Disney News Blog

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Oct. 15, 2009) – Disney’s Endurance series is adding a mouth-watering half marathon to its list of already popular race weekends. The inaugural Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend is set to take place Oct. 1-2, 2010, culminating with a 13.1-mile nighttime race and after-hours party inside the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

Combining characteristics of some of the most popular races, the half marathon is sure to please runners of all types. Participants will brave the night on a never-before-trekked course through multiple Disney theme parks, with the finish line inside the Epcot Food & Wine Festival for an exclusive after-hours party. Spectators can purchase tickets to the party and help kick off the 15th annual Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

“Teaming up with the 15th Epcot Food & Wine Festival is the perfect way to showcase the wonderful and unique events we seek to offer with our endurance races,” said Disney’s sports event director Paul Lambert. “From food and wine, to theme parks and sports, Disney adds a touch you can’t experience anywhere else.”

Events are planned for the entire weekend, starting with a Health and Fitness Expo hosted at Jostens Center at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex Oct. 1-2. All members of the family can join in on some hauntingly good fun with Disney Kids’ Races and Mickey’s Halloween Family Fun Run 5k. Kids’ Races will take place at the complex while the Family Fun Run 5k takes participants through Magic Kingdom. Both races are during the morning on Oct.2, with staggered starting times to invite participation in all events. The weekend culminates with the half marathon on the evening of Oct.2.

The half marathon will be open to ages 14 and older and offers a relay option for two-person teams. Half marathon registration will open Nov. 16, 2009. To reserve your spot and find out more information on the race, visit disneywinedinerun.com.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Oct. 13, 2009) – This year’s Children’s Miracle Network Classic at Walt Disney World Resort is sure to leave fans with a good taste in their mouths.

Literally.

The 2009 Classic, taking place Nov. 12-15, will feature a culinary twist distinctive among PGA TOUR events. In addition to watching exciting golf action, spectators can sip, sample and savor elaborate dishes, unique wines and select beers along the fairways of Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course.

The Wine & Dine Walk runs Friday through Sunday of tournament week, with food, beer and wine stations positioned on key holes along the back nine of the Magnolia course offering fans the best flavors of New England, Africa and India. Cuisine from some of Disney’s newest and most popular restaurants will be featured, including The Wave (Disney’s ContemporaryResort), Sanaa (Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge) and The Turf Club Bar & Grill (Disney’s Saratoga SpringsResort & Spa). The wine, beer and cuisine offerings will range from $3.25 to $7.50. For more information, visit www.childrensmiraclenetworkclassic.com.

“The Wine & Dine Walk will offer fans an enhanced golf experience that makes enjoying the tournament as easy as a ‘walk in the park,’” tournament director Kevin Weickel said. “We are bringing together the culinary expertise of our various Disney resorts to create a potpourri of cultural experiences intertwined with the drama of the final PGA TOUR Fall Series event.”

The 2009 Children’s Miracle Network Classic, the season finale of the PGA Tour Fall Series, will mark the 39th year of the PGA TOUR at Walt Disney World Resort. Davis Love III is expected to battle a marquee Fall Series field in an effort to defend his title from 2008 when he joined the likes of Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Jack Nicklaus, Payne Stewart and Raymond Floyd as winners of the prestigious Disney tournament.

Pre-event ticket sales are available exclusively through www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket booths will be located onsite during the tournament where weekly badges ($20) or daily tickets ($10) can be purchased.

Golf Channel will provide its signature wrap-around news coverage of the Children’s Miracle Network Classic live and in high definition from Nov. 12-15. Coverage kicks off Thursday, from 1-4 p.m. ET.

Wine & Dine Walk Menu on the Magnolia Course
Nov.13-15, 2009
Hole No. 11
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort: Captain’s Grille
Offers the best flavors of New England

* Crab Cakes with Tartar Sauce - $6.25
* Lobster Roll - $7.50
* Wine Pairing: Fess Parker Chardonnay - $3.25
* Beer Pairing: Samuel Adams (16oz Draft) - $6
* Bud Light (16oz) - $5.50
* Bud Light Lime (16oz) and Michelob Ultra (16oz) - $6.50

Hole No. 13
Disney’s Contemporary Resort: The Wave
Features tasty and healthy American cooking with a dash of world flavoring

* 5 Spice Chicken Wrap - $4.25
* Avocado and Citrus Salad - $3.25
* Wine Pairing: Trimbach Gewurztraminer - $3.75
* Beer Pairing: Wolover’s Organic Pale Ale - $6.75
* Bud Light (16oz) - $5.50
* Bud Light Lime (16oz) and Michelob Ultra (16oz) - $6.50

Hole No.15
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa: The Turf Club Bar & Grill
Presents simple preparations with flavorful and tasty results

* Chicken and Artichoke Flatbread - $4.25
* Lamb Chops - $5.75
* Mickey Ravioli - $3.75
* Wine Pairing: Schweiger Cabernet Sauvignon - $3.50
* Beer Pairing: Saratoga Lager - $6.75
* Bud Light (16oz) - $5.50
* Bud Light Lime (16oz) and Michelob Ultra (16oz) - $6.50

Hole No.17
Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: Sanaa
Provides a blend of African cooking with Indian flavoring

* Chicken with Red Curry Sauce served with Basmati Rice and Naan Bread - $4.25
* Shrimp with Green Curry Sauce served with Basmati Rice and Naan Bread - $4.25
* Wine Pairing: Conundrum White Blend - $4.25
* Beer Pairing: Kingfisher Premium Lager (from India) - $6.75
* Bud Light (16oz) - $5.50
* Bud Light Lime (16oz) and Michelob Ultra (16oz) - -$6.50

Hole No. 17
Disney’s Wide World of Sports Café
Offers rich and creamy desserts sure to please

* Gelato Cookie Sandwich - $2.50
* Wine Pairing: Magicale Sparkling Blush WinE - $3.50
* Bud Light (16oz) - $5.50
* Bud Light Lime (16oz) and Michelob Ultra (16oz) - $6.50

Putting Green
Disney’s Wide World of Sports Café
Serves classic American Cuisine with a twist

* BLT - $3.50
* Chicken Kabob - $4.50
* Wine Pairing: King Estate Pinot Gris - $3.50
* Beer Pairing: Blue Moon Belgian Wheat - $5.50
* Bud Light (16oz) - $5.50
* Bud Light Lime (16oz) and Michelob Ultra (16oz) - $6.50

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Miles of garland, ribbon, twinkling lights and glitter transform Walt Disney World Resort into a winter wonderland during the holiday season.

Here’s a sample of what guests will experience throughout the Vacation Kingdom:

737 decorated trees throughout property

A wreath 25 feet in diameter adorning the Cirque du Soleil building at Downtown Disney West Side

10 miles of twinkling rope lights in the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

150 tractor-trailer truckloads of decorations for 24 resorts, 4 theme parks, Downtown Disney and other locations

15 miles of garland strung and 1,314 wreaths hung throughout the Vacation Kingdom

300,000 yards of ribbon and bows draping over Christmas trees across property

8.5 million lights strung throughout Walt Disney World Resort

98 percent of the lighting used for holiday décor is LED

11 countries dressed for Holidays Around the World at Epcot World Showcase

A Christmas tree in Magic Kingdom with a base 26 feet wide

One 70-foot-tall tree takes center stage in Disney’s Contemporary Resort entrance lobby featuring nearly 35,800 white LED lights

6 life-sized creations cooked up by Walt Disney World pastry chefs, including:

· One 16-foot-tall gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa baked with 1,050 pounds of honey and involving more than 160 hours of decorating

·Onelife-size gingerbread carousel at Disney’s Beach Club Resort featuring ponies made of chocolate and fondant, giant candy cane poles, handcrafted poinsettias and hand-paintedportraits of famous Disney characters

100 percent chance of snow flurries during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, taking place on select holiday evenings in Magic Kingdom

365 days of the year that guests can shop for holiday merchandise at the Disney’s Days of Christmas shop in Downtown Disney Marketplace

Re-Imagined "Star Tours" Coming to California and Florida in 2011 and Major Fantasyland Expansion at Walt Disney World Scheduled for 2013

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo detailed plans for future lands, attractions and adventures that will be delighting Disney guests for years to come, at the first D23 Expo. Most notable among the announcements were the confirmation of an all-new Star Tours attraction and the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

"Storytelling is the DNA of Disney dreams and we're always exploring new ways to tell new stories in new places," Rasulo told a crowd at the Anaheim Convention Center in California before taking them on a "behind-the-magic" tour of their favorite Disney destinations.

Rasulo announced that a new 3-D version of the tremendously-popular "Star Tours" attraction will debut at the Disneyland Resort and Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2011. Based on the iconic Lucasfilm "Star Wars" films, the attraction will include immersive new elements that will take guests to many familiar places in the Star Wars galaxy.

For Walt Disney World in Florida, Rasulo outlined plans for the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom, vastly increasing the size of Fantasyland by 2013. Guests will soon be able to:

--Visit their favorite Disney Princess in her castle, cottage, or chateau to share a dance with Cinderella; celebrate Sleeping Beauty's birthday with the Good Fairies; or join Belle in an enchanting story performance in the Beast's castle library.

--Be Our Guest and dine in one of three enchanted rooms inside the Beast's castle.

--Fly with Dumbo high above brand new circus grounds, twice the size of the existing attraction with a new interactive, three-ring circus tent.

--Journey under the sea with Ariel, The Little Mermaid, in her very own attraction - also opening at Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim in 2011.

--Meet Tinker Bell and her friends in the magical world of Pixie Hollow.

Rasulo provided updates on the multi-year expansion of Disney's California Adventure including the new "World of Color" attraction slated to open in the spring of 2010 and the addition of the 12-acre Cars Land scheduled to open in 2012 where guests will literally step into the town of Radiator Springs and its six acres of hand-carved rockwork.

Rasulo noted the progress of several other recently-announced projects including the three new lands coming to Hong Kong Disneyland by 2014; the Disney Dream, the new ship being built by Disney Cruise Line; the many diverse itineraries being offered by Adventures by Disney that take guests on 19 unique, once-in-a-lifetime guided vacation experiences; and Disney's first family destination resort on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

Rasulo's keynote presentation was only part of the D23 EXPO experience. Guests were able to discover:

Never-before-seen models of upcoming Disney attractions.

Up close and personal visits with Lucky the Dinosaur and Wall-E.

A preview of the most advanced Audio-Animatronics figures ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering.

Displays showcasing cutting-edge effects technologies that are being developed for Disney attractions, shows and venues.

(AUG. 6, 2009): Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose (left), who provides the voice of Disney's newest princess, Tiana, in the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated feature film "The Princess and the Frog," poses with the new Princess Tiana character (right) as she will soon appear at Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Thursday night's event marked the very first public appearance of the Princess Tiana theme park character and took place during the 2009 National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Annual Convention in Tampa, Fla. In addition, Rose performed a song from the film for convention-goers. "The Princess and the Frog" film will premiere in theaters nationwide Dec. 11, 2009. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

New citizens attend premiere of ‘re-Imagineered’ Hall of Presidents attraction,
now featuring President Barack Obama figure


LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (July 3, 2009) – In a stirring celebration of citizenship, more than 1,000 immigrants gathered on Main Street, U.S.A. early Friday to be “sworn in” as American citizens.

And then, as the country kicked off Independence Day weekend, these brand-new Americans attended a premiere performance of the newest Walt Disney World attraction, a “re-Imagineered” Hall of Presidents now featuring a lifelike Audio-Animatronics figure of President Barack Obama.

From more than 100 countries and ranging in age from 18 to 82, the immigrants took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States during a morning ceremony jointly hosted by Disney Parks and Resorts and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

USCIS’s highest-ranking official, Acting Deputy Director Michael Aytes, presided over the ceremony on the forecourt of Cinderella Castle. The event featured a welcoming address by Walt Disney World Resort President Meg Crofton, the presentation of the colors, the national anthem, the Oath of Allegiance and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Actor Andy Garcia – a naturalized citizen himself – delivered a keynote address during the ceremony. Garcia, originally from Cuba, is an acclaimed actor known for roles in films as diverse as “The Untouchables,” “The Godfather: Part III” and “Ocean’s Eleven.” The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Tampa-based Senior Airman Brenda Langdon of the U.S. Air Force, an immigrant from Columbia who became a United States citizen during the ceremony.

“This year, Disney parks are asking our visitors ‘What Will You Celebrate?’,” said Walt Disney World Resort President Meg Crofton in her welcoming address. “And on a weekend when our entire nation celebrates its independence, we are honored to host – and celebrate – 1,000 individuals who are embracing American citizenship.”

To cap a star-spangled morning, the new citizens and their family members previewed the Hall of Presidents attraction – which reopens July 4 in the Liberty Square area of Magic Kingdom. The attraction has been closed since Election Day last November for a makeover that included installation of a lifelike Audio-Animatronics figure based on President Obama.

The figure of the country’s 44th chief executive – which comes to life with recognizable mannerisms and makes comments that were recorded recently at the White House – is part of an eight-month makeover so significant that the iconic attraction has been retitled The Hall of Presidents: A Celebration of Liberty’s Leaders. Other updates to the re-Imagineered attraction which has been entertaining Magic Kingdom guests since 1971:

A re-programmed Abraham Lincoln delivers arguably the greatest speech in the history of the presidency – the Gettysburg Address.

For the first time in the attraction’s history, George Washington stands and delivers a stirring speech.

Developed with the assistance of Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, the show now tells a moving story of the bond between the presidents and “We, the People,” focusing on the chief executives who have guided America through trying, turbulent times.

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“Our goal with every major Disney attraction is to completely immerse our guests in a compelling story,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “The stories associated with the American presidency are some of the most engaging and relevant our guests will hear while they are with us. And, like all great stories, these stories inspire, motivate and teach us to appreciate the challenges and personal triumph that comes with overcoming adversity.”

Presentations of the Hall of Presidents show will take place daily beginning July 4 and are included with Magic Kingdom admission.

For video of President Obama in the White House Map Room recording his audio track for the Hall of Presidents attraction, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/.

ANAHEIM, Calif./LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (June 3, 2009) – Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton and Disneyland President Ed Grier are squaring off – all in fun – as their local teams, the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers, head for the NBA Finals.

With both Disney parks asking guests “What Will You Celebrate?” in 2009, Grier and Crofton are getting in the act, making a celebratory wager on the outcome of the NBA Finals:

If the Magic win, Grier will walk down Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park wearing a pair of specially made Mickey Mouse ears in Magic blue and silver. If the Lakers win, Crofton will don a pair of Lakers’ purple and gold mouse ears and walk down Main Street, U.S.A. at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom.

“The Lakers are going to make your team very Grumpy this week,” predicted Grier to Crofton.

“But we have ‘Magic’ on our side,” countered Crofton. “And isn’t that what Disney is all about?”

Crofton and Grier went through their respective parks Wednesday looking for supporters. Grier shot some hoops with Donald and Pluto in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, while Crofton (along with Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale) drummed up Orlando Magic support in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort.

The park presidents even pledged to turn the lights of their respective castles to their team colors in celebration of the historic pairing.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (May 29, 2009) – Dreams keep coming true for new “American Idol” Kris Allen.

Last week, the 23-year-old singer from Conway, Ark., became the newest “American Idol” by garnering the most fan votes in the television series’ thrilling Season Eight finale. Moments after his victory, Allen did what dozens of sports celebrities and heroes have done for more than two decades: He looked into a television camera and shouted, “I’m going to Disney World!”

This week, America’s newest star lived out his post-finale show pronouncement when he basked in the glow of a victory parade and gala celebration at “The American Idol Experience,” the new Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park attraction based on the “American Idol” television show.

Celebrating with Allen Friday at Walt Disney World was his new bride, Katy. The longtime sweethearts were married eight months ago.

Thousands of fans turned out May 29 for Allen’s day in the Disney sun, which included a party-filled procession through the theme park and a chance for fans to see the newest “American Idol” amidst the celebratory setting.

In the iconic commercial shot on the Nokia Theater stage in Los Angeles following the May 20 season finale show, Allen not only shouts the famous “I’m Going to Disney World!” line, but his voice also is featured throughout the ad as he performs the famous song, “When You Wish Upon A Star.” And with the same immediacy that has made the Disney spot one of the most beloved commercials of all-time, the newest “I’m Going to Disney World!” commercial debuted on television within hours of the “American Idol” finale.

By starring in the Disney commercial, Allen joins a line-up of superstar professional athletes and heroes who have shouted the famous “I’m Going to Disney World” line. He is the second singer ever to star in the Disney commercial in its 23-year history (2008 “American Idol” champion, David Cook, was the first).

Fittingly, Allen made his visit to Walt Disney World as Disney Parks asks guests “What Will You Celebrate?”

Allen’s victory on “American Idol” took the country by storm and highlighted Season Eight of the show.

His journey on “Idol” began when he and his brother drove more than eight hours from Arkansas to Louisville, Ky., and then waited another 14 hours to audition. All of Allen’s long hours and hard work were rewarded May 20 in the star-studded season finale when he was crowned the newest “American Idol.”

“The American Idol Experience” at Walt Disney World Resort – which had a February 2009 grand opening – is the first major theme park attraction in the world based on the popular television series. Walt Disney Imagineering developed the interactive attraction in conjunction with FremantleMedia Enterprises and 19 TV Ltd.

“The American Idol Experience” lets Disney guests experience the glitz and glamour of the “American Idol” television show, whether they are auditioning for a Disney producer, performing on-stage in front of a packed theater or voting for their favorite singer from their audience seats. Attraction performers who receive the most audience votes in the preliminary shows return to star in that evening’s grand finale show. In addition to their new-found theme park fame, the top vote-getting guest in the finale show receives “The American Idol Experience” Dream Ticket – which allows an eligible holder to schedule a front-of-the-line audition at a future regional audition for the “American Idol” television show.

NOTE: Registration for Goofy's Race and Half Challenge is reopened due to unprecedented demand and increased Half Marathon course capacity for 2010. Come celebrate the 5th anniversary of Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge with 7500 of your closest friends!

Ever thought you could run the Disney Marathon? How about in three minutes or less? Take a tour of the Walt Disney World Marathon from start to finish. See the sights, sounds and entertainment along the way on this 26.2 mile magical journey through all four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot) in just three minutes.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (May 19, 2009) – Golfers who dream of literally playing golf all day can make that dream come true at Walt Disney World Resort this Memorial Day Weekend. Disney is offering golf enthusiasts the opportunity to play until their hearts are content through a special new “Play All Day” offer that is good May 22-25 at Disney’s Palm, Lake Buena Vista and Osprey Ridge courses.

Through the “Play All Day” offer ($59 per person), guests can book their first tee time in advance and, after finishing that round, book a second tee time – based on availability – and repeat the process until sundown or no additional tee times are available.

Guests are allowed to play one or more of the three participating Disney courses. The upcoming Memorial Day Weekend all-day rate includes use of an electric golf cart, unlimited greens fees and pre-round practice balls.

To book a reservation, guests may call 407/WDW-GOLF.

‘I’m Going to Disney World!’

New ‘American Idol’ is Seen – and Heard! – in Famous Disney Ad

LOS ANGELES – To celebrate the newly opened “American Idol Experience” attraction at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Kris Allen shouted the famous words “I’m Going to Disney World!” immediately after being crowned the newest “American Idol” in the show’s star-studded season finale on May 20, 2009 in Los Angeles.

Disney camera crews captured Allen’s celebratory pronouncement on the Nokia Theatre stage mere moments after “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest announced the champion’s name to millions of viewers watching worldwide.

Not only does the newly crowned Idol shout “I’m Going to Disney World!” at the spot’s conclusion, Allen's voice also is featured throughout the ad as he performs the iconic song, “When You Wish Upon A Star.”

And with the same immediacy that has made the Disney spot one of the most beloved commercials of all-time, the newest “I’m Going to Disney World!” commercial aired on television within hours of the “American Idol” finale.

Starring in a role usually occupied by sports stars – including Super Bowl heroes and World Series champs – Allen is the second singer to ever star in the Disney commercial in its 20+-year history. (2008 “American Idol” champion, David Cook, was the first.)

The “American Idol” champion’s role in the newest “I’m Going to Disney World” commercial celebrates “The American Idol Experience,” the new “American Idol”-themed attraction that had a February 2009 grand opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, part of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

“The American Idol Experience” – the first major theme park attraction in the world based on the popular television series – was developed by Walt Disney Imagineering in conjunction with FremantleMedia Enterprises and 19 TV Ltd.

In the attraction, Disney guests are able to experience the glitz and glamour of the “American Idol” television show, whether they are auditioning for a Disney producer, performing on-stage in front of a packed theater or voting for their favorite performance from their audience seats. Performers who receive the most audience votes in the preliminary shows return to star in that evening’s grand finale show. In addition to their new-found theme park fame, the top vote-getting guest in the finale show receives “The American Idol Experience” Dream Ticket – which allows an eligible holder to schedule a front-of-the-line audition at a future regional audition for the “American Idol” television show.

By starring in the Disney commercial, Allen joins a lineup of superstar professional athletes who have shouted the famous “I’m Going to Disney World” line.

Fittingly, the new “American Idol” will make his celebratory visit to Walt Disney World Resort as Disney Parks asks guests “What Will You Celebrate?”

‘Adam Lambert or Kris Allen,
You’ve Just Been Named The New American Idol,
What Are You Going To Do Next?’

‘I’m Going to Disney World!’

LOS ANGELES – To celebrate the newly opened “American Idol Experience” attraction at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Adam Lambert or Kris Allen will shout the famous words “I’m Going to Disney World!” immediately after being crowned the newest “American Idol” in the show’s star-studded season finale on Wednesday night, May 20, in Los Angeles.

Camera crews will capture Adam Lambert or Kris Allen’s celebratory pronouncement on the Nokia Theatre stage mere moments after “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest announces the champion’s name to millions of viewers watching worldwide.

Not only will the newly crowned Idol shout “I’m Going to Disney World!” at the spot’s conclusion, his voice also will be featured throughout the ad as he performs the iconic song, “When You Wish Upon A Star.”

And with the same immediacy that has made the Disney spot one of the most beloved commercials of all-time, the newest “I’m Going to Disney World!” commercial is scheduled to air on television within hours of the “American Idol” finale.

Starring in a role usually occupied by sports stars – including Super Bowl heroes and World Series champs – Adam Lambert or Kris Allen will be the second singer to ever star in the Disney commercial in its 20+-year history. (2008 “American Idol” champion, David Cook, was the first.)

The “American Idol” champion’s role in the newest “I’m Going to Disney World” commercial celebrates “The American Idol Experience,” the new “American Idol”-themed attraction that had a February 2009 grand opening Disney’s Hollywood Studios, part of Walt Disney World in Florida.

“The American Idol Experience” – the first major theme park attraction in the world based on the popular television series – was developed by Walt Disney Imagineering in conjunction with FremantleMedia Enterprises and 19 TV Ltd.

In the attraction, Disney guests are able to experience the glitz and glamour of the “American Idol” television show, whether they are auditioning for a Disney producer, performing on-stage in front of a packed theater or voting for their favorite performance from their audience seats.

Performers who receive the most audience votes in the preliminary shows return to star in that evening’s grand finale show. In addition to their new-found theme park fame, the top vote-getting guest in the finale show receives “The American Idol Experience” Dream Ticket – which allows an eligible holder to schedule a front-of-the-line audition at a future regional audition for the “American Idol” television show.

By starring in the Disney commercial, Adam Lambert or Kris Allen joins a line-up of superstar professional athletes who have shouted the famous “I’m Going to Disney World” line.

Fittingly, the new “American Idol” will make his celebratory visit to Walt Disney World as Disney Parks asks guests “What Will You Celebrate?”

ABOUT “THE AMERICAN IDOL EXPERIENCE” DREAM TICKET:

Dream Ticket recipients must satisfy AMERICAN IDOL* TV program requirements in effect at time of use, such as age and residency (Season 8 - only ages 16-28 and U.S. citizens or legal permanent U.S. residents eligible to work full-time in U.S.). Dream Ticket does not include travel, meals, lodging or other expenses.

ABOUT “THE AMERICAN IDOL EXPERIENCE” AUDITION:
Guests 14 or older inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios may audition to sing onstage that day at the attraction, subject to requirements in FAQs at Disneyworld.com/idol. Only a few singers will be chosen to sing onstage for each show. FAQs subject to change.

From the Silver Screen to Haute Cuisine!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The newest chef at Walt Disney World Resort may be small in stature, but he’s a big hit with guests enjoying haute cuisine at Les Chefs de France in Epcot. With his flair for French fare, diners of all ages are eating up his whimsical tableside visits.

His name is Remy, and he’s the rat-turned-chef made famous in the Academy Award-winning Disney•Pixar film “Ratatouille.” A new Audio-Animatronics character created by Walt Disney Imagineering, Remy stars in a new guest experience at Les Chefs de France entitled “Bon Appétit from Chef Remy.” Les Chefs de France is one of the restaurants featured at the France pavilion in Epcot.

Six days a week, four times a day (subject to change), a Maître d’ greets diners with a rolling gourmet food cart. Dramatically lifting the lid from a silver-domed cheese platter, the Maître d’ reveals the guest of honor – a six-inch-tall rat with silky-soft fur, pink paws and traditional toque. Chef Remy then comes to life, entertaining diners with sprightly movements and lively banter. Winding their way through the restaurant, Remy and his Maître d’ pal make stops at each table. In addition to his hijinks, Chef Remy might even bust a move to the beat of different tunes, from the soft sway of a French love song to the hot sounds of hip-hop.

The 40-minute experience provides guests an up-close encounter with the “Ratatouille” star as he laughs, sniffles and even flirts with his new friends.

Remy is part of the Living Character initiative created for Disney Parks by Walt Disney Imagineering.

“By combining technologies, our Living Character initiative creates new levels of guest interaction and brings characters to life like never before,” said Holger Irmler, who worked on the Remy project for Walt Disney Imagineering. “Things we do are so complex, yet our goal is to make them seem so magical to our guests.”

Since its inception, the initiative has been providing guests with a dash of never-before-seen technology and a heaping helping of legendary Disney magic. The first Living Character debuted in 2004 in the form of a large and lovable dinosaur named Lucky.

Not only is Remy one of the newest Audio-Animatronicscharacters created by Walt Disney Imagineering, he also holds the distinction of being the smallest one ever created. Having already wowed guests at Disneyland Resort Paris, Imagineers chose Epcot as the next park for Remy to visit – with Les Chefs de France serving as the perfect Parisian setting for his Walt Disney World debut.

Guests dining at Les Chefs de France are encouraged to make advance reservations by calling 407/WDW-DINE (407/939-3463) up to 90 days prior to their visit. “Bon Appétit from Chef Remy” is scheduled to take place at Les Chefs de France Monday through Saturday until Sept. 5, 2009 (subject to change).

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – An elaborate “Cinderellabration” topiary and an environmentally friendly Green Garden bring fresh springtime flair to the 16th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, presented by Disneynature, March 18-May 31, 2009. Amid a colorful tableau of more than 30 million blooms, Walt Disney World guests of all ages can explore myriad exhibits and activities geared toward gardening and outdoor fun.

Every spring, Disney gardeners channel their creative energy into presenting an intricate topiary display against the backdrop of Spaceship Earth. This year, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty and Prince Phillip, and Belle and Beast from “Beauty and the Beast” debut in all their “blooming finery” as the grand front-entrance topiary during the 75-day festival. Seventy other topiaries appear throughout World Showcase and Future World.

Flower Power concerts spread a groovy vibe each weekend (Friday-Sunday) at America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase. Acts appearing for 2009 include Davy Jones, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Jose Feliciano, Chubby Checker, and for the first time at Epcot, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes.

More information about the 16th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is available by calling 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639) or by visiting disneyworld.com/flower. The festival, including all gardening programs and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (March 17, 2009) -- Chef Cat Cora and Disney are joining together to open an exciting new family dining restaurant at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort. Kouzzina by Cat Cora will feature a menu of Mediterranean-style cuisine that pays tribute to the chef’s Greek roots.

The restaurant, to be owned and operated by Disney, is scheduled to open by fall 2009 in the space currently occupied by Spoodles.

“I am pleased to welcome Cat Cora and her engaging new concept for Kouzzina to the Walt Disney World Resort,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “This collaboration between Cat and Disney represents a significant step in our ongoing commitment to offer unique culinary experiences and choices for our guests.”

As a Mississippi native born to a family of Greek restaurateurs, Cora grew up immersed in two different and flavorful cultures , and has taken from that unique background the kitchen “know-how” handed down through generations. The cuisine at Kouzzina (Greek for “kitchen” and pronounced “koo-zee-nah”) will showcase Mediterranean cuisine and Chef Cora’s philosophy to create simple yet sensational meals.

Cora said that the new restaurant will feature “time-honored recipes passed down from my ancestors, as well as my favorite Greek and Mediterranean dishes that my family loves.”

She began working with Disney in 2008 by creating a Disney Video on Demand series to showcase ways to help families develop more healthy eating habits. “I’m extremely excited about this latest extension of my relationship with Disney,” she said. “Together, we’re going to develop a truly amazing contemporary Mediterranean restaurant.”

The first and only female Iron Chef on Food Network's hit show “Iron Chef America,” Cora is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York. She also is Executive Chef for Bon Appétit magazine. In addition to hosting the instructional cooking demonstrations for Disney Video on Demand, Cora has been a featured chef at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and at Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival at Disneyland Resort.

T. Rowe Price to Collaborate with Walt Disney World Co. to Promote Financial Empowerment and Education for Families

BALTIMORE, March 16 -- T. Rowe Price, the global investment management organization, today announced that it has signed a sponsorship agreement to create an innovative financial education and entertainment experience at Epcot. Designed in collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering, The Great Piggy Bank Adventure(SM) is scheduled to open this spring at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. This interactive exhibit will bring basic saving and investing concepts to life in a fun and captivating way. The experience will entertain and empower families, while encouraging them to engage in regular dialogue about the importance of saving and how to manage money responsibly.

The first-of-its-kind exhibit, in conjunction with a companion online game and associated web site, broadens T. Rowe Price's longstanding investor education initiatives. The Great Piggy Bank Adventure(SM) will offer lessons on four key financial themes: setting goals, saving and spending smartly, staying ahead of inflation, and diversifying your investments. Discussions began over three years ago with Epcot Business Development and Walt Disney Imagineering to bring this experience to guests visiting INNOVENTIONS.

"Empowering parents to initiate discussion of the topics of saving and investing with their children is more important than ever before," said Edward C. Bernard, vice chairman of T. Rowe Price Group. "Financial awareness and decision-making is heavily influenced by one's early experiences, making vibrant family discussion a powerful and lifelong educational influence that can help children develop sound financial values and habits. In watching families during play-testing of the exhibit, it has been rewarding to see how The Great Piggy Bank Adventure(SM) engages families in a unique way and really does get the conversation started.

"T. Rowe Price has a long history of educating investors and helping people reach their financial goals," Mr. Bernard added. "We can't think of a better way to expand those efforts than by collaborating with an organization that is a true innovator in turning the ordinary into the extraordinary and whose name is synonymous with world-class family education, entertainment, and service excellence."

Dan Cockerell, Vice President of Epcot, shared his excitement about working with T. Rowe Price to create this unique experience. "At INNOVENTIONS, our focus is on encouraging guests to imagine, invent, inquire and inspire while exploring amazing innovations that make our lives better. The Great Piggy Bank Adventure will give our visitors a better insight into what it means to save and invest in an innovative and engaging manner."

Disney's First Official Fan Organization Launches with New Quarterly Publication, Web Site, Fan Events and Collectibles Line
First Quarterly Publication Features Exclusive Interviews with Tim Burton, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, as well as behind-the-scenes visit to Pixar Animation Studios

Oakland and Burbank, CALIFORNIA (March 10, 2009)/PRNewswire/— Disney today announced the launch of D23 (www.Disney.com/D23), the first official community for Disney fans in the Company's 85-year history. Through D23, fans will go backstage and behind closed doors to get the inside scoop from every part of Disney, while experiencing the nostalgia, adventure and fantasy of Disney as never before.

"We have a fantastic legacy that started in 1923 and is based on timeless stories, beloved characters and unforgettable experiences, but it's our fans that keep the spirit of Disney alive year after year, generation after generation," said Disney President and CEO Bob Iger at the Company's annual shareholder's meeting. "D23 is our way of saying 'thank you' and celebrating our fans, who bring the magic of Disney to life every day in every corner of the world."

As a part of this new Disney fan experience, today also marks the launch of D23's new quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; the all-new D23 Web site at Disney.com/D23; and a new collectibles line, The Walt Disney Archives Collection, which was created specifically with D23 members in mind. D23 also will host special events for its members throughout the year, highlighted by the organization's signature event, the D23 Expo, which will be held in Anaheim this September 10-13.

A one-year D23 membership ($74.99) includes:

* Disney twenty-three quarterly publication: A one-year subscription (four issues) to D23's new collectible magazine filled with stunning photography, dazzling illustrations and the ultimate Disney insider perspective. This advertising-free keepsake is the all-access pass to discovering the magic of Disney's past, present and future.
* Membership Certificate and Card: The D23 membership card and suitable-for-framing member certificate — both specially created for D23's Charter Year — feature many of Disney's most beloved characters.
* Surprise Collectible Gift and Member Merchandise: Each member who joins D23 will receive an exclusive collectible gift from the new Walt Disney Archives Collection. This merchandise line was created specifically with D23 members in mind, and each piece is authorized by the Walt Disney Archives. D23 members will have exclusive or early access to a wide assortment of Walt Disney Archives Collection pieces.
* D23 Expo and Member Special Events: The D23 Expo — to be held at the Anaheim Convention Center from September 10-13, 2009 — will be "The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience," featuring incredible speakers, celebrity appearances, breathtaking exhibitions, interactive experiences, sneak peeks, film screenings, one-of-a-kind merchandise, and much more. All Disney fans are welcome, but D23 members will receive a discount on Expo admissions and early access to the show daily. D23 also offers unique members-only special event opportunities throughout the year.
* Disney.com/D23: All fans can stay connected to Disney every day through D23's new Web site, featuring up-to-the-minute Disney news, feature stories, event info and more, but only D23 members will receive regular email updates on special event and merchandise opportunities exclusive to them.

Disney twenty-three quarterly publication

Disney today launches its new quarterly publication Disney twenty-three, a hybrid entertainment and lifestyle magazine that is the all-access pass to discovering the magic of Disney's past, present and future. Its name pays homage to 1923, the year The Walt Disney Company was founded.

The premiere issue of Disney twenty-three includes exclusive features such as:

* Interviews with Tim Burton, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens
* Inside look at the new Disney/Pixar animated film Up, featuring interviews with Director Pete Docter and Producer Jonas Rivera, concept and production art, and a look at the new animated short Partly Cloudy.
* A rare look inside Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, California. Meet the Pixar team and learn the secrets behind the success of their films.
* The doors open for two of the most exclusive, magical suites in the world: the Cinderella Castle Suite at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Dream Suite overlooking New Orleans Square and the Rivers of America at the Disneyland Resort.

Disney twenty-three's regular featured departments include:

* A Walk with Walt: A look back at the trials and triumphs of the man who made dreams come true and whose imagination started it all.
* D Society: From gala movie premieres and grand openings to candid Disney moments and memories, D Society takes readers backstage and onto the red carpet.
* PHOTOfiles: The legendary Walt Disney Archives Photo Library houses millions of Disney's most cherished photographic memories, and the Archives team shares its Top 100, five in every issue. Let the countdown begin!
* Where in D?: Try to identify where in the world of Disney each issue's mystery photo was taken.
* The Funny Pages: For the first time in decades, enjoy the vintage newspaper comic strips that helped make many of Disney's most popular characters famous.
* Making Magic: Crafts for children of all ages, inspired by Disney's favorite stories and experiences.
* Recipes from Disney's most popular restaurants and eateries, past and present.

Disney twenty-three subscriptions are available only by becoming a member of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans. Individual issues of Disney twenty-three retail for $15.95 and are available exclusively at all U.S. Barnes & Noble booksellers, all domestic Disney Stores, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, and Disneyshopping.com.

DISNEY.COM/D23

The D23 site on Disney.com will serve as the premier online destination for Disney fans, highlighted by breaking Disney news, exclusive feature stories, blogs, historical retrospectives, a collectibles boutique, special event information, and other content. The D23 online experience includes News & Features, Walt Disney Archives, Disney twenty-three, Expo & Events, and Boutique23. Highlights include:

NEWS & FEATURES

* Late-breaking news, press releases, and photos of interest to fans from every part of Disney.
* "Twilight Bark" — inspired by the Disney animated feature 101 Dalmatians — offers up the latest tidbits and news "bites" from all around the world of Disney.
* Feature articles and interviews on current Disney topics from theme parks and animation to television and motion pictures, as well as historical retrospectives.
* Official Disney Bloggers — Get regular updates on films in production at Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, current Walt Disney Imagineering projects, and the Walt Disney Archives.

WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES

* "This Day in Disney" — A daily walk down memory lane.
* "What's Old Is News" — Go back in time and enjoy rare, vintage and classic articles, stories, interviews, press materials and other highlights from deep within the Disney Archives.
* "Ask Dave" — Disney Legend and Chief Archivist Dave Smith answers your questions about Disney history.
* "Archives Library" — helpful Disney reference tools including biographies, filmographies, award chronologies, Disney A to Z updates, historical profiles and other archival information.

DISNEY TWENTY-THREE

* The online home of Disney twenty-three, D23's quarterly publication.
* Expanded stories, interviews and imagery.
* "D Society: Online Edition" — regularly updated photo gallery.
* "The Funny Page: Daily Edition" — a delightful daily dose of vintage Disney comics that haven't been seen outside the Disney Archives in decades.
* "Making Magic" — An archive of the unique crafts featured in Disney twenty-three.
* "Disney Dish" — Always be able to find your favorite recipes from Disney twenty-three.

EXPO & EVENTS

* "D23 Expo" — The official Web site for everything you need to know about "The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience" September 10-13, at the Anaheim Convention Center, including programming, show hours, celebrity appearances, keynote speakers, ticket information, vacation packages, and more.
* "D23 Member Special Events" — Throughout the year, D23 hosts special events created just for its members. Members can find out which ones they want to attend and how to register.

BOUTIQUE 23

* D23 merchandise and collectibles, including D23 member-only offerings from the Walt Disney Archives Collection
* Hosted by Disneyshopping.com

D23 membership

D23 membership is not required to visit Disney.com/D23, but some merchandise and special event opportunities are exclusive to D23 members.

Fans can join D23 at www.Disney.com/D23, all Disney Store locations within the United States, select shops at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, and www.DisneyShopping.com/D23.
About D23

The name "D23" pays homage to the wonder and excitement that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. Through the years, Disney has captured the imagination of millions around the world, and, as requested by Disney fans everywhere, D23 gives them a greater, richer connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – (Mar. 8, 2009) – In a perfect end to a fairytale weekend, Liza Galvan of San Antonio, Tex., led over 7,500 women runners from around the world to victory at Disney’s Princess Half Marathon on Sunday. Galvan, 39, battled second-place finisher Nadezhda Tuptova for most of the 13.1 mile race through Magic Kingdom and Epcot before cruising to the finish line in 1:18:18. Tuptova (Gainesville, Fla.), 33, crossed the line in a time of 1:19:24. Firaya Sultanova, 47, also from Gainesville, Fla., posted a time of 1:20:26 to finish third.

In the Masters Division, Lilian Kroner (Monroe, N.Y.), 43, won in a time of 1:22:25 – besting the next competitor by nearly four minutes. Jacqui Kapinowski from Point Pleasant, N.J. crossed the finish line in a time of 1:22:26 to win the wheelchair division.

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon was the signature event that saw more than 11,000 women runners compete in various races that included the Royal Family 5K and the Princess Kids’ Races, making the inaugural event one of the largest endurance race weekends geared towards women.

The weekend also involved a health and wellness expo that included renowned fitness experts leading seminars on training, racing and nutrition, and the latest running and fitness equipment. Participants and their guests experienced Princess meet and greets, a makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and a Princess-themed after party at Disney's Hollywood Studios with live entertainment and a special gift at the stroke of midnight. While the weekend is designed for women, more than 200 men participated on behalf of the women in their lives.

About Disney’s Endurance Series
Disney’s Endurance Series gives recreational athletes of all ages and abilities the chance to walk, jog, run, bike and swim their way “around the world.” From marathons to road races to triathlons, athletes from across the country and around the world compete to stay in shape, achieve personal-best times and raise donations for charitable causes. Popular Endurance Series events are the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon (January), Expedition Everest Challenge (September), Disneyland Half Marathon (September), Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K (October) and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K (October). Visit disneyenduranceseries.com for more information.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Feb. 24, 2009 -- Marine mammal experts from Walt Disney World Resort returned a manatee to its natural habitat today in the warm waters of the St. John’s River at Blue Springs State Park near Orange City. Approximately 3,800 endangered manatees exist in Florida.

The manatee, named “Bock,” was rescued as an orphan from the St. John’s River in 2001 as part of a manatee rehabilitation program managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He arrived at The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Epcot in 2003 weighing about 500 pounds. At The Seas, marine mammal experts weaned him from the bottle and began feeding him a diet of romaine lettuce, fruits and other vegetables. After extended treatment and therapy, he now weighs more than 1,000 pounds and is approximately eight years old.

Bock’s release is timed to coincide with the arrival of several other manatees currently wintering at Blue Springs. During the next few months, he will be able to swim with other manatees, learn appropriate behaviors and hopefully return to Blue Springs again in search of warmer water.

Bock will be fitted with a satellite tracking belt to follow his movements and allow for behavioral observation after his release. His progress will be monitored by the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) in which Disney’s Animal Programs has been involved since 2001 when the MRP was established. The MRP is a cooperative group of nonprofit, private, state and federal entities that monitors the health and survival of rehabilitated and released manatees.

While the care associated with manatee rehabilitation at The Seas with Nemo and Friends was provided by Disney, Epcot guests have also helped other manatees in the wild by supporting the company-matched Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF). The DWCF has contributed more than $348,000 for manatee research and awareness around the globe. Since its inception in 1995, the DWCF has supported manatee research and community conservation in countries including the United States, Belize, Guatemala and Gabon, and worked with organizations including Mote Marine Laboratory, University of Florida and the Wildlife Trust.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Mar. 5, 2009) – Thousands of women from around the world are bringing out their inner Princess at the inaugural Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker. Runners from every U.S. state and 17 other countries is taking part in this three-day celebration of women’s health and fitness that includes special features that are all things Princess.

Participants and their family and friends can experience a variety of exclusive opportunities including Princess meet and greets, a character breakfast, a makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and a Princess-themed after party at Disney's Hollywood Studios with live entertainment and a special gift at the stroke of midnight.

The weekend, kicks off Friday, March 6, with Disney’s Fit for a Princess Expo at the Jostens Center at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex. The expo, open to everyone, will involve renowned fitness experts leading seminars on training, racing and nutrition, and the latest running and fitness equipment. (Expo schedule below.)

“This is a tremendous opportunity for women to educate themselves about their health and fitness all in one place,” said Disney’s Endurance Series Director Kathleen Duran. “Not only does it provide awareness and empower women to live a healthy lifestyle, but they will have a great time doing it.”

More than 11,000 runners are competing in various races throughout weekend, making this event one of the largest endurance race weekends geared towards women. The signature event, Disney’s Princess Half Marathon, is Sunday, and takes runners on a 13.1 mile royal journey through Magic Kingdom and Epcot. On Saturday, there is the Royal Family 5K at Epcot and the Princess Kids’ Races.

Every runner will receive a commemorative Champion Ladies Tech shirt and runners crossing the finish line will receive a special Princess tiara-shaped medal. While the event is geared towards women, men can run in support of the special women in their lives.

For a complete schedule of events, visit disneyprincesshalfmarathon.com. Also, additional post-race party tickets can be purchased for family and friends at the Fit for a Princess Expo or at the party.

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon will support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Disney has a long-standing relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation that stretches more than 27 years. Disney has contributed more than $11 million in cash and in-kind donations each year and used its magic to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. With more than 6,000 wishes granted every year - including visits to the Disney Parks, Disney Cruises, Disney Characters visits, attending sporting events and visiting TV and movie sets - Disney-themed wishes continue to be the most popular requests by children to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

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Speaker Series & Character Appearances
Jostens Center at Disney’s Wide World of Sports

Friday, March 6, 2009 Expo Hours 12:00pm – 7:00pm

12:30 – 1:15 pm Sonja Friend-Uhl is a USATF elite runner and coach. She will present Fit for a Princess Running Clinic, featuring tips on training & racing strategies, nutrition for runners & positive imagery techniques.

1:30 – 2:15 pm Liza Hunter-Galvan is a two-time Olympic Marathoner. She won the San Antonio Marathon six times, participated in the 2005 World Championships and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. In 2004, Liza won the Dallas Marathon and was named “San Antonio Sportswoman of the Year” in both 2004 and 2008. In 2008, she was presented with UTSA, Distinguished Service Alumnus Award.

2:30 - 3:00 pm BREAK - Character Appearance

3:00 – 3:45 pm
Tara Gidus is a nationally-recognized expert on nutrition and fitness. Good nutrition is vital to sport performance. Learn how what you eat and when you eat it can affect your energy and how well you do during your race. Get the latest tips on what to eat before, during, and after training runs and races, how to prevent injuries through good nutrition, and the most updated hydration guidelines.
~~AND~~
Betsy Hughes is Co-owner of Track Shack Orlando. Come and hear Last Minute Tips – Preparing for Event Day.

4:00 – 4:30 pm BREAK - Character Appearance

4:30 – 5:15 pm Sally Edwards and Maggie Sullivan present Running Faster, Running Further - The Secrets of Running Far and Fast. If you are ready to turn up the intensity and increase your stride, ultra-marathoner Sally Edwards can show you ways to accomplish that and even more. You can get stronger, lose weight and run further than ever before if you add a blend of power and fun to your running program. Join Sally Edwards for this motivational and entertaining presentation.

5:30 – 6:00 pm BREAK - Character Appearance

6:00 – 6:30 pm Jon Hughes, Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Marathon Race Director is joined by Tom Ward, Technical Director, to provide Last Minute Tips and Information and a final look at the half marathon course.

Saturday, March 7, 2009 Expo Hours 10:00am–5:00pm

10:15 – 10:30 am Make-A-Wish - Twelve year old Wish Kid Jerry describes the experience of his wish to meet author R.L. Stine. Jerry’s mother discusses what the wish meant to Jerry’s family.

10:30 – 11:00 am BREAK - Character Appearance

11:00 – 12:00 pm Lady Foot Locker presents Sarah Haskins, Finding Your Passion. Learn about setting goals to pursue that passion, the journey it takes for you to achieve your goals and the techniques to achieve your own personal dreams.

12:00 – 12:30 pm BREAK - Character Appearance

12:30 –1:00 pm Tari Rose, faculty member and education specialist with the American Council on Exercise, as well as a free-lance writer, TV guest and motivational speaker, will share her health & nutrition philosophies included in her upcoming book BodyInstinct – Creating Lean Strong Healthy Bodies Discover how to get the most out of food, exercise and your bodies metabolism!

1:15 – 2:00 pm Sally Edwards and Maggie Sullivan present Running Faster, Running Further - The Secrets of Running Far and Fast. If you are ready to turn up the intensity and increase your stride, ultra-marathoner Sally Edwards can show you ways to accomplish that and even more. You can get stronger, lose weight and run further than ever before if you add a blend of power and fun to your running program. Join Sally Edwards for this motivational and entertaining presentation.

2:00 – 2:45 pm Liza Hunter-Galvan is a two-time Olympic Marathoner. Liza won the San Antonio Marathon 6 times, participated in the 2005 World Championships and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. In 2004, she won the Dallas Marathon and was named “San Antonio Sportswoman of the Year” in both 2004 and 2008. In 2008, she was presented with UTSA, Distinguished Service Alumnus Award.

3:00 – 3:30 pm BREAK - Character Appearance

3:30 –4:15 pm Jon Hughes, Tom Ward, and Betsy Hughes provide Last Minute Tips and Information and a final look at the half marathon course.

4:30 – 5:00 pm Patricia Fox, PhD, LMFT, is a motivational sports therapist & running coach and Certified ChiRunning® & ChiWalking® Instructor. Learn How to get the most out of your run—effortless & injury free: Power Running, Pose Method® or ChiRunning©.

WALTHAM, Mass., Feb. 9, 2009 – Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) plans to unveil an interactive, math-based experience called “The Sum of All Thrills” at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The exhibit, set to open fall 2009, will engage children through a fun and educational experience that helps instill a lifelong passion for math, science and technology.

“The Sum of All Thrills” will be a core component of Raytheon’s MathMovesU program, an initiative designed to engage middle school students in math and science, and help create the next generation of innovators for the U.S. It will be located in the INNOVENTIONS pavilion at Epcot, a unique area of the park that contains 100,000 square feet of interactive, hands-on exhibits that allow visitors to celebrate the inspiration and innovation that improve their lives and expand their horizons.

“Raytheon is working to foster young students’ interest and success in math and science, two of the primary fundamentals on which American competitiveness has been built,” said William H. Swanson, Chairman and CEO Raytheon Company and 2009 MATHCOUNTS honorary chairman. “Raytheon shares The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to innovation and education through imagination. We’re proud to offer INNOVENTIONS visitors a unique experience that combines all of these attributes and that seeks to unlock the math and science potential within every student.”

In addition to the experience at INNOVENTIONS, Raytheon will be supporting another 2009 initiative at the Walt Disney World Resort – the 2009 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition. Taking place May 7-10, 2009, at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, the competition is the culmination of an enrichment and coaching program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement in every U.S. state and territory. Raytheon is the title sponsor of the MATHCOUNTS National Competition for the next three years, through 2011.

About MathMovesU

Since its inception in 2005 to help spur interest in math and science, Raytheon’s MathMovesU program has touched the lives of more than 700,000 students, teachers and parents. Through interactive learning programs, contests, live events, scholarships, tutoring programs and more, MathMovesU engages and inspires students. Core components of the program include:

· An innovative approach to engaging students in math and science through a partnership with the Kraft family and The New England Patriots at The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon

· www.mathmovesu.com, a virtual space to educate and entertain middle school students through games and activities that showcase the math behind students’ favorite pastimes

· A scholarship and grants program that awards $1million annually to students, teachers and schools.

More information may be found at www.raytheon.com/stewardship/mmu/

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

About INNOVENTIONS at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort

INNOVENTIONS is located in the heart of Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Creativity and imagination abound as guests celebrate inspiration and the innovations that improve their lives and expand their horizons. Hands-on, interactive exhibits allow children and adults to be immersed into ideas that inform, entertain and inspire – conquer the most dangerous house in America, find solutions to “sticky” problems, experience the most cutting edge products at the “House of the Future,” protect the environment from the daily waste we create, and push the limits of everyday products as we make the world a safer place. For more information on INNOVENTIONS, please visit www.innoventions.disney.com

(Feb. 12, 2009) -- LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – All seven “American Idol” winners and dozens more finalists gathered Thursday night at the Walt Disney World Resort for the world premiere of a groundbreaking attraction that includes all the thrills and suspense that have made “American Idol” into a television and pop culture phenomenon.

“The American Idol Experience” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park captures the energy and excitement of the TV series with some park guests auditioning to take the spotlight onstage while other guests cheer them on from the audience, voting for their favorite singer with instant results.

For tonight’s grand opening, “American Idol” winners, finalists and celebrities who have performed on the actual “American Idol” set in California came to see the twirling neon signs and multi-layered backdrop of “The American Idol Experience.” The 1000-seat venue is the most technologically advanced theater found at Walt Disney World Resort, created by Walt Disney Imagineering and the Hollywood set designer who designed the actual TV show set for “American Idol.”

“The American Idol Experience” includes an audition process open to Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests 14 and older (audition slots are limited and interested guests are encouraged to arrive early). These guests perform live in front of a Disney’s Hollywood Studios casting director for the opportunity to be cast in one of the preliminary theme park shows that same day.

If shown to have that special “star quality” during the multi-step audition process, it’s on to performance training, hair and make-up. Then, the lights come up and it’s showtime for the singers as they try to impress an audience of theme park guests, plus a panel of three expert judges. Fellow park guests will be able to enjoy the performances just like at a live television taping. Then, audience members vote for their favorite performance using the armrest touchpads, with their votes tallied to determine the top singer.

Performers with the highest votes during the preliminary shows will return for a high-energy, grand finale show that same evening. After their encore performances, the big moment arrives. It’s a super-charged, eye-popping scene as audience votes are tallied, the other performers drop off, music builds and the spotlight shines down, amid a blizzard of confetti, on the day’s top singer.

The American Idol Experience was developed by Walt Disney Imagineering in conjunction with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and 19 TV Ltd and based on the smash-hit television show “American Idol” – produced by 19 TV Ltd. and FremantleMedia North America (FMNA).

The above video gives a glimpse into what the Auditioning process is like for the new attraction, American Idol Experience, opening February 14, 2009, in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Also, take a look at the list of songs available for you to audition with:

Disney Songs

* Best of Worlds
* Bet On It
* Breaking Free
* Circle of Life
* Colors of the Wind
* Ever Ever After
* Go The Distance
* Part of Your World
* Play My Music
* Reflection
* Rock Star
* This Is Me
* You'll Be In My Heart

Country

* Achy Breaky Heart
* All-American Girl
* Amazed
* Boot Scootin' Boogie
* Breathe
* Do You Believe Me Now
* How Do I Live (Without You)
* I Hope You Dance
* I Like It, I Love It
* I Told You So
* Independence Day
* It's Good to be Us
* Life is a Highway
* Lost
* Man, I Feel Like A Woman
* My Wish
* Our Song
* Sweet Home Alabama
* This Kiss
* Walkin' After Midnight
* What Hurts The Most

Disco

* Dance Best of My Love
* Fame
* Hot Stuff
* I Will Survive
* Knock On Wood
* Last Dance
* Never Can Say Goodbye
* Turn Your Love Around
* You're The First, The Last, My Everything

Latin

* 1-2-3
* Bailamos
* Just Another Day
* La Bamba
* Smooth
* Turn The Beat Around
* Waiting for Tonight

Rock/Pop Up Tempo

* Big Girls Don't Cry
* Black Horse and a Cherry Tree
* Bohemian Rhapsody
* Breakaway
* Don't Stop The Music
* Express Yourself
* Face Down
* Footloose
* Hit Me With Your Best Shot
* I Can See Clearly Now
* I Feel The Earth Move
* I Wanna Dance With Somebody
* If Everyone Cared
* No One
* Old Time Rock and Roll
* Over You
* Rock With You
* Since U Been Gone
* Somebody to Love
* Suspicious Minds
* Sway
* The Great Escape
* Walk Away
* Walking On Sunshine
* You Really Got Me Now
* You're My Best Friend

Rock/Pop Ballad

* A Moment Like This
* Alone
* Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
* Drops of Jupiter
* Home
* If It Makes You Happy
* Iris
* Just Once
* Kiss From a Rose
* Looks Like We Made It
* Stand By Me
* Unchained Melody
* Walkin' In Memphis
* What a Wonderful World
* Your Song

Motown

* 100 Ways
* Ain't No Mountain High Enough
* Ain't Too Proud To Beg
* For Once In My Life Meduim
* Get Ready
* I Heard It Through the Grapevine
* I Want You Back
* I Wish
* I'll Be There
* Midnight Train to Georgia
* New Attitude
* Reach Out, I'll Be There
* RESPECT
* Signed, Sealed, Delivered
* Stop In The Name of Love
* Superstition
* Then Came You
* Vision of Love
* You Are The Sunshine of My Life
* You Keep Me Hangin' On
* (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
* You're All I Need To Get By

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – “Steeler Nation” shifted the victory celebration east from Tampa to Walt Disney World Resort Monday as thousands of black-and-gold-clad, Terrible Towel-twirling fans of the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers lined Main Street, U.S.A. They came to Magic Kingdom to be part of something that has become an iconic moment of post-Super Bowl celebration – to cheer one of their newest conquering heroes, Super Bowl MVP wide receiver Santonio Holmes, in a victory parade.

Just hours after he and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hooked up for a surgically precise touchdown pass with 35 seconds remaining to earn Pittsburgh a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, Holmes was riding high, smiling and waving back from a convertible as he celebrated at Walt Disney World Resort.

Holmes was doing precisely what he said he was going to in the latest episode of the long-running Disney commercial that asks people who have just experienced a milestone, “You are celebrating your (accomplishment) … What are you going to do next?”: In chorus with Roethlisberger, Holmes beamed and screamed, “We’re going to Disney World!”

At Disney World, a shower of red, white and blue confetti fluttered down on hundreds of similarly colored mouse-eared balloons interspersed with football-shaped balloons in Steelers black and gold. The police escort – six Orange County Sheriff’s officers aboard motorcycles leading the procession – added more color with flashing red, white, blue and … golden yellow lights.

Mickey Mouse in full game uniform sat next to Holmes in the blue convertible while a group of NFL Youth Football players from Jacksonville, Fla., walked behind holding bouquets of colorful balloons. Goofy in Steelers colors was part of the procession, too, as were Chip ‘n’ Dale wearing referee stripes.

Holmes earned the MVP honor and the celebratory parade at Walt Disney World by catching nine Roethlisberger passes for 131 yards, including the game-winning 6-yard TD reception with 35 seconds left. Roethlisberger finished with 21 completions in 30 attempts for 256 yards. During Pittsburgh’s decisive 78-yard drive in the final 2:37, the pair connected four times for 73 yards as the Steelers earned an unprecedented sixth Super Bowl victory.

The commercial that was shot immediately after the game and aired Monday morning is the milestone 40th of a series that began in 1987 following Super Bowl XXI. The first “ I'm going to Disney World” commercial, featuring New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, was regarded as a groundbreaking concept – a produced national commercial involving a current event, airing on major networks within hours of its conclusion. Holmes and Roethlisberger join a lineup of people from sports and beyond who have celebrated milestone accomplishments in “I’m going to Disney World” commercials.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – So how are Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger celebrating their heroic play in Super Bowl XLIII? In the frenzied moments just after their team claimed the National Football League championship Sunday night in Tampa in dramatic fashion, they stood in front of a TV camera and shouted five words that have become an almost iconic reaction to milestone achievements: “I’m going to Disney World!”

Their pronouncement, part of the production for one of TV’s most enduring and celebrated commercials, was captured after the Steelers’ 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals – a game during which Holmes earned the MVP honor, catching nine Roethlisberger passes for 131 yards, including a game-winning 6-yard TD reception with 35 seconds left. Roethlisberger finished with 21 completions in 30 attempts for 256 yards. During Pittsburgh’s decisive 78-yard drive in the final 2:37, the pair connected four times for 73 yards as the Steelers earned an unprecedented sixth Super Bowl victory.

On Monday (Feb. 2), Holmes and Roethlisberger will go to the place where millions of vacationers celebrate their personal milestone moments. They will be joined in the Magic Kingdom by NFL Youth Football players from Jacksonville, Fla., who will participate with the Steeler stars in a Super Bowl celebration parade down Main Street, U.S.A.

This latest commercial is the milestone 40th of a series that began in 1987 following Super Bowl XXI. The first “ I'm going to Disney World” commercial, featuring New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, was regarded as a groundbreaking concept – a produced national commercial involving a current event, airing on major networks within hours of its conclusion. Holmes and Roethlisberger join a lineup of people from sports and beyond who have celebrated milestone accomplishments in “I’m going to Disney World” commercials.

And this latest installment, airing just hours after the conclusion of the game, followed a similar script just ahead of Holmes’ and Roethlisberger’s visit.

First Spot: Super Bowl XXI (Phil Simms, New York Giants)

Number of Spots Since Inception: 40

Chronology of "I'm going to Disney World" Spots:

2009 Super Bowl XLIII (Santonio Holmes and Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers)

2008 Super Bowl XLII (Eli Manning, New York Giants)
American Idol (David Cook, Singer)

2007 Super Bowl XLI (Tony Dungy and Dominic Rhodes, Indianapolis Colts)

2006 Super Bowl XL (Hines Ward, with Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers)

2004 Super Bowl XXXVIII (Tom Brady, New England Patriots)
Major League Baseball World Series Champions (Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox)

2003 Super Bowl XXXVII (Jon Gruden and Brad Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

2002 Super Bowl XXXVI (Tom Brady, New England Patriots)

2001 Super Bowl XXXV (Trent Dilfer, Baltimore Ravens)
Major League Baseball home run record (Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants)

2000 Super Bowl XXXIV (Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams)

1999 Super Bowl XXXIII (Terrell Davis and John Elway, Denver Broncos)
Women's World Cup (United States Championship Team)

1998 Super Bowl XXXII (John Elway, Denver Broncos)
Major League Baseball home run record (Mark McGwire, St. Louis Cardinals)

1997 Super Bowl XXXI (Desmond Howard, Green Bay Packers)
Holiday Gift-Giving (Santa Claus)

1996 Super Bowl XXX (Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys)

1995 Super Bowl XXIX (Jerry Rice and Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers)

1994 Super Bowl XXVIII (Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys)
Winter Games XVII (Nancy Kerrigan, U.S. Figure Skater)

1993 Super Bowl XXVII (Troy Aikman, Dallas Cowboys)
Stanley Cup (Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens)

1992 Super Bowl XXVI (Mark Rypien, Washington Redskins)

1991 Super Bowl XXV (Ottis Anderson, N.Y. Giants)
NBA (Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls)

1990 Super Bowl XXIV (Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers)
Graduation (Jim Thompson of Temple University, and
Matt Kaldenberg, Phyllis Kaldenberg and Laura McEwen of Simpson College)

1989 Super Bowl XXIII (Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers)
NHL (Al MacInnis, Calgary Flames)
NBA (Joe Dumars, Detroit Pistons)

1988 Super Bowl XXII (Doug Williams, Washington Redskins)
Miss America (Gretchen Carlson)
World Series (Orel Hershiser, L.A. Dodgers)
NBA (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, L.A. Lakers)

1987 Super Bowl XXI (Phil Simms, N.Y. Giants)
America’s Cup (Dennis Conner)
NBA (Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers)
World Series (Frank Viola, Minnesota Twins)

The Super Bowl has been the catalyst for the most "I'm going to Disney World" spots (22)
There have been four "I'm going to Disney World" repeaters: Joe Montana (1989 and 1990), Emmitt Smith (1994 and 1996), John Elway (1998 and 1999) and Tom Brady (2002 and 2004).

"I'm going to Disney World" spots immediately following the Super Bowl have featured non-Super Bowl MVPs eight times: 1989, 1995 (shared), 1996, 1998, 1999 (shared), 2001, 2003 and 2007.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The storybook setting and amorous ambiance of Walt Disney World Resort has lovebirds flocking to the Vacation Kingdom for a romantic getaway. Moonlit strolls, luxurious spas and intimate dining make it feel like Valentine’s Day every day. And new for 2009: as part of Disney’s “What Will You Celebrate?” couples commemorating their commitment have a “heart full” of enchanting ways to customize their Valentine’s vacations.

Couples who’ve been bitten by the love bug don’t need a fairy godmother to find romance at Walt Disney World Resort. This is, after all, home to some of the world’s most famous romances: Cinderella and Prince Charming, Lady and the Tramp, Beauty and the Beast – and don’t forget America’s sweethearts, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

Throughout the 40-square-mile playground, love is in the air at the Vacation Kingdom. During a couples spa experience. In the middle of a romantic dinner. Or on one of the “love boats” that cruise Walt Disney World waterways.

Honeymooners thrive in the romantic allure of Walt Disney World Resort – a top-rated honeymoon destination, according to industry experts.

And for couples who want to make their own fairy tale dream come true – complete with Cinderella’s coach and her famous glass slipper – Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings can create an unforgettable union.

The four Walt Disney World theme parks create a perfect setting for spontaneous romance – whether it’s a stroll along the lush Maharajah Jungle Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or a relaxing stop for espresso and pastries at a sidewalk table in the France pavilion at Epcot World Showcase. Beyond the parks, couples can embrace a bouquet of romantic experiences that seem designed just for them:

The Couple that ‘Spas’ and ‘Flies’ Together….. – What’s more enjoyable than a luxurious spa treatment? Imagine sharing it with that special someone. The Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club, in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, features a “couples room” where guests can enjoy specialized spa treatments – such as massages and facials – with the one they love. For information about spa treatments, call 407/824-2332.

Make like Aladdin and Jasmine – fly through the sky with your loved one on an adventurous tandem parasail over Bay Lake. Those looking to soar to new heightscan spend 10 minutes alone soaring high above Disney and get a bird’s-eye view of Magic Kingdom and its neighboring resorts. Rates start at $170 (plus tax) for a tandem flight. Contact Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, or call 407/939-0754 for reservations.

Magical Resorts – From the romance of an African lodge to the Victorian splendor of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the mood is set for an enchanting stay at a Walt Disney World resort hotel. Disney’s fantasy hotels transport couples to faraway places with lavish theming, picturesque views and superior service. For reservations, call 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639).

The Love Boat – The Grand Floridian’s Grand 1 – an elegant 52-foot yacht – can give couples, or parties up to 18, a stunning view of “Wishes” fireworks showering above Magic Kingdom during select evening cruises along Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. Private butler service and gourmet meals also are available. Romantic evening cruises begin at $480/hour (plus tax),including captain and private deck hand. Reservations may be made up to 90 days in advance by calling 407/824-2682.

At Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Marina, a 1920s-style 26-foot mahogany runabout is available for private rental. Half-hour afternoon cruises are $95 (plus tax) for up to six people. For $300 (plus tax),up to six guests can take a Fireworks Cruise into Epcot (45-50 minutes) for an exhilarating, one-of-a-kind view of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.” The craft – complete with captain – travels across Crescent Lake for the nightly fireworks, sound and laser show. Reservations may be made up to 90 days in advance by calling 407/WDW-PLAY (939-7529).

The name of the boat is perfect for couples in love: Breathless II.

Disney Dining Serves Romance – Couples find Disney dining infused with romance in settings ranging from subdued to spectacular. And with this year’s “What Will You Celebrate?” Disney offers new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn their personal milestones into magical Disney experiences.

* Disney’s three-course, prix fixe Sweetheart Dinner for Two is the perfect way to create a memorable evening, ending with a shared dessert. Dinners include a specially selected beverage in a souvenir toasting glass to commemorate a special moment and are available at all Walt Disney World signature restaurants except Victoria & Albert’s. Guests who prefer an in-room romantic dinner can check with their Disney resort hotel’s front desk.

* California Grill atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers a panoramic view overlooking the Magic Kingdom theme park. Here, stellar cuisine and the restaurant’s award-winning selection of California wines set the stage. Lovebirds can catch a Florida sunset over Magic Kingdom.

* One of the most romantic dinner spots at Walt Disney World Resort is a table for two at Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The elegant restaurant has been honored with the Five-Diamond Award from AAA for its gourmet cuisine. Combining Royal Doulton china, Cristofle silver and personalized menus, Victoria & Albert’s is the “crown jewel” of the Grand Floridian’s dining destinations. Soft harp music fills the air as “maids” and “butlers” provide stellar service to each of the 18 tables in the intimate dining room. Ladies also receive a long-stemmed red rose.

* For the ultimate romantic experience, an evening at the Chef’s Table is unsurpassed. Couples are seated at a cozy table in Victoria & Albert’s kitchen and treated to a culinary feast custom tailored to their specific tastes by Chef Scott Hunnel.

* Guests who prefer to dine in an even more intimate setting at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort& Spaneed only to pick up the closest telephone. The Grand Floridian can arrange a private dinner for two, served against the elegant backdrop of the Grand Floridian beach – or aboard the Grand 1 – on a sunset excursion along Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. Certain menu items can be specially prepared for the evening. Seven-day notice is requested.

* For all Walt Disney World dining information, guests can call 407/WDW-DINE (939-3463).

Nature Lovers – A horseback ride through one of the backwoods trails at Walt Disney World Resort is just the thing for couples who share a love of nature and each other. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground offers wrangler-led tours (45 minutes) through the deep, pine-scented woods that make up part of the Vacation Kingdom’s 40 square miles. Tours leave several times daily from Trail Blaze Corral, and may be reserved by calling 407/WDW-PLAY (939-7529).

Romantic Evening – Horse-drawn carriage rides through the wilderness of Walt Disney World Resort are a romantic treat for couples looking for a secluded nighttime outing. The antique carriages depart from Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground and traverse throughout the scenic landscape of the 750-acre rustic resort. Or guests can choose a relaxing old-fashioned carriage ride through Disney’s Port Orleans Resort-Riverside with pickup at Boatwright’s Dining Hall. Each nightly excursion is 30 minutes long for $45, available from 5:30-10 p.m. and 5:30-9:30 p.m., respectively. For reservations, guests can call 407/WDW-PLAY (939-7529).

Weddings Around the ‘World’ – The epitome of Disney romance can be summed up in four words: Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings. Since the first wedding at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion in 1995, approximately 1,600 couples each year have exchanged vows at Walt Disney World Resort.

For these couples, dreams become reality. Where else but at Disney could a bride arrive for her wedding in Cinderella’s glass coach, have a handsome major domo carry wedding rings to the altar in a glass slipper, or have Mickey and Minnie greet guests at the reception?

Whether it’s an elegant ball at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, a traditional ceremony at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion, a country hoe-down at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, or a beach-themed wedding complete with tiki torches, leis and luau on one of the Walt Disney World white-sand beaches, Disney custom designs each wedding with the famous “Disney Difference” – providing attention to the tiniest detail.

Disney’s wedding specialists become the fairy godmother, incorporating all the elements including ceremony, entertainment, cuisine, floral arrangements, audiovisuals and accommodations. For more information on Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings, call 321/939-4623 or visit disneyweddings.com.

Couples who are tying the knot back home can arrange a Disney’s Fairy Tale Honeymoon by calling 321/939-4623 or visiting the Web site at disneyhoneymoons.com.

Renewing Vows – Many couples who’ve been married for years are coming to Walt Disney World Resort, often with their families, to renew their vows five, 10, 25 and 50 years later. A Disney vacation provides the perfect backdrop to celebrate this family milestone. Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings experts can tailor the ceremony and celebration to suit each couple.

Landlubbers and scallywags alike can live like Captain Jack in a pirate-themed guestroom specially created for Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. More than 350 guestrooms are getting an "Extreme Makeover: Pirate Edition" with new décor and furnishings fit for a buccaneer. Walt Disney World guests can reserve the special rooms through 407 W-DISNEY, www.disneyworld.com or by contacting their travel agent.

Brazilian celebrates fifth straight Disney victory and sixth overall; event record 22,000 runners compete in first of Disney’s 12 endurance series races in 2009

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – (Jan. 11, 2009) – In what is becoming an extraordinary Walt Disney World Marathon tradition, Adriano Bastos of Brazil celebrated another Disney Marathon victory Sunday by coasting to his fifth straight win and sixth overall. Lisa Mizutani won the women’s title.

Bastos, 30, led a Disney record field of 22,000 runners virtually from start to finish around the 26.2 mile course which traced through all four of Disney’s theme parks. He crossed the finish line in 2:20:38 – roughly seven minutes ahead of second-place finisher Aaron Church (South Riding, Va.), who was followed by Matthew Fecht (Warren, Mich.) in third. Bastos’ time was 20 seconds faster than last year when he posted a time of 2:20:58.

“My goal is to win 10 Disney Marathons,” said Bastos, who adds another Disney-themed tattoo after each marathon win. “I love running this marathon because I can run and then have fun in the Disney theme parks.”

Mizutani of Japan easily outran the women competitors. The 23-year-old, who made the transatlantic trip specifically to run in the Disney Marathon, broke away from the pack early partly because of the enthusiastic cheers from spectators along the route and ran unchallenged virtually the entire 26.2 miles. She cruised to the finish in 2:46:27, comfortably ahead of Melanie Peters (St. Petersburg, Fla.), who was last year’s women’s champion, and Christa Benton (St. Petersburg, Fla.), who finished third a year ago.

In the wheelchair division, Krige Schabort of Cedartown, Ga., crossed the line first (1:37:19). Among the women, Shirley Reilly of Tucson, Ariz., won the title (2:09:51).

The victories by Bastos and Mizutani capped a weekend of endurance events at Disney, including the Disney Half Marathon, the Circle of Life 5K, Disney’s Kid Races and a Health & Fitness Expo. David Jankowski of Rochester Hills, Mich., and Elizabeth Chelagat of Las Cruces, N.M., won the Disney Half Marathon men’s and women’s titles, respectively. In all, more than 45,000 runners competed in events throughout the weekend, making this the largest Disney Marathon Weekend since the event’s debut in 1994.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the Walt Disney World Marathon, registration for the 2010 Disney Marathon Weekend begins Monday Jan. 12, 2009. To register for the marathon or for any Disney endurance race, visit www.disneyworldmarathon.com or www.disneyenduranceseries.com

About Disney’s Endurance Series

Disney’s Endurance Series gives recreational athletes of all ages and abilities the chance to walk, jog, run, bike and swim their way “around the world.” From marathons to road races to triathlons, athletes from across the country and around the world compete to stay in shape, achieve personal-best times and raise donations for charitable causes. Popular Endurance Series events are the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon (January), Disney’s Princess Half Marathon presented by Lady Foot Locker (March), Expedition Everest Challenge (September), Disneyland Half Marathon (September), Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K (October) and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K (October). Please visit disneyenduranceseries.com for more information.

Walt Disney World guests can now design, personalize and immediately purchase special vacation t-shirts at Disney Design-A-Tee store presented by Hanes at Downtown Disney Marketplace.

The first-of-its-kind interactive T-shirt design and printing store enables guests to use touch-screen kiosks to create their long-sleeve or short-sleeve T-shirts in multiple colors by choosing from more than 100 art selections of Disney animation and movie characters. They can also choose their own text using a wide selection of type fonts and colors. The design possibilities are infinite, and the shirts are printed on site while guests wait. They can produce one T-shirt or multiples of the same design at the same time to share with friends and family.

The Grand Opening takes place 11:30 a.m., Friday, January 9, 2009.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. / ANAHEIM, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2009) – As Disney Parks ask “What Will You Celebrate?” and invite guests to turn their personal milestones into magical family vacations in 2009, America’s military personnel will have one more reason to celebrate: Free multi-day admission to Disney’s U.S. theme parks.

With the “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” offer, active and retired U.S. military personnel, including active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, can enjoy complimentary, multi-day admission into Disney’s U.S. theme parks, great rates at select Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort hotels, and additional special ticket offers for family members and friends.

“For so many of the men and women who serve in our U.S. military, time together with their families is cause enough for celebration,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We are grateful for their service and hope ‘Disney’s Armed Forces Salute’ will allow our troops to create wonderful, magical memories with their family and friends.”

At the Disneyland Resort in Southern California:

Through June 12, 2009, each active or retired member of the U.S. military can receive one complimentary three-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” Park Hopper ticket valid for admission to both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks. During the offer period, active or retired U.S. military personnel also may make a one-time purchase of an adult or child three-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” Park Hopper ticket for up to five family members (including spouse) or friends for the price of an adult 1-Day Park Hopper ticket.

Disneyland Resort hotels are also offering special room rates for active or retired military personnel. For example, at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, active or retired members of the military and their families may find hotel rooms starting at $119 per night during value season, with great savings during other times of the offer period. This offer is available through June 12, 2009, and the number of rooms available at these special rates is limited.

For information regarding “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” at the Disneyland Resort, or to make reservations, military personnel may call 714/956-6424.

At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida:

Through Dec. 23, 2009, each active or retired member of the U.S. military may obtain one complimentary 5-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” ticket withPark Hopper andWater Park Fun & More options. This ticket is valid for five days of admission into the four Walt Disney World theme parks, plus a total of five visits to a choice of a Disney water park, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park or certain other attractions. During this offer period, active or retired U.S. military personnel may also make a one-time purchase of up to a maximum of five 5-Day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets(one theme park per day) for $99 per ticket, plus tax, for family members (including spouse) or friends. Although this ticket for family members and friends does not include either the Park Hopper or Water Park Fun & More options, this ticket can be upgraded to add either such option, or both, for an additional $25, plus tax, per option. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by Dec. 23, 2009.

Ask about the great rates that may be available at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels for active or retired U.S. military personnel during this offer period.

For information on the “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” offer at Walt Disney World Resort or the Disneyland Resort, or to make reservations, active and retired U.S. Military personnel may call the ITT office on their base. Information about “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” offer at Walt Disney World Resort is also available at www.disneyworld.com/military.

Through the years, The Walt Disney Company has demonstrated its support of United States’ servicemen and women through a variety of initiatives. Disney’s support for the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots program started 58 years ago – when Walt Disney became one of the original sponsors. Since 1995, Disney’s Operation Uplift program has sent over 90,000 postcards to troops worldwide, thanking them for their service. The company also supports U.S. service members and their families as a sponsor of the USO and its centers. Each year, Operation Disney Care packages, containing Disney DVDs, books, magazines and games, are sent to centers around the world to help entertain the servicemen/women and their families, Disney Minnie Grants are used to host family appreciation events, while Disney VoluntEARS donate many hours participating in local USO projects.

Other Offer Details:
· Complimentary "Disney’s Armed Forces Salute" tickets may be obtained only by active or retired U.S. military personnel, including activated members of the National Guard or Reservists (with orders showing active status after Jan. 1, 2008) and active or retired members of the United States Coast Guard. Spouses are not eligible.
· Complimentary “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute" tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort can be obtained only at participating U.S. military base ticket offices (including at the Shades of Green Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort), or at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows. Military personnel will need to activate those tickets at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows in order to use those tickets (no more than 1 such complimentary ticket per service member will be activated).
· Please see a participating U.S. military base ticket office for an exchange certificate for the complimentary “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” ticket for the Disneyland Resort. The exchange certificate will need to be redeemed for such ticket by the active or retired military personnel at a Main Entrance theme park ticket window (maximum of 1 such complimentary ticket per service member).
· "Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for family members and friends may be purchased only by active or retired U.S. military personnel, including activated members of the National Guard or Reservists (with orders showing active status after Jan. 1, 2008) and active or retired members of the United States Coast Guard (or, in each case, their spouses, but not both).
· "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort can be purchased only at participating U.S. military base ticket offices (including at the Shades of Green Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort), or at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows. “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for admission to the Disneyland Resort can be purchased only at participating U.S. military base ticket offices.
· Military personnel (or their spouses) who purchase "Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort for family members and friends will need to activate those tickets at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows in order for those tickets to be used (regardless of where those tickets are purchased). Actual prices for such tickets may be less than prices shown above.
· Military personnel (or their spouses) who purchase "Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets for admission to the Disneyland Resort for family members and friends will receive exchange certificates to be redeemed by such military personnel (or their spouses) for tickets at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows (one ticket per exchange certificate).
· The military personnel (or spouse) will be required to present valid military identification (which, for activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, also includes orders showing active status after Jan. 1, 2008) for all ticket transactions (including to activate tickets, and/or redeem exchange certificates for tickets, at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows). A valid ID may also be required for admission.
· "Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets are limited to five per service member (regardless of place of purchase and whether purchased by service member or spouse) and all five must be purchased at the same time. Accordingly, no service member (or spouse) will be permitted to activate, and/or to redeem exchange certificates for, more than a total of five "Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort (regardless of whether activated or exchanged by the service member or spouse).
· First day of use of “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” complimentary tickets and "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets at the Disneyland Resort must be no later than June 12, 2009,and tickets expire 13 days after the first day of use or June 25, 2009, whichever occurs first. Last day of use on “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” complimentary tickets and "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets at the Walt Disney World Resort is Dec. 23, 2009.
· Tickets must be used by the same person on any and all days. "Disney’s Armed Forces Salute" complimentary tickets may be used only by the service members to whom they are issued. "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets may be used only by the friends and family members for whom they are purchased.
· This offer may not be combined with any other offer.

“What Will You Celebrate?”

Military personnel taking advantage of this offer will find even more to celebrate during their stay. Beginning now, Disney Parks is embracing a newly identified nationwide travel trend called “celebration vacations,” in which Americans mark special occasions in their lives with a family vacation.

In 2009, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resorts ask guests “What Will You Celebrate?” and lead this growing trend with new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn their personal milestones –a birthday, an anniversary, Quinceañera or any special occasion – into magical Disney experiences.

‘What Will You Celebrate?’ Launches: New Immersive Fun, ‘Techno-vations,’ Delectable Eats, Resort Experiences, Free Birthday Visits in Store for Walt Disney World Guests in 2009

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – In 2009, Disney Parks poses the question “What Will You Celebrate?” in response to a travel trend that finds American families hitting the road to mark life’s special occasions. And to put guests in the spirit, Walt Disney World Resort is offering free admission to everyone who visits one of its theme parks on their birthday in 2009.

“Birthdays are the one occasion that we all share every year,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We thought a free birthday ticket would be the icing on the cake as we extend this ‘celebration vacation’ trend to Disney Parks.

“We see our parks as the ideal setting for a personal celebration,” Rasulo continued. “Guests can immerse themselves in their favorite stories and their favorite characters, creating a visit they’ll never forget.”

Walt Disney World guests can choose from experiences ranging from breathtaking (magical fireworks cruises, sunrise safaris, diving the depths with undersea creatures) to mirth-making (Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, character dining, kids’ pirate adventures) in order to personalize their celebration. Even the Disney florist has gotten into the act, creating special offerings that silently scream “surprise!” when vacationers open their guest-room door.

And to aid guests as they plan their personal celebrations, a new Web-based tool at www.DisneyParks.com helps guests sort through the possibilities – whether the occasion is a birthday, anniversary, reunion, personal accomplishment, first visit or something else.

New immersive fun in theme parks
Disney Parks’ initiative to create more immersive experiences continues in 2009 at Walt Disney World Resort with premieres in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Here’s what’s in store:

* “The American Idol Experience” (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) – Starry-eyed Disney guests will get a taste of TV’s pop culture phenomenon – up close and personal – when Disney’s Hollywood Studios grand opens this “American Idol” attraction in mid-February. It’s another immersive opportunity as guests will be able to experience the challenge of auditioning, the rush of performing on stage in competition or the thrill of judging the performances in a live interactive setting modeled after the “American Idol” set. There will be several showtimes daily. Guests advancing through the screening process have the chance, in the nightly final competition, to win a guaranteed reservation for a regional audition for the “American Idol” TV show.

* Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure (Epcot) – Inspired by Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning “Kim Possible” animated series, guests of all ages will become secret agents to save the world from various comical villains and their mad inventions in this ultra-interactive adventure packed with mystery and excitement. Guests team up with members of Team Possible in this high-tech experience slated for a late-January opening in seven World Showcase pavilions representing countries on three continents.

* “Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It! Street Party” (Magic Kingdom) – It’s party time beginning in mid-February when a cast of Disney characters, stilt walkers and other performers processes down Main Street, U.S.A. toward Cinderella Castle to high-energy tunes such as “Breakout” and “I Like To Move It.” Five floats decked out as gift-wrapped packages are part of the procession, and near the castle, Mad Hatter, Genie, Lumiere and Sebastian – the life and light of the party – pop out of four huge boxes. They join about a dozen other Disney characters headed by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse to mix and mingle and dance in the street with Magic Kingdom guests during a 12-15-minute party scheduled to take place three times daily.

New high-tech innovations on land and sea
High-tech innovations will help guests navigate theme park fun and treat guests to new thrills on both land and the high seas:

* Verizon (in Disney theme parks) – Marking a first in both the travel and mobile industries, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Verizon are teaming up to enhance the guest experience at Walt Disney World Resort (and at Disneyland Resort in California). Guests will be able to access an array of features on their Verizon Wireless phones including the ability to easily locate shows, restaurants and the Disney characters anywhere inside the parks; get real-time attraction availability information; access mobile games; receive messages from characters and more.

* Disney Digital 3-D (aboard Disney Cruise Line ships)– Movie entertainment at sea is being revolutionized with the debut of Disney Digital 3-D, a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience just introduced onboard the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. Guests will delight as first-run, feature Disney films leap off the silver screen and take on a whole new dimension in the onboard theaters. Tridimensional images will combine with lasers, fog, streamers, and special lighting effects to create an immersive movie-going experience like no other at sea. During these once-a-cruise special engagements, guests will feel the rush of being part of the hottest show in town.

* The Hall of Presidents (in Magic Kingdom) – An Audio-Animatronics version of President Barack Obama will join representations of the previous 43 presidents of the United States as part of an attraction that has been celebrating American history since Walt Disney World Resort opened. Disney Imagineers are also updating a broad array of show elements. Reopening is slated for early July.

‘Re-imagining’ Downtown Disney
Following the fall 2008 opening of T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover, the “re-imagining” of Downtown Disney continues with:

* Transformation of the Portobello Yacht Club – The name of this long-time favorite restaurant is shortened to “Portobello,” and an all-new menu reflects a new, warm, Italian trattoria décor. Portobello is open daily for lunch and dinner and is owned and operated by Levy Restaurants.

* New waterfront dining spot – A high-energy restaurant and bar opening in spring 2009 will feature Mexican and South American cuisine, an international wine bar and a tequila bar of more than 50 kinds of tequila and 10 signature frozen margaritas. The new as yet unnamed restaurant is being developed by E-Brands Restaurant Group, a multi-concept restaurant group which currently owns and operates Timpano Chophouse and Martini Bars, Samba Rooms, Taqueria Canonita, Aquaknox, David Burke, Salsa Orlando and Canonita Express in a number of cities across the United States. The Downtown Disney restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m. until late night with nightly entertainment.

‘Re-branding’ the sports complex
Aligning the world’s No. 1 family vacation destination with the worldwide leader in sports, Walt Disney World Resort and ESPN are joining forces to “re-brand” Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex with the ESPN brand, creating an entertaining and immersive experience for the nearly 2 million athletes, coaches and spectators who come through the sports complex each year. Plans for the re-branding initiative are still in the development stage, but initial concepts involve:

* Renaming the sports complex and incorporating the signature elements of ESPN – Throughout the 220-acre facility, which is a leading venue for amateur and professional sports in the country, the project aims to enhance the experience of both athletes and spectators by connecting them to their favorite ESPN programs, personalities and elements and making them feel like they’ve made it to the “big time.”

10 new places to go, 4 new places to settle down
In 2009, Disney Cruise Line is charting two new eastern Caribbean courses. Meanwhile, Adventures by Disney is adding eight destinations, including some of the most exotic and remote locations in the world, to its list of trips. And Disney Vacation Club is offering guests visiting Disney Parks four new resort experiences. Here’s a look at what’s coming:

* New eastern Caribbean itineraries (Disney Cruise Line) – St. Croix will be a featured stop on one new seven-night itinerary, and Tortola will be featured on another seven-night itinerary, giving Disney Cruise Line guests more choices than ever before to explore the beautiful islands of the Caribbean. Both islands are new to Disney Cruise Line, increasing the seven-night Caribbean choices on the Disney Magic to four itineraries (Disney’s traditional eastern and western Caribbean itineraries will continue). Itineraries with St. Croix and itineraries with Tortola sail select dates throughout 2009.

* New family-friendly adventure vacations (Adventures by Disney) – An expedition to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, a safari in Africa, and an exploration of Alaska are among eight new adventures in 2009, giving guests a total of 23 vacation options to choose from. Other new Adventures by Disney itineraries: Italy and Switzerland; Boston, Newport, New York City; Central Italy; Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park and San Francisco; and Glacier National Park and Banff National Park.

* New ‘home-away-from-home’ accommodations (Disney Vacation Club) – Four new options in 2009 will combine to revive “treehouse living” at Walt Disney World Resort, immerse guests in the African experience … in Florida, bring vacation ownership so close to Magic Kingdom that families can blow Tinker Bell a kiss goodnight and use Cinderella Castle as their nightlight, and provide the first Disney Vacation Club accommodations on the West Coast:

* The Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa – Treehouse living, a cherished tradition from 1975-2002, returns with the opening (scheduled for summer) of 60 three-bedroom villas elevated 10 feet off the ground on pedestals and beams designed to blend into the forest glens where they are nestled, providing Saratoga Springs with a new room category.

* Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Having completed the conversion of select rooms at Jambo House (at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge) into vacation villas, Kidani Village is taking shape (for phased openings in the spring and fall) with thatched roofs and hewn timber design. Kidani means “necklace” and the building is shaped like a piece of native African jewelry with guest villas forming the beads, garden-like walkways creating the knots in between and the lobby representing the ornament or jewel at its center.

* Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort – The 15-story curvilinear tower (slated for a fall opening) is designed to complement the fabled styling of the original building, which opened with Magic Kingdom on Oct. 1, 1971. The crescent shape, which features 295 two-bedroom-equivalent villas, promises to deliver some of the most dramatic views available anywhere at Walt Disney World Resort – some of scenic stretches of Bay Lake, others with views of Magic Kingdom.

* The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – Offering 50 two-bedroom-equivalent vacation villas (in late fall), this expansion of the existing hotel at Disneyland Resort is an architectural and artistic celebration of California’s renowned Arts & Crafts style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Using an oversized park ticket created for the occasion, Seattle, Wash. resident Andrew DaCosta entered the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. on Jan. 1, 2009. DaCosta was honored as the first person in the nation to receive free admission to a Disney theme park on his birthday as part of Disney's "What Will You Celebrate?"

DaCosta, who turns 49 today, redeemed his "Free On Your Birthday" registration at the Magic Kingdom Guest Relations window at 7:31 a.m.

Jan. 1 is the first day of the "What Will You Celebrate?" campaign at both Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. In addition to offering everyone who visits a Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme park on their birthday in 2009 free admission, the "What Will You Celebrate?" campaign features new theme park entertainment, added celebration experiences and new ways for guests to customize their own "celebration vacation" at both vacation resorts.

As fireworks fill the sky at the Magic Kingdom, 2008 Walt Disney World Ambassadors Kerri MacPherson and TC Newman join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in wishing everyone have many reasons to celebrate in the coming year.

Celebrity narrators of the 2008 Candlelight Procession at Epcot share their favorite holiday memories. The Candlelight Processional at Epcot is a Walt Disney World Resort holiday tradition; a telling of the Christmas story featuring celebrity narrators, a mass choir and a 50-piece orchestra. For more information about how Walt Disney World celebrates the holidays, visit www.disneyworld.com/holidays.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 19, 2008—Every day, two special guests are recruited to help rid the newly renovated pool at Ole Port Royale of pesky pirates at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Donning pirate hats and eye patches, the young lads and lassies take up their swords to defend the pool’s territory from the buccaneer who is later locked away in the pirate dungeon.

As part of the Disney Difference, this Magical Moment reflects the unique events Walt Disney World Resort guests can experience only at Disney. Robin Burkett, area manager of recreation for Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Pop Century Resort, said more guests are volunteering to participate in the Magical Moment openings. “It’s something out of the ordinary that makes the guest experience unforgettable,” she said.

The new pirate-themed pool and deck, which opened in early September, nearly doubles the capacity of the previous facility and features an 82-foot-long slide from a pirate fort. The nine-month upgrade also includes two anchor-shaped spas, another pool and a children’s “aqua play area,” which sits under a crow’s nest, emptying water on young mateys every few minutes.

Recreation Host Rich Alvis, one of the original creators of the resort’s Magical Moment, said the pool’s pirate theme sets the stage for imaginative adventures. “It’s a real Magical Moment for the kids because it’s personally involved. They make sure the pool deck is safe before we can open it,” he said. “It’s our way to make children feel a part of the magic at Disney”

100 Nationwide High School Students Selected to Attend Innovative Learning Environment at Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL (Dec. 12, 2008)— Walt Disney World Resort, in partnership with nationally syndicated radio personality Steve Harvey, today announced its selection of 100 nationwide high school students to participate in the Disney’s Dreamers Academy of 2009. Selected students and a guardian will travel to Walt Disney World Resort to take part in an innovative career inspiration program that includes interactive workshops, motivational talks, hands-on creative experiences and fun. The program will take place February 12-15, 2009, during national Black History Month.

“With the nation’s attention on change and a spirit of renewed hope, we are very pleased with the excitement centered on this year’s Disney’s Dreamers Academy and the overwhelming enthusiasm it has generated from young people spanning America,” said Xiomara Wiley, a vice president of marketing at Disney Destinations. “We want to educate and open doors for our young dreamers by helping them to realize the power within and inspiring them to discover their dreams and follow them wherever they lead.”

Celebrating its second “Dreamers Class,” the Disney’s Dreamers Academy reaches out nationwide to teens, grades 9-12, extolling the virtues of preparing for the future. The program’s aim is to expose teens to creative and nontraditional career opportunities in everything from culinary arts to animation, set design and show production to the business of sports, while inspiring them to exceed the boundaries of their dreams and imaginations.

The Steve Harvey Morning Show conducted the Dreamer’s Contest to identify the participants in Disney’s Dreamers Academy. This program was created for high school students who show promise – but may need additional motivational support to excel. However, all of the selected students share a trait: the power to DREAM. Parents, teachers, school administrators, church groups and even the students themselves nominated more than 4,000 aspiring dreamers from across the nation for the program.

“The Walt Disney World organization has been a great partner in this initiative, and their commitment to providing students with a once in a life time experience, such as Disney’s Dreamers Academy, is commendable,” said Steve Harvey. “Together, we have the ability to enhance the lives of these deserving kids by showing them that there are many ways to follow your dreams.”

During Disney’s Dreamers Academy, students are given unprecedented access to the magic behind Walt Disney World Resort. As part of their experience this group of dreamers will participate in interactive workshops focusing on a variety of subjects including Walt Disney Imagineering techniques, entertainment, the business of sports, culinary arts, and more. Disney cast members, executives and celebrities will share their blueprints for success. Participants will also explore Disney’s theme parks and then end their special weekend with a graduation ceremony where a special guest will deliver a motivational address.

Participants in this year’s Disney’s Dreamers Academy class were selected by a distinguished panel of judges including: Harvey; Wiley; Rushion McDonald (executive producer of the Steve Harvey Morning Show); Reverend Randolph Bracy (president of the NAACP, Orlando); Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed (president, Bethune-Cookman University); Terrence J. (host of BET 106 & Park); Eugene Campbell (vice president of community relations & minority business development, Walt Disney World Resort); Steve Smith (NBA TV analyst/Ex-NBA player); Stephen A. Smith (ESPN Radio host/sports journalist); Cassie Davis (actress, “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”); Mark Hayes (WAGA-TV anchor, Fox Atlanta); and Eduardo Correia (director, Kodak Multicultural Marketing).

The Disney’s Dreamer Academy was launched in 2007. For more information visit http://steveharvey.com/disneysdreamersacademy/.

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow honored with Disney Spirit Award, Maxwell Award at Disney's BoardWalk - Dec. 11. 2008

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow holds the two awards -- the Disney Spirit Award (left) and the Maxwell Award (right) he took home from the The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards, which took place Dec. 11, 2008 at Disney's BoardWalk Resort.

University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, whose remarkable humanitarian efforts have captivated college football fans nationwide, was presented the 2008 Disney Spirit Award given annually to college football’s most inspirational figure. Tebow was presented with the award during The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards at the Atlantic Dance Hall at Walt Disney World Resort on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008. The 18th annual awards show was broadcast live on ESPN. (Preston Mack, photographer)

Everywhere you look in Walt Disney World, the holidays are coming to life, starting with the 200,000 lights that decorate Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom and cover it with sparkling ice from top to toe. See how the Disney Imagineers make this phenomenal transformation take shape.

Each holiday season, the streets of Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida sparkle with five million lights. In 1995, Walt Disney World® Resort adopted the displays from Little Rock's Jennings Osborne after his neighbors grumbled. Now, Disney crews start work in March to get ready for guests in November and December.

For more information about how Walt Disney World celebrates the holidays, visit www.disneyworld.com/holidays

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 5, 2008 -- Disney's Animal Kingdom welcomed the 28th gerenuk calf weighing in at six pounds and approximately two feet tall, after a seven-month gestation.

A gerenuk, which in Somali means “giraffe-necked,” is an African antelope with a unique long neck allowing them to eat leaves off the tree versus savannah grass. Unlike other gazelles and most antelopes that graze on grasses, gerenuks often stand erect on their hind legs and stretch their long necks to browse on taller bushes. They are typically found in areas of dry, bushy shrub and because of their arid habitat, they do not need to drink, because they get enough water from the plants they eat. Typical size for an adult gerenuk is approximately three feet at the shoulder with a weight between 80 and 115 pounds.

The female calf, just recently named Presley, was born November 16. Her mother, Tupelo, is six years old and has been at Disney's Animal Kingdom since 2004. Both are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Gerenuk Population Management Plan.

Each holiday season at Disney's Beach Club Resort in Florida, a team of pastry chefs builds a giant gingerbread carousel in the hotel lobby. Every visible part is edible -- the chocolate and fondant horses, the gingerbread floor and canopy, the white chocolate figures of Mickey Mouse and his friends, sugar poinsettias -- even the accents of star anise and cinnamon stick. For more information about how Walt Disney World celebrates the holidays, visit www.disneyworld.com/holidays

Disney's new "Santa Paws" invites dog owners to bring their canine friends for a photo opportunity and meet and greet with old St. Nick himself. "Santa Paws" continues through Dec. 24. Santa Paws is located near World of Disney store at Downtown Disney Marketplace. For hours and more information about Festival of the Seasons, visit disneyworld.com/holidays

Check out this video:

Companies Align to Bring Unprecedented New Experiences to Guests at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort…and Right on Their Verizon Wireless Phones

November 12, 2008 - Marking a first in both the travel and mobile industries, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Verizon are teaming up for a multi-year relationship designed to enhance the guest experience – before, during and after guests arrive at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. This alignment allows guests to have a personal tour guide right in their wireless phones along with reliable new services at the parks. Early next year guests will also use Verizon Wireless’ technology when experiencing Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an ultra-interactive attraction coming to Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort.

“With more than 90 percent of families bringing a mobile phone into our Parks, our objective was to enhance the magical Disney experience through innovative wireless technology,” said Jay Rasulo, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Imagine receiving up to the minute tips on special Park activities with just the touch of a button or receiving a call from Buzz Lightyear welcoming you to the Magic Kingdom.”

Beginning next year, guests will be able to access an array of features on their Verizon Wireless phones while at the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort to help them make the most of their Disney experiences. Planned services include an exclusive mobile application that will give guests with Verizon Wireless service the ability to easily locate shows, restaurants and the Disney characters anywhere inside the Parks; get real-time attraction availability information; access mobile games; receive messages from characters and more. Verizon Wireless is also continuing to invest in its wireless network from coast to coast, and the relationship with Disney means the wireless users will benefit from further enhancements to the Verizon Wireless network in the Parks.

John Harrobin, senior vice president of digital media and marketing for Verizon, said, “All of our efforts focus on one goal: making the Disney experience even better for our customers. There are few life experiences that are more memorable than visiting a Disney Park, and now guests with Verizon Wireless service will unlock even more magic from their visit – by navigating the Parks easier and faster with instant access to key information such as ‘Where’s Mickey now?’ and other special features – even when they travel home and share their experiences with family and friends.”

In addition, guests visiting Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort in early 2009 will be among the first to experience Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. An ultra-interactive attraction, Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure invites guests of all ages to team up with members of Team Possible to save the world from various comical villains and their mad inventions. Armed with an official Verizon Wireless “Kimmunicator,” guests will use these handheld devices to help maneuver through the mission. The interactive wireless theme park game was inspired by Disney Channel’s Emmy® Award-winning animated series, “Kim Possible.”

While Verizon Wireless customers will have exclusive access to an array of enhanced features, Disney and Verizon are also working to ensure that some mobile information such as dining locations, show times and locations will be available to all Parks visitors, regardless of their wireless company.

Additional details will be available next year as the companies expect to add a suite of services and functionalities to help guests at Disney Parks have the most magical experience. For more information about Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, visit www.disney.com. For more information about Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

Disney Parks and Resorts – Taking Guests to New Frontiers

The agreement between Disney and Verizon is another step in a series of new initiatives that highlight the latest technologies from Disney Parks and Resorts with a continued focus on improving guest experience and providing immersive entertainment. Disney Parks and Resorts continue to exemplify how technologies can be used to build new connections and redefine how guests plan and enjoy their vacations. From the time guests begin planning their vacation using Walt Disney World Resort in 3D on Google Earth or tuning into Disney Travel on Demand, the experience is designed to make their lives easier. Guests can take their vacation experience to a new level with Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an interactive wireless theme park game for families, and by personalizing and sharing their Disney experiences when they return home, using DisneyLink, a desktop application.

About Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is where dreams come true and magic comes to life. This segment of The Walt Disney Company encompasses 11 theme parks at five of the world’s leading family vacation destinations – Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Resort Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland. It also includes: Disney Cruise Line; Disney Vacation Club; Adventures by Disney; Disney Regional Entertainment, which operates the ESPN Zone sports dining and entertainment centers; World of Disney stores in New York, Orlando and Anaheim; and Walt Disney Imagineering, which creates and designs all Disney parks, resorts and attractions. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts had approximately $10 billion in revenues in fiscal 2006. More information about Disney Travel on Demand and all of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts can be found at www.DisneyParks.com.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 71 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 228,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

LOVE CONQUERS ALL: Davis Love III poses with Mickey Mouse and the champion's trophy Nov. 9, 2008 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., following his PGA TOUR victory in the Children's Miracle Network Classic presented by Wal-Mart. Love shot a final round 8-under on Disney's Magnolia Course, and finished the tournament with a 25-under-263. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

An Affordable Special Offer Lets Guests Buy 4 Nights and Get 3 Nights Free

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The new year will bring new ways for guests to celebrate their special occasions with family and friends at Walt Disney World Resort – and special savings that make a Disney vacation even more affordable.

Guests who buy a four-night/four-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Co. Magic Your Way hotel and ticket package for stays most nights from Jan. 4 to April 4, 2009, and April 19 to
June 27, 2009, will receive three extra nights of hotel accommodations and three more days added to their theme park tickets for free.

As a bonus, guests traveling on this package from Jan. 4 to March 29, 2009, will also receive a free $200 Disney Gift Card to splurge on merchandise, dining or other Disney fun.

“Walt Disney World Resort has always presented a great entertainment value for our guests,” said Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton. “This special travel offer makes it even easier for guests to enjoy a magical, memory-making Disney vacation in 2009.”

With this special offer, a family of four can get a 7-night stay at a Disney Value Resort and a 7-day Magic Your Way base ticket for each family member for as little as $1271. The package can be booked now through Dec. 20, 2008.

A Look at Prices and Savings for this Walt Disney World Special Offer for a Family of Four

Disney Value Resorts

$1,271 ($316 savings)
Jan. 4-Feb. 12, 2009

$1,466 ($484 savings)
Feb. 13-April 4, 2009

$1,375 ($416 savings)
April 19-May 21, 2009

$1,421 ($450 savings)
May 22 –June 27, 2009

Disney Moderate Resorts

$1,571 ($541 savings)
Jan. 4-Jan. 12, 2009
Jan. 19-Feb. 12, 2009

$1,778 ($718 savings)
Feb. 13-April 4, 2009

$1,666 ($634 savings)
April 19-May 21, 2009

$1,733 ($685 savings)
May 22-June 27, 2009

Select Disney Deluxe Resorts

$1,981 ($848 savings)
Jan. 4-Feb. 12, 2009

$2,498 ($1,281 savings)
Feb. 13-April 4, 2009

$2,206 ($1,017 savings)
April 19-May 21, 2009

$2,206 ($1,017 savings)
May 22-May 25, 2009
June 2-June 27, 2009

Select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

$2,228 ($1,034 savings)
Jan.12-Feb. 9, 2009

$2,611 ($1,320 savings)
Feb. 16- April 4, 2009

$2,363 ($1,135 savings)
April 19- May 21, 2009

$2,363 ($1,135 savings)
May 22 –June 27, 2009

-- Prices are valid for stays most nights during the dates listed above and are based on two adults, one junior (ages 10 to 17) and one child (ages 3 to 9) in a standard room at a Value Resort, Moderate Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (Deluxe Resort) or a studio at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa (Deluxe Villa Resort).

-- Savings based on the non-discounted price of a 7-night/7-day Magic Your Way package. Guests traveling between 1/4/09 and 3/29/09 can save an additional $200 with the free $200 Disney Gift Card included with the package. One gift card per reservation provided at check-in. Visit DisneyGiftCard.com for participating locations and terms and conditions.

-- The number of packages allocated for this offer is limited. Tickets are valid for one theme park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use.

-- Other room types are available at varying rates.

Guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels get an extra dose of pixie dust with great perks and services including: Complimentary on-property transportation; Disney’s Magical Express, which offers complimentary airport shuttle and luggage delivery; and Extra Magic Hours, where each day one of the Walt Disney World theme parks opens one hour early or stays open up to three hours later, providing extra time in the parks to experience select attractions.

“What Will You Celebrate?”

Guests taking advantage of this offer will find even more to celebrate during their stay. Beginning in January, Disney Parks will embrace a newly identified nationwide travel trend called “celebration vacations,” in which Americans mark special occasions in their lives with a family vacation.

In 2009, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort ask guests “What Will You Celebrate?” and lead this growing trend with new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn their personal milestones – a birthday, an anniversary, Quinceañera or any special occasion – into magical Disney experiences.

At Walt Disney World Resort, guests can add on to the fun, choosing from more than 200 experiences ranging from breathtaking (magical fireworks cruises, sunrise safaris, diving the depths with undersea creatures) to mirth-making (Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, character dining, kids’ pirate adventures).

Walt Disney World Resort also has added new attractions and entertainment offerings over the past year and more great things are in store for 2009. New signature attractions like Toy Story Mania! and traveling entertainment like Block Party Bash have become Walt Disney World guest favorites. Plus, new excitement is popping all over the vacation kingdom, including the new Pixie Hollow area at Magic Kingdom where guests can meet Tinker Bell and her friends from the new Disney “Fairies” movie and the new Kim Possible interactive adventure at Epcot.

In early 2009, the addition of the American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will allow guests to live the dream of becoming part of the “American Idol” phenomenon. This exhilarating new attraction will feature the glitz and glamour of the hit television series’ stunning set and will give guests an opportunity to experience the thrill as if really at the show.

How to Book Your Walt Disney World Vacation Package

Guests can book this special offer starting Nov. 7 online at disneyworld.com/get3free or by calling 407/W-DISNEY (407/934-7639) or their local travel agent and asking for package code RWZ.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Oct. 2, 2008 — Several Walt Disney World Cast Members were among the top hospitality-industry professionals to receive honors for outstanding culinary achievements in the annual Santé Restaurant Awards presented by Santé, a magazine for restaurant professionals. As the only peer-judged restaurant and hospitality competition in North America, the awards program recognizes excellence in restaurant food, wine, spirits and service hospitality. Disney’s Chef de Cuisine Scott Hunnel received the Culinary Professional of the Year award for his outstanding achievement in culinary service and hospitality at Victoria and Albert’s restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

"It was like winning an Oscar," Hunnel said of his award. "Working for Disney has been very gratifying because they support my continuous growth, along with the other Cast Members who work in the restaurants," he said.

As a Disney chef for nearly 20 years, Hunnel said a true leader realizes that it takes more than cooking a good meal to be successful—it’s a team effort. "It’s really taken years of building the foundation of this restaurant and building the team," he said of his fellow chefs at Victoria & Albert’s. "We had to really instill the philosophy of continuous evolution."

Understanding that evolution helped Hunnel capture the attention and taste buds of his peers. The fundamentals of cooking don’t change, he said, rather it’s the extra love that goes into the dish that makes his cooking and the restaurant menu different from others. This culinary expertise is tastefully demonstrated in one of his signature dishes -- the applewood smoked buffalo tenderloin with melted fennel, leeks and salad greens with blood orange vinaigrette.

Other Disney professionals setting themselves apart from competitors include Gary Kaikaka from California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, who received the Service Professional Award for outstanding achievement in food, wine and spirits service. The restaurant managers and servers at Jiko—The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom also received the Wine Hospitality Award for outstanding achievement in wine service and hospitality.

The Santé Restaurant Awards are based on a variety of criteria, and winners represent a broad spectrum of restaurant- and hospitality-industry professionals with a common passion for their work and a commitment to excellence. Award recipients will be honored for their achievements at this year’s festivities, to be held at Silverado Resort in Napa, Cal., Nov. 4.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Oct. 17, 2008 - Much like Cinderella’s Prince Charming searching for the perfect fit for the glass slipper, leaders from Walt Disney World Resort have found two outstanding Cast Members to step into the time-honored, unique role of Walt Disney World Ambassador. During a ceremony today at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Vanessa Rosas and Clay Shoemaker were named as the 38th Walt Disney World Ambassador Team and will serve from Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2009.

“Being an Ambassador is one of the greatest achievements a Cast Member can attain,” said Meg Crofton president of Walt Disney World Resort. “During the last thirty-seven years, these men and women have represented Disney Cast Members with purpose and grace, and have brought the magic of Walt Disney World to the world at large.”

The 44-year tradition offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those who demonstrate passion and knowledge of Disney heritage along with poise and skill. Each year, thousands of Cast Members are invited to participate in this process which starts with informational sessions and ends with a ceremony announcing the new Ambassador team. Individuals named as Ambassadors accept a year-long assignment representing Walt Disney World Resort’s 62,000 Cast Members. Once their term is completed, each Ambassador has the option to return to their prior job or apply for another available position within Walt Disney World Resort.

Serving as a representative of the company and goodwill ambassador to the world brings a tremendous amount of responsibility. Following a two-month training process, the 2009 Ambassador team will start their year with a full schedule and will participate in more than 1,000 local, national and international events. Typical responsibilities include hospital visits and appearances with Disney characters and participating in community outreach events and academic incentive programs. They’ll log tens of thousands of miles traveling to Disney destinations around the globe, host VIPs and dignitaries at Walt Disney World Resort, cut dozens of grand-opening ribbons, share third-shift breakfasts at 1 a.m. and read story books to Central Florida children. For them, these unforgettable experiences will make this year one of the most memorable ones of their lives.

Rosas is an industrial engineer who began her Disney career at Walt Disney World Resort in 2000. Since then she has supported many areas, including the Disney College Program, Disney’s child care centers, Project Tomorrowland, Merchandise, Photo Imaging, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, and most recently, Theme Park Operations. Throughout her career, she has also enjoyed interacting with her fellow Cast Members in activities and organizations such as the Candlelight Cast Choir, Hispanic Organization for Leadership Advancement (HOLA) as well as the Industrial Engineering community service team.

Shoemaker began his Disney career in 1994 while working as a sales host at the local The Disney Store. In 1996, Shoemaker became a Walt Disney World Resort Cast Member and has served on Operations, Sales, Marketing and Merchandise teams over the past 12 years. Some of Shoemaker’s career highlights include roles managing guided tour operations at Magic Kingdom, introducing the Disney heritage to new Cast Members and assisting with the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland.

The great honor of being selected as a Disney Ambassador began during the 10th anniversary of Disneyland when Walt was overwhelmed with requests for appearances and needed a few good surrogates. He selected the first Ambassador in 1964, and the tradition has continued ever since.

Grand Opening of State-of-the-Art, On-Site Health and Wellness Center Provides Additional Resources to Help Walt Disney World Cast Members Lead Healthier Lives

Center for Living Well is "one-stop shop" for primary medical care for as many as 40,000 benefits-eligible Cast Members and their families

Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Oct. 15, 2008 – Hundreds of Walt Disney World Cast Members completed a wellness walk around Epcot just in time to help officially open the Center for Living Well, a state-of-the-art, on-site health and wellness center that will provide eligible Cast Members and their families with a "one-stop shop" for primary medical care and related services, including a pharmacy, lab, basic radiology, and wellness and behavioral health resources.

"The opening of the Center for Living Well is a significant milestone in our journey to help Cast Members and their families lead healthier lives," said Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton. "This special place will inspire Cast Members to take a proactive approach to their health and provide resources that will make it easier than ever before for them to take advantage of the many health and wellness resources Disney offers."

Walt Disney World Resort selected Take Care Health Systems (formerly CHD Meridian Healthcare) to operate and provide medical and pharmacy services at the $6 million, 15,000-square-foot facility. As the operator of the Center for Living Well, Take Care Health has committed to providing Cast Members and their dependents who participate in the company’s health plans with:

* high-quality, personalized care facilitated by a multi-lingual staff of credentialed medical professionals;

* enhanced access to services through extended hours, weekend availability, proximity to work and same-day care for more immediate needs;

* coordinated treatment made possible by relationships with specialists and other facilities throughout the region, referral scheduling support and the latest in medical technology, including electronic medical records and prescriptions and digital radiology; and

* privacy and confidentiality, through strict adherence to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and special facility design features, such as a sophisticated white noise system that enables private conversations, the use of pagers to facilitate efficient and discreet communication between patients and staff, and a unique exam room design that prevents others from seeing who is inside the room when the door is open.

"The Center for Living Well represents the best thinking in putting Cast Members first and we’re thrilled to be a part of it," said Peter M. Hotz, president, Employer Solutions, Take Care Health Systems. "Forward-thinking companies like Walt Disney World are demonstrating that the strongest investment they can make is in the health and well-being of their people. This facility combines the best in medical care, pharmacy services and technology to create a healthcare experience unlike any other."

Walt Disney World Resort continues to offer a variety of other programs and services designed to promote healthy living among Cast Members including:

o a choice of health care plans that enable eligible Cast and their dependents to select the plan that best meets their needs;

o preventive care benefits that are generally available at no additional cost to plan participants and their covered dependents;

o on-site health and wellness offerings, such as educational and screening opportunities, health fairs and discounts on weight loss programs and gym memberships;

o access to online tools and resources, such as a personal health assessment and a prescription drug price comparison tool; and

o programs to support health plan members with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.

"Across our organization, Cast Members at all levels have been taking ‘one simple step’ toward a healthier lifestyle using the resources provided by our company," said Al Weiss, president of worldwide operations for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. "There is a lot of momentum around our wellness journey, and we will continue to engage our Cast Members in new and innovative health and wellness opportunities."

Cast Members will continue to be able to access other Central Florida health care providers as defined by the health plan they select. Currently, more than 40,000 Walt Disney World Cast Members, plus their dependents, are eligible for health benefits.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- A kaleidoscope of colors and elaborate light displays will decorate the skies on the final night of 2008 at Walt Disney World Resort.

Dazzling fireworks showers, live entertainment and extended park hours throughout the Vacation Kingdom on Dec. 31 make it a popular spot to ring in the new year.

-- At Epcot, a special version of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” the laser-light spectacular featuring dancing flames and cascading fountains orchestrated to an original musical score, will be presented at 7:40 p.m. and 11:50 p.m. The park’s Dec. 31 operating hours are 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.

-- Disney’s Hollywood Studios will host “Fantasmic!,” the lavish spectacular of water animation, lasers and fireworks, at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Revelers can “rock on” with live performances by in-park band “Mulch, Sweat and Shears,” plus a DJ spinning tunes at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat. A special “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks show brings in the new year at 11:50 p.m. The park is open from 9 a.m. until midnight on Dec. 31.

-- Late-nighters can party at Magic Kingdom until the wee hours with parades and fireworks galore. The park is aglow with “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” at 12 noon and 3 p.m., followed by the wondrous “SpectroMagic” parade at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. “Holiday Wishes” fireworks, the boldest and brightest pyrotechnics show at Disney, takes place at 8:30 p.m. capped with the grand finale “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks at 11:50 p.m. On Dec. 31, the park is open from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.

-- Disney’s Animal Kingdom is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 31. Guests can enjoy one of the final presentations of the romping character cavalcade “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade” at 3:45 p.m.

For more information, visit Disneyworld.com or contact 407/824-4321.

LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN: In a New York City ballroom on Sept. 18, 2008, Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Jay Rasulo (pictured) announced that Disney Parks will welcome guests in 2009 with free theme park admission on their birthday. The free one-day, one-park ticket is good for birthday celebrants in 2009 at any theme park at Disneyland Resort in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. In 2009 during "What Will You Celebrate?", Disney Parks will roll out new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn their personal milestones into magical Disney experiences. Guests can get more details at www.disneyparks.com. (Diane Bondareff, photographer)

A BIG APPLE CELEBRATION: A Disney balloon vendor, Mickey Mouse and a group of children join Jay Rasulo (center), chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Sept. 18, 2008 during an impromptu visit to New York City’s Times Square. The visit followed Rasulo's announcement that Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will welcome guests in 2009 with free theme park admission on their birthday. Disney Parks have embraced a new travel trend called "celebration vacations" by adding new entertainment and add-on services that allow guests to turn personal milestones such as birthdays and anniversaries into magical Disney memories. (Diane Bondareff, photographer)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Sept. 16, 2008) – Two highly anticipated resort developments announced today will expand the Walt Disney World experience and continue the rapid growth of Disney Vacation Club, Disney’s innovative vacation-ownership program:

-- the 15-story Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is scheduled to join the Disney Vacation Club family of properties in fall 2009, while

-- the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, scheduled to open in summer 2009, will become the next room category offered at that resort.

Disney Vacation Club also announced that Bay Lake Tower sales are scheduled to begin on Sept. 21 for Disney Vacation Club Members, while sales to the general public and sales for the newest phase of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will begin at a later date.

“Our founder, Walt Disney, was well known for having one foot in the past and one in the future,” said Disney Vacation Club President Jim Lewis. “These new resort developments share that dynamic sensibility, blending modern luxury and design with the nostalgic spirit of two of the most storied resorts in Walt Disney World history.”

The announcement comes during an unprecedented era of growth for Disney Vacation Club, established in 1991 to give families decades of affordable vacations at Disney destinations and beyond. Disney Vacation Club membership has more than doubled since 2004, expanding to include more than 350,000 individuals from approximately 100 countries and every U.S. state.

That membership growth has also driven Disney Vacation Club expansion, inspiring Walt Disney Imagineers to dream up new vacation home opportunities. In addition to Bay Lake Tower and the Treehouse Villas, development continues on Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at the Disneyland Resort in California and the recently announced resort at Ko Olina on the island of Oahu.

“What excites me most about this tremendous growth is that we’re not only creating new accommodations, but new experiences,” Lewis said. “Each of the projects we’ve undertaken at Disney Vacation Club is unlike anything previously available in our resort portfolio, and both Bay Lake Tower and the Treehouse Villas proudly build on that tradition.”

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

The new, curvilinear Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is designed to complement the fabled styling of the original building, which opened with the Magic Kingdom Park on Oct. 1, 1971, and featured comedian Bob Hope as master of ceremonies. Mimicking the color palette and strong horizontal lines of its iconic predecessor, the new structure even sports a rooftop lounge inspired by the original resort’s A-frame architecture.

The tower’s crescent shape, hugging lush landscaping, planned recreation options and a lakeside pool, promises to deliver some of the most dramatic views available anywhere at the Walt Disney World Resort. Some villas face scenic, undeveloped stretches of Bay Lake, while others offer spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom Park, located a short walk away.

The views promise to be equally appealing inside the tower’s 295 two-bedroom-equivalent villas, where visionary design meets Disney chic to define the vacation experience. As the closest resort to the Magic Kingdom Park, Bay Lake Tower guests can easily return to their rooms for quick breaks from their busy day in the Park, where they can relax in an inspiring setting offering many of the conveniences of home.

Most of the rooms in this iconic resort will feature innovative touches, such as modern artwork designed specifically for Bay Lake Tower, flat-screen TVs, full kitchens complete with granite countertops and modern appliances, separate bedrooms, washers and dryers, and other home-like amenities. Plus, to accommodate larger families or families traveling together, many Bay Lake Tower vacation villas are designed to sleep up to nine, though some units can also be divided into one-bedroom villas that sleep five and studios that accommodate four, creating flexible options for smaller groups.

“These vacation homes will be furnished with some amazing custom pieces that are works of art unto themselves,” said Imagineer Brian McFarland. “It’s all about maintaining that feel of clean lines and open spaces, with plenty of Disney touches.”

Add to the plans a spacious lobby filled with woven woods and glass-wrapped columns, sweeping views from a rooftop lounge and fireworks viewing deck, and the convenience of a sky bridge linking families to shops, restaurants and the monorail station, and you have a Disney Vacation Club destination that is both practical and fashionable.

Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Meanwhile, nestled in natural forest glens just around the river bend from the bustling Downtown Disney area, the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will mark the newest phase of what has become the largest Disney Vacation Club resort. Phase one of the idyllic lakeside community debuted in 2004, and phase three sold out earlier this year.

This new phase will revive Walt Disney World “treehouse living,” a cherished tradition from 1975-2002. While crews are replacing villas of the ‘70s with brand-new vacation homes, Imagineers took special care to honor the original octagonal design.

The construction process itself is unique as each stand-alone Treehouse Villa will come together like a giant 3-D puzzle to ensure both superior quality and environmental sensitivity.

All 60 three-bedroom homes, elevated 10 feet off the ground on pedestals and beams designed to blend into the forest environment, will sleep nine and are planned to offer modern luxuries such as cathedral ceilings, granite countertops and flat-screen TVs, all presented in a style dubbed “cabin casual.”

“I was lucky enough to have a treehouse as a kid, but it was certainly nothing like this,” said Imagineer Todd Thomasson. “In developing this resort, we’ve all learned a new word, ‘glamping,’ which apparently means glamorous camping. The Treehouse Villas will be glamping at its absolute best.”

Disney Vacation Club is owned by Disney Vacation Development Inc., part of the magic of The Walt Disney Company. To learn more, visit www.disneyvacationclub.com.

All Ears Fact Sheet and Photos: Bay Lake Tower

All Ears Fact Sheet and Photos: Treehouse Villas

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Sept. 1, 2008) – Disney Parks today announced its search for a group of park-savvy parents to be named the 2009 Walt Disney World Moms Panel, following in the footsteps of the first-ever online Walt Disney World Moms Panel which has been fielding and answering thousands of vacation questions in 2008.

The quest is for 16 parents who pride themselves on being Walt Disney World “know-it-alls” and have an undying passion to share their Disney knowledge with others at www.disneyworldmoms.com. From Sept. 8 through Sept. 19, interested applicants can visit www.disneyworldmoms.com/2009 to apply for the panel. The application process begins with a series of questions and three brief essays – about their family, why they are a great Walt Disney World vacation planner and their favorite Disney vacationing tip.

“The first-ever Disney Moms Panel has responded to more than 9,000 questions from vacation planners this year. They have offered our guests countless tips to plan a magical vacation at our resort,” said Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “We thank the 2008 panel for their contributions and look forward to working with a new group of parents.”

Since the launch of www.disneyworldmoms.com in January 2008, the current 12-person panel has responded to questions covering just about anything from how to sign up for a character dining experience to what items are allowed in the parks. In exchange for serving up their Disney expertise online in 2009, the expanded, 16-person panel will each receive a 5-night, 6-day vacation at Walt Disney World Resort for four people.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of being on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel has been the opportunity to use my travel experiences in ways that help other families plan the most magical vacations ever,” said Darcie Maranich, a panelist and mother of four from Vail, Ariz. “I encourage anyone who has valuable pointers for vacation planning to apply – for me, it is a dream come true being a part of the Moms Panel, and I look forward to the information the next round of panelists will share.”

About the Walt Disney World Moms Panel

Launched in January 2008, the Walt Disney World Moms Panel is an online forum where guests can get insider tips and insights for vacationing at Walt Disney World Resort from real moms who have mastered the art of planning a Walt Disney World vacation. The 2008 Walt Disney World Moms Panel consists of 12 real parents selected to share their vast knowledge of the resort and personal secrets of success with other families who are considering a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Guests can pose questions and have them answered by the panelists, as well as gain access to other valuable park insights and vacation planning tools – including a new online “How-To” video series featuring homemade videos from the panelists sharing their favorite Disney vacation tips. For more information, visit www.disneyworldmoms.com.

Michael Phelps Wins Record-Setting Gold in Beijing… What's He Doing Next? "He's Going to Disney World!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., August 29, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — Direct from the Beijing Games where he won a record eight Gold Medals, world champion swimmer Michael Phelps celebrated his unprecedented achievement with an all-American homecoming parade in his honor at Walt Disney World Resort.

In a star-spangled salute amidst confetti and thousands of flag-waving fans in the Magic Kingdom, Phelps was honored for his record-setting wins and for the spirit in which he captivated the world in his quest for Gold.

The 23-year-old from Baltimore beamed as he rode through the park alongside Mickey Mouse, waving to fans who chanted his name. Magic Kingdom guests joined in "America's Homecoming Parade" for the swimmer who broke records in each event he entered in Beijing.

For Phelps, who also was honored in Disney parades at both Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Park in California following the 2004 Summer Games, it was a sweet homecoming to the United States and to see fans who supported him in his quest for Gold in Beijing.

"I am so happy to celebrate here and see some of the fans who supported me," said Phelps. "It's great to feel so much excitement around the sport of swimming in the U.S. and around the world. To top it all off with a parade at Disney World is just incredible."

During his celebration in the Magic Kingdom, Phelps also took time to meet a group of local swimmers from the central Florida area. The aspiring young swimmers had the chance to talk with Phelps, ask about his record-breaking experiences and see the Gold Medals he won in Beijing.

Phelps' celebration at Walt Disney World is planned to be the next feature on his wildly popular Facebook.com page. Phelps, one of the most popular public figures on the social networking site, has nearly 1.5 million Facebook "fans" who have subscribed to receive his latest news and updates. Phelps said he plans to offer photographs and video of his Walt Disney World visit on his Facebook.com site.

Phelps, who has announced he will train for the 2012 Games, now owns the record for most Gold Medals in a single event (8) and for a career (14).

Guests get VIP treatment at the elegant Chef's Table in the back of the kitchen at Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Chef Scott Hunnel and sommelier Brian Kozial offer award-winning cuisine and fine wines.

Land lubbers and scallywags alike will be able to live like Captain Jack Sparrow in a pirate-themed room specially created for Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. More than 350 rooms at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort are getting an "Extreme Makeover: Pirate Edition" with new décor and furnishing fit for a buccaneer. Guests can start booking rooms for stays in January 2009, with the entire renovation scheduled to be completed by the end of spring 2009.

Actress and best-selling author Brooke Shields, star of the fashion-themed, NBC television series “Lipstick Jungle,” poses Aug. 17, 2008 with an evening gown-clad Minnie Mouse and daughters Grier, age 2 (left), and Rowan, age 5 (right), at the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. “Lipstick Jungle” returns for its second season on Sept. 24, 2008. Shields also is the author of a new children's book, "Welcome To Your World, Baby." The book, which focuses on the joys of sisterhood, was inspired by her two young daughters. Shields and her family are on vacation at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Brooke Shields poses with a jungle explorer-themed Goofy and husband, writer/producer Chris Henchy (right) and daughters Grier, age 2 (left), and Rowan, age 5 (second from right), at the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

(Todd Anderson, photographer)

MORE DREAMING IN 2009: Famed television and radio entertainer Steve Harvey poses with Mickey and Minnie Mouse prior to the 2008 Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic in Chicago. Mickey and Minnie joined Harvey as he announced plans for next year's "Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey" -- a motivational event for teens which will take place at Walt Disney World in Florida in early 2009. Harvey said nominations for the 2009 "Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey" are available at his Web site: www.steveharvey.com/disneysdreamersacademy.

Jacquez Walker (left), a Chicago-area student from Kelvyn High School, shared the spotlight with famed television and radio entertainer Steve Harvey (right) prior to the 2008 Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic in Chicago. During the parade, Walker shared the Grand Marshal honor with Mickey and Minnie Mouse in recognition of his selection to the inaugural "Disney's Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey.

(Clifton Henri, photographer)

A two-story tall dinosaur is pictured August 13, 2008 being transported on a flatbed truck past a pedestrian crossing sign at the Downtown Disney entertainment district at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The dinosaur will be featured inside a new restaurant, currently under construction, called "T-Rex: a Prehistoric Family Adventure." Developed by Schussler Creative, Inc. and operated by Landry's Restaurants, the 600-seat restaurant will feature dinosaurs, waterfalls, bubbling geysers and a fossil dig site. "T-Rex" will open in mid-October at Downtown Disney.

IT’S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

A trio of Green Army Men characters from the Disney-Pixar animated films “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2” march through “Pixar Place” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The newest addition to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, “Pixar Place” is modeled after Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. The street is adorned with larger-than-life versions of classic childhood toys and games, including Barrel of Monkeys, Scrabble and Battleship. “Pixar Place” is also home to “Toy Story Mania!,” a cutting-edge ride-through attraction that combines the fun of a video game with 4-D technology and interaction with favorite Disney-Pixar stars.

(Gene Duncan, photographer)

New Grand Marshal Vehicle Accommodates Wheelchair Users

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., July 23, 2008 – A new Grand Marshal vehicle has debuted at Magic Kingdom, carrying guests of honor down the daily Main Street parade route in grand style. It’s most impressive feature: enabling guests who use wheelchairs to board easily and ride in the main seating area.

This new automobile will be the primary vehicle for all Grand Marshal guests at every Magic Kingdom day parade, with the wheelchair lift built into its underside for use when needed.

To fit the theme of Main Street, USA, the vehicle was designed after a 1912 touring car and carries up to 11 Grand Marshal guests. Also an added touch of the new vehicle -- Mickey Mouse tread designs on all four tires and the spare tire attached to the rear.

“The unique and innovative design of this vehicle, which is also available at Disneyland in California, will provide all guests, including those with mobility disabilities an opportunity to participate and serve as Grand Marshals in our parade as well as other special events,” said Mark Jones, operations manager for Services for Guests with Disabilities at Walt Disney World Resort.

(Garth Vaughan, photographer)