Author: chipandco.com

 As the Disney Parks get closer to the reopening date, we have an updated message from Dr. Pamela Hymel.

Dear Guests,

“As we continue with the phased reopening of Disney locations around the world, i wanted to update you on our plans and the principles that guide us as we welcome guests back to the magic.

Josh D’Amaro, our Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, said it best when he spoke about the trust you have in the Disney brand. As we prepare for the reopening of our destinations, this is a responsibility we take very seriously. We know what a privilege it is to continue to earn your trust every day.

Our domestic theme parks were among the first to close earlier this year and they will be among the last to reopen when guests return in July in California, pending state and local government approvals, and in Florida. Disney parks have always been places for families to gather, to celebrate important moments in their lives, and to make memories that will last a lifetime. This legacy of integrity, care, and community is what guides us as we prepare for the return of our cast members and guest.”

This is what you can expect once the Disney Parks reopen in July:

• Reducing capacity
• Temperature checks for guests prior to entering the theme parks
• Increasing cleaning and disinfecting (specially high traffic areas)
• Adjusting experiences to accommodate physical distancing
• Requiring face coverings for guests 2 and older
• Empowering guests with options like contactless payments
• Easy access to hand washing and hand sanitizer locations

For Cast Members:

• Increasing the frequency of cleaning in work areas
• Adjusting work practices to promote physical distancing
• Requiring temperature checks and face coverings
• Additional training on new measures and importance of personal health best practices like hand washing and covering coughs
• Staying home when ill

Promote Safety Together

It’s very important to remember that many of the actions we all take in our daily lives to help reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 are designed to help protect not only ourselves but others as well.

So when you follow the measures implemented at Disney Parks, you are helping everyone have a magical experience!

At the parks, Cast Members will be available to explain the new procedures and answer any questions guests may have. A new health and safety campaign featuring The Incredibles will also be available to remind you of the healthy measure that must be taken during your visit.

The Magic Returns 

During this first reopening phase, things at Walt Disney World and Disneyland will look a bit different, starting with the new reservation system.

You can look more into it here. You will now have to make a reservation for the date you want to visit the park and park hopping will be temporarily unavailable.

We hope this information was helpful and you have a magical welcome back to Disney in July!

Credit: Disney Parks

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, disney, Disney Parks, dr. pamela hymel, Health and Safety, WDW

New ‘Walt and Roy’ Musical To Premiere During the 2020 Allen and Gray Musical Theater Festival. The Allen and Gray Musical Theater Festival is a benefit festival to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS with the addition this year to raise funds for Broadway for Racial Justice. Though this years benefit will have to take place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic a new show is set to premiere during the event!

A new musical featuring “Walt and Roy Disney” at the center of the story will premiere during the benefit. An outline for the musical shares, “The show follows the famous brothers from their start in Los Angeles in 1923 up to the premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937.”

The roles of Walt and Roy Disney will be played by Jonah Platt and Payson Lewis. Joining Platt and Lewis are Chelsea Lapp, Alex Arthur, Kürt Norby, Thomas Reasoner, Jon Sangster, Victoria Beall, Lafras Le Roux, Scott Redmond, Hailee Lipscomb, Nathan Nonhof, Justin Kent, Cavin Mohrhardt, and Bryan Porter.

According to Playbill, “The presentation is part of the Allen and Gray Musical Theater Festival, running July 7–10 with four works performed live to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway for Racial Justice. In addition to Walt and Roy, the festival will present Legendary, about the silencing culture women face in the music industry (July 7); Bayard, about Bayard Rustin’s organization of the 1963 March on Washington (July 8); and Freedom Riders: The Civil Rights Musical, about the 1961 freedom rides (July 10).”

Walt and Roy: A Magical New Musical will premiere July 9 at 8 PM ET during the Allen and Gray Musical Theater Festival. To reserve your tickets for the event or to learn more CLICK HERE

Be sure to check back here at Chip and Co. for all things Disney!

Feature Photo Credit: Disney

Source: Playbill

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Shows, Allen and Gray Musical Theater Festival, Playbill, Roy Disney, Walt and Roy, Walt Disney

New Star Wars LEGO Sets Feature The Skywalker Saga, The Mandalorian, and More!   The new series of Star Wars LEGO sets celebrates the completion of The Skywalker Saga as well as the creation of The Mandalorian and the loyalty of the 501^st Legion.

StarWars.com shared, ” Attention, Jedi Masters and Master Builders: we have some exciting news. StarWars.com is thrilled to reveal several new LEGO Star Wars sets, all of which feature in the highly-anticipated LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga video game. How does that work? For some sets, elements like minifigures and vehicles will automatically be included in the game. For others, you’ll just enter a code provided in the set’s building instructions to bring its minifigures and/or vehicles to life in LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. The releases span the entire saga and beyond, from the original trilogy to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and you can get a first look at all the new reveals below — along with some previously announced sets now confirmed to feature unlockables in the game. Happy beeps, and happy building!”

Check out the new Star Wars LEGO sets from Lucasfilm and LEGO:

501^st Legion Clone Troopers

“Long requested by fans, this set celebrates the elite soldiers of the Republic – the 501^st Legion. It includes three 501^st Clone Troopers and a 501^st Jet Trooper, plus two Battle Droid LEGO action figures, as well as the 285-piece AT-RT Walker and BARC Speeder.”

Anakin’s Jedi Interceptor

“This set includes minifigures of Anakin Skywalker and R2-D2, and Anakin’s iconic fighter as a 248-piece build. The fighter features an opening LEGO minifigure cockpit, spring-loaded shooters, foldable wing flaps with space for R2-D2, and clips for spare ammo and Anakin’s Lightsaber.”

Armored Assault Tank (AAT)

“Another set perfect for fans of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, this release includes two minifigures (Ahsoka Tano and Ahsoka Tano’s Clone Trooper) as well as AAT Driver Battle Droid and Battle Droid LEGO figures. The AAT consists of 286 pieces and includes opening hatches with space inside for the Battle Droids, LEGO minifigures, 2 spring-loaded shooters, and a rotating turret with an elevating cannon.”

Knights of Ren Transport Ship

“Inspired by Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, this set includes minifigures of Rey and two Knights of Ren, and the villainous group’s ship. The Knights of Ren Transport Ship is a 595-piece build and features hidden “skis” to replicate the hover effect, plus two opening cockpits for the Knights of Ren, a compartment for a captured LEGO minifigure, and two spring-loaded shooters to inspire creative play. The Knights of Ren Transport Ship set will include an  exclusive Unlock Code for the new LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga video game!”

General Grievous’s Starfighter

“Hello there! This 487-piece building set of the Separatist leader’s menacing craft comes with three LEGO minifigures — General Grievous, Obi-Wan Kenobi and an Airborne Clone Trooper.”

 

AT-AT

“Straight out of the iconic Battle of Hoth from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, the AT-AT is a massive 1,276-piece build, featuring a cockpit for three LEGO minifigures, foldout panels, spring-loaded shooters, a speeder bike, winch, and bottom hatch so Luke can throw in a thermal detonator. The set includes six minifigures: Luke Skywalker, General Veers, two AT-AT Drivers, and two Snowtroopers.

Death Star Final Duel

“You want this…don’t you? The Death Star Final Duel set features a 775-piece build of the Emperor’s throne room, which includes minifigure Force-jump function, collapsing stairs and bridge, rotating throne, and a reactor shaft. This release comes with five minifigures — Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker and Emperor Palpatine with lightsabers, plus two Imperial Royal Guards with Force pikes.”

Resistance I-TS Transport (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)

“Created for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Star Wars-themed land at Disney Parks, the Resistance I-TS Transport comes home! A fun and challenging 932-piece build, the top of the shuttle lifts off and the sides open for easy play, and there are four rotating stud shooters by the cockpit and four rear stud shooters for battle action. Includes four characters — Lieutenant Bek and Vi Moradi, plus Astromech Droid and GNK Power Droid LEGO figures — to role-play galactic adventures. The Resistance I-TS Transport set will include an  exclusive Unlock Code for the new LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga video game!”

The Razor Crest (The Mandalorian)

“The Mandalorian’s fan-favorite armored transport shuttle comes to life in LEGO form. This 1,023-piece vehicle features a cargo hold with opening sides that double as access ramps and carbonite bounty elements inside, a dual LEGO minifigure cockpit, spring-loaded shooters, escape pod and more authentic details from the series. The release includes an all-star lineup of characters, including The Mandalorian, Greef Karga, and Scout Trooper minifigures, plus the Child and IG-11 LEGO figures. The Razor Crest set will include an  exclusive Unlock Code for the new LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga video game!”

2020 Advent Calendar

“An annual tradition, this year’s LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar will pack six minifigures such as Darth Vader with Christmas sweater decoration and D-O with a festive hat, plus a foldout playmat with an image of the Millennium Falcon with Christmas lights to inspire creative play. The 12 mini builds include Anakin’s Podracer, a Republic Cruiser and Darth Vader’s Castle. The 2020 Advent Calendar will include an  exclusive Unlock Code for the new LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga video game!”

Which new Star Wars LEGO set will you be adding to your birthday or holiday wish list? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Be sure to check back here at Chip and Co. for all things Star Wars!

Featured Photo Credit: LEGO/Lucasfilm

Source: StarWars.com

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Star Wars, News, Shop, Toys, Lego, Star Wars LEGO, the mandalorian, The Skywalker Saga

First Look Revealed for New Disney Channel Original Movie ‘Upside-Down Magic‘. An all new Disney Channel Original Movie is on the way! Upside-Down Magic is a whimsical tale based on the New York Times-bestselling children’s book from authors Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins.

This new Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) stars Izabela Rose, Siena Agudong, Vicki Lewis, Kyle Howard, Max Torina, Elie Samouhi, and Alison Fernandez.  Joe Nussbaum directed and produced the new DCOM along with executive producers Suzanne Farwell and Susan Cartsonis.

We are getting some major “Descendants” and “Harry Potter” vibes from this new DCOM! Upside-Down Magic premieres Friday, July 31 at 8 p.m. on Disney Channel and will be available on DisneyNOW beginning Saturday, Aug. 1.

You can watch the trailer for the Disney Channel Original Movie Upside-Down Magic below:

Be sure to check back here at Chip and Co. for all things Disney Channel!

Featured Photo Credit: Disney Channel

Source: EW

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Disney Channel/XD/Junior, Movies, News, DCOM, Disney Channel, Disney Channel Original Movie, upside down magic

Disney retiring complimentary MagicBand distribution

As you begin planning your upcoming visits, Disney is exploring engaging ways for guests to use their mobile tech to experience the magic – particularly now as the use of phones and apps continues to evolve.

In 2021, Disney plans to unveil an innovative new offering as part of the My Disney Experience app that will bring features of a MagicBand to your smart devices, building on the app’s existing digital key feature.

With this new offering on the horizon, Disney will be retiring their complimentary MagicBand distribution to Disney Resort hotel guests for new reservations with arrivals beginning Jan. 1, 2021.

Disney Resort hotel guests will continue to have the option to purchase new MagicBands at a discount, and they will be introducing even more colors and designs featuring favorite Disney characters in the future.

Guests who prefer not to purchase a discounted MagicBand will be able to use the My Disney Experience app or a Key to the World card during their visit. Disney will still offer MagicBands in retail locations and on shopDisney.com, and guests will be able to continue using the wearables throughout Walt Disney World Resort.

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, Disney retiring complimentary MagicBand, Disney World, magic band, Magicbands