Category: Other

The limited-edition Year of the Mouse monthly plush for July has been revealed! For July we can look forward to an enchanting Tiki Mickey Mouse Plush! This cutie will be available early for D23 Members on July 6 at 9:00 A.M. PST, and then also available in limited quantities on Amazon!

Tiki Mickey Mouse Plush

This is the seventh of twelve collectible large plush for the Year of the Mouse collection! He is beautifully made of twill and corduroy fabrics and features a Hawaiian theme with embroidered buttons and also embroidered eyes. Mickey features a commemorative gold and satin foot patch and includes a Certificate of Authenticity. He also comes in a window box featuring special Year of the Mouse packaging, which is perfect for displaying!

The inspiration for this plush comes from Walt Disney’s first visit to Hawaii in 1934. In honor of a promise made to a theater of local children Walt created the classic short “Hawaiian Holiday”. In the short Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, and Goofy all enjoy their own tropical vacation on a sunny Hawaiian beach. Complete with surfing antics and hula dancing of course!

D23 Members can visit THIS PAGE On Monday, July 6, at 9 a.m. for the link to purchase the Tiki Mickey Mouse plush, limited quantities can later be found on Amazon.

Will you be adding the Tiki Mickey Mouse Plush to your collection?

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Shop, Souvenirs & Collectibles, Disney Plush, Enchanted Tiki Room, Mickey Mouse Plush, Mickey Plush, tiki, Tiki Disney, Tiki Mickey, Tiki Mickey Mouse Plush

This week’s SATURDAY SIX takes a look at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort! Over the past month, we have looked at the reopening of the Universal Orlando Resort by checking out CityWalk, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. Today we’re going to do a staycation at one of Universal’s onsite hotels, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

# 6 – Safety First

Like the parks and CityWalk, the hotels at Universal have implemented a new set of procedures designed with guest and Team Member safety in mind. There is signage throughout the resort informing guests of the new safety measures, along with helpful reminders of things like social distancing and washing hands.

Universal and Loews have also made a helpful video of the new guidelines in place , which can you watch on the TV in your room. We’ll go over the six parts of the video throughout the article.

Upon entering Sapphire Falls, every guest has their temperature taken. If your temperature is under 100.4 degrees you’ll be given a colored wristband. When wearing the wristband you’ll be able to bypass the temperature checks at hotel, CityWalk, and parks. If you take the wristband off, you’ll have to get your temperature taken again if you want to go anywhere on Universal property. The color of the wristband changes daily, and if your temperature is above 100.4 degrees you will not be allowed to check-in or stay at the hotel.

As a person who lives and works in Florida, I can tell you first hand that compliance with face coverings is – at best – hit or miss. I was at a Wal-Mart yesterday and I would have graded the store with an A+ given how many people were wearing masks, especially since there was no one reminding them too. That said, I went to a Home Depot and Publix right after and both places would be generously given a “D,” as not only were a lot of customers not wearing masks of any type, many employees were not wearing them either or, in many cases, wearing them incorrectly.

At Universal, not only was face covering compliance at 100% throughout the hotel, we were reminded at several steps during our stay (by security, bus drivers, etc.) to make sure we were correctly wearing our masks.

Social distancing takes place throughout Sapphire Falls, and at places where a queue would form there were markings on the ground to help you stay a safe distance from other guests.

Loews also reminded guests that only one member of the traveling party needs to check-in at the hotel. The lobby has a wide array of seating for the rest of the family to hang out while waiting.

We mentioned this in earlier articles looking at Universal after reopening, but you will notice Team Members cleaning throughout your stay.

# 5 – The Theming

When Sapphire Falls opened several years ago, I thought it was a great addition to the line-up of on-site hotels at Universal Orlando. Today, I feel even stronger about it. I actually had the opportunity to take Southern and Western Caribbean cruises on Royal Caribbean, and after visiting various islands, I’ve gained a new appreciation for the hotel as it does a great job bringing “island time” to Orlando.

During our trips to the Caribbean, we have taken tours of various sugar mills and learned the history of sugar plantations on the islands. For centuries, sugar was the main crop for several islands, with sugar mills being ubiquitous. Throughout Sapphire Falls you will see references to sugar mills and their limestone towers.

One of our favorite parts of Sapphire Falls is the incredible lobby bar, Strong Water Tavern. You can’t miss the location, because it is connected to a near life-size recreation of a limestone sugar mill tower.

Like most dining venues at Universal, Strong Water has reopened with a limited menu, but even its scaled-down menu blows away what you would find at any other theme park hotel lobby bar. In fact, Strong Water may be the best bar on Universal property.

The giant sugar mill re-creation that Strong Water connects to is actually a staircase. Normally I’m an “elevator guy,” but I actually love taking these stairs going back and forth from the pool area.

 

The grounds of Sapphire Falls are a tropical paradise.

The Sapphire Falls branded merchandise falls within the island theme.

The Sapphire Falls gift shop is actually rather large, and has a wide selection of Universal merchandise to choose from.

What you don’t see in the store, Sapphire Falls can get for you.

 

# 4 – The Rooms

The standard guest room at Sapphire Falls is 321 square foot and includes two queen beds. It accommodates four guests, but you can also add a rollaway bed for a fifth guest to sleep on. There is also a desk, a Keurig coffee maker, and plenty of outlets.

The Loews hotels at Universal do an amazing job when it comes to their kids’ suites. Don’t get me wrong, I love Disney’s Art of Animation suites, but I always found it strange that the main bedroom was closed off from the rest of the room and kid’s slept in the area closest to the hallway. At Universal, the kid’s room is separated with a door opening into the adult’s room, and not into the hallway. When staying with the kiddos, this seems like a much better way to do things as no one can slip out without the adults knowing. At Sapphire Falls, the kids’ suite has a nautical theme and the overall room is 529 square feet. This is a ton of space for everyone. The adults’ room has a king-sized bed, while the kids’ room has two twin beds.

For you high rollers out there, Sapphire Falls has several Hospitality Suite options giving guests over 1,000 square feet of space. The best room in the house though is the Presidential Suite. This incredible room is 1,294 square feet and  features a large dining room, conference area, separate study area, refrigerator and separate sink, two bathrooms, and a soaking tub.

 

# 3 – Pet Friendly

We enjoy traveling with our four-legged friends, and it has become easier than ever to take your pets with you on a theme park vacation. Several years ago, Disney made several of their on-site hotels dog friendly. Universal offers four pet-friendly resorts with the Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay Resort, and Sapphire Falls. What’s more, each of Universal’s properties were built with pets in mind, so the areas dedicated to them are much better than what you’ll find at Disney. Each pet friendly room will accept up to two pets, but the cost is just $100 per room for the entire length of stay. Upon check-in, the Loews Loves Pets program gives each pet owner a “welcome kit” that includes treats, bowls, and a placemat.

The pet friendly rooms are grouped together in an area on the first floor of one specific wing of the resort.

Sometimes the dog food you bring from home just isn’t good enough for your pampered pet. If that’s the case, don’t worry. Sapphire Falls has you covered with options available via room service. That’s right, there are meals specifically made for dogs and cats. Each order comes with water, and you can also request items such as toys or pet waste bags.

The pet relief area at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort is massive, with a lighted walking path and a gigantic area to play in.

The other side of the building also has an area where guests enjoy taking walks with their pets. Unlike the dedicated pet relief area, this walkway is not closed off, but it is rarely used by any other other guests.

# 2 – Amatista Cookhouse

Universal has set a high standard when it comes to on-site dining at its resorts, and Amatista Cookhouse at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort continues the tradition of solid table service along with a Caribbean themed menu, an open kitchen, and a great view. With high ceilings and large windows, natural light fills the restaurant and provides great atmosphere for a meal. Amatista is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Once a “best kept secret” at Universal, word is getting out how great Amatista is.

 

# 1 – The Pool

Sapphire Falls is home to the largest pool on Universal property: a 16,000 square foot pool that includes a water slide, a sandy beach area, and a top-notch pool bar in the Drhum Club Kantine. For our family, pools have become a determining factor in where we choose to vacation and Sapphire Falls has something for all of us. The older kids love doing the slide, the younger ones build sand castles, and we adults sip on Drhum Club Punch trying to take every last minute in. We also enjoy that the middle of the pool is zero entry and it’s designed to look like a sand bar.

Universal’s onsite hotels have some of the best poolside restaurants I have ever been to, and Drhum Club Kantine is right up there at the top with a shockingly great menu for “pool food.”

Getting to keep the souvenir cups makes everything taste a little bit better.

There is a lot of seating around the Sapphire Falls pool area that is absolutely free, but one thing that my family likes to do on days that we check in to the hotel is rent a poolside cabana. With covered seating, a table, refrigerator, couch, TV, padded chairs, and multiple fans, we can spend the entire day poolside. The cabanas come with water and soft drinks, and you’ll get a Drhum Club server checking in on you throughout the day to see if you need anything else. We’ve had no problems getting a pack and play from the resort delivered to the cabana so that the little ones can take naps. The price of a cabana will fluctuate slightly depending on what season you go, but generally they are around $100 for a full day’s use and – for us – is a bargain.

 

Honorable Mention: The Amenities

For those weirdoes perfectly sane people who like to work out on their vacation, Sapphire Falls has a well appointed fitness center with a ton of equipment and machines. The locker room is equipped with showers and a sauna.

Sapphire Falls is on a quick (and complimentary) water taxi or walk away from the rest of the Universal Orlando Resort. That means you are always about 10 minutes away from enjoying a meal at The Cowfish, taking a ride aboard the Hogwarts Express, or even heading over to Cabana Bay for a set of bowling. There is no better way to get to the parks than a relaxing boat ride, but the short walk also allows you to burn off some of the calories you are surely about to take in with a bonkers milkshake from Toothsome Chocolate Emporium or a Voodoo Doughnut. For those used to bus transportation at Walt Disney World, buses are also arriving and departing seemingly non-stop to CityWalk. There was never a time we waited longer than three minutes for a bus.

Guests staying at Sapphire Falls get early access to the Universal theme parks and Volcano Bay.

You can purchase your theme park tickets at Sapphire Falls, or even upgrade your Annual Pass.

So there you have it: Staying onsite at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort! See you next weekend for the latest installment of the SATURDAY SIX, where we’ll look at something fun from the world of Disney and Universal. If you enjoyed yourself, be sure to check out The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles covering the latest from the Disney Outlet Stores. You can also follow Your Humble Author on Twitter (@derekburgan).

If you enjoyed this article, you will surely like the following: 

SATURDAY SIX Presents: The Disney Signage Hall of Shame

Special Thanks to The Elite Brandon Glover, the bio-est of all reconstructs @bioreconstruct, Captain Cruiseline Scott Sanders of the world famous Disney Cruise Line Blog, my personal protege Hunter “Elvey” Underwood, the SAT SIX Fun Squad of Parkscope Joe and “the Dadalorian” Nick, hot shot Michael Carelli, charter member of the Universal Four @Nitro230, and Hermione Granger’s tutor Megan Stump for their invaluable assistance with this article. The SAT SIX is inspired each week by goofballs Aengus Mackenzie and LitemAndHyde and you Potterheads will  enjoy Meg’s other blog work over at the Central Florida Slug Club.

The post The SATURDAY SIX Spends a Night at Loews SAPPHIRE FALLS RESORT appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Saturday Six, Universal Orlando Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, saturday six

The out-of-this-world animated movie “Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe,” from Disney Television Animation, will premiere exclusively on Disney+ Friday, August 28. The soundtrack, from Walt Disney Records, will be available the same day.

Executive-produced by the creators/executive producers of the Emmy Award-winning “Phineas and Ferb” series, Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, “Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe” is an adventure story that tracks stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb as they set out across the galaxy to rescue their older sister Candace, who after being abducted by aliens, finds utopia in a far-off planet, free of pesky little brothers.

Voice talent reprising their roles from the original series and movie include: Ashley Tisdale as Candace Flynn; Vincent Martella as Phineas Flynn; Caroline Rhea as their mom, Linda; Dee Bradley Baker as Perry the Platypus; Alyson Stoner as Isabella; Maulik Pancholy as Baljeet; Bobby Gaylor as Buford; Olivia Olson as Vanessa Doofenshmirtz; Tyler Mann as Carl; and Povenmire and Marsh as Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz and Major Monogram, respectively. David Errigo Jr. joins the cast as Ferb Fletcher.

The movie also stars: Ali Wong (“American Housewife”) as Super Super Big Doctor; Wayne Brady (“Whose Line Is It Anyway?”) as Stapler Fist; Diedrich Bader (“American Housewife”) as Borthos; and Thomas Middleditch (“Silicon Valley”) as Garnoz.

In addition to Povenmire and Marsh, the talented crew includes: director Bob Bowen (“Family Guy”), composer Danny Jacob (“Phineas and Ferb”) and songwriters Karey Kirkpatrick (“Something Rotten!”), Emanuel Kiriakou (Whitney Houston’s “I Look To You”) and Kate Micucci (“Garfunkel and Oates”).

All four seasons of the original animated series “Phineas and Ferb,” along with the Disney Channel Original Movie “Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension,” are also available to stream on Disney+. Beginning Tuesday, August 25, all episodes will be presented on Disney XD leading up to the movie’s premiere.

In addition to the soundtrack for the new movie, brand extensions for the movie will include cross-category product available at Hot Topic, BoxLunch and Amazon this August.

Click here to see the trailer!

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Disney & Co, Disney+, News, disney, Disney plus, Phineas and Ferb, Phineas and Ferb The Movie, Phineas and Ferb: The Movie: Candace Against the Universe

A Tangled Tower Cupcake? BEST DAY EVER!!

This treat inspired in Rapunzel’s tower is perfect to spend the day putting it together with your family or you can also use it to decorate your Tangled themed party!

Take a look at the super easy recipe from Disney Family!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 waffle cone
• Purple candy coatings
• 6 pecan rolls
• 1 large cupcake or muffin in a white paper wrapper
• 1 brown cupcake wrapper
• 1 can ready-made buttercream frosting
• Green food coloring
• 4x4x2 inch styrofoam block
• Green paper
• Scissors
• 12 inch wooden dowel
• 4×4 inch grease proof doily
• Wax paper
• 1 disposable decorating bag with #16 tip

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Step 1: Grab the styrofoam and insert a wooden dowel straight into the center of it. Then remove it and cover the top and sides of the styrofoam with green paper.
• Step 2: Re-insert the dowel into the styrofoam block, first cutting a lit in the center of the paper so the dowel can be inserted easily.
• Step 3: Place a sheet of wax paper or 4×4 inch cake doily on top of the styrofoam around the dowel. Cut a slit in the doily to make it easy to attach.
• Step 4: Prepare the roof of the tower
• Step 5: Melt the purple candy coatings and completely coat the outside of the waffle cone. Shake off any excess and let it dry.

• Step 6: Slide the pecan rolls onto the dowel, alternating the direction of each one.
• Step 7: Before placing the last pecan roll, cut a slit in the bottom center of a brown cupcake wrapper and place the wrapper on the dowel. Then place the last roll right inside.
• Step 8: Slide the muffin, paper included, onto the dowel.
• Step 9: Lastly, spread a little remaining candy coating over the muffin top and attach the waffle cone.
• Step 10: Tint a small amount of frosting with green food coloring then pipe on small leaves to wrap around the Tangled tower base.

Now that your tower is ready you can enjoy a sweet treat with your family while you watch Tangled on Disney+!

Credit: Disney Family

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Other Disney Stuff, Disney Food, Disney Snacks & Treats, Disney Family, Disney Princess, Disney Recipe, Rapunzel, Tangled, tangled dessert, tangled snack, tangled tower cupcake

Starbucks Summer Refresh: New Summer Specialty Drinks at Starbucks in Disney Springs

There are some new Starbucks drinks in town and they are absolutely brew-tiful! And the best part is, there are THREE new drinks! They all look and sound delicious-

• Love is Love – Violet Drink shaken with strawberries. Topped with Strawberry Vanilla Sweet Cream foam.⁣⁣
• Campfire Cold Brew – Nitro Cold Brew with milk chocolate. Topped with Marshmallow Vanilla Sweet Cream foam and graham cracker topping.
• Picnic Punch – Pineapple Matcha Drink topped with Strawberry Vanilla Sweet Cream foam.⁣⁣

The only problem is…I can’t decide which one sounds the best! I guess I’ll just have to sneak over to the Marketplace Starbucks and try out all of them on my next trip to Disney Springs.

View this post on Instagram

⁣ Our new drinks are brew-tiful. ?⁣⁣ —⁣⁣ Bask in summer goodness with our new seasonal menu!⁣⁣ Pictured above from left to right:⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ☀️Love Is Love: Violet Drink shaken with strawberries. Topped with Strawberry Vanilla Sweet Cream foam.⁣⁣ ☀️Campfire Cold Brew: Nitro Cold Brew with milk chocolate. Topped with Marshmallow Vanilla Sweet Cream foam and graham cracker topping. ☀️Picnic Punch: Pineapple Matcha Drink topped with Strawberry Vanilla Sweet Cream foam.⁣⁣ .⁣⁣ .⁣⁣ .⁣⁣ #starbucks #sbuxmarketplace #disneysprings #wdw #summer #disneyspringsfood #limitedtime #violetdrink #nitro #nitrocoldbrew #instagram #instadaily #instagood #vote #barista #tobeapartner #barberlife #orlando #florida #strawberry #disney #starbucksstories

A post shared by Starbucks Marketplace (@starbucksmarketplace) on Jun 11, 2020 at 9:39am PDT

One of our writers, the fabulous Allison Luna, got to try out the new “Picnic Punch!” To find out more details or hear Allison’s review of the drink, view the video below or head over to our Instagram!

View this post on Instagram

The new Picnic Punch at @starbucks is super refreshing and a great beverage to try on your next trip to Disney Springs! It’s a pineapple matcha with strawberry purée cold foam. #disneysprings #waltdisneyworld #starbucks #disneyfood

A post shared by Chip and Co (@chipandco) on Jun 30, 2020 at 11:00am PDT

Which new Starbucks Summer drink do you want to try?

Check back here on Chip & Co. for the latest theme park news updates!

Source: Starbucks Marketplace Instagram.

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Disney Food, Disney Snacks & Treats, Disney Springs, Walt Disney World, Disney Drinks, Disney Foodie, Starbucks, Starbucks Marketplace, Summer