Theme Park Archives - Page 4 of 25 - Chip and Co | Chip and Co

Tag Archives: Theme Park

Investigation Surrounding the Critical Injury Accident of a Disneyland Worker

Sunday, October 14, 2012 Tara 1 Comment

Sadly, a 68-year old machinist was critically injured while testing Disneyland’s Space Mountain in early October. Christopher Monday, has been identified as the worker and was critically injured and was taken to UCI Medical Center on October 3rd where he remains in critical condition after suffering back, chest and head injuries.

State officials are investigating the accident and the investigation could take up to six months and include employees and witness interviews.

“Preliminary information that we heard was that he was struck by the vehicle … how [is] still being determined,” Ortiz said.

Suzi Brown of Disneyland Resort said that the ride did not malfunction and that “it was cleared for normal operation.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our cast member and his family,” Brown said. “On behalf of his fellow cast members, we offer our heartfelt wishes for a full and speedy recovery.”

Disneyland Names New Ambassador Team (chipandco.com)
Disneyland cast member struck by ride vehicle (wdwinfo.com)
State probes critical injury of Disney worker at Space Mountain (latimesblogs.latimes.com)
Disney worker injured in Space Mountain (ocregister.com)

Investigation Surrounding the Critical Injury Accident of a Disneyland Worker

Craigslist Ticket Scam Continues to Upset Park Guests Plans

Wednesday, August 29, 2012 Tara 2 Comments

Online ticket scams continue to hit Disneyland in a big way this summer. Potential Disneyland park guests are paying money for bogus tickets. Recently, a Pleasanton woman bought 8 one day Disneyland Park Hopper passes for $800. Once she drove herself and her family on the six-hour trip to Disneyland she found out they were no good. Police have a suspect but no arrests have been made. What they have found out is the person that is allegedly selling the illegal tickets purchased them on July 19 and they were received on July 31st. Apparrently the suspect purchased and printed the passes but then cancelled them and voided the sale. This makes the tickets look real but are fake and are not able to get anyone in to Disneyland.

Another case of the Disneyland ticket scam that has happened recently, but are unrelated, is a 51-year old woman was arrested last summer for 10 similar scams. For some of the ticket scams, she met her victims at the Cheesecake Factory or P.F. Changs at Stoneridge Shopping Center and was “selling” three-day park hopper passes for between $250 and $300. The victims in this care are finding out that the tickets were never activated and the receipts that the suspect provided to prove the passes were valid were faked.

Compton Man Pleads Guilty to Making Counterfeit Tickets to Disneyland (chipandco.com)
Disneyland 1968 Park Map (disneyatdisleelandiablog.blogspot.com)

Craigslist Ticket Scam Continues to Upset Park Guests Plans

Night of Joy Musical Line-Up Announced

Saturday, August 18, 2012 Chip 1 Comment

I can’t believe Night of Joy 2012 is less than a month away. This is our 30th year of hosting the top Contemporary Christian and Gospel artists at Walt Disney World Resort, and this year’s lineup is one of the most exciting in our history. Magic Kingdom Park is getting ready, and so are our artists.

Hot off the press are the concert schedules for each night. Here’s how they shake out. Of course, times, stages and performers are always subject to change.

Friday, September 7 – Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage

7:45 p.m. – NEEDTOBREATHE
9:50 p.m. – Chris Tomlin
11:55 p.m. – Casting Crowns

Galaxy Stage

7:30 p.m. – Francesca Battistelli
8:50 p.m. – Francesca Battistelli
10:25 p.m. – Red
12:10 a.m. – Brandon Heath

Rockettower Plaza Stage

8:15 p.m. – Disciple
9:40 p.m. – Disciple
11:20 p.m. – Royal Tailor

Saturday, September 8 – Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage

7:35 p.m. – Gospel Music Association Winner Theresa Bailey
7:55 p.m. – Lecrae
9:55 p.m. – Third Day
11:55 p.m. – MercyMe

Galaxy Stage

7:30 p.m. – Kutless
8:50 p.m. – Kutless
10:25 p.m. – Thousand Foot Krutch
12:10 a.m. – Yolanda Adams

Rockettower Plaza Stage

8:15 p.m. – Chris August
9:40 p.m. – Chris August
11:20 p.m. – Dara Maclean

Night of Joy is an after-hours event that requires a special ticket. Event hours are 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. each evening. While artists perform at several stages, many popular Magic Kingdom Park attractions also are available for guests. In addition, there are special benefits for groups of 10 or more. Additional information about individual and group tickets is available at www.nightofjoy.com.

Free Wifi for Magic Kingdom Guests (chipandco.com)
Secrets of the Magic Kingdom (chipandco.com)

Packing for the Parks – What do you bring with you?

Tuesday, July 31, 2012 Jess 9 Comments

When you are headed out into the parks at Disney World you often want to bring along a small bag with a few items that will be useful during your day of touring. It is a good idea to pack necessary items without going overboard and ending up with a bunch of useless items.

Here is my list of things that you should include when packing for the parks.

1. Theme park tickets or Key to the World Card (Take a picture of these items on your phone in case you lose them.)

2. Money and Credit Cards. I often only take a little bit of cash and one credit card, unless I have charging privileges on my Key to the World Card. I leave the rest in the in room safe.

3. Water. Bring a bottle of water for each member of your party that can then be refilled at water fountains throughout the park. Don’t forget Drinking Water saves you money!

4. Sunscreen. Bring this from home. There is no sense paying extra for it in the park. I like Bullfrog.

5. Poncho or Rain Coat. Again Bring these from home to save money. Just try not to make these Newbie Mistakes.

6. Autograph book with large pen or marker. A thicker pen or marker is much easier for the characters to grip.

7. Tylenol or Aspirin and Don’t forget to pack your medicine!

8. Drivers License

9. Camera. Photogs check out these tips to save those Digital Memories.

10. Phone with Charger. You never know if you will have to plug in to Stay Charged!

11. Park Maps with the rides your group wants to try highlighted

12. Snacks- It helps to bring a few things like granola bars, crackers, and trail mix so you can avoid at least one snack stop! Here are some tips on what to bring with you.

13. Sunglasses. It can get very bright and protecting your eyes is very important.

14. Wipes. These come in handy for washing hands and faces while on the go. Also great for little spills.

15. A light jacket or sweat shirt. If you are staying in the parks all day especially in the fall and winter temps may dip down after dark. Its a good idea to be prepared.

These are just a few things I bring with us into the parks. Did I miss anything? What else do you pack?

Dining Out At Disney World vs. Bringing Your Own Food (chipandco.com)
Disney World Quick Tips: Rest is a Wish Your Feet Make (chipandco.com)

Packing for the Parks What do you bring with you?

Disney World Quick Tips – Planning your Disney World Budget

Saturday, June 30, 2012 Chip 3 Comments

There are very few people who visit Walt Disney World without having to carefully plan and budget their available funds. I use a very measured and logical (at least to me) approach for budgeting each of our visits. First – I always try to start early enough so I can plan how much money we can put aside on a monthly basis to meet our needs. We go often enough and have enough separation between visits so that we now have a permanent savings plan that covers all of our requirements.

Once you have an idea of how much you will have available you can then budget. Make sure that you consider everything. This is a list of the things we consider:

PLANNING MATERIALS: This would cover guide books and any subscription websites you use. Remember there are a lot of free websites i.e. Chip and Co and Passporter where information is available either on the site or in a site’s discussion boards. Touring Plans is one of my favorite.
AIRFARE OR OTHER TRAVEL: This can be a significant and variable expense. Be sure to consider baggage fees and perhaps parking fees at the airport. These things can add up quickly. Also remember that there is transportation from the airport and back but Disney’s Magical Express is both excellent and FREE. Try setting up an email alert on Airfare Watchdog.
RESORT HOTEL: This can also be significant and remember that Disney does not add the 12.5% tax on the base prices they herald on the site or advertising. You won’t see this until you actually total up. There are a lot of choices so you have to pick the resort that meets your physical and monetary needs. By the way, the All Star Resorts are in a different county and the tax is 13%. Be sure to contact a Pixie Vacation Travel Agent who can answer any and all of your questions.
PARK TICKETS: Pretty straight forward budgeting here, just don’t buy options you will not use. Also please remember, when you see a ticket price, it does not include the 6.5% tax until you total up.
MEALS: This can be difficult to budget accurately and everything depends on your family‘s likes and eating habits. The various dining plans offered by Disney make budgeting food much easier if you can find one that meets your needs. Fear not, most people do well with at least one of the plans. Depending upon when you visit the Dining Plan might be free – be sure to ask!! Be sure to try our 100 Disney Foods to Eat Before you Die Challenge.
SHOPPING AND OTHER EXTRAS: This is the most difficult category and only you know your family well enough to come up with a budget. I would suggest a daily limit and allow each individual to either spend it each day or carry it forward so they can do or buy whatever they want. This article might help Souvenirs for the Budget Conscious

This isn’t comprehensive by any means but just a group of ideas so that you can feel confident that you haven’t missed anything in your budgeting process. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!