Chip and Co & Episodes & Reels is giving away some Free Money this week! With Valentines Day coming next week we thought it might be nice to giveaway some Disney Cash to use on your next Disney Vacation or Shopping Spree.

So our good friends at Episodes & Reels just shared with us The Top 10 Animated Disney Movies a few days ago! Where did your favorite Disney Movie place on their list? I was sad Wall-e didn’t make it as that was my favorite animated Disney Movie! What’s yours?

To enter just use the Rafflecopter form below. Try to do everything on the checklist. You can tweet and share this post on your Facebook wall as many times as you like! The more you share the more entries you receive!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest ends on 12:01am on Saturday February 11th. I will pick a winner that morning and notify them via Rafflecopter that they won. The winner has 24 hours to respond or I will pick another.

Related articles

• Join the Chip and Co Rewards Program and Win Free Giftcards! (chipandco.com)
• Passporter’s 2012 Walt Disney World Guidebook Giveaway (chipandco.com)

GardenGrocer.com is Florida’s #1 professional grocery delivery service with over 5 year’s experience and well over 50,000 orders proudly delivered!

How have they done this?

• First and foremost: Outstanding Customer Service
• Second: Products of the Best Quality
• Finally: A Strong Delivery Structure.

Not only does Garden Grocer have the  everyday items that you and your family use back home they all carry specialty items like:

• Kosher
• Gluten Free
• Organic

So people with specialty dietary requests they got you covered!

If you have questions about their service check out their Q & A Page as they cover everything. From what is Garden Grocer to tipping and how your delivery is packaged.

I am proud to announce our partnership with Garden Grocer here on Chip and Co. GG is the only Grocery Delivery Service in the Orlando area that we support and use! Myself and many of my writers have used their service in the past and highly recommend them to anyone needing Groceries delivered to your Rental Home, Resort, and Vacation Club Property.

Just click on any of the images above to learn more.

Happy Shopping.

Related articles

• The Bare Necessities: How To Get Groceries To Your Disney Resort (everythingwdisneyworld.com)
• 5 Quick Tips for Saving Money on Food at Disney World (chipandco.com)

Guests can make the most out of their summer vacation at Walt Disney World Resort—and enjoy terrific perks—thanks to Disney’s Premier Visa Card from Chase.

The new card offers Disney fans more ways to earn rewards twice as fast, plus the opportunity to redeem toward airline travel in addition to most everything Disney.

There’s more, including special Cardmember-only perks when visiting Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort and when shopping at more than 200 Disney Store locations in the U.S.

With Disney’s Premier Visa Card, Cardmembers earn 2 percent in Disney Dream Reward Dollars on card purchases at restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations and at most Disney locations at Walt Disney World Resort, the Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line and Disney Store. Cardmembers earn 1 percent on all other purchases made with the card.

In addition to being able to redeem Disney Dream Reward Dollars toward Disney hotel stays, Disney Theme Park tickets, Disney merchandise and cruise vacations aboard the ships of Disney Cruise Line, Disney’s Premier Visa Cardmembers also can redeem toward airline travel on any airline to any destination with no block-out dates. Cardmembers simply buy airline tickets with their card and then pay themselves back by redeeming reward dollars for a credit on their monthly statement.

Disney’s Premier Visa Cardmembers also enjoy year-round perks when visiting Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort, including a Disney Character Meet ‘N’ Greet at a private Cardmember location and special savings at Disney’s U.S. Theme Parks, Disney Store retail locations and at DisneyStore.com. See DisneyVisaPerks.com for more details.

Existing Disney Rewards Visa Cardmembers can apply for an upgrade to Disney’s Premier Visa Card at upgrademydisneycard.com or by calling the number on the back of their card.

The annual fee for Disney’s Premier Visa Card is $49. For more information or to apply for a new card, please visit getdisneycreditcard.com or call 888/752-3788.

Related articles

• Pixie Vacations Designated an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner (pixievacations.com)
• 3 Day Disney Cruise Line Special Offers (pixievacations.com)

You might notice this little Green Button on the side of the page that says Rewards. If you have been brave enough to click on it then you might notice a slide out box that says something about winning Gift Cards.

That’s right not only do we share the best in Disney Park News, Planning Tips, Giveaways and More! You now have a chance to win actual giftcards by joining the Chip and Co Rewards Program!

Here’s how…

All you have to do is Like, Comment, and Share your favorite articles from Chip and Co through Google, Facebook and Twitter and earn points that you can put towards free giftcards at retailers like Amazon, Pappa Johns and More!

Just follow these instructions:

At the top or bottom of any article you will see Share Boxes for Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Many More. Just click one or all of those and share them with your friends.

After your Like, Comment or Share you should see a little pop up like the one pictured above. You are now on your way to getting a free Giftcard from Chip and Co! It is just that easy. (Some signup may be required)

You are free to do this as many times as you like!

So scour the Chip and Co site and check out and share articles you might have missed and win free swag just for doing it!

Also be sure to watch out for special giveaways we will be hosting through our Rewards Program!!

Thanks for being a fan of Chip and Co!

Update – Commenting on Disqus still has a few bugs in it and should be resolved soon. For now if you just want to share Chip and Co on Facebook & Twitter you will earn points the fastest!

Related articles

• Happy New Year! Disney $25 Gift Card Giveaway (chipandco.com)
• $50 Disney Gift Card Giveaway (chipandco.com)

Recently, a Chip Panel Blogger wrote a great article about where to start planning a Disney Vacation as a military family.  This article is a great overview of some fantastic options.  I wanted to expand on this article from my perspective.

As a member of the U.S. Military for over 7 years now, I have taken full advantage of many of the perks Walt Disney World offers to the U.S. Military.  I am regularly asked questions by my coworkers what the best options are and I usually hear everyone say that they stay at the Shades of Green.  Why?  The assumption that the “military resort” offers the best deals for members of the military and their families.

The first time I looked into the Shades of Green, it was completely booked.  When that happens, they have an overflow rate at the Disney resorts, even if they have no official discount.  When I was looking, the discount offered from WDW was a better deal than the Shades of Green overflow rate.

As mentioned in the previous article, there is no transportation from the airport, so either a car rental or a cab ride is necessary.  If you do rent a car, the cost to park at the Shades of Green is $5 per day and this does not transfer to the parking lots for the theme parks.

Then comes the actual cost of staying at Shades of Green versus staying at a Disney resort.  1st – while I’ve never experienced the SoG first hand, the pictures don’t make me feel like it is as magical and filled with Disney magic – after all, it is not run and operated by Disney.  I have coworkers and friends who have stayed and enjoyed it, but when I look at cost, I still see it as Disney vs. Non-Disney.

Let me show you this comparison:

For E6 to-E9, O1 to O3, WO-1 to CW3, a Standard Room runs for $123 per night.  More for higher ranks, less for lower ranks.

With Walt Disney Worlds 35% of a moderate resort offer, a night at the Port Orleans Riverside Resort runs for $117 night.

Though the Shades of Green does consider itself a “deluxe” resort, I would choose Disney Magic an extra perk to staying at POR.  And, with the 40% discount on Deluxe Resorts, a night in a standard view at the Animal Kingdom Lodge would be $195 per night.  That includes parking, Disney’s Magical Express, and full time Disney Magic.

Which would you choose?

Related articles

• Disney salutes the U.S. Military (chipandco.com)
• Planning a Disney Vacation for Military Families (chipandco.com)

Lady and the Tramp is coming to Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack on Tuesday, February 7th. If you have an existing copy of Lady and the Tramp (on either DVD, VHS or LaserDisc), you can enter that UPC code on the Disney Movie Rewards website to print a coupon for $8 off the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy Combo Pack or $5/1 Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack.

Plus if you need Tangled, Beauty & the Beast, Dumbo, Lion King, Bambi or Winnie the Pooh, you can get a really great deal at Target:

Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Combo Pack Deal:

Buy Lady and the Tramp Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Combo Pack — $27.99
Buy either Tangled, Beauty & the Beast, Dumbo, Lion King, Bambi or Winnie the Pooh — $19.99
Save $8 instantly at the register when you buy both movies
Use the $8/1 Lady and the Tramp Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack coupon
Total: $31.98 for both movies!

Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Deal:

Buy Lady and the Tramp Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack — $22.99
Buy either Tangled, Beauty & the Beast, Dumbo, Lion King, Bambi or Winnie the Pooh — $19.99
Save $8 instantly at the register when you buy both movies
Use the $5/1 Lady and the Tramp Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack coupon
Total: $29.98 for both movies!

Thanks Couponing to Disney!

Related articles

• Cinderella & Lady and the Tramp added to Disney’s 2012 Diamond Collection Releases (chipandco.com)
• Lady and the Tramp: Diamond Edition on Blu-ray & DVD February 7, 2012 (chipandco.com)

The cruise line industry is buzzing with the release of the 2013 itineraries and the return of the Disney Magic to Europe.

Californians are saddened that the Wonder will be leaving the Port of Los Angeles, but east coasters can’t wait to have the two newest ships in their two Florida ports (Port Canaveral, Miami).

Maybe all the excitement has you interested in a cruise, if it’s your first time looking into a cruise you’ve probably already shut down the Disney Cruise Line website out of frustration and confusion. Don’t let your cruise dreams end there! Here are the five basics of cruise planning that will get you started on a path to your magical voyage!

Pick your travel dates: Disney Cruise Line offers itineraries year round based on weather patterns and destination highlights. Everyone wants to know the “best time” for cruising here or there. Disney has already picked the best times to cruise…so just pick the time that works for you, keeping in mind that popular travel times such as spring break and Christmas will have higher pricing.

Pick your itinerary: The 2012-2013 cruise itineraries have been released, you have plenty of options to choose from!

2012:

•  Mexican Riviera (Port of Los Angeles)-Last chance for this itinerary! The Mexican Riviera itinerary will not be offered in 2013.

• Hawaii (Port of Los Angeles)-For the first time ever the Disney Wonder will sail twice to Hawaii on a 15 night (April 29th) and 14 night (October 14th). There are limited number of rooms available for this itinerary.

• Panama Canal Repositioning Cruise (Port of Los Angeles): This 14-night itinerary is offered on December 9, 2012 and is a very popular itinerary. Those who have cruised this itinerary often say it was their favorite cruise.

• Bahamas: Year round itineraries to the Bahamas (3, 4 and 5-night cruises)

• Alaska: 7-Night itineraries departing from Seattle, Washington.

• Caribbean: 7-Night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.

• Pacific Coast: 7-night and 6-night cruises (6-night departing from Vancouver and arriving in Los Angeles)

2013

• Caribbean itineraries (Western and Eastern) sailing from Galveston, Texas

• Trans-Atlantic Repositioning Cruise-(May 18, 2013) Sailing from Galeveston, Texas arriving in Barcelona, Spain

• Mediterranean Cruises: Departing and returning to Barcelona, Spain these voyages are 4, 7, and 12 nights.

• Mediterranean with Greece: For the first time ever these two Mediterranean itineraries will include Greece! Sailings on June 15, 2013 and July 13, 2013 only.

• Bahamian: Everyone’s favorite cruise is still on the agenda!

• Panama Canal Repositioning Cruise (Port of Miami): This 14-night itinerary is offered on May 6, 2013

• Alaska: Departing from Vancouver, Canada

Pick your stateroom: There are only a few categories of staterooms, and then there are sub levels within each category.

• Inside staterooms-The most affordable, with the least square footage. The Magic and the Wonder offer no exterior view from their inside staterooms. The Dream and the Fantasy have magical portholes with real time views of the ocean.

• Oceanview staterooms: The next most affordable with a tiny bit more square footage. These rooms offer one large or two small porthole windows, some with window seating.

• Verandah Staterooms: Moderate to high pricing, with the most square footage compared to the other categories. Verandah rooms can offer a range of prices based on location and view.

• Suites and Concierge Level: The most luxurious of them all! The Disney Magic and Disney Wonder offer a variety of suites from 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom with all the luxury you could imagine; some of those suites sleep up to 7. The Dream and Fantasy suites will only sleep 5.

Pick your dining time: There are two dining times on each ship. They are referred to as “Main Seating” and “Second Seating”. There are benefits to both, many people with small children prefer the main seating, as it happens earlier (5:45pm on the Magic and Wonder and 6:00 on the Dream and Fantasy) and second seating is later (8:15pm on the Magic and Wonder and 8:30pm on the Dream and Fantasy). Second seating dining offers “Dine and Play” for kids registered in the kids clubs. About 45 minutes into your meal a cast member from the Oceaneer’s Club and Lab will come to the restaurant and wait at the main entrance for kids who are done eating and want to go back to play.  Let your server know if your child is participating in dine and play and they will expedite their meal.

Make your deposit-The deposit isn’t $200 like your average Disney World or Disneyland vacation package. The deposit is approximately 20% of your cruise fare so it’s a bit more hefty than Disney travelers may be used to. The deposit is refundable and will hold your stateroom on the ship. Keep in mind that the availability on the ship is limited to a specific quantity based on safety regulations and accommodations. There are no roll away beds available and you can’t just “add an extra” person to your stateroom as easily as you may think. Availability is no joke for these cruises. They literally disappear at any minute so if you don’t want your pixie dust to be blown away, ask your Disney Authorized Travel Planner to place a courtesy hold on your stateroom. This will hold your room for 5 days with no payment and no payment information required. It’s simply a courtesy that holds your stateroom while you decide and either prepare to make your deposit or release the room back into the system with no obligation.

Disney Cruise Line offers a vacation experience that’s unparalleled. If you’re considering a cruise vacation, you should contact a Disney Authorized Travel Planner (Michele@PixieVacations.com) for your free quote. There are no fees when working with Pixie Vacations and we’re here to answer all your questions (you’ll have plenty…trust me!) and we offer Pixie Perks like itinerary planning, personalized service and onboard credits. Contact me about your Disney Cruise Line vacation and let’s talk about which Pixie Perks are right for you!

Related articles

• New Disney Cruise Line Ports for 2013 (pixievacations.com)
• 2013 Disney Cruise Line: Magic and Wonder Itineraries and Details (chipandco.com)

All of us at Chip and Co are very excited today, especially those of us with an annual pass!

For a limited time (from February 1 to March 31, 2012), annual D23 Gold membership is $54.99 for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort Annual Passholders — a savings of 20% for the biggest fans of Disney Parks.  The offer is valid for all new D23 Gold-level Memberships, which include:

• Four issues of Disney twenty-three magazine, the colorful, oversizedpublication created especially for D23 Member
• Exclusive member gifts delivered along with Disney twenty-three four times a year
• A beautiful annual member gift for new (and renewing) members of D23
• More than two dozen discounts at retailers, online sites and attractions around the country
• Access to special D23 Member-only events, such as the upcoming Journey to Marceline experience; this fall’s Destination D, celebrating 75 years of Disney animated films; ”From the Vaults” screenings of movies like “Newsies,” “Sister Act” and “Treasure Island”; D23′s Sip and Scream and Magic and Merriment events this fall; and “Fanniversary” activities around the country
• Plus, a D23 Membership card, personalized certificate … and more surprises that are in store this year, along with special Member pricing to the D23 Expo

Related articles

• John Carter Pre-screening event exclusive for Walt Disney World Passholders (chipandco.com)
• D23 Adds More New Discounts for Members (chipandco.com)

Get the Most Out of Your Disney Dining Experience, Guaranteed!
For most of us a Disney World vacation represents the kind of financial investment we can’t afford to waste. We can drive ourselves crazy worrying that we’re going to have a bust of a vacation and have a big bill to show for it.

The Disney Food Blog Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining is here to help!

Be 100% Confident About Your Dining Decisions

Wouldn’t it be nice to have one of the biggest (and most expensive) parts of your trip resolved? To be able to feel 100% confident about your dining decisions? The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining is designed to make sure that in 24 hours you will be feeling great about your plans. And you’ll have fun getting there.

Your Biggest Dining Concerns Resolved TODAY

This book is packed with 250 pages of tips and guidance, but it begins with a 5-step guide designed to get all your major worries out of the way. After that, you’ll get page after page of great info that can help you tweak your dining decisions.

Why a Downloadable PDF?

This product is only in digital form. Once you purchase you will immediately receive a link to download a PDF file with 250 pages of great information. Why did I decide to make a PDF instead of a physical book? Several reasons:

• You can get the book immediately and get started right away.
• You can read it on your phone or iPad, which are much easier to carry into the theme parks than a 250-page book. Click here to see instructions to get the book on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
• The format allows the inclusion of click-able links to invaluable web resources.
• You can search the text of the book electronically, instead of wasting time flipping through indexes and pages.
• I feel that 100% satisfaction is a must, and digital products are easier to return than physical books. Just send AJ an email and she will refund your money, no questions asked.

Click here to order your copy today!

Related articles

• Family Traditions at Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)
• The Cruising Secret No One Wants You to Know. (chipandco.com)

By far, my favorite shop in all of Epcot and arguably all of the Walt Disney World parks is Mouse Gear.  It is the largest shop in Epcot and really I find myself wanting to skip Downtown Disney when I am staying in the Epcot Resort Area since you can find a little bit of everything here!  My favorite Mouse Gear story came this Fall when I decided to grab two vinylmations: Star Wars (hoping for Darth Vader) and Pirates (hoping for Captain Jack) and as luck and Disney magic would have it I scored both!

Without the Hollywood Boulevard or Main Street shop set up this is vital to Epcot and worth a trip of its own! The store is set up in sections as you wind your way through.  You will find:

• All kinds of toys for kids of all ages
• Disney World Souvenirs (including dated)
• Apparel for the entire family (including a large ear hat section)
• Disney Trading Pins & Vinylmation
• Candy, Snacks, and novelty foods
• Picture frames and Collectibles
• Seasonal merchandise
• Epcot themed merchandise and apparel
• Cookware and Kitchenware
• And much more!

While the areas change and don’t always have the largest selection on property you will find this is an Epcot one stop shop! There are also great ways to save here:

• Disney Visa Cardmembers can enjoy their 10% discount on most merchandise orders $50 or more here
• During busy times it has been reported that quick service dining receipts have also featured 10% off coupons

With so many specialty shops in the World Showcase, Land, Seas, and Imagination pavilions this is a great stop for a less crowded store with lots of selection!

For most of us, saving money is a priority and if you’re reading here at Chip and Company, you’ve probably scoured the internet looking for ways to cut costs on your Disney vacation.  We all know that Walt Disney World discounts rooms and offers free dining during certain times of the year, but did you know that you can save a little extra on your next cruise?

First, let’s be clear:  Disney Cruise Lines almost never offers discounts for cruises. They really don’t have to.  Certain sailings on DCL are booked more than a year in advance so other than a few military and Florida resident discounts for less popular weeks, Disney just lets the quality and popularity of DCL sell itself.   But did you know that most travel agents will offer you a hefty onboard credit when you book with them?  In fact, if a travel agent doesn’t offer you a credit, you should either ask about receiving one or find another agent.

The reason is simple: Most times, cruises take very little effort to book.   When a travel agent books a client for a Disney World vacation, she puts a lot of work into planning that client’s trip.  A Disney World client’s requests can be simple and routine or they can be very complex, requiring hours of personal attention. She has to factor that in when she’s giving away promotional items and gift cards or she ends up working for pennies per hour.  Not so with cruising, which can often require little more effort than booking the trip and sending out documents prior to travel.  Many travel agents are willing to bet that you’re going to be that easy client, so those agents are willing to turn over a portion of their commission for you to use as an onboard credit.  It’s a great  incentive to bring in business and everyone wins.

The onboard credit isn’t a secret among experienced cruisers and now you know too.  Happy sailing!

Chris writes here and at Everything Walt Disney World. She’s also a travel agent and a member of the Mouse Chat podcast team.  Booking a cruise?  Check out her list of onboard credits here or email her at ChrisW@PixieVacations.com.

Related articles

• Get a Huge Onboard Credit when You Book a New Disney Cruise. (chipandco.com)
• Win a Disney Fantasy Cruise from Expedia (chipandco.com)

From Broadway to Hollywood, from the Big Easy to the Aloha State, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club has added a bevy of new benefits and special discounts to bring new ways for its members to save when shopping, traveling, dining, entertaining… even decorating their homes.

From Disney collectibles to accommodations near the Disneyland Resort, D23’s most recently added special discounts include:

• From Thomas Kinkade, the Painter of Light™, 20% off a D23 Member’s entire order at ThomasKinkade.com, including art from the Disney Dreams Collection
• A 10% discount off of services at Niki Bryan Spas, meaning D23 Members can save at all spa locations at Disney Parks in the United States
• Special D23 rates at the famed El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, including its upcoming presentation of Disney’s classic Lady and the Tramp
• D23 Member discounts at House of Blues locations at both the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort
• $5 discount off any adult, child or senior ticket to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, an official NASA Visitor Center
• 20% off any single admission ticket to the famed Miami Science Museum
• From Howard Johnson Anaheim, just across the street from Disneyland Resort, 15% off an entire stay
• At LittleMissMatched, D23 Members receive 15% off all Disney merchandise online and in-store, including Downtown Disney locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World
• For fashion-conscious Disney fans, 10% off of purchases made at the Apricot Lane Boutique at Downtown Disney Anaheim
• $23 off purchases of $149 or more in-store or online at collectibles boutique Charming Shoppe in Orange County, Calif.
• Savings of 20% from Fantagraphics Books, which publishes hardcover versions of classic Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck comics

In addition to these special discounts, Disney Vacation Club® — Disney’s innovative approach to vacation ownership since 1991 — is celebrating the opening of Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas in Ko Olina, Hawai‘i, with a special limited-time offer.  Starting February 1, 2012, D23 Members have an exclusive opportunity to receive a vintage work of custom-matted art from Walt Disney’s 1937 animated short “Hawaiian Holiday” by simply learning more about the magic of Disney Vacation Club membership by phone.*

The newest D23 Member discounts and offers are in addition to ongoing special deals, a full list of which can be found online at http://d23.disney.go.com/special-offers-and-discounts-by-experience/. Continuing D23 Member offers also include:

• Special pricing on the ever-popular Mary Poppins on Broadway, with orchestra-seat pricing starting at just $67 for D23 Members
• Two ways to save on admission to the renowned Madame Tussauds in Hollywood, just across the street from the El Capitan Theatre; save $5 per ticket by or buy one adult ticket and get a child’s ticket for free
• A 10% discount on purchases at Two Scoops Ice Cream Parlor in Ko Olina, just down the street from Disney’s Aulani resort
• From and to virtually any airport in the country, 10% off all services offered by SuperShuttle, including its ExecuCar private sedan service
• A 15% savings on all video game catalog titles and select hardware from game publisher THQ
• A savings of 10% at all Ralph Brennan restaurants in New Orleans and Metairie, La., including Red Fish Grill, Ralphs on the Park and Café NOMA, as well as Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen at Downtown Disney Anaheim
• 20% off all purchases made online at the ABC Store
• A savings of 20% on purchases made at Brookstone.com

This is just a sample of available the D23 Member discounts and offers–with more coming throughout 2012, saving members literally hundreds of dollars a year.

For Disney fans everywhere, becoming a D23 Member as simple as visiting www.Disney.com/D23 and selecting from a Gold or Silver D23 Membership.  Gold D23 Membership ($74.99 a year) offers a one-year subscription (four issues) to the glossy,award-winning Disney twenty-three magazine, plus four special, collectible gifts — unique surprises that accompany every issue of Disney twenty-three.

All new and renewing D23 Members, including Silver D23 Members ($34.99 a year), also receive a member-exclusive gift from the Walt Disney Archives Collection, and specially priced admission to the bi-annual D23 Expo, the largest Disney fan event in the world.

D23 Members can take advantage of the Official Disney Fan Club’s ever-increasing member benefits and offers, have full access to the D23 website (www.Disney.com/D23), and receive exclusive invitations to special, member-only events including private tours of The Walt Disney Studios and the Walt Disney Archives; D23-exclusive celebrations at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts; and movie screenings of classic Disney films.

Related articles

• D23 News & Updates for December 2011 and Beyond (chipandco.com)
• D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives (chipandco.com)

Traveling to Disney World for Jersey Week this year? Pixie Vacations has some great exclusive offers available:

Disney’s Pop Century Resort for $105 per night
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort for $155 per night
Disney’s Contemporary Resort for $315 per night
Disney’s Boardwalk Resort for $329 per night

Just travel at least two nights between November 3 and November 10 (you may book dates on either side of this promotion based on availability). You’ll also receive 10 percent off on park tickets plus a FREE DisneyQuest or water park admission. This time period is traditionally blacked out for discounts and this offer is limited, so book now to save.

Contact Pixie Vacations for more information.

Chris writes here and at Everything Walt Disney World. She’s also a travel agent at Pixie Vacations and a member of the Mouse Chat Podcast. Email her at ChrisW@PixieVacations.com for free concierge-level vacation planning and for information on how you can get a free Disney gift card when you book a new vacation.

Related articles

• Exclusive Discounts for Jersey Week. (everythingwdisneyworld.com)

It’s no huge secret that food can end up being one of the major expenses on a vacation to Disney World. Yet there are a number of ways that you can plan your meals and save money. Probably the most well-known option is the Disney Dining Plan, especially if you are able to take advantage of the very popular Free Dining promotion.

But if your travel plans don’t allow you to visit during Free Dining, no worries, there are still a few things that can save you big money on your Disney vacation food budget.

1. Make sure you have a frig or mini-kitchen in your room. Many hotels near Walt Disney World offer mini-suites with a small kitchen in them, and in addition to having more space, the frig and microwave can be extremely useful. If you are staying on Disney property, even in the basic hotel rooms, you can request an in-room refrigerator if there is not already one. We always use the frig to store milk, juice, water, and some easy breakfast basics. Bring or buy some cereal or bagels, and you have a healthy, inexpensive breakfast each morning. Plus it is a time-saver too, when trying to get to the parks bright and early each day. If you make it a habit to return to your room each afternoon, take the in-room meals a step further and get some easy lunch fixings too: you have now provided two meals per day for substantially less than what you would pay in the parks. Even if you don’t return to your room, with a small cooler that you can store in a locker at the parks, you can bring lunch with you. Splurge on a nice dinner and you won’t feel deprived at all, and will in fact feel quite proud of how economical you are!
2. Use a Grocery Delivery Service like Garden Grocer for all of our Disney World Grocery Needs! Garden Grocer Inc. is a local online grocery delivery company based in Central Florida. They have 4800+ products to choose from, and will deliver right to your Resort! Shop online, complete order and they do the rest! We deliver to homes, offices, hotels, resorts and vacation homes.
3. Bring snacks with you. Simple trail mix, crackers, some fruit, all help provide a healthy, and cheaper alternative to lots of expensive snacks in the parks. Bring your own water as well: you will save a boat-load of money, plus you will always have water when you need it, which is important on those hot summer days in Florida! Refill when passing water fountains and you will be fine. 5 Snacks to pack in a cooler for WDW.
4. Think about sharing meals, especially if you have young children. Disney does not have a problem if you want to split a table service meal, and many folks often divide a counter service meal between multiple kids, or parent/child. In our experience, Disney is extremely generous with food proportions, so splitting meals saves dollars and also creates less waste, and that’s a good thing. Another option is to take the leftovers with you if portable, and put them in your…you guessed it…in-room frig for lunch the next day.
5. You can eat off-site and save money as well. If you are staying off-Disney property, ask at your hotel for local restaurant discount coupons or promotions. Or try looking for online coupons/promotions through local Florida/Orlando websites. Consider sites like restaurant.com. You may even find it to be cost-effective to buy a local Entertainment Book for restaurant coupons.

What are some ways that you have found to save money on food at Disney World? Let us know in the comment section below.

Related articles

• Disney World Quick Tips – Don’t waste money on a buffet (chipandco.com)
• Disney World Quick Tips – Try something new (chipandco.com)

For a limited time, Dreamworks is offering $5 OFF the purchase of the Real Steel 3-disc Combo Pack. Those interested should visit http://www.steelgetsreal.com/, and click on the offer in the upper right corner of the page. Offer ends 1/29/12.

Related articles

• Real Steel Coming to Bluray & DVD Jan 24th 2012 (chipandco.com)
• Real Steel Blu-ray DVD Combo Pack Giveaway (chipandco.com)

To honor the launch of the new Disney Fantasy in March, we’ve decided to do something to celebrate.  We’re currently offering free Disney gift cards for all vacation bookings made this month, but I decided to go a little further with the cruises.  Book a Disney cruise between now and March 23, 2012 and you’ll receive an onboard credit based on these amounts:

• A $75 onboard credit for cruises valued at $1900 to $2200.
• A $100 credit for cruises valued at $2201 to $2800.
• A $125 credit for cruises valued at $2801 to $3200.
• A $150 credit for cruises valued at $3201 to $3500.
• A $175 credit for cruises valued at $3501 to $4000.
• A $200 credit for cruises valued at $4001 to $4500.
• Booking a cruise worth more than $4500? Well give you a credit worth 50% of our commission.

Here are the rules:

• Cruises are for any Disney cruise taking place in 2012 and 2013.
• Your cruise must be a new Disney cruise, not a takeover.
• Totals are based on your cruise only, not on port fees and taxes. This is because your onboard credit comes out of our commission and we only get a commission on the cruise itself. We’ll break down those totals for you.
• This offer is exclusive to Chris Wood and Bob Angelo and is not a Pixie Vacations offer.

Why is this better than the offers you’ll get from online booking engines like Expedia? Because we’re basing our offer on everyone in your cabin, not just the first two guests, so everyone in your group counts toward your total which means you get a bigger credit.

Here’s our contact information:

To contact Chris, email me at ChrisW@PixieVacations.com  or call 919-889-5281.

To contac Bob, email him at Bob@PixieVacations.com or call 407-810-2528.

Thanks!

Chris writes here and at Everything Walt Disney World. She’s also a travel agent and a member of the Mouse Chat Podcast team.

Related articles

• Book a Cruise, Get a Huge Onboard Credit. (everythingwdisneyworld.com)

Are you not familiar with Tables in Wonderland? Well, before the Disney Dining Plan came about, this discount card was called the Disney Dining Experience. Tables in Wonderland is a way for Walt Disney World Annual Passholders and Florida residents to save money on their dining.

The card costs $75 for Annual Passholders and $100 for Florida residents that are non-Annual Passholders, but you must be 21 years or older to purchase. Tables in Wonderland gives you 20% off on all food and beverage (including alcohol) purchases at participating restaurants and is good for up to 10 people. Most of the restaurants that are table service are included, and it even includes restaurants that the Disney Dining Plan does not. Many of the restaurants at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, Victoria and Albert’s, Portobello, Paradiso 37, Bongo’s Cuban Cafe, House of Blues, Fulton’s Crab House, Grand View Tea Room and Bistro de Paris are all included. In addition, many of the lounges at the resorts, Tune-In Lounge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, some of the counter service locations like Flame Tree BBQ and Yak and Yeti. Click here for a full list of locations.

Besides the 20% off, when dining at resorts you get the additional perk of complimentary resort valet services. This can save you $12-$15 depending on which resort you are dining at. This alone adds up quickly. After your meal, just show your dining receipt to the Valet Stand with your Tables in Wonderland card and you are good to go… no cost for valeting.

A few things to note. There is an automatic gratuity of 18% added to your bill, no matter the party size. However, you are tipping your server anyways and I’ve never found this to be a problem because 99% of the time I receive great or excellent service at the Disney restaurants. Also, there are times of the year when you can’t use your card such as Mother’s Day, July 4th, Thankgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Also, the card can’t be used on the Fantasmic Dinner Package, Candlelight Processional Package, Food and Wine Festival Packages or special events.

However, just because you decide to get the Tables in Wonderland doesn’t mean you can’t get the Disney Dining Plan too. In fact, you can use the Tables in Wonderland card to cover items that aren’t being taken care of by the Disney Dining Plan, such as alcoholic drinks and appetizers (unless you are on the Deluxe Plan in which appetizers are included).

If you are planning to dine at Victoria and Albert’s, get the card. The reason being is if a couple dines at Victoria and Albert’s and adds on the wine pairing… you have broken even. As a side note, you can’t use this card at the Chef’s Table or in Queen Victoria’s Room.

If you are a Florida resident, visit Walt Disney World often or travel to Orlando for business this card has the potential to save you a lot of money. Between dining at Victoria and Albert’s last year (because of the card) during one of our five trips and my husband’s business trips, the card saved us a lot of money. So I highly recommend picking one up. You’ll find it to be a money saver!
Kristen Hoetzel from Cooking With Mickey or on twitter at Twitter @CookingwMickey

Related articles

• Walt Disney World’s Tables in Wonderland Dining Locations (chipandco.com)
• Disney Dining Comparison: Tables in Wonderland vs. Disney Dining Plan (chipandco.com)

January 12th – 16th, select cable providers are offering a FREE preview of Disney Family Movies on Demand Channel. This is a 24 hour a day, video on demand subscription service that offers a selection of Disney movies that you can watch at any time.

This weekend, you can choose from the following movies:

Lion King
Lion King 1 1/2
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Air Buddies
Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride
Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars
The Proud Family Movie
Toothless
Mowgli’s Story
Muppets Wizard of Oz
The Emperor’s New Groove
Return to Neverland

You will find Disney Family Movies on Demand on these cable providers:

Blue Ride
Charter
Comcast
Cox
Suddenlink
Time Warner Cable
TVN
Verizon
AT&T U-verse

Check it out and let us know which movies you watched! Also visit their Facebook page for more info!

Thanks Couponing to Disney!

Adventures by Disney is on sale! Well…sort of.

A special offer was released today for Adventures by Disney that will give you a complimentary additional night* when you book certain itineraries.

Itineraries included:

• Once Upon a Fairytale (Germany)
• Viva Italia (Italy)
• Bella Italia (Central Italy)

Booking Window:

• January 10-February 29, 2012

Travel Window:

• May 20-December 22, 2012

Additional Information:

• Valid for U.S residents only
• This offer cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion

*Offer applies to the purchase of select Adventures by Disney itineraries at the non-discounted regular rate made between 1-10-12 and 2-29-12. Complimentary additional night may occur before or after the booked departure, depending on the itinerary booked. Additional night available on the following itinerary and departure dates ONLY.

• Viva Italia:  May 20th, May 28th, June 3rd, June 18th, July 9th, July 29th, August 2nd, August 9th, August 16th, September 2nd or December 22nd (2012).
• Bella Italia:  May 20th, May 28th, June 3rd, July 9th, July 29th, August 2nd, August 9th, August 16th September 2nd and December 22nd (2012).
• Once Upon a Fairytale: July 23rd, August 3rd, September 17th

The number of rates allocated for this offer is limited. Regular Rates vary depending on departure date and time of booking and are subject to change. Lead guest of the booking party must travel on the land package booked. Limit one additional night per booking party. Additional night must be booked at the same time the land package is booked. Valid on new bookings only. Bookings must be made through Adventures by Disney Travel Services, Inc. You must advise Vacationista of this offer at time of booking.  Land packages are subject to availability. No Adventures by Disney land packages services will be included for the additional night under this offer except for transfer service to or from the airport in destination and a complimentary breakfast (as applicable). Additional night not transferable or redeemable for cash in whole or in part. Cannot be sold or transferred for commercial use.  Void where prohibited. Subject to conditions, restrictions and change without notice.  Cannot be combined with any offers or promotions. Offer valid for U.S. residents only.

Contact Michele@PixieVacations.com for more information or to get your no-obligation quote.

Related articles

• What’s New for DCL 2012? (chipandco.com)
• Adventures by Disney: Imagineering and Southern California (imaginerding.com)

Time is running out to take advantage of the fabulous savings through Pixie Vacations. This offer must be booked by January 9, 2012 and is for travel February 3, 2012 through February 10, 2012 (ask about extending your stay).

Package includes:

• Accommodations at select Disney Resorts (see below)
• Magic Your Way Base Tickets
• Disney’s Plus Dining Plan
• A FREE DisneyQuest or Disney Water Park Ticket

This offer is available ONLY through Pixie Vacations, ask for promotion code “SPRING”.

Available resorts include:

• All Star Movies (Value)
• Coronado Springs (Moderate)
• Wilderness Lodge (Deluxe)
• Polynesian (Deluxe)

The fine print:

• All resorts in this offer will have a 12.5% tax added
• There is a fee of $15 per person, per night for 3rd and 4th adults (18 years and older) in each room of the moderate category resorts
• There is a fee of $25 per person, per night for 3rd and 4th adults (18 years and older) in each room of the deluxe category resorts
• The number of packages available at this rate is limited.
• Tickets valid for one theme park per day must be used within 14 days of first use.
• No group rates or other discounts apply
• Advance reservations required

If you’re looking for a magical last minute getaway this could save a family of four up to $1,338.06.

Contact Michele@PixieVacations for your free quote!