holiday Parties, like Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you want to book a few hours PRIOR to the party starting, but I will tell you that the hair will REALLY hold for a few days.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING? Well, like I mentioned before you should look into bringing your own costume with you to save some big bucks. You also want to make sure that the child’s hair is clean and FREE OF TANGLES. They suggest you bring a brush, but our fairy godmother had her own comb that she used. Also if you are getting nails done you should make sure that they are clean without nail polish currently on them. And bring your camera! You will have many adorable shots to enjoy!

You are all sure to have a WONDERFUL time and it will be a great memory for your special princess! Beware of extreme needs for Posing and photo-taking after being styled.

Love, The Diva  www.tipsfromthedisneydiva.com

Related articles

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Now Online Booking (passporterboards.com)
• Face Painting at Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)

June 1st is the official start of hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean and it also starts the summer tornado season in Florida.  If you are traveling to Walt Disney World you may want to prepare yourself for this type of weather.   With hurricanes, you usually get a few days warning as they develop in the Atlantic.  However, tornadoes can “pop up” at any time usually affecting a smaller area.  While it is slim that either of these weather events will ruin your vacation, there is always a possibility.

You can view Walt Disney World’s Hurricane Policy here.

Here are a few tips for traveling when a tornado is present:

1. Keep an eye on the weather at all times.  Stay tuned to local weather reports so you are “weather aware.”  If you have a smart phone, you may want to search for a weather app that will alert you if there are severe warnings or watches for the WDW area.
2. Pack a small battery operated weather radio if you don’t have an app on your phone to warn you of severe weather.
3. Know where to go if a tornado should happen.  In the WDW resorts, you’re best bet will be the bathroom.  If you are camping at Fort Wilderness, you may want to ask a cast member where the closest “safe spot” will be to your campsite.
4. If you are in the parks during a tornado, ask a cast member (if you can locate one quickly) where to go.  If you can not find a cast member, take your family to the most interior space of the nearest building.
5. Finally stay indoors. Don’t be that guy or girl who wants to get video of the tornado.

For some great tips on how to tour the parks when it is raining check out the articles below.

• Escaping the Rain at Walt Disney World
• Disney World Quick Tips – What to do when it rains
• It’s Raining…Not Pouring! Making the Most of the Parks in the Rain!

Related articles

• Disney World Planning Tips – Try something new Take a Tour! (chipandco.com)
• Disney World Quick Tips: Hot Weather Touring (chipandco.com)

Recently, I shared with you how to make the most of your counter service dining at the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.  Today, I am giving you some suggestions for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Just because you have counter service dining, doesn’t mean you have to eat the same thing over and over again.  Even if children are part of your group, they don’t have to eat just chicken tenders and peanut butter and jelly all the time.  Yes, those are often choices at the counter service restaurants as far as children go.  However, we’ve been known to get a kids meal for a “snack”…..no worries, we use those snack credits, too …..and maybe let the kids share off of our meal for dinner or lunch.  We don’t misuse our food credits.  We just try to be creative, and use them so we’re getting variety, trying new things, and getting the most for our money.

Backlot Area

ABC Commissary-Another location on Disney property where you can find fish and chips, as well as a meal with a cheeseburger AND fried shrimp together.  Yum!  Here, the kids can also enjoy a turkey sandwich-a nice break from the chicken tenders and hamburgers.

Backlot Express-This is my second favorite counter service restaurant at Disney Hollywood Studios.  One thing I really like here is the Southwest Chicken Salad, and my husband loves the Angus Onion Straw hamburger.  The Grilled Turkey and Cheese is really good, too.  One nice thing about this restaurant, is you fill your own drinks.  That means refills .

Toy Story Pizza Planet-My favorite counter service restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  The atmosphere is super fun, and the seating is very plentiful.  Of course, we com here for the pizza.  And, during Star Wars weekends, my boys look forward to the Darth Vader cupcake as a dessert choice.  Another favorite food of ours here is the Caprese Salad.  It’s so refreshing!

Studio Catering Company-Looking for some kick in your meals?  Try their Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.  Or, if something lighter is meeting your needs, you could try the Chicken Caesar Wrap.

Sunset Boulevard:

Starring Rolls Cafe-If you’re familiar with Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ve probably treated yourself to a sweet treat from Starring Rolls.  But did you know they also have sushi?  And, a turkey sandwich on focaccia?  Although, part of me likes to use my snack credits here-the Butterfinger Cupcake is divine!

Fairfax Fare-Here is where you’ll find some BBQ!  BBQ spareribs and chicken grace the menu here.  That can be a filling meal, then fill in the rest of your day with snacks or a lighter meal-like use a child’s meal credit to snack on some chicken tenders later in the day.  BBQ pork sandwiches, and some mac and cheese fill this menu, as well.

Echo Lake:

Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner-This place, at the edge of Echo Lake, not far from the Sorcerer’s Hat, has a most unique item on the menu…..a frankfurter wrapped in a pretzel roll.  Or, you could go for the Italian Sausage sandwich or the Chicken Caesar Salad.

So, where do you enjoy eating at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?  Do you plan your day around your meals, or just stop and grab something when you’re hungry?

Magically Yours,

Carrie of My Favorite Finds

Related articles

• Making the Most of Counter Service Dining – Magic Kingdom (chipandco.com)
• Making the Most of Counter Service – EPCOT (chipandco.com)

The Disney Wonder sets sail for the first time from the Port of Seattle today taking cruisers on the first of 14 seven-night Alaskan itineraries. To celebrate the inaugural call on Seattle, Captain Thord Haugen and his shipboard officers hosted local port officials and community leaders aboard the vessel for a plaque exchange ceremony, which is maritime tradition.

“The Pacific Northwest is a favorite destination for our guests and we are excited to be here,” said Disney Cruise Line Captain Thord Haugen. “Our guests can’t wait to experience the breathtaking beauty this region is known for, from spectacular glaciers to snow-capped mountains to a wide variety of wildlife.”

The Alaskan itinerary for the 2,700-passenger Disney Wonder includes stops in Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia. In September, the ship heads back to Los Angeles, Calif. to sail seven-night itineraries to the Mexican Riviera in the fall. At the end of the year, the Disney Wonder will reposition to Miami, marking the first time a Disney Cruise Line ship will sail out of Southern Florida.

Related articles

• Set Sail for New Adventures with Disney Cruise Line’s Summer Itineraries (chipandco.com)
• Disney Cruise Line Embarks on New Itineraries and New Ports in 2012 (chipandco.com)

Disneyland: Sunrise to Sunrise is the first TouringPlans eBook, which is a collection of over 200 photos from one single operational day in Disneyland, specifically “One More Disney Day.” Touring Plans author Tom Bricker captured all of the photos in the eBook as he ran around Disneyland during the course of that morning, day, night, and morning (again). He was one of the crazy Disneyland guests in the park on “One More Disney Day” from start to the very finish, and he snapped hundreds of photos along the way to document the day.

If you’re not a regular reader of the TouringPlans Blog, you may recognize his photography from the Unofficial Guide: Color Companion to Walt Disney World, Popular Photography Magazine, or his daily Disney photos. As Chief Photographer for TouringPlans, he is also responsible for the photos at the top of each page of the Touring Plans website and the attraction photo galleries, among other things. Not to mention you can see some his photos here on the all new C&C Picture site!

Disneyland: Sunrise to Sunrise highlights some of Tom’s favorite photos that he captured on that single operational day in Disneyland and presents them to you in one attractive eBook. Throughout the book he has also presented some of his favorite little tidbits of trivia, such as the inspiration for the original Tomorrowland Moonliner and why Snow White was ultimately added to Snow White’s Scary Adventures attraction in Fantasyland. If you’re a fan of the Disney theme parks, I think you’ll enjoy this fresh and beautiful look at one day in Disneyland.

We’re pretty excited about this first TouringPlans eBook. The whole Touring Plans team has put a lot of work into it, and we think you’ll really enjoy it!

As an added bonus for Chip and Co fans we are offering a special discount code to use to get 25% off the $8 price of the eBook! Just use code SUNRISE2012 at check out.

Click here to view more details

Related articles

• Which Disney guidebook or online subscription is right for you? (chipandco.com)
• Touring Plans: Lines, Crowd Calendar, Touring Plans and more! (chipandco.com)
• Review of Disneyland: Sunrise to Sunrise, by Tom Bricker (chipandco.com)

Nemo, an adventurous young clownfish, is unexpectedly taken to a dentist’s office aquarium. It’s up to Marlin (Albert Brooks), his worrisome father, and Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), a friendly but forgetful Regal Blue Tang, to make the epic journey to bring Nemo home. Their adventure brings them face-to-face with vegetarian sharks, surfer dude turtles, hypnotic jellyfish, hungry seagulls, and more. Marlin discovers a bravery he never knew, but will he be able to find his son?

Sea Finding Nemo in 3D this fall

Like Finding Nemo on Facebook: http://facebook.com/PixarFindingNemo

Which do you think is better? Tables in Wonderland (and out of pocket expenses) or signing up for the Disney Dining Plan?

For those that aren’t aware, the Tables in Wonderland program is a special discount card that you purchase to get 20% off of dining costs at various restaurants at the Walt Disney World dining locations. However, there are some things that you need to know about the TiW program:

1. The TiW card can only be purchased by a person that has an annual pass, or by a Florida Resident.
2. The card costs $75 for Annual Passholders, and $100 for Florida Residents.
3. As I mentioned, the TiW program will discount 20% off of all your food and drink purchases (including alcohol) at many of the Walt Disney World restaurants, but not all of them.
4. The TiW card can be used for the cardholder and up to nine guests dining with the cardholder.
5. An automatic 18% gratuity is included when using the TiW card, regardless of the size of the party.
6. If you are thinking of buying the TiW card, you need to do some research to make sure that the discount will be at least equal to the cost you are paying for the card.

On the other side of the equation, the Disney Dining Plan has several different choices available. The three main ones are the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan; the original Disney Dining Plan, and the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan. You can also add the Wine and Dine component to your Dining Plan or Deluxe Dining Plan, but that is a separate add-on charge. Here are some things you need to know about the regular Disney Dining Plan:

1. For the regular DDP, you will receive one snack, one quick service meal, and one table service meal per day.
2. With the DDP, you must select the plan for every day that you are visiting Disney, and the DDP is only available to people that are staying on a Disney property.
3. In addition, each member of your party needs to be on the dining plan. You can’t pick and choose.
4. You get one credit for each of the types of meal (or snack) for each day. You can choose to use all of them in one day, if you like, or you can space them out so that you have credits for each day.

For my family, we have always had the regular Disney Dining Plan. There have been times when we got it for free based on when we came down on vacation, and there have been times when we paid for it.

Last June we became Disney Vacation Club owners, and as a result, this year we are staying at Bay Lake Towers, one of the DVC resorts available to us. The room that we reserved is a 2 bedroom suite, and will sleep 9 people, which is the number of people in our party. As a result, we made the decision really quickly that we were going to pay for our meals out of pocket. Our room has a full kitchen, so as a result, we are planning on only having three sit down meals during our visit. If we had wanted to do the Dining Plan, it would have cost my family (I am responsible for 5 of the guests) $1,371.65 for our stay, and it would have cost my sister-in-law’s family $1,049.72! If we did the quick service plan, it still would have been about $1,800 for the two families combined.

So for us, having 9 people eating at Akershus and 50′s Prime Time Cafe and Tune-In Lounge, and 5 of us eating at Boma, the discount will more than make up for the $75 cost (we will be buying three annual passes as well!)

While I don’t have the final tally of what our costs for dining will be, I’m going to make a conservative estimate that we would save at least $750 by going the OOP/TiW route over what we would pay for the DDP. When we get down there, I’m going to keep our receipts, and work up the final numbers after we get back! Thanks for reading!

Related articles

• What to bring with you to the Disney Theme Parks (chipandco.com)
• Why Choose Disney’s Quick Service Dining Plan (chipandco.com)

Drink water while on a Walt Disney World summer vacation. D.K. Peterson

With blue skies and bright sunny days, a vacation at Walt Disney World during the summer is the stuff picture-perfect postcards are made of. Unfortunately, the picture doesn’t capture the entire reality of those hot, sticky, exhausting days of touring the theme parks with all the summer crowds and in the heat.

Here are some of my favorite tips for helping you keep your cool, literally, while at Disney. Doing so may also help you keep your temper!

Generally, surviving your summer vacation at Walt Disney World means being aware of the risks of too much sun, as well as how the hot weather and crowd level may affect your pace and energy. You’ll want to use common sense when touring during hot  weather and peak periods: do early-morning touring, take afternoon breaks, and avoid too much criss-crossing in the parks.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Bring water into the parks – it’s allowed, just no glass bottles. Fill up at water fountains or, if you prefer cooler water, simply ask a Cast Member at a quick-service restaurant for a free cup of water or ice. If you don’t like the taste of water, add Crystal Light to the mix. Avoid over-consumption of soda, caffeine, or alcohol, all of which dehydrate.

Cool tip: Visit Epcot’s Club Cool to sample a sip or two of free Coke products from around the world. It’s not water, but it is refreshing.

Alternate outside and inside attractions. Of course, you want to hit all the most popular attractions early in the morning anyway, before there are lines, as well as use FASTPASS. In addition, try to alternate shady or indoor, air-conditioned attractions – say, a show – with outdoor attractions. And, if you absolutely need to be in the parks all day (for the love of Mickey, no!) try to save longer, indoor attractions for the afternoon.

Cool tip: Visit Carousel of Progress (Magic Kingdom), The Seas with Nemo  and Friends (Epcot), The Voyage of the Little Mermaid (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) or Flights of Wonder (Disney’s Animal Kingdom).

Linger over lunch. Summer months offer a great reason to try table-service for lunch, as a relaxed sit-down meal can rejuvenate and refresh. Lunch meals are cheaper than the restaurants’ dinners, and you can take a much-needed break. If quick-service dining is on the itinerary, pick indoor spots with lots of seating or shady outdoor areas.

Cool tip: For quick-service, try Tomorrowland Terrace (Magic Kingdom), Sunshine Seasons (Epcot, The Land), ABC Commissary (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) or Pizzafari (Disney’s Animal Kingdom).

Time to take a nap. For me, any Disney vacation is made better by an afternoon nap, but especially in the summer. If you balk at the name “nap,” call it a siesta – which, to my mind, offer a touch of vacationing flair. Or call it a mid-afternoon break or free  time. But get away from the fun of the sun and crowds, which become less fun as the day grows long. At the very least, go back to your resort for a few hours of air-conditioned comfort and leisure.

 Cool tip: If you can’t get away for a nap, check out Nancy’s “Finding Peace and Quiet at Walt Disney World” for some quiet places and down time.

Play in the water fountains, like this one at Epcot. D.K. Peterson

Water Play! Don’t just drink your water, play in it. Summer months are the time to experience Disney’s water rides, like Splash Mountain or the Kali River Rapids. A hot day is a good day to visit one of Disney’s water parks, as long as you also score some seats in the shade. A dip in your hotel pool offers a nice mid-day break. Look for the interactive water play areas in the theme parks, particularly at Epcot.

Cool tip: Disney’s water parks tend to become less crowded from afternoon into evening, making them a relaxed complement to a theme-park morning.

Seek out sun protection. At a minimum, use a high SPF sunscreen applied often and liberally. I also recommend a hat to protect your face and scalp, the latter of which can also get burned. On particularly bright days, I’ll wear a light, long-sleeved shirt to protect my too-fair skin; I’ve seen others carry an umbrella.

Cool tip: If you or anyone in your traveling party does get sunburned, visit the First Aid Station in each theme park (locations identified on park maps). They’re staffed by RNs and can offer you assistance.

Hot-Weather Touring for Guests with Disabilities

If you have, or someone in your party has, a disability, medical condition and/or limited mobility, you may wish to plan on using a wheelchair or ECV (scooter) while at Disney theme park. Indeed, I would recommend renting an ECV from an outside vendor for use throughout all Walt Disney World Resort.

Cool tip: There are several companies that rent ECVs for use at Walt Disney World Resort. The PassPorter Community maintains a thread on ECVs and scooters that offers useful rental information.

Also, make Guest Services your first stop at your first Disney theme park to request a Guest Assistance Card (GAC). Explain your specific concerns – for instance, being in the sun for long period of time, standing or walking too much, wheelchair access, etc. Guest Services will help identify your needs for the GAC, which will, in turn, help Cast Members at attractions provide assistance.

 Cool tip: Disney cannot require you – by law – to provide documentation of your medical condition to issue a GAC. So you need not make an extra trip to the doctor’s prior to your trip, although it might not be a bad idea to do so to discuss other strategies for your particular circumstances.

Debra Peterson enjoys seeking out the interactive, immersive and innovative at Disney theme parks. When not writing for Chip and Company, Debra is the National Disney Travel Examiner. To follow more of Debra’s adventures (martini in hand) become a fan of Kungaloosh, her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.

Related articles

• 10 Tips for Staying Cool at Disney World This Summer (chipandco.com)
• Fun Ways To Get Wet At Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)

If you have experienced multiple Disney vacations, you know that, one the greatest things about it, is that there is always something new to see. And even if not “technically” new, there are so many things to see and do at Walt Disney World, that even those with many Disney World visits can’t say that they have “seen it all”.

One of the more interesting things to do at Walt Disney World, are the various tours that Disney offers. We have been fortunate to do the Keys to the Kingdom tour at the Magic Kingdom, and the Behind the Seeds tour at the Land Pavilion in Epcot in years past, and were thrilled to have the chance to take the Undiscovered Future World tour at Epcot, on our recent trip…and at this point I will say that we are hooked on doing Disney tours: they are a fascinating way to learn about “the World”!

If you have never had the opportunity to take any of the great tours at Walt Disney World, let me just say that the 3 that we have taken are well worth the cost. Having said that though, it is important to know that there IS a cost, and some of the tours are not cheap. And the cost for most is in addition to park admission (so be sure to ask when reserving to be prepared). But there is a huge variety in the Disney tours, as to subject, length, and cost, so there really is something for nearly everyone. And for those who travel to Disney regularly, taking a tour is a great way to learn some new things and make your visits even more fun!

So, if you want to take a tour on your next Disney World vacation, what do you need to know?

First, you will want to see what tours are available. The Disney World website offers a basic description of each, along with the cost, length, and age restrictions. (And a number of tours do have age restrictions on them: for those that go “behind stage”, you have to be old enough to be ok with what you will see….or potentially not see, if you get my drift…. ) I also found Allears.net to be helpful for additional information, reviews, and details like the fact that some tours offer discounts to Disney Visa cardholders, Annual Passholders, DVC members and more. (Note that her prices are not current, however: for up-to-date pricing refer to the Disney World website, or ask when calling to reserve).

Some things to think about as you decide on a tour are the weather forecast (many are outside, and you might want to consider, for example, a forecast of temps in the 40s if you book a Segway Tour), time of day and day(s) of week offered, and again, age restrictions.

Once you know which one you want to do, call 1-407-WDW-TOUR to make your reservation. Note that you will be paying in advance, however there is typically a 48 hour advance notice for cancellations, in order to receive a full refund. Make note of what time you need to check in, and where: typically check-in will be 15 minutes or so before the tour starts. Inquire also about early admittance to the park, if your tour is at one of the parks, as many start before the park is officially open. Similar to early admittance for a character breakfast, you typically will enter at one designated turnstile, after giving the castmember your name.

Disney Quick Tip – Speaking of early admittance, be sure to allow plenty of time, if using Disney transportation, to get from your resort to the park.

What about the tour that we took? The Undiscovered Future World tour is offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 a.m. We were asked to check in at Guest Relations (left of Spaceship Earth) by 8:45, so in order to make certain we were not late, we were at our bus stop at Saratoga Springs at 8.

Once we signed in, we were given headphones so that we could better hear our guide as we toured the park. I’m not a big headphones fan, but these were comfortable to wear, and really helpful, especially as we walked around outside. And when inside and not needed, we had the option to turn them off if we wished.

As to the Tour itself, well it was 4 hours long…and included lots of walking, as we visited nearly all of Future World. So comfortable shoes were definitely a must!

Whether you are looking for something new to do on your next Disney World visit, or simply just have a desire to learn all the Disney trivia you can, experiencing one of the many Walt Disney World tours is an experience that can’t be beat!

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.

Related articles

• Face Painting at Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)
• Fun Ways To Get Wet At Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)

Today is a special day where we all would like to say thank you to all the service men & women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Their sacrifice is the reason why we have our freedoms here in America.

For me one day is never enough to say thank you to all of those who laid their lives on the line for my family and I. Also we would like to give a special thank you to all those serving in the military past and present.

God Bless you and thanks from all of us from Chip and Co!

Disney Junior’s interactive multi–platform “Yo Ho, Let’s Go Summer!” programming event returns with new episodes of “Doc McStuffins” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” cable TV’s #1 and #2 series among Kids 2–5 respectively, as well as other favorite Disney Junior series including “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Jungle Junction” and “Octonauts” beginning MONDAY, JUNE 4–FRIDAY, AUGUST 24. The “Yo Ho, Let’s Go Summer!” programming event will take place across all Disney Junior digital platforms including Disney Junior On Demand, Mobile and iTunes, as well as an immersive online super–site on DisneyJunior.com featuring new games to “unlock” each week and a printable summer scrapbook. Additionally, new interactive iOS apps for “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” launch today.

Disney Junior’s “Yo Ho, Let’s Go Summer!” programming event kicks off on Monday, June 4 with a week of new “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” episodes airing on both the Disney Junior programming block on Disney Channel (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) and the new 24–hour Disney Junior channel (5:30 p.m., ET/PT). Also beginning June 4, kids and their parents can log on to DisneyJunior.com/Summer to print out pictures of their favorite Disney Junior characters to take along with them and include in photos of their summer adventures.  Parents can then upload the photos of their child with their character for the chance to be seen on Disney Junior. The site will also feature a printable summer scrapbook, with new pages added each week through August 24.

Beginning Friday, June 15, new episodes of favorite Disney Junior series will air every Friday throughout the summer on both the Disney Junior programming block and the Disney Junior channel. During each episode premiere, kids will see a featured Disney Junior character of the day and can go online to DisneyJunior.com/Summer to unlock a new game based on that character.

Among the premieres are an episode of “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” where Marina (voiced by recurring guest star Ariel Winter of “Modern Family”) and the rest of the mermaids make Izzy an honorary mermaid, Friday, June 29; a special 45–minute episode of “Jungle Junction,” where Zooter and Ellyvan care for a stranded baby FlaGoGo bird, Friday, July 6; Donald Duck serves as a reluctant babysitter for a mystery egg on “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” Friday, July 13; Jim Belushi guest stars as the recurring character Glo–Bo, a six–handed toy monster in “Doc McStuffins,” Friday, July 20; Jane Kaczmarek guest stars in the recurring role of Red Jessica, a swashbuckling pirate gal who wins over Captain Hook in “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” Friday, August 10; and a heartwarming episode of “Doc McStuffins” where Doc’s toy friends come to her rescue when she becomes the patient, Friday, August 17.

In anticipation of this summer’s programming festivities, the network today launched two new iOS apps, the “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally” appisode app on iPad and “Jake’s Never Land Pirate School” gaming app for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally appisode brings viewing, learning and interaction together into one cohesive, fun–filled iPad experience. Fans 2–7 years old can touch, tap shake, swipe, drag and talk through an entire episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  The activities presented in the “appisode” include valuable counting, critical thinking and problem solving skills. This is the first in a series of Disney Junior Appisodes to be released this year.

Using the “Jake’s Never Land Pirate School” app, preschoolers can become completely immersed in Never Land, completing pirate–themed challenges presented in Sailing, Music, Flying, and Map and Spyglass classes. Features include: hunting for doubloons on Doubloon Beach; a customizable pirate certificate signed by Jake; and the ability to import a child’s photo into Pixie Dust flying class.

Related articles

• Jake and the Never Land Pirates Goes Virtual With the Launch of Jake’s World (chipandco.com)
• New Looks Coming to The Pirates League in the Magic Kingdom (chipandco.com)

Here is a bunch of photos from the soft opening of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad! It has been closed for sometime and I know many of us have been waiting for it to reopen after its lengthy refurbishment.

Special thank you from Amy W for sharing all these great photos with us.

A few things to look out for are:

• When Amy asked one of the Cast Members what the boxes in the queue were for, they got all mysterious and said we would find out on Monday!
• About halfway through the Queue (right where the new flooring is), the handrails changed from the square kind to these cool pipe kinds. (see photos below)
• Amy thinks that they switched the standby line and fastpass lines.

Related articles

• 10 Tips for Staying Cool in Disney World (chipandco.com)

From its early roots, the Walt Disney Company has had a compassionate heart. Take a few moments to watch the 1932 short, Mickey’s Good Deed, and you’ll understand Walt’s selfless generosity. In this wonderful tale, Mickey Mouse portrays a fellow down on his luck, playing Christmas carols on the street corner for change. To his and Pluto’s dismay, passersby do not give money at all, but nuts and bolts and useless junk. Soon Mickey’s instrument—his source of income—gets destroyed by a passing sleigh. When he sees a poverty-stricken house full of children with no presents, instead of pitying his own misfortune, Mickey sells his beloved pal Pluto to a wealthy man and uses all the money to purchase gifts for the kids. He delivers them incognito while they sleep, thus giving the children the gift of dreams come true.

Today the Walt Disney Company continues to devote both funding and services to various organizations and people in need. Magical Mouse Schoolhouse has discussed Walt Disney World Resort’s food donations to the Disney Harvest Food Program, as well as their VoluntEAR partnership with Toys for Tots, and soap recycling through Clean the World. The Resort also assists a very special organization that helps ill children and their families receive their wish to visit the Parks.

Give Kids the World (GKTW) was created by hotelier Henri Landwirth in 1986 to “provide memorable, magical, cost-free experiences to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.” He partnered with colleagues in the hospitality industry, including the Walt Disney World Resort (who donates all Park tickets, whose Cast Members VoluntEAR, whose Imagineers have designed parts of the facility, and whose Resorts host families when GKTW’s Village is overflowing) to bring these families to Florida, house them, feed them, and let them live out a dream.

There are many ways you can help too! If you live nearby or are planning a visit to Walt Disney World, please contact GKTW either via email at dream@gktw.org or by calling (800) 995-KIDS to see how you can donate your time to benefit an ill child and his or her family.

If you are not or will not be in the area, GKTW needs you too! Did you know that a simple $25 donation will cover unlimited ice cream service for one child and his or her family for their entire week-long stay? $50 provides a welcome basket; $75 enables the Gift-giving Fairy to deliver gifts to each child in the family every day of their stay; $100 brings Christmas (with Santa AND snow) to Florida every Thursday!

Here are some creative ways others are helping out:

• My generous blog sponsor, 3D Travel Company, donates a portion of their profits to Give Kids the World, and anyone who books a Disney vacation through their agency has the opportunity to donate money or volunteer time as well. The company is currently working to sponsor an ice cream social for program children and their families.
• The Disneyschooling Orlando homeschool group recently spent time decorating one of the GKTW villas. A group member told me about a very specific year-round need: pillowcases! Email jodi(at)chipandcompany(dot)com if you’d like the specific sewing instructions.
• The Disney Fans Give Kids the World Fundraiser is trying to raise $15,000 in donations by September 19, 2012. They’ve raised just over $3,000 so far, but there’s plenty of time left to help out. You can help them reach their goal by making a donation through their FirstGiving collection page. All donations are tax deductible, and a $10 gift will enter you in one of the group’s awesome giveaways (as if you need incentive to help out GKTW!).

Fundraising, grants, memorials and tributes, and more options are available as well. Visit this page to learn how you can get involved, or contact Amanda Rayno at AmandaR@gktw.org or 407-396-1114 ext. 4252. Together we can give kids the World!

Related articles

• More Than 300 Veterans Participate in Disney Career Expo as Part of Heroes Work Here Program (chipandco.com)
• Face Painting at Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)

This is the age-old Disney question – how much and what to bring with you to the Disney parks. As you have read often at Chip and Co, the answer is… it depends. There are three main factors to consider – who you are traveling with, your budget, and how prepared you like to be for every eventuality.

The Necessities

In my book, it is only necessary to bring four things to the park for a successful day of touring. Must-haves are your “documents,” sunscreen, water or other beverages, and a Touring Plan.

Documents will vary for each guest but include your Key to the World, park pass, DVC membership card (for discounts), Tables in Wonderland card (for a dining discount), Photopass card, and ADR numbers. I learned the hard way that you should also bring your driver’s license if having an adult beverage is on your agenda. Although I am closer than forty than thirty, I was carded on my last trip and didn’t have appropriate identification so don’t assume you’re too old to be asked for ID! Note: Magic Kingdom is a dry park.

Convenience is at the top of my list when choosing a way to keep my documents secure. Because I use my park pass often to get a FASTPASS, I don’t want to fumble around trying to find it when there are attractions to ride and characters to meet! A lanyard with a cardholder is a great solution to keep everything together and handy. As Brenda points out, be sure the cardholder closes at the top.

No matter what time of the year you travel to Disney, sunscreen is not optional. The dilemma of how to reapply sunscreen often without carrying a bulky bottle of sunscreen to the parks emerges. Luckily, almost everything today is available in a smaller, travel version and sunscreen is no exception. Travel sizes of sunscreen or sunscreen wipes that come in a sealed pouch can be slipped into a pocket.

Water is a must during a day of touring the Walt Disney World theme parks. However, whether you bring it with you to the parks or not really depends on budget; you can purchase beverages in the park or use a snack credit from your Disney Dining Plan. Because most families prefer to use their snack credit on an actual snack and purchasing enough bottled water in the parks for a family can be very expensive, I’m adding water to a list of must-brings to the parks.

Don’t forget you can order from Garden Grocer and have all your must bring items delivered to your hotel room!

Having a touring plan isn’t just a convenience; it gives you more value for your vacation dollar. View your Disney World vacation in terms of Return on Investment (ROI). Spending less time waiting in line means your family will make more memories and experience more magic. That’s where a touring plan comes in. A good touring plan will maximize the attractions your family wants to experience based on crowd levels. Touring Plans and its app, Lines, are well-respected sources of Disney World touring plans and wait time information.

Your Travel Party

In most cases, an adult couple will need to bring far less to the parks than a family traveling with little ones or someone with special needs.

• Healthy, non-perishable snacks
• Diapers / Wipes / Pull-Ups
• Small Toys
• Autograph Book and Pen
• Toddler Utensils / Bibs / Sippy Cups / Bottles
• Wet Wipes
• Portable High Chair Cover

Budget

Almost anything you would need during a day of touring can be purchased in the parks – for a price and sometimes it is a steep one. My approach is to bring items that I’m most likely to use in the parks and that are fairly expensive to purchase at Walt Disney World.

• Ponchos
• Common over-the-counter medications and Band-Aids
• Spare memory card for camera
• Hats
• Sweatshirt during cooler months

Be Prepared

If I have room in our theme park bag, I’ll add items that are not a necessity for my family but a convenience.

• Camera (with Disney’s PhotoPass service, a camera is not a necessity for my family but it is for some families)
• Battery-powered fan or fan / spray bottle combo
• Favorite guidebook

What do you bring with you to the theme parks?

Thanks to Lisa from Beyond the Attractions

Related articles

• 10 Tips for Staying Cool at Disney World This Summer (chipandco.com)
• Top 5 Ideas For Going Beyond the Attractions (chipandco.com)