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Category Archives: Walt Disney World
Epcot World Showcase Best Kept Secrets – Japan
As we cross over the “Straights of Gibraltar” from the Morocco Pavilion we enter the beautiful and serene country of Japan. Most visitors to The World Showcase bypass Japan because it has no ride, no movie, and nothing wow. In my opinion, they are missing out. The Japanese gardens, the Koi ponds and the majestic architecture make it a very pleasant place to visit. Let’s see what secrets we can find as we visit Japan.
- The statue to the right as you enter Japan was a gift from the government of Japan when Magic Kingdom opened and was moved to Epcot when it opened.
- The Japanese pagoda 5 stories each symbolize something. The Buddhists believe all things in the universe are created and in ascending order they are: earth, water, fire, wind and sky.
- Pearls. There are pearls in Japan. Not the Black Pearl, unless you are really lucky, but oysters full of pearls. One of my favorite non-traditional souvenirs is pearl you have picked yourself. After buying a ticket from the cashier for about $16.00 you can walk up to the tank and point out which oyster you want. The CM behind the counter will pick it, open it, and behold a pearl. After cleaning it in a bowl of salt they measure it and put it in a plastic bag with the size on it. You have the option of having it mounted in a couple different settings for an extra fee.
There is a rumor that if you pick the ugliest, hairiest one you see, you will get a bigger pearl.
- Edible art. More correctly, the ancient art of candy sculpture. Miyuki will amaze you with her ability to “bend” the taffy type candy into almost any shape that the audience has requested. She is the only woman in the world to be trained in the art, and it’s a very elite group encompassing 15 artists world wide. Normally the person that requests the type of the sculpture gets to take it home as a souvenir, but be sure to get their early to try and get to the front of the “line”
Her art is so beautiful and almost hard to describe so I thought I would add a video for you to see. This is an excerpt from her YouTube channel.
Make-a-Wish Foundation Sends Knoxville Girl to Disney World
The Make-a-Wish Foundation helps make dreams come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions. Children can make a wish from one of four categories: I wish to go, I wish to be, I wish to meet, or I wish to have. In fact, they grant a wish every thirty-eight minutes for a child.
The Make-a-Wish foundation works with a seventy-acre “storybook” resort in Orlando called the Give Kids the World Village. Make-a-Wish families can stay here during their trip so children can receive necessary medical treatments and attention while they are away from home. This resort includes villa accommodations, entertainment, and more.
Cali Owens, a three-year-old girl from Knoxville, Tennessee needs a kidney transplant. She spends ten hours every day undergoing dialysis treatment for her condition. She also receives several medications and shots. Cali just had her wish of going somewhere granted by the Make-a-Wish foundation and this little princess left for Disney World on Sunday. Cali will get to experience the magic of Disney World despite her physical struggles and be just like every other three year old for the week. Cali and her family are very thankful for this opportunity.
“There’s a lot of discomfort in her life that other kids don’t know. And basic joys of going to school or a regular bath becomes a whole ordeal,” said Brandi Owens, Cali’s mother.
Cali has found a potential kidney donor through her family’s church, but this individual must first undergo an evaluation next week to determine if this will be successful.
Do you know someone that has been helped by the Make-a-Wish foundation?
Are you ready to book your next Disney World vacation? When you book with me, a portion of your trip goes to help the Give Kids the World Village where Make-a-Wish families can stay in Orlando.
Related articles
- Ill Boy And Family Are Going To Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)
- Disney World to Host First-Ever ‘A Walk Around The World’ Charity Walk (chipandco.com)
Special Offer for Florida Residents to Purchase Disney World Tickets
The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida has a special offer right now just for Florida residents! Disney offers a special 3-day Discover Disney Ticket for only $119 plus tax. With this ticket, you receive admission to one theme park per day on any three days through June 7, 2013. The Discover Disney ticket can be used at any of the four Walt Disney World theme parks and do not have to be used in consecutive days! Is three days not enough for you to experience the magic of Disney World? You can add an extra day for only $10 more plus tax!
You can purchase this special offer from now through June 3, 2013. In order to purchase this ticket, you must provide proof of residency. There are also blackout dates of March 23, 2013 through April 5, 2013.
Don’t forget, we also have great discounts for Florida residents on their hotel rooms as well! Why not stay and experience all of the Disney magic you can and add a hotel room for a great price?
Have you heard about Chip and Co’s new partnership with Destinations in Florida? Destinations in Florida is an authorized Disney vacation planner that will help you plan your magical vacation at no cost to you! Plus, you’ll great service and extra perks such as an autographed picture of Mickey Mouse and helpful tips!
Are you ready to book your Disney World vacation or purchase your Discover Disney Florida resident tickets? Siera would love to help! Use the Request a Quote Box to book your vacation of a lifetime!
Related articles
- Use an authorized Disney vacation planner! (chipandco.com)
- Disneyland Planning for Disney World experts (chipandco.com)
Where to Start- A Guide for the First Time Guest
Visiting Walt Disney World as a fist time guest can be really overwhelming, but have no fear, I am here to guide you through the process. When planning your first trip to WDW you may find yourself wondering how you can possibly see and do it all. The answer to that is simple; it is not possible. You need to plan a few things to do, see, and experience so you do not get worn out and really get to enjoy your trip!
The first thing you need to do when you arrive at your resort is to obtain a “First Visit” pin for each member of your party. You can do this at your Disney Resort check in or at guest relations at any of the parks. By wearing this pin not only will you experience a bit of extra magic, but cast members are able to recognize that you may not be familiar with everything and are likely to offer tips, suggestions, advice, and directions. Do not be ashamed to wear the pin! Look around, I promise you there are TONS of other guests wearing pins of some sort!
When you arrive at the parks, arrive early and arrive with a plan! I suggest doing a bit of homework before you get to Orlando. Decide which rides are the most important to your family. These rides should become your must do’s! I suggest having each member of your party pick 2 attractions per park that they MUST experience. You can use a service such as Touring Plans to determine the best order in which to see your top picks. Also be sure to check out some park maps to get a better idea on what to expect and to do…
Between park hopping, eating, meeting the characters, and seeing the shows your body can get awfully tired. I see too many first timers stretching themselves to the limit. It is ok to take a break, in fact, if you are staying at a Disney Resort taking a break is almost as much fun as being in the parks. The themed pool areas and relaxing rooms are all part of the experience! Enjoy it!
Disney World to Host First-Ever ‘A Walk Around The World’ Charity Walk
This fall, the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida will be the venue to For A Cause, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that orchestrates multi-day charity walks in vacation destinations. This group is unique in that they allow participants to walk for the charity of their choice. The “A Walk Around The World” event will be a walk-only fundraiser that can only accommodate 50 participants. It is scheduled to occur November 14-18, 2013. Over the course of three days, participants will average walking ten miles each day. Their course will take them through Disney World resorts, water parks, and theme parks.
“There are so many die-hard WDW fans out there who are going to love the idea of visiting their favorite theme park while walking to raise money for the nonprofit of their choice,” according to Robert Webber, president of For A Cause. “In years past, For A Cause participants have traveled to castles in Europe and trekked miles throughout historical destinations, but this is the first time they’ll be given a chance to visit Cinderella’s castle and walk miles throughout a fantasy destination. It’s going to be some serious fun — the Walk will be both magical and meaningful. If your feet get a little tired, you can just hop on one of the enchanted rides and take a break!”
