Disney News Blog

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.

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:

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., Jan. 9, 2009 – Hanesbrands Inc. (NYSE:HBI) and The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) today officially opened Disney Design-a-Tee presented by Hanes, an innovative next-generation store for apparel souvenirs at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.

The first-of-its-kind interactive T-shirt design and printing store enables Disney guests to enhance their magical Disney experience with a personalized custom-designed Hanes T-shirt printed while they wait that is as easy to buy as souvenir apparel off the rack. And much more fun!

Guests at Disney Design-a-Tee presented by Hanes, which is located in Downtown Disney, use touch-screen kiosks for an interactive experience to design their custom shirts, selecting long-sleeve or short-sleeve T-shirts, choosing from multiple colors, picking artwork from more than 100 selections featuring Disney animation and movie characters, and crafting their own text message using a wide selection of type fonts and colors.

The design possibilities are infinite, and the shirts are printed on site while guests wait using premium environmentally friendly water-based ink. Art selections include multiple designs featuring not only famous characters such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Snow White and others from classic Disney films, but also characters such as Crush from Finding Nemo, Princess Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and Tow Mater from Cars.

“At the Design-a-Tee store, visitors can dream it, design it and watch their custom Hanes T-shirts being made,” said Sidney Falken, senior vice president of the Hanes brand. “The store combines all the magic of Disney and Hanes to create immediate one-of-a-kind keepsakes and souvenirs of their visit to Walt Disney World.”

The grand opening event was attended by guests who were treated to a festive décor, confetti cannons, a giant T-shirt cake and a visit from Disney’s most famous star, Mickey Mouse.

Kevin Lansberry, vice president, Downtown Disney operations, and Falken spoke at the event and invited guests to try their hand at designing their own special T-shirts.

“We are thrilled to create another exciting new Downtown Disney venue for our guests,” Lansberry said. “The Disney Design-a-Tee store fits perfectly with our What Will You Celebrate 2009 campaign. Whether guests are celebrating an anniversary, a birthday or a special reunion, they can create a special Hanes t-shirt to show how they feel.”

Disney Design-a-Tee uses a unique application of state-of-the-art technology and printing equipment in a process designed by Hanesbrands’ research and development team. This is the first application of printing technology that allows consumers to walk up, design and print a custom message on a T-shirt of any color with screen-print quality.

Disney Design A Tee presented by Hanes is one of several critical brand investments for Hanes as part of a 10-year strategic marketing alliance with Disney.

“Hanes is consistently ranked as one of the most recognized and loved apparel brands in the world, and that brand equity increases when the brand is partnered with the equally strong Disney brand,” Falken said. “Our alliance with Disney provides a broad range of new and exciting consumer interactions for Hanes and allows this iconic brand to grow and reach new audiences.”

Disney Design-a-Tee is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and is located at 1790 East Buena Vista Drive. Downtown Disney is open to the general public and resort guests and is accessible by car and by the Walt Disney World Resort guest shuttle system.

T-shirts are available in a wide variety of colors and styles, including long and short sleeve versions, and come in infant, toddler, youth and adult sizes. Prices range from $18 to $31. The company expects to add additional apparel product offerings at a later date at the store.

In addition to Disney Design-a-Tee presented by Hanes, the Hanesbrands marketing alliance with Disney includes category exclusivity for select Hanes and Champion apparel at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., and ESPN Zone stores across the country. Naming rights include the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith presented by Hanes and Champion Stadium located in Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.

Hanesbrands Inc.

Hanesbrands Inc. is a leading marketer of innerwear, outerwear and hosiery apparel under strong consumer brands, including Hanes, Champion, Playtex, Bali, Just My Size, barely there and Wonderbra. The company designs, manufactures, sources and sells T-shirts, bras, panties, men’s underwear, children’s underwear, socks, hosiery, casualwear and activewear. Hanesbrands has approximately 50,000 employees in more than 25 countries. More information may be found on the company’s Web site at www.hanesbrands.com.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – A stylish boutique with designer flair and eclectic offerings becomes a premier shopping spot at Downtown Disney Marketplace with the March opening of TrenD. The urban-inspired Walt Disney World specialty store is a one-of-a-kind, hip destination for fashion-conscious shoppers seeking trendy apparel and novel accessories.

“This unique environment, filled with textured fabrics, new silhouettes, and whimsical art and design allows us the opportunity to push the creative envelope as it relates to fashion and our characters,” said Mark Perrotta, director of Product Development and Design. “Our guests continue to respond to trend merchandise and novel products that they can’t purchase at home. TrenD speaks to what is happening today with a blend of vintage and hip with stylized Disney influences.”

Offerings include organic loungewear, embroidered handbags, jeweled sunglasses and trendy accessories set among stylish art and unique furnishings. The eclectic environment offers a raw and unfinished feel with jeweled chandeliers, distinct fixtures and mod furnishings.

Much of the merchandise will not be available anywhere else at Downtown Disney. Designers such as Kidada Jones, Tarina Tarantino and Roxy will showcase their artistry – blending it with Disney-inspired creations.

“With its exclusive product lines and new environment, we think TrenD will complement the existing merchandise offerings at Downtown Disney,” said Perrotta.

TrenD is in a 2,500-square-foot venue near Pin Traders and Once Upon A Toy. The space previously was used by Summer Sands.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Paradiso 37, a high-energy restaurant and bar featuring cuisine from North, South and Central America, welcomes guests to its table in May at Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort.

The lakeside eatery will offer a delectable variety of menu offerings representing the 37 countries of the Americas, plus an international wine bar, 37 varieties of tequila and 10 signature frozen margaritas.

The new concept was developed by Orlando-based E-Brands Restaurant Group, a multi-concept restaurant group which currently owns and operates Timpano Chophouse, Samba Room, Taqueria Canonita, Aquaknox, David Burke, Salsa Orlando and Canonita Express in a number of locations across the United States.

The lively Downtown Disney restaurant will feature nightly entertainment and will be open daily from 11 a.m. until late night.

TREN-D GRAN-D OPENING: Television and music personality Joey Fatone carries his daughter Briahna April 10, 2009 through the "Tren-D" store at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. during Friday's Grand Opening festivities for the new fashion boutique.

The store, located at Downtown Disney, blends both vintage and modern designs with stylized Disney characters. Apparel and accessories are featured from designers including Tarina Tarantino, Roxy and Kidada Jones. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

Five years after setting the first Guinness World Record for the most people simultaneously walking on stilts, Cirque du Soleil is inviting fans from all over the world to join them as they reclaim the title in honor of its 25th anniversary June 16. The cast and crew of La Nouba, along with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, invite the people of Orlando to witness the stilt walk from 4-4:30 p.m. outside the La Nouba theatre at Downtown Disney. A special event at the opening of the 6 p.m. performance that evening is also planned. Cirque du Soleil will be holding stilt walking events in Las Vegas, NV; New York, NY; Montréal (Canada); Fortaleza (Brazil); Lisbon (Portugal); Macau (China); Nagoya (Japan); and Tokyo (Japan).

Hundreds of royal artifacts on view in largest Princess Diana exhibit

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The People’s Princess Charitable Foundation, Inc. (PPCF) is bringing “DIANA–The People’s Princess” – a major new exhibit of royal artifacts – to Walt Disney World Resort. Opening in early July 2009, this limited-time experience showcases the life and story of one of the most iconic and inspirational figures in recent history, including a sampling of the royal dresses Diana chose to auction for charity and hundreds of authentic artifacts relating to her life.

“DIANA–The People’s Princess” exhibit will be held in a 17,500-square-foot setting at Downtown Disney West Side adjacent to DisneyQuest. This unique exhibition is one of the largest collections of royal dresses and rare artifacts ever assembled for an American audience which provides an in-depth historical perspective of her life. The exhibit includes five rarely seen royal dresses worn by Princess Diana.

As part of this unique experience, guests will come to understand:
-- The stories of Diana’s own childhood and ancestry and how that lineage was influential in her selection as the future bride of HRH Charles, The Prince of Wales, the future King of England.
-- Her magical royal wedding which was viewed by over 750 million people from around the globe; her favorite role as “mum” to princes William and Harry.
-- Kensington Palace, the royal residence where Diana lived from the moment she became the Princess of Wales until her death and which today plays an active role in preserving her charitable legacy.
-- The historical significance of her role as Princess of Wales and the impact she had through that role on the fashion industry and charitable landscape.
-- How at the Christie’s “Sale of The Century,” 79 of Diana’s royal dresses were sold to benefit charities which helped position her as an astute philanthropist.
-- Her untimely passing and the massive media and public interest in the tragedy.
-- The charitable impact still being recognized through her gowns and personal effects.

A hint at some of the items on display:
-- Royal Doulton figurine of Diana in her wedding dress – Made in 1981 at the time of the royal wedding, the doll is wearing an exact replica of the famous wedding dress.
-- The Black Velvet “V” Neck – Designed by Bruce Oldfield and worn by Diana for her official royal portrait in 1985.
-- Wedding Breakfast booklet – Contains guest names and two tickets to observe the bride and bridegroom before and following the wedding ceremony in the quadrangle at Buckingham Palace and Clarence House.
-- Three-foot doll of Diana as a young girl – Released by the Great American Doll Company in 1998 as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales.

“The late Princess used her globally renowned platform brilliantly,” commented Maureen Rorech Dunkel, founder of PPCF. “She understood that the many different experiences she had in her life, both positive and negative, made her more relatable to the public. She used this quality to connect to the common masses and in doing so became known as ‘The People’s Princess.’ She used her compassion to bring support to all those in need and is still to this date, almost 12 years after her tragic passing, regarded as one of the most influential humanitarians of all time.”

“We look forward to The People’s Princess Charitable Foundation bringing this unique experience to our Downtown Disney guests,” said Kevin Lansberry, vice president of Downtown Disney. “We remain committed to offering guests new and exciting experiences they can only have at the Walt Disney World Resort.”

Tickets may be purchased at the exhibit – $14.50 (ages 10 and above), $5 (ages 3-9). The exhibition will be through Nov. 30, 2009. Hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily.