Valentine’s Day is upon us – and it’s one of those holidays you either love or hate. But no matter how you may feel about V-Day, showing you love someone and being romantic is a great thing to do not just on February 14th, but on any and every day of the year! When you’re taking a Walt Disney World vacation, romance might not be the first thing on your itenerary – but it should be! Here are some ways you can incorporate romance into your WDW getaway and show your someone special just how special they are to you:

Wine and Dine Them: Thanks to the Advanced Dining Reservation, or ADR system that Disney has put into place, you can plan a surprise for your loved one by booking a romantic meal for 2. And the great thing about dining at Disney World is there are so many choices, so no matter what kind of cuisine they are into, you can make sure you pick the perfect place for your meal. Some top favorites for romantic dinners include: California Grill (which can also be a great place to view the nightly fireworks from the Magic Kingdom!), Victoria and Albert’s (an upscale, intimate dining experience), or Cinderella’s Royal Table (a character dining experience like none other that takes place in the perfect setting – Cinderella’s Castle)

Plan A Special Delivery: “If you can dream it, you can do it” – Walt himself said this, and the Walt Disney World Experience strives to embody this quote every day, and special occasions are no exception! The Disney Dream Makers can help you express your love with all kinds of gifts – from flower arrangements, to custom cake deliveries, to room decor, to gift baskets of all shapes an sizes – they do it all and more (check out this romantic “A Wish Come True” gift experience, which is just one of the many examples of gifting options)! If you know you want to celebrate but aren’t sure how to make it happen, check out the Dream Makers link or call them at 407-WDW-GIFT

Share your Love: Are you celebrating your engagement/wedding/honeymoon/anniversary, or even just your love for each other on your vacation? Show it with a pin – these are available at the guest services areas of each Park or at your Disney Resort – pins that announce you’re “Just Married” or “I’m Celebrating!” or “It’s My Birthday!”, and you can wear them while at the Parks. They definitely add to the magic, as Cast Members make a fuss over them, as do other guests – its a cute way that you can remind yourselves and the world about the love you share with each other!

Moonlit Stroll: There is nothing quite like a romantic walk after a delicious dinner in a setting as beautiful as Walt Disney World. I think every place is a great place for a romantic stroll in WDW, but some of the more beautiful ones include: The Polynesian Resort (the tiki torches light the pathways and make for a beautiful setting), The Boardwalk Resort (at night it comes to life and lights up in magical ways), and The Grand Floridian Resort (there is a reason this is the most popular place to have a wedding at WDW, its Victorian theming is charming and truly a sight to see!). In the evenings, people tend to flock to the parks to get a good spot for parades/fireworks viewings, so the Resorts are a great place for some quiet time to catch up and reconnect with your loved one

Carriage ride: There are few things more romantic than a horse drawn carriage ride, and Walt Disney World gives you two places where you can have this experience: ride through nature trails at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, or take a ride through old New Orleans at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. Check out more info on the carriage rides here

Ultimate Relaxation: Surprise your honey with a couples massage or other spa treatments at one of Disney’s top rated Spas. This is vacationing at it’s finest – getting pampered, getting massaged and relaxing, all with your favorite person in the Happiest Place on Earth – Disney World!

Can’t afford a WDW getaway? Then get them the next best thing, something from the Disney Store that shows how much you love them – check out My Blog post for more info

Use these tips to make your magical Walt Disney World vacation even more special, and remember that while its definitely important to show your loved ones how much you care while you’re on vacation or on Valentine’s Day, its even more important to show them your love every day (so they don’t forget ha!)

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This morning I was looking at an old article I wrote as a Christmas Guide for people buying for the nerd in their life.  The first rule of buying for nerds and geeks is that you have to know what kind of nerd you’re dealing with.  Video game nerds, comic nerds, movie geeks, Star Wars, Star Trek, manga, anime, toys, board games, history… there’s a lot.  See, nerd or geek really just means someone who has an obsessive amount of knowledge about a particular subject.  You may even be a geek without knowing it. Even you, guy who makes fun of people who dress up for comic conventions.  All that knowledge of sports statistics that you can and will spout to anyone stuck in a room with you?  NERD.

There’s a whole wide world full of different types of geeks.

That got me to thinking.  If there’s one thing that I’m even more obsessive about than comics, it’s Disney.  Yep, the odds are if you love Disney enough to read Chip and Co, you’re a nerd too.  Some of you nerds may be at WDW right now. Or maybe you’re going soon or planning a trip for next year.  In the spirit of Christmas, you might want to buy presents for those other Disney lovers in your life who won’t be there in the Holiday season.

Here are some suggestions.

• Pins! -  It’s really ingenious of Disney to start the pin craze.  It seems like a cheap souvenir at first.  But then you see another one you want, and another. Then you start staring down cast members like gunslingers, eying those lanyards for cast exclusives.  It gets expensive eventually, but fortunately I’ve been sober 7 years.  The point is, people really like pins.  They’re a no-brainer for gift giving.
• Hot Chocolate – I’m talking about the ones with Buzz Lightyear, Princess Aurora and Stitch on the label. It seems silly to say it, but the pre-packaged Hot Chocolate at WDW is a decent gift.  It tastes great, comes in packs of 3 and turns different colors.
• T-shirts -  I have this thing about t-shirts.  I can’t leave a vacation without a t-shirt.  Unfortunately Disney does nothing to help this addiction.  I always find at least 2 that I want.  You’re sure to find one for someone you love as well.
• Soundtracks – I listen to Disney stations like Sorcerer Radio and MouseWorld Radio all the time.  Part of the reason is that I’ve never indulged myself on the Disney Soundtracks.  Illuminations, Tapestry of Dreams, Wishes, etc.  This is the gift that keeps on giving for someone who loves Walt Disney World
• Zebra Domes!  Someone mentioned the zebra domes they sell at Animal Kingdom Lodge the other day.  I just really want someone to bring me some zebra domes. Or fudge. Ghiradelli maybe?
• Safari gifts – Speaking of AK Lodge, stop by the Zawadi Marketplace for loads of unique African-themed gifts. I found a great elephant statue for my Mom’s birthday on my last trip.
• Picture Frames – People really like giving picture frames, so why not go for the gorgeous ones you find at WDW?
• Crystal Figurines – This is where it gets more expensive.  We’ve all seen the glass cutting shops at Downtown Disney, Mexico Pavillion, Main Street USA, etc.  These make beautiful gifts for a woman in your life.
• Ninja Sword! -  You can buy Chinese swords in EPCOT.  It’s awesome.  I want the ivory handle sword from Highlander with the dragon inlay. Dudes will think this is the greatest Christmas gift ever.   (Not recommended for clumsy people.) There’s also all kinds of other cool gifts in China.
• Art of Disney – Just about anything from Art of Disney is the gift to end all gifts from WDW.  Posters with Walt and Mickey are great.  However, if you’ve got a lot of disposable cash, the paintings are amazing.

This guest article was written by Adam Relayson from Rebel Comix he is one of members of my elite group of guest writers called the Chip Panel. Be sure to stop by his website or facebook page and say hi!

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A special offer from the Disney Store this morning for those last minute shoppers.

Here’s how to redeem your Free Shipping & 10% Off $50 or More, 15% Off $75 or More, 20% Off $100 or More, or 25% Off $125 or More on Your Purchase Promotion:

1. Place at least $50, $75, $100, or $125 worth of eligible items in your Shopping Cart.
2. Type the Promotion Code MAGICAL into the Special Offers and Discounts Field, then click Submit.
3. The promotion will automatically be applied, if eligible.
4. Continue Shopping or Begin Checkout.

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Holiday decorated topiary at Downtown Disney

Every photo has a story.

When you need a break from the Walt Disney World theme park holiday crowds, or you would just like to do some Christmas shopping, look no further than Downtown Disney. There’s no better shopping spot for the ultimate Disney fan.  With fabulous stores like Once Upon a Toy, World of Disney, and Disney’s Days of Christmas, the Downtown Disney area offers up a holiday feast for the eyes, ears, and wallet.

Picture this…there are 365 days a year when Florida residents and WDW guests can shop for holiday merchandise at the Disney’s Days of Christmas shop in Downtown Disney.  Here you’ll find items like ornaments, Christmas hats, stockings, each with a Disney twist and available for purchase every day of the year.  But only during the holiday season will you see 150 tractor-trailer truckloads full of decorations spread out across 24 resorts, four theme parks, Downtown Disney and other locations.

While you’re doing your Downtown Disney shopping, be sure to attend some of the activities held during the Festival of the Seasons there from now until January 8.  You can grab a photo with Santa Claus in person at Santa’s Chalet  until Dec 24th. Festival of the Seasons showcases holiday carolers plus traditional songs performed by jazz, pop, and Latin musical entertainers.  You may also catch a glimpse of costumed stilt walkers, street performers, and at certain times, a holiday dance party with a deejay.

No trip to Downtown Disney would be complete without a snack from Goofy’s Candy Co.  Chocolate-dipped caramel covered apples, cupcakes, pasteries… the suggary choices are endless, but you’ll be glad you made the trip.

Thanks for stopping by for a photographical Disney ride!

Some great deals today at the Disney Store! Also get free Shipping on all orders all day!

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Shoppers are looking for Black Friday deals earlier than ever and Disney Store is meeting the demand by once again opening more than 150 stores at midnight on “Magical Friday” (Black Friday). Disney Store will launch Magical Friday deals on DisneyStore.com at midnight (PST) on Thursday, November 24 and open its premier Times Square store on Thanksgiving Day for the first time to serve international tourists and local guests ready to join in the holiday magic in the city of New York.  Disney Store will also give free Muppets stickers, and offer deals on Muppets plushtoys to celebrate the opening of Disney’s The Muppets on November 23. At Disney Store locations nationwide guests who arrive between midnight and 10 a.m. on Magical Friday can take advantage of a 20 percent discount store-wide, including already-discounted merchandise (some exclusions apply).

Disney Store makes finding the perfect gift for every budget easy with the season’s hottest Disney toys, lifestyle products and seasonal decor at $10, $15, and $20 price points. For guests who prefer mobile shopping, for the first time ever, a Disney Store App for iOS devices allows anytime, anywhere holiday shopping, making gift giving easier and more convenient than ever.

Giving back to the community, Disney Store will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for each Mickey and Minnie Mouse holiday plush sold from October 31-December 11 at Disney Store and DisneyStore.com.

“On Magical Friday we expect more than 1.5 million guests to visit our more than 200 Disney Store locations nationwide to get the best deals on one-of-a-kind Disney holiday merchandise,” said Jim Fielding, president, Disney Stores Worldwide.  “This is the fourth year we’re opening stores at midnight to serve guests that are eager to find gifts early, and we’ve stocked our shelves with the greatest collection of gift options featuring a wide assortment of Disney characters fit for every budget. There is something for every kid and for the kid in all of us, and when guests visit Disney Store on Magical Friday they will find a fun and festive atmosphere.”

Disney Store and DisneyStore.com’s great options to complete any holiday shopping list, include:

$10 Deals:

• Cars 2 Transforming Action Figures—These action figures each come with special equipment that they keep hidden until they are ready for action. Kids can select from Holly Shiftwell, Mater and Lightning McQueen styles.
• Classic Dolls (11”)—Turn every play time into a fairy tale with an Ariel, Belle, Cinderella or The Beast classic doll.
• Disney Figurine Sets—Now kids will be able to create their own adventures with these elaborate Disney Fairies, Disney Princess or Toy Story figurine sets.

$15 Deals:

• Cars 2 Siddeley Spy Jet—Master spy Finn McMissile and his crime-fighting partner team up on this Cars 2 Siddeley Spy Jet Shoot Out Play Set. Finn stows away inside Siddeley until you press the button and launch him into the action for more espionage excitement.
• Magic Mirror Beauty Case—Bedazzle your little maid with the bejeweled beauty case that’s filled with a bounty of glittering baubles.
• Kids Sleep Sets—Kids will snuggle in after a day of winter fun in these soft pajamas that feature a selection of their favorite Disney characters.

$20 Deals:

• Cars 2 Remote Control Cars with turbo speed—Take the Piston Cup champion for a spin with Disney Store’s exclusive edition Lightning McQueen remote control vehicle. Sporting his new Cars 2 look, Lightning has lots of great features including 15 phrases, lights and turbo speed function for greater high-speed thrills. Additional characters include Tow Mater and Finn McMissile.
• Animators’ Collection Princess Toddler Dolls—Named “Toy of the Year” by Family Fun Magazine, these young renditions of your favorite Disney Princess characters (Ariel, Belle, Cinderella and Snow White) were re-imagined as toddlers and created under the guidance of the Walt Disney Animation Studios animators.
• Toy Story Talking Action Figures—These action figures are full of well-known phrases that will take your kids’ imagination to infinity and beyond when they play with the talking Buzz, Jessie or Woody action figures.

For those needing the help of a Fairy Godmother for holiday shopping advice, Disney Store’s concierge service allows guests to ask questions and get assistance with finding the perfect gift in real time.  Chat live with Disney Store’s guest services team on Twitter with hashtag #FairyGodmother and tell us your holiday wish.

Guests can find Disney Store’s Top 10 holiday gifts and an expanded assortment of exclusive toys, apparel, holiday home décor and more at DisneyStore.com or download the free Disney Store mobile app for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/apps/disneystore for shopping anytime, anywhere from a mobile device.

To find a local Disney Store, guests can visit www.DisneyStore.com/storelocator or call (866) 902-2798. For more information, please visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com.  Guests can also sign up for email alerts at www.DisneyStore.com/Updates, become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/DisneyStore or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/DisneyStore to stay connected to your favorite destination.

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Between Black Friday (or as Disney calls it “Magical Friday”) and Cyber Monday an estimated 1.5 million guests will visit the retailer’s more than 200 stores nationwide and 12 million guests will visit between Magical Friday and Cyber Monday.

Here is a quick overview of some of the new announcements for Disney Store’s Black Friday 2011:

• Disney Store has increased its staff by 40% in anticipation of the holiday traffic (hiring close to 2,000 additional employees)

• For the first time, 150 Disney Stores across the nation will open at midnight on Black Friday. That’s more than ever before! *We will have localized store opening times for you later next week.

The  Times Square Disney Store will open on Thanksgiving Day for the first time.

• At select Disney Stores on Black Friday, a number of select customers will receive a FREE Muppets plush give-away (while supplies last). The return of the Black Friday freebie!

• For the first time, a new Disney Store App for iOS devices is available. The App easily allows customers to shop anytime, anywhere with the click of a button.
• We’re expecting 1 million guests to shop DisneyStore.com on Cyber Monday (39% increase over last year).

• Disney Store will have huge deals on the season’s hottest toys and Disney lifestyle products, including highly-anticipated Muppet movie merchandise.

More specials and incredible deals will be announced closer to Black Friday; if you have a story to break after Nov. 21 in the days leading up to Black Friday, please let us know and an executive can brief you under embargo on all the details.

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Chip and Co & Magical Mouse Schoolhouse are giving away this beautiful, limited edition 40th Anniversary Mouse Ears Christmas Ornament to one lucky fan!

This would be perfect to hang on your tree this year since it is the 40th Anniversary of Walt Disney World!!

Here are the details on how to enter!

Before you enter you must:

• Like Chip and Co on Facebook. You can click here to Like us or you can use the box on the right side of this page.
• Like my writer Jodi’s Magical Mouse Schoolhouse Facebook page.

I will be confirming you are fans of both sites if you are chosen as a winner

Once you have added us as a friend then you can enter:

• Comment on this article and tell us what you want for Christmas? (One word answers will not count as an entry)

For an additional entry:

• Follow Chip and Co on Facebook
• Subscribe to our Newsletter
• Follow Chip and Co on Twitter
• Follow us on Google+
• Subscribe to our You Tube Channel
• Follow us on Stumble Upon
• Share this article using the buttons on the top or bottom of this page. (Twitter, Facebook, Stumble, Digg, etc)

If you share or subscribe let us know in the comment box below so I can count them as an entry.

Contest ends Friday Morning November 18th at 10am. I will pick one lucky person and notify them via Facebook that they won. They will have 24 hours to respond back or I will pick another. So please use a valid way for me to contact you.

Good Luck!

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What is it? My favorite Disney souvenir ever is my zippered hoodie from Walt Disney World’s Epcot.

Why is it so special? I got my Epcot hoodie on our first trip to the World in 2006. We had road tripped to Florida in our rockin’ new minivan, and I discovered that although it was sunny, hot September, the A/C in the van blasts like an arctic freeze. I needed a jacket for the trip home. Each subsequent trip has required an updated look and so began my collection. I now have a zippered hoodie for each Park visit, plus one from the Disney DREAM Christening Cruise, and one Disneyland jacket I got at the Disney Store outlet (ssh! Don’t tell it’s not really from the Park).

Where did you get it? I got my Epcot hoodie at Mouse Gear.

How much did it cost? I think it was close to $50.

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This past Thursday I had the pleasure of taking my son Thomas to the Disney Store in Times Square and attending the Star-Studded Top 10 Holiday Gifts Reveal.  Being able to be a part of the excitement of the upcoming holiday season was so much fun! I normally wouldn’t want to be in Times Square at 9 months pregnant with a toddler but the promise of Mickey and Minnie and seeing some fun toys was just something I couldn’t pass up.

The event was held on the upper level of the store and when we walked in we were greeted by this sign:

Me? A VIP? OK!

After giving my name and letting them know I was from Chip and Co, I was given a $50 Disney Gift Card. Cha Ching! You know how much loot I can get with that? Of course being the savvy Disney shopper that I am, I knew to pocket that bad boy and hold off to use it online where the merchandise is much cheaper and I’d probably wind up with some good sales deals too.

We headed up the elevator and along the twinkling blue path and were greeted by cast members with goodies!

Mulled Cider and Fancy Water

This cast member was first and offered some beverages for the adults – mulled cider and sparkling water. Very fancy! And the kids were not forgotten because next up was the juice box tray:

Is my kid a VIP or what?

And best of all was this lovely cast member and her outstanding Christmas cookies!

Each one was better than the next

Goodies in hand, we set out to look around at all the great merchandise. There are so many fun places to play and things to do in the Disney Store and we managed to find them all. The make-your-own-cars section was a favorite for my son as well as the mini Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. In fact, most of the kids were packed in there playing. They could care less what the hot toys are – they just wanted to play in the big tunnel!  For the first 45 minutes or so, we looked around and played and waited for the presentation to begin. The kids sat on the floor (well, sorta…as much as a bunch of toddlers can be expected to sit) and we listened to all the great things that were going to be available for purchase this season. The top 10 toys are:

1. Animators’ Collection princess toddler dolls (Family Fun Toy of the Year Winner)

2. Cars 2 Remote Control cars with turbo speed – Note: I’m TOTALLY buying this for my little guy!

3. Muppets plush assortment featuring all your favorite characters from the new Disney film “The Muppets” opening on Nov. 23

4. Cars 2 Siddeley Spy Jet

5. Enchanting Princess 5 in 1 wardrobe set

6. Vinylmation Villains 2 and Jingle Smells Vinylmation

7. Singing Rapunzel doll with the voice of Mandy Moore

8. Disney Store’s exclusive fragrances Imagination, Winter and Pixie

9. Wish-A-Littles by Kidada for Disney Store

10. Disney Princess 10-pack dolls

I was able to snap a few pictures of the great toys during the presentation – all of which can be found on at the Disney Store’s website.

After the presentation is where the real fun began! A really fun cast member read the kids a Christmas story, chock full of all our favorite Disney characters. In attendance at the event were some celebrity moms, including Kelly Ruterford and her daughter, La La Vasquez and her son, and Daya Vaidya and her daughter. Of course, I had no idea who they were at the time (apparently I don’t read enough celeb rags!) but my little guy did wind up in one of the promo pictures!

After story time the cast member asked the kids what characters they saw in the story. “Donald! Goofy!” ….”Mickey!!” Once the kids yelled Mickey, the ultimate surprise came! Out walked Mickey and Minnie dressed in their holiday best! My son was ecstatic and started chasing them to the picture area. We waited not-so-patiently in line while the celebs took their photo ops. When it was our turn, Thomas ran right to them and showed them the toy he had picked out. They spent a great deal of time with him. It was definitely a change from being at the parks and having to rush through each character because of the long lines. Thomas got to sit on his buddy’s lap and even stole a kiss from his very first crush.

What a lover!

The event really was a wonderful time. I’m so happy I got to be a part of it. What touched me the most was the fact that for each holiday Mickey or Minnie plush sold from October 31-December 11 at Disney Store and DisneyStore.com, Disney Store will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I will be sure to purchase one of my own!

The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Walt Disney World is one of the funnest extra’s you can do if you have a little girl!  The salon is normally noisy and crowded but each “Fairy Godmother” treat the girls as if they are the only ones there!  It is a must do for us each time we visit Walt Disney World.  In order to make that happen, I have had to come up with ways to do the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on a Budget!

The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique offers three different packages to choose from.

• Coach Package includes hairstyling and shimmering makeup—starting at $49.95 USD plus tax.
• Crown Package includes hairstyling, shimmering makeup and nails—starting at $54.95 USD plus tax
• Castle Package includes the Crown Package plus the Imaging Package (one 6″ x 8″ and four 4″ x 6″ photos in a princess-themed photo holder) and complete costume of your choice with accessories—starting at $189.95 USD plus tax.

We ALWAYS choose the crown package!  Not only do you get the hair, makeup and nail – there is a photopass photographer going around taking your daughters picture constantly!  So if you have already ordered the photopass cd, like we do, there is no need to have extra prints of these when you have already paid for them on the photopass cd.

On top of choosing the Crown Package for our daughter, we always bring a princess dress from home!  We normally make a trip to our local Disney Store before our vacation and pick up a dress of her choosing.  This runs us normally less than $40.00 depending on which dress she chooses and if we get accessories.  That is a lot cheaper than the dresses at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique!   And guess what… they treat you no different if you bring your dress from home!  Just tell the ladies up front and they will arrange for you to go into the fitting room and put it on just like the girls who bought the more expensive package!  It really is great, Disney does a great job of accommodating people with all types of budgets!  You certainly don’t have to bring a princess dress at all.  One year my daughter just wore a special outfit we picked out for her instead!  Etsy is a great place to look for custom outfits and they are reasonably priced!  No matter what you choose for your child to wear, your Fairy Godmother will make a fuss over her!

I also like the crown package because of the goodie bag you recieve at the end of your daughters makeover.  You will receive the makeup pallet used on your daughter, two bottles of nail polish, the rest of the face gems and a pretty sash!  It is really fun to take this bag home and use it to play Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique with your child once your vacation is over!

There are several dresses and accessories for sale at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.  They are never forced on you, in fact I have never even been asked if I would like to purchase anything other than my package!  It is really great to not feel pressured into spending more money!  Make sure you do save a little cash out to tip your Fairy Godmother!  They do a great job with the girls and make it a lot of fun!  You can put your tip in a special wishing well and make a wish, everything is an event at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique!

And here is a tip for moms too, at the end when they glitter up your daughter ask for them to do you too!  They will sprinkle pixie dust on you and you can be glittered right along side of your child! It is a fun little extra I love to have done!

No matter which package you choose, you will certainly have a great time and with my tips you might save a little money too!

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It’s barely November and Christmas decorations are starting to infiltrate New York City. Most of us city dwellers avoid Times Square like the plague between now and, well, nevermind, we always avoid Times Square. So what would make me, at 9 months pregnant, want to venture down there with my two year old son?

The Disney Store is hosting a private event highlighting the Top 10 Toys & Gifts for the 2011 Holiday Season and I’ve been invited to cover the event for Chip and Co! Who’s better than me? Not only will the top gifts of the season be revealed, but guests of the event will be able to meet with a Christmas-clad Mickey and Minnie and we may even get a chance to mingle with some celebrity parents!

I’m excited to walk down the twinkling blue path (made of pixie dust of course) that winds through bright displays, check out the Buzz Lightyear super blasters, and will try not to buy the $500 life-size Hulk head in the Marvel Comics section! But most of all I’m looking forward to hearing about and sharing with you readers Disney Store’s holiday theme this year: “Share the Magic.” For every Mickey and Minnie holiday plush sold from October 31-Dec. 11, Disney Store will make a $1 donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Stay tuned this Thursday, November 3^rd for my live Facebook posting and Tweeting from the event as well as a follow up review of all the great things I learned and saw!

Join teen boy band sensation Mindless Behavior as they “rock and roll” with their favorite Disney•Pixar Cars 2 vehicles from RIDEMAKERZ. From engines and spoilers to decals and wheels, these fully customizable toy cars are sure to race into the hearts of car and toy enthusiasts everywhere. Part two of a three part series, this video showcases each member of the band creating a customized version of their favorite Cars 2 character and, through exclusive interviews, highlights Mindless Behavior’s loyal friendship as the driving force of their budding success.

Infusing the RIDEMAKERZ passion for authentic car culture, fun, and self-expression with the Disney•Pixar’s Cars 2 franchise, RIDEMAKERZ now allows kids to build their favorite Cars 2 characters and then make them their own through individual customization. The Toys “R” Us “Snap N Go” line offers kids everything they need to “trick-out” their favorite characters from the Cars 2 movie at home.

With character choices including Lightning McQueen, Mater, Finn McMissile and Francesco Bernoulli, each custom car kit (MSRP starting at $19.99 to $39.99) includes a Cars 2 character body as well as a range of accessories. With additional accessories (MSRP $2.99 to $9.99) available, there are nearly endless customization options. Kids can mix and match to create millions of combinations, tricking-out their favorite Cars 2 characters with snap on spoilers, tires, side pipes, rims and magnetic roof accessories, engines, hood scoops and repositionable decals.

Prodigy, Ray Ray, Princeton and Roc Royal of Mindless Behavior, teen quartet and boy band whose hit singles include “My Girl” and “Mrs.Right.”

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Today, marks the official launch date of the Villains 2 Vinylmation series in-store and at DisneyStore.com. To celebrate, Disney Store is giving away a Villains 2 Vinylmation Tray to a loyal Buzz Reader! The Villains 2 Vinylmation series was designed by Disney Store Vinylmation Artists Enrique Pita, Gerald Mendez, Oskar Mendez and Kyle Jensen.

Click here to learn more and to enter.

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WHAT: On October 21 and 22 your local Disney Store will transform for the Halloween Dress Rehearsal Party. Tell your readers about this FREE spook-tacular family fun-filled time complete with games, a costume parade and a special viewing of Rapunzel’s welcoming ceremony. Kids, ages three and up, who wear their favorite costume to the event will receive a free gift.*

Disney Store offers costumes for the entire family. According to the National Retail Federation’s yearly top costume survey, Disney Store has the most popular styles, including princesses, Spider-Man and pirate costumes. Families will also find new costumes at Disney Store including a Limited Edition Rapunzel Costume (only 2,000 created). Disney Store is celebrating the introduction of Rapunzel as the 10^th Disney Princess by offering all 10 princess costumes and unique accessories inspired by their iconic gowns and dresses.

Boys will be ready for action in the Captain America, Cars 2, Jack Sparrow and Spider Man role play costumes.

Toddlers and infants can join in the Halloween fun with Disney Store’s adorable selection of role play costumes. Disneystore.com also has great costumes for adults that easily allow parents to coordinate with their kids for a complete family look.

WHEN:

• Friday, October 21 session 1 at 4:30 p.m.
• Friday, October 21 session 2 at 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, October 22 session 1 at 10:30 a.m.
• Saturday, October 22 session 2 at 12:00 p.m.

(*Minimum age requirement to receive free gift is 3 years. Limit one per child in costume, while supplies last. Event limited to a maximum of 50 children per session. No line-up prior to 30 minutes before event begins. Event subject to change or cancellation without notice, events will take place at Disney Stores excluding Outlet locations. Please call your local store to confirm participation.)

WHERE: Your local Disney Store.

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Disney Store and Walt Disney World Resort® will begin making magical memories at Plaza Las Americas in San Juan, Puerto Rico with two great fun-filled family events. Beginning Friday Oct. 7, 2011, Disney will celebrate the final stop of the hugely popular Disney Parks’ “Let the Memories Begin” US Tour and kick-off the grand opening of Disney Store’s brand new innovative store that promises to deliver “the best 30 minutes of a child’s day.” World renowned Puerto Rican boxer Tito Trinadad and his family will help “unlock imagination” at the opening ceremony of the Disney Store. Families will walk into an interactive photo experience in the mall’s center court, and to make the occasion even more memorable they will be able to hug and take photos with beloved Disney characters on Oct. 7 & 8 (12 p.m. to 7 p.m.).

Walt Disney World invites Puerto Rico families to “Let the Memories Begin” with picture-perfect moments in the interactive photo booth.  The tour consists of a virtual photo experience for the entire family that magically transports guests to the most iconic Walt Disney World landmarks using photography. Picture yourself and your family in front of an iconic Disney setting such as Cinderella Castle, the centerpiece of Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort nearly 1200 miles away. Before Puerto Ricans actually head to Florida to make magical vacation memories, they’ll discover themselves in photos that make it look as though they are basking in Magic Kingdom fun! Guests can visit www.LettheMemoriesBeginTour.com now to learn more about “Let the Memories Begin” celebration and to upload and create a virtual in-park Disney photo memory.

Disney Store unveiled its award winning concept store in 2010, and continues to open the unique family shopping destination in major cities worldwide. Now families in Puerto Rico will be able to enjoy a touch of Disney magic every day in the 4,500 square-foot store. The all-new Disney Store features immersive Disney-themed experiences incorporating state-of-the-art technology. While visiting Disney Store, guests will encounter a Disney Princess castle with magic mirror, translucent magical trees showcasing Disney animation, and a Disney●Pixar CARS-branded neighborhood. Families following the glittering blue Pixie path throughout the store will be led to the Disney Store Theatre where they can select from a variety of Disney entertainment including film clips, music videos, and classic animation, and view it on a 12-foot long curved high definition screen.  The custom skyline bordering the store features iconic Disney moments and Puerto Rico landmarks including the Casa De Espana Fountain, Fort San Felipe del Morro (“El Morro”), the Hotel El Convento and Paseo La Princesa.

All the fun kicks off Friday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. with the Disney Store grand opening celebration at Plaza de Las Americas, 525 Ave Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

With each new store opening in the United States and Canada in 2011, Disney Store will donate 10 percent of the first day’s sales to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

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Adults and kids won’t have to wish upon a star to find this year’s hottest Halloween costumes when they head to their local Disney Store or shop at DisneyStore.com. According to the National Retail Federation’s yearly top costume survey, Disney Store has the most popular styles, including princesses, Spider-Man and pirate costumes. Also a top choice for celebrities and their kids in 2011, Disney Store costumes have been spotted on the kids of Molly Ringwald, from the ABC Family show The Secret Life of the American Teenager; Joey Lawrence of ABC Family’s Melissa & Joey; actress Candace Cameron; actress Salma Hayek; and award-winning singer Christina Aguilera, but every kid will feel special when dressed in a high-quality, stylish Disney Store costume for Halloween.

“When it comes to costumes, princess costumes have been the favorite among girls for years,” said National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay. “From bright and colorful princess and fairy options to traditional favorites like pirates and superheroes, Halloween lets kids of all ages take part in the fun and festivity of the holiday.”

New this year, the elaborate Limited Edition Rapunzel role play costume will bring sweet smiles to the faces of the 2,000 girls who are lucky enough to get one of these authentic designs. Boys will live out adventures dressed as favorite superheroes such as Spider-Man and Captain America or the fearless pirate Jack Sparrow and space captain Buzz Lightyear.

“We are so proud to be a top choice for Halloween year after year,” said Molly Adams, senior vice president of Disney Store North America. “At Disney Store we pride ourselves on making costumes that are created to last and made with the highest quality materials to provide endless years of role playing.”

At a recent event in the Santa Monica Place Disney Store, celebrities and their kids shopped for their favorite Disney costumes to get ready for a fun Halloween day.

Girls Costumes

On October 2, 2011, Disney will officially welcome Rapunzel as the 10th Disney Princess character at a high profile, star-studded celebration at Kensington Palace in London, UK. Little princesses from across the globe will watch Rapunzel be welcomed into the Disney Princess royal court by Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Snow White and Tiana.

To mark the occasion, Disney Store is celebrating Disney Princess by offering all 10 princess costumes and unique accessories inspired by their iconic gowns and dresses. Each Disney Princess character has a unique story that empowers girls to imagine and live their very own fairy tales, and each girl can find her favorite princess costume at Disney Store this Halloween.

Like Rapunzel in Tangled, your little princess can live her dreams while wearing the new Limited Edition Rapunzel Role Play costume. This dress mirrors Rapunzel’s dress in Tangled and is marked by rich violet colors, delicate flower trim and a shimmering skirt to help girls get ready for an adventure. To complete this look, girls can add the accompanying 3-foot-long wig and crown (sold separately).

Girls will also get excited over the new Cinderella Wedding role play dress. The details on this sparkling dress will impress any princess and make her feel ready to meet her prince charming.

In addition to princess costumes, girls can also select Jessie from Toy Story or the always classic Minnie Mouse.

Boys Costumes

This year, villains don’t stand a chance with Disney Store’s Halloween 2011 line up for boys that will transform boys into crime fighting superheroes, adventurous cowboys and more. Boys will be ready for action in the Captain America, Cars 2, Jack Sparrow and Spider-Man role play costumes. They can also go to infinity and beyond with the Woody and the light-up Buzz Lightyear costumes.

Toddlers and Infants

Toddlers and infants can join in the Halloween fun with Disney Store’s adorable selection of role play costumes. Toddler boys can become everyone’s favorite mouseketeer Mickey Mouse, while little girls can sparkle in the pink and white polka dot Minnie Mouse role play costume.

Infants will look sweet wearing the beautiful Belle or Rapunzel role play costumes that come with a beautiful organza skirt and delicate satin trim. Little boys can be extra cute dressed as the king of the jungle Simba.

Parents looking for a comfy costume for their little ones will love the Disney Store bodysuit set available in Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Jessie from Toy Story, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh and Woody styles. Each set comes with an adorable bodysuit and matching hat to comfortably transform infants into classic Disney characters.

Adult Costumes

DisneyStore.com has fun costumes for adults that easily allow parents to coordinate with their kids for a complete family look. Women can dress up as Maleficent, Minnie Mouse, Rapunzel or Snow White. Guys will be the life of the party dressed as the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow or Mickey Mouse. All these costumes and more can be found on DisneyStore.com.

For more information on Halloween products and Disney Store events visit www.DisneyStore.com/Updates , become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/DisneyStore or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/DisneyStore .

To download Disney Store’s mobile app for free, please visit the App Store at www.itunes.com/apps/disneystore . To learn more about Disney Store’s mobile application, please visit www.DisneyStore.com/mobile .

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Disney Princess Halloween Costumes for Kids. © D.K. Peterson

I hate to admit it, but now that Labor Day Weekend has started and schools are settling into their schedules, it’s time to think of Halloween. That means Halloween costumes for kids (not to mention those of us who are kids at heart). And what better type of costume for your average Disney-loving kid than Disney Halloween costumes?

The Disney Store knew what we were thinking and has been planning ahead for the holiday. At the recent D23 Expo, the Disney Store allotted a fair amount of its square footage to displaying this year’s anticipated hot Halloween costumes for kids.

Of course, the floor was filled with plenty of items for the Disney princesses. This year will feature many of the classics: Snow White, Cinderella, Belle from “Beauty and the Beast,” Jasmine from “Aladdin.” There was even an Ariel costume inspired by “The Little Mermaid” in color and overall design. (But there is no tail, which will make trick-or-treating, or active costume play, easier.)

Disney Halloween Costume – Rapunzel. © D.K. Peterson

The projected hot seller for a single costume? Just like with last year, the Rapunzel dress inspired by “Tangled.” A Disney Store representative told me that this costume will ship out in a limited production run, so if you know a princess who wants to be dressed in purple, be sure to buy the Rapunzel outfit early in the holiday season.

Speaking of outfits, the Disney Halloween costumes themselves are just part of the package. The Disney Store is selling accessories that match the costumes: from jewelry and tiaras to shoes and hair pieces. There are even fairy wings for those who have Tinker Bell flights of fancy – or to go with the matching costume.

But boys need not feel left of the Halloween fun.

The Buzz and Woody costumes are back this season, marking the continued popularity of the “Toy Story” movies. Your young man doesn’t want to be a Space Ranger? How about a Jack Sparrow pirate in the scallywag spirit of the “Pirates of the Caribbean”? Or how about a Lightning McQueen road crew member for Pixar’s “Cars 2”? All are options for this year’s Halloween, as are a couple of costumes from the Marvel Universe: Spider-ManSand Captain America.

Of course, this isn’t the full list of Halloween costumes for kids, which include some options for infants and toddlers to tweens. And there’s even a couple of adults, too.

Overwhelmed by choices? There’s always a classic Mickey Mouse or Mickey Mouse inspired costume, featuring those iconic ears. That’s one Disney Halloween costume that never goes out of style.

Disney Halloween costumes are available at both the Disney stores and the Disney Store online.

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Chances are that if you are like myself and the other writers here at Chip and Co., you are a Extreme Disney Fan. We have yet to find a cure, but the symptoms of this condition are rather obvious. Most likely your own friends and family have pointed them out to you or questioned your sanity time or two. Still not sure? Check out my Top 10 Ways to Know If You’re an Extreme Disney Fan: Part 3!

1. You have referred to your fork as a dinglehopper. (Once or twice, maybe.)

2. You always get a map when you walk into one of the Disney parks; but not because you need one, but so you can add it your collection in your office cubicle. (You have to get a new one when they change the pictures!)

3. All you know about raising children came from Mary Poppins.

4. You do all of your Christmas shopping at Disneystore.com. (Especially when there’s a great sale!)

5. If someone asks you for directions, you say something like this, “Second star to the right and straight on till morning!” (Now I’m not the greatest with directions, but this makes total sense to me!)

6. You are more excited than your kids about The Lion King 3D! (I remember seeing this movie in theaters, now I can’t wait to see it again in 3D!)

7. Your knowledge of philosophy comes from the Disney movie musical numbers, such as “Bare Necessities” and “Hakuna Matata.” (Who says movies aren’t educational?)

8. At your the elementary school job fair, your kids are confused that there isn’t a table for Imagineers. (I always wanted to be an Imagineer when I grew up!)

9. You begin planning your next trip to Disney before your current trip is even over. (Guilty.)

10. Your kid’s teacher looks confused when your child says that they visited France, Germany, Japan, and Morocco all in one day! (This is a great opportunity to ask for your child’s homework in advance, since your taking them out of school for another trip to Disney!)

Have you shown any of these symptoms? If so, you are probably an extreme Disney fan so be sure to comment below and share with others who share your condition.

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Disney Store will celebrate New York City’s Fashion’s Night Out with an event fit for royalty, inspiring its guests to live ‘stylish ever after’. Disney Store Times Square will host an array of fashionably fun festivities on September 8, 2011 from 4 p.m.-11 p.m., highlighting the newest Disney-inspired lifestyle product lines. Guests will be treated to a magical evening including free mini-manicures with the new runway-inspired Disney Princess Designer Collection nail polish, featuring hues ranging from Snow White’s luscious apple red to Belle’s gleaming gold. Guests will be able to customize their very own bracelet at the Kidada for Disney Store charm bar, and be the first to get a sneak preview of the latest Disney Store fragrance inspired by Tinker Bell–Pixie Dust.

“Disney Store Fashion’s Night Out celebration is an event the entire family can enjoy, and showcases exclusive Disney-inspired lifestyle products for all ages,” said Robin Beuthin, vice president of creative for Disney Store North America. “We’ve created products that tell Disney stories with a fashion-forward spin with the goal to keep our guests excited and looking forward to what is coming up next.”

The Disney Princess Designer Collection includes 10 limited edition dolls in their retro-glam attire, and come with a certificate of authenticity. Every Monday for 10 weeks, a new Disney Princess doll will be available only at Disney Store and guests can build their collectible set. The Designer Collection also encompasses apparel, accessories, stationery, and cosmetics featuring signature colors worn by the princesses. Charms from the Kidada for Disney Store are inspired by Disney icons from Cinderella’s glass slipper and Ariel’s sea shell to the star at the end of Tinker Bell’s magical wand. All items in the 20-piece jewelry collection are celebrity designer Kidada Jones‘ whimsical take on Disney stories and characters.

Disney Store’s new Pixie Dust fragrance is a shimmering scent of citrus sorbet, candied fruits and summer rain. Pixie Dust captures Tinker Bell’s personality perfectly — it charms with a subtle sweetness yet it also has a hint of sassiness that we love about the beloved Disney character. Pixie Dust comes as a range of personal products including Eau de Toilette, Body Mist and Body Lotion, available in all Disney Store locations in fall 2011. Gift sets with body glitter, a roll on Eau de Toilette and lip gloss will also be available.

Disney Store lifestyle product lines like these and others are all available at select Disney Store locations nationwide and at DisneyStore.com. Disney Store Times Square store hours are 10 a.m.- 12 a.m. daily.

To find a Disney Store location, guests can visit www.DisneyStore.com/storelocator or call (866) 902-2798. Guests can also sign up for email alerts at www.DisneyStore.com/Updates , become a fan on www.facebook.com/DisneyStore or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/DisneyStore to stay connected to your favorite destination.

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