Wednesday, July 27, 2011

16th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival: A Passport to a World of Flavors Sept. 30-Nov. 13

Paradise Found: Tastes of Hawaii and Caribbean on Menu

[Walt Disney World News]  Exotic cocktails will pair like a tropical daydream with fresh new tastes from more than one island paradise at the 16th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 30-Nov. 13, 2011, at Walt Disney World Resort. The one-of-a-kind 45-day festival serves up international cuisine, culture and entertainment from six continents, with more than 25 international marketplaces featuring tapas-sized portions paired with beer, wine and inventive new cocktails.


Marketplace tasting menus offer variety and adventure for guests on a mission to tantalize their taste buds during a scenic stroll around the 40-acre World Showcase Lagoon. The adventure can take them to the festival’s first Hawaii marketplace, which will cook up Kalua pork sliders and tuna poke with seaweed salad and lotus root chips to team with a refreshing Seven Tiki Mai Tai or a Kona Longboard or Pipeline beer. A new Caribbean Islands marketplace will serve ropa vieja with rice and jerk-spiced chicken with mango salsa. A beverage menu featuring a frozen Dragon Berry Colada and frozen Rock Coconut Mojito is sure to conjure steel-drum fantasies.

With a swing across the Atlantic, guests will be transported to the new Portugal marketplace, where the Portugal Wine Bar will offer best sips to pair with calamari salad with olives and smoked paprika. The Scandinavia marketplace will return after a hiatus with a fresh new Xante Sunshine cocktail made from Xante pear and cognac liquer. And the Canada marketplace will introduce a sweet treat: apple ice wine.
Disney and celebrity chefs will team with winemakers and brew masters from around the world to get the party started Sept. 30. During the six-week festival, guests will discover:
  • Three new tasting marketplaces — Hawaii, Caribbean Islands and Portugal — plus new menu offerings at popular returning marketplaces
  • Celebrity chef appearances starring top culinarians like Jeff Henderson, Cat Cora, Alan Wong, Gale Gand, Suvir Saran, Jamie Deen, Rock Harper, Celina Tio, Robert Irvine, Andrew Zimmern, Buddy Valastro, Warren Brown, Art Smith, Keegan Gerhard and more.
  • First-ever HGTV home entertaining seminars each Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
  • The Cranberry Bog display by Craisins telling the story behind the venerable cranberry’s rich agricultural heritage.
  • Daily wine seminars, bottle signings, author events and culinary demonstrations at the Festival Welcome Center.
  • Eat to the Beat! concerts three times nightly at America Gardens Theatre.

New Sips, Fresh Bites
Festival guests can make a day of circumnavigating the World Showcase Promenade, grazing and sipping as they go. Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $3 to $8 each, and recommended wines, cocktails and beers make perfect pairings at each marketplace. For quicker marketplace visits, guests can purchase a festival-themed mini-Disney Gift Card that can be worn on a wristband and loaded and reloaded at several park locations.

Live daily entertainment showcases many cultures with music, acrobatics and improv performances along the promenade. Evening Eat to the Beat! concerts at America Gardens Theatre feature acts from many musical genres. Appearing for the first time on the Eat to the Beat! stage are The Pointer Sisters, The Orchestra starring former members of ELO and Gin Blossoms. Fan favorite Taylor Dayne kicks off the festival Sept. 30-Oct. 2, and crowd pleaser Big Bad Voodoo Daddy wraps the event Nov. 11-13.

The festival attracts a diverse audience — from wine connoisseurs and epicures to novices wishing to boost their culinary IQs. Special culinary programs showcase a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.
Festival highlights include:
  • The Festival Welcome Center, with a Wine Bar, Authentic Taste Seminars, Authors Without Borders weekend conversations and more.
  • More than 270 chefs including Disney chefs and culinary stars from across the country conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting dinners and tasting events.
  • A complimentary Marketplace Discovery Passport to be stamped at each international marketplace visited for the perfect scrapbook souvenir.
  • Popular returning events that include First Bites Opening Reception on Sept. 29; Kitchen Memories (formerly Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen); Mixology Seminar; and “3D” Disney Dessert Discovery.
  • The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting event beginning Oct. 8 and with a new Saturday evening time of 7:30-10 p.m. featuring tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment presented by Cirque du Soleil.
Festival guests can enjoy fresh Epcot experiences including the latest Future World high-tech fun at Innoventions and the celebrated return of “Captain EO,” the classic musical 3-D production starring Michael Jackson in a rare big-screen performance. In World Showcase, new and recently updated restaurants welcome guests at the Italy, Japan, Mexico and China pavilions.


What’s Included with Epcot Admission:
Authentic Taste seminars and Authors Without Borders programs with special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation:
The Party for the Senses grand tasting events and other special culinary and beverage programs require reservations and separate event admission. Beginning August 16 at 7 a.m. guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs. Festival event updates and details will be posted at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Construction Crews at Disney's Art of Animation Resort Celebrate "Topping Out"

[Walt Disney World News] – The hundreds of people who are building Disney’s Art of Animation Resort from the ground up gathered to mark the project’s “topping out.”

The “topping out” is a special moment that typically occurs in the construction and engineering industry when the highest piece of structure, either steel or concrete, is placed on the building’s frame. The tradition dates back to the Vikings, who would place an evergreen tree on the top of a building to celebrate and bring good luck.

At the construction site for Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, a crane helped lift the traditional evergreen to the roof of a building that will soon be part of the Lion King wing of the resort hotel.

Photo by Disney
“The hundreds of people we have working on Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are doing an amazing job helping us build a resort hotel that will really delight our guests,” said Gary Hoffmann, senior project manager for Walt Disney Imagineering. “The traditional topping out is an important milestone on a project that continues to run on schedule for an opening just ten months from now.”

In size and scope the construction of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a major project at Walt Disney World Resort, creating upwards of 800 construction jobs. Once open in 2012, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will also create 750 permanent resort hotel jobs.

Walt Disney World Resort features 25 uniquely themed, Disney owned-and-operated resort hotels with more than 26,000 guest rooms – something for every taste and budget.  Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will likewise be unique, with themed building exteriors and room interiors that bring to life The Lion King, Cars, Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid.

Finding Nemo, Cars and The Lion King buildings will be entirely family suites, with 1,120 suites between them.  The Little Mermaid buildings will feature 864 rooms in the “value” room category.

The construction of family suites at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is an innovative approach to a changing marketplace.  Today more and more multi-generational families are traveling together for various celebrations, including family reunions.  These families not only want to play together, they want to stay together, which has created tremendous demand for family suites.

The first wing of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Finding Nemo, is scheduled to open in May 2012.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to Take Fans Through the "Carousel of Projects" at Disney's D23 Expo, August 19-21, 2011

BURBANK, Calif., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Fans attending Disney's D23 Expo August 19-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center will have the chance to experience "a great big beautiful tomorrow" as they immerse themselves in the future of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, which is currently in the biggest period of global expansion in its history.

Drawing inspiration from a classic attraction that debuted at the 1964 New York World's Fair and has made stops at Disneyland in California and Magic Kingdom in Florida, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts invites attendees to hop aboard the "Carousel of Projects" for a sneak peek at concepts, designs, models, storytelling tools, and technologies currently being developed at Walt Disney Imagineering for Disney parks around the world.

Throughout the weekend, exclusively at the D23 Expo, fans will get a look at the latest details for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts' 11 parks and five resorts around the world, as well as Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and Disney Vacation Club, including:
  • Actual figures, props and ride vehicles for Radiators Springs Racers, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the building of Cars Land, the newest land at Disney California Adventure which opens next year.
  • The opportunity to meet a classic Disney icon in an entirely new way.
  • Concepts, models and plans for Fantasyland, one of the most ambitious expansions in the 40-year history of Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
  • What's new at Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and Disney Vacation Club.
In addition to the pavilion, D23 Expo attendees will also have the chance to attend numerous presentations and panel discussions. On Friday, August 19, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs will give guests in the 4,000-seat main arena an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at some of the biggest projects currently underway at Disney parks, featuring a few surprises along the way.

Imagineers and cast members who create and operate Disney's parks, resorts, cruise ships, and other vacation experiences will take fans behind-the-magic with nine exciting presentations including:
  • Radiator Springs Reality: Imagineering Cars Land for Disney California Adventure – Join Disney-Pixar's John Lasseter and a panel of Imagineers and Pixar creative talent as they share the twists and turns through the real-life development of Radiator Springs.
  • The Making of Star Tours - The Adventures Continue – Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald will share the inside scoop on how Walt Disney Imagineering and George Lucas' Industrial Light &Magic began laying the groundwork for a new version of Star Tours.
  • A Good Look at Buena Vista Street –Imagineers Lisa Girolami, Ray Spencer, and Coulter Winn provide a preview of the new entrance to Disney California Adventure, an idealized depiction of the Los Angeles Walt Disney lived and worked in throughout the 1920s and 1930s.
  • Imagineering the Dream and the Fantasy – Imagineers Joe Lanzisero and Bob Zalk talk about charting the design course of the two newest Disney cruise ships.
  • Legends of Walt Disney Imagineering – Disney Legend Marty Sklar will lead a celebration of the careers and accomplishments of Walt Disney Imagineering, including Alice Davis, Orlando Ferrante, Bob Gurr, and Don Iwerks. With special guest and current Imagineer Kim Irvine, daughter of Disney Legend Leota Toombs.
In addition, and for the first time, the Parks and Resorts pavilion will also feature Mickey's of Glendale, an outlet of Walt Disney Imagineering's employee-only store, where—for just three days– guests can shop for "Carousel of Projects" souvenirs and collectibles and Walt Disney Imagineering merchandise not available anywhere else.

Tickets to the D23 Expo are available at http://www.D23Expo.com.  Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 Expo, including the Disney Legends Ceremony, and can be purchased for single days or for the full three days of festivities. Admission is $47 for a one-day adult ticket and $37 for children 3-12. Three-day passes are $136 for adults and $106 for children. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will receive a discount for up to four admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 Expo for themselves and their guests.

About D23 Expo 2011
The D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Event for Fans and Families—brings the entire world of Disney under one roof at the Anaheim Convention Center, providing guests with unprecedented access to Disney films, television and theme parks.

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. D23 is the first official community for fans in Disney's 88-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at www.Disney.com/D23; a collectibles line, The Walt Disney Archives Collection; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, August 19-21, 2011.

Fans can join D23 at www.Disney.com/D23, select shops at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort and www.DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow us "DisneyD23" on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Downtown Disney Brings New Experiences to Life for Guests with Splitsville and Others

 In November, Walt Disney World Resort shared plans to re-imagine Pleasure Island and bring other new and compelling experiences to life at Downtown Disney. Today, Keith Bradford, vice president of Downtown Disney, shared an update on its progress.

“Many of the experiences we announced have already become guest favorites, such as the newly expanded LEGO Imagination Center and AMC’s first Dine-In Theatres in Florida. The great news is more is on the way,” he said.


Recently, Orlando Harley-Davidson opened its newly expanded 3,635-square-foot store at Downtown Disney West Side. The largest and most interactive Harley merchandise store of its kind, it draws guests in with a 40-foot tower and massive LCD/LED screens showing specially produced footage of motorcycles in action. Guests are also able to see and sit on some of the latest Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and a brand new production studio lets guests be pictured in their favorite riding spot or transformed into real bikers. Guests can even design biker vests of their own.

Later this summer, Apricot Lane Boutique, a specialty retail store that offers celebrity-inspired branded apparel, affordable fashion jewelry, handbags and accessories, will open in the space the Harley-Davidson store previously occupied on Pleasure Island.


This fall, construction will begin on Splitsville, a 50,000-square-foot upscale entertainment center that combines bowling with billiards, dining, music and nightlife. To make way for this experience, RIDEMAKERZ, currently located on the West Side, will move to the Marketplace.

Over on Pleasure Island, some of the buildings that aren’t part of our future plans have been removed. “During the course of this site work, we identified opportunities to further refine our master plan and are pausing to evaluate them,” added Bradford. “While we’re moving quickly, it will admittedly cause a delay in construction. But we’re willing to bet that any delay will be worth the wait once we’re able to share details about the exciting work we’ve been doing.”

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Disney Storytelling Event at the D23 Expo in Anaheim Will Include a Special Announcement

Featuring Disney Publishing Worldwide authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, and Disney Junior's "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" star David Arquette


BURBANK, Calif., July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A strong commitment to corporate citizenship is as much a part of The Walt Disney Company's heritage as the family entertainment that has delighted and captivated audiences for decades. Disney opens a new chapter in that level of commitment at the D23 Expo on Friday, August 19, 2011 in the Anaheim Convention Center Main Hall. A special announcement will be part of a storytelling event featuring two of America's best-known and most popular writers, Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, and David Arquette, star of Disney Junior's #1 series, "Jake and the Never Land Pirates."

Disney Publishing Worldwide authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson have enthralled readers since 2004 with their re-imagining of Peter Pan's adventures, "Peter and the Starcatchers," the best-selling and award-winning prequel trilogy. Visitors are invited to hear from the authors, listen to a family reading event led by Disney Junior's "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" star David Arquette, participate in the big announcement and receive a free book.

"By nurturing young readers we help support creativity and imagination, an important part of our citizenship mission at Disney," said Leslie Goodman, Senior Vice President, Disney Corporate Citizenship. "We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Disney Publishing Worldwide to bring this special event to the D23 Expo while at the same time encouraging visitors to take part in our daily pavilion activities that show how we can all make a lasting, positive change in the world."

At this year's D23 Disney Corporate Citizenship pavilion, visitors will see how they can take action through Disney Friends for Change, an initiative that helps inspire kids and families to join together and make a positive impact on their world. Visitors can participate as an "honorary" Disney VoluntEAR in a different community service project each day, including preparing child comfort kits for kids in need, assembling care packages for military families and planting seedlings for the environment.

Visitors can also become "honorary" D23 Green Team members by taking part in a scavenger hunt that will lead them through the Expo in a quest to boost their environmental I.Q. Not only will they find out what Disney is doing to help protect the planet for future generations, they'll be in the running for prizes and a fun Friends for Change photo as well!

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at http://www.d23expo.com/. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full three days of festivities. Admission is $47 for a one-day adult ticket and $37 for children 3-12. Three-day passes are $136 for adults and $106 for children. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will receive a discount for up to four admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

About D23 Expo 2011
The D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Event for Fans and Families—brings the entire world of Disney under one roof, providing guests with unprecedented access to Disney films, television and theme parks.

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. D23 is the first official community for fans in Disney's 88-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at www.Disney.com/D23; a collectibles line, The Walt Disney Archives Collection; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, August 19-21, 2011.

Fans can join D23 at www.Disney.com/D23, select shops at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort and www.DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow us "DisneyD23" on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Disney Institute Announces New Healthcare Service Program as Hospitals Prepare for Public Reporting of Patient Scores

As a government deadline for public reporting of patient satisfaction scores draws near, Disney Institute announced today the addition of a professional development program created specifically for hospitals/healthcare organizations: Building a Culture of Healthcare Excellence.

The new program, which is available in a variety of formats, incorporates the five most powerful Disney philosophies – leadership excellence, people management, quality service, brand loyalty and creativity/innovation – to help healthcare administrators, physicians, nurses and other manager-level personnel consistently exceed the expectations of patients.

"Our program helps hospitals and healthcare organizations focus more on the overall patient experience, rather than just clinical outcomes," says Disney Institute consultant Patrick Jordan, a former healthcare executive. "This is incredibly important for building a culture of excellence."

The timing of the new Disney Institute program coincides with a new nationally standardized survey that captures patients' perspectives of their hospital care – the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS). HCAHPS allows consumers, for the first time, to compare hospitals based on measures of how effectively they are satisfying patients' needs and expectations. The survey's 27 questions look beyond clinical outcomes and technical capabilities of hospitals and focus instead on aspects of the care experience that are particularly meaningful to patients, including:
  • Communication with doctors and nurses
  • Responsiveness of hospital staff
  • Hospital environment (cleanliness, noise levels, etc.)
Starting this month, hospitals will be required to publicly report the results of these surveys, which will be published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on its Hospital Compare website (http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/).

But outside of the new requirement, Jordan says hospitals need to pay close attention to patient satisfaction simply to remain viable in today's competitive marketplace.

"The overall experience is driving hospital volume today," Jordan says. "It's becoming increasingly important for patients to feel like their doctors and nurses are communicating with them, and that they are in a safe, comfortable environment while they heal. As a result some of the health plans are looking at this information to decide where to send their insured."

Developed using Disney best practices as well as lessons learned from current healthcare clients, Disney Institute's Building a Culture of Healthcare Excellence focuses on the entire patient experience, including interactions with hospital staff at all levels, and amenities that can help the patient feel more comfortable, such as private rooms and on-demand dining services. The program is also designed to help the leadership team embrace its own weaknesses.

"As with guests in Disney theme parks, the patient has to feel that he or she is getting the best possible service in all areas and at all levels, from the receptionist to the nurses and physicians," says Jordan. "That starts with leadership."

Scott Gordon, executive vice president of Arkansas Children's Hospital, knows this firsthand. Gordon and his team began working with Disney Institute when the hospital's patient satisfaction scores and employee satisfaction rates were lower than expected. After nearly 10 years and a variety of follow-up sessions with Disney Institute, including additional training for physicians and nurses, ACH was recently named one of FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® the third year in a row.

Gordon says he and his leadership team learned that "it really starts with us. If we communicate effectively, listen to our staff and show them how we 'walk the talk' then they'll want to do the same.

"We are now purposeful in treating our children, families, fellow team members and entire community with care, love and hope," adds Gordon. "Now that we have a culture by design rather than a culture by default, we find that all of our efforts -- fundraising, retention of team members, patient satisfaction and work with our physician partners -- are more successful because we are more consistent and focused."

Florida Hospital for Children has also seen patient satisfaction scores increase after their time with Disney Institute. After measuring patient and family satisfaction scores two years in a row, administrators were shocked to find their facility ranked in the bottom ten percent of hospitals nationwide.

FHC began embracing change through Disney Institute seminars, site visits and subsequent training sessions at the hospital. As a result, Press Ganey patient/family satisfaction scores jumped from the bottom 10 percent in the nation to the top 10 percent, employee morale soared, employee retention rates improved and the hospital's pediatric emergency room is now ranked top in the nation.

"I've never seen a health facility turn it around so totally and quickly," says Disney Institute consultant Chris Caracci, himself a former health care professional. "It's largely due to the hospital's leaders inspiring the entire staff."

For more information on Disney Institute's Building a Culture of Healthcare Excellence program, please visit http://www.disneyinstitute.com/.

About Disney Institute
Disney Institute was created to showcase Disney best practices that easily adapt to other organizations. One of the most recognized names in professional development, Disney Institute travels the world offering engaging seminars, workshops and presentations, as well as fully customized programming. Immersive learning experiences are also offered at Disney destinations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, enabling participants to go behind the scenes and see firsthand how business theory drives operational excellence. The Disney Institute client roster includes Fortune 500 companies as well as a wide range of small businesses, non-profits and government agencies.  To learn more about Disney Institute, please visit http://www.disneyinstitute.com/, follow at www.twitter.com/disneyinstitute, or call 321-939-4600.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Arena Schedule Announced for the D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event August 19 - 21 at the Anaheim Convention Center

The D23 Expo 2011 is proud to announce the Arena schedule for The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. From August 19 – 21, Expo guests will have exclusive access to presentations from The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Disney Channel and Marvel Comics – plus they will be able to experience the 2011 Disney Legends Ceremony. In addition to the spotlight arena presentations, this year's Expo will feature screenings, celebrity panels and autograph signings, eye-popping pavilions, exclusive insights into TV shows, theme parks, animation, Disney history and more, to be announced in the coming weeks.  Arena presentations will include:

Friday, August 19, 2011

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
2011 Disney Legends Ceremony – Hosted by Tom Bergeron. Honorees Regis Philbin; Jim Henson; Disney Princesses Jodi Benson, Paige O'Hara, Lea Salonga, Linda Larkin and Anika Noni Rose; Bo Boyd; Jack and Bonita Wrather; Guy Williams and Ray Watson will be inducted as Disney Legends for their contribution to the creative legacy of The Walt Disney Company in a special presentation exclusively for D23 Expo guests.

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts – Join Tom Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, as he gives D23 guests a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into some of the exciting projects currently underway at Disney's parks and resorts around the world. 


Saturday, August 20, 2011

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The Walt Disney Studios – A fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse at the exciting roster of projects on the horizon at The Walt Disney Studios. From exclusive video clips and live performances to filmmaker discussions and star appearances, this session will be hosted by Rich Ross, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios; Sean Bailey, President of Production, The Walt Disney Studios; John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; and Kevin Feige, President of Production, Marvel Studios.


6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
The Lion King 3D Exclusive D23 Screening – Disney fans will have access to an exclusive advance screening of The Lion King in Disney Digital 3D™, ahead of the film's highly anticipated theatrical and home entertainment releases. "The Circle of Life" takes on a new dimension as Simba, Mufasa, Nala, Timon and Pumbaa grace the screen once again, this time in breathtaking 3D.


Sunday, August 21, 2011

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Marvel Comics – An exclusive and unprecedented experience that will take you through the evolution of Marvel from its first comic book in 1939 to its current position as one of the most important creative forces in the world. During this presentation, which will include interactive Q&A segments, you will not only get an inside glimpse of the history of Marvel and its iconic Super Heroes but also discover why Marvel truly is the House of Ideas. This session will be hosted by Joe Quesada, Marvel's Chief Creative Officer and one of the most respected and sought after writers and artists in the entertainment industry.


2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Disney Channel – Fans are invited to experience the excitement of a spectacular live performance, featuring stars of Disney Channel's hit series Shake It Up. From meeting the cast of television's first dance-driven sitcom and learning moves from a Disney Channel dance master to a special panel, autograph session and more, this unforgettable experience awaits Disney fans of all ages.
These presentations add to the already robust schedule of experiences, presentations and pavilions that will make up the D23 Expo 2011, including the Ultimate Disney Trivia Tournament presented by Hasbro's Trivial Pursuit, the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit – including the Fan Art Gallery, the D23 Expo Live Auction and the D23 Expo Dream Store. Additional schedule, pavilion and talent announcements will be made in the coming weeks. 
 
Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at http://www.d23expo.com/.  Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO, including the Disney Legends Ceremony, and can be purchased for single days or for the full three days of festivities. Admission is $47 for a one-day adult ticket and $37 for children 3-12. Three-day passes are $136 for adults and $106 for children. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will receive a discount for up to four admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

About D23 Expo 2011
The D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Event for Fans and Families brings the entire world of Disney under one roof, providing guests with unprecedented access to Disney films, television and theme parks.
\
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.  D23 is the first official community for fans in Disney's 88-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at www.Disney.com/D23; a collectibles line, The Walt Disney Archives Collection; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, August 19–21, 2011.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Disney Guests Can Take a Cooling Plunge at Two of America’s Most Popular Water Parks

(Walt Disney World News] It’s summer in Florida. Daytime temperatures are regularly pushing into the 90s. What’s a vacationer to do to cool off?

At Walt Disney World Resort, guests can choose between a mountain ski retreat and a tropical getaway to take the proverbial plunge into water fun at two of the most popular water parks in North America:

  • Like a surfside playground left behind by a “great storm” for modern-day Swiss Family Robinsons, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon features breaking waves, saltwater snorkeling pool, water coaster thrill ride attraction with gushing water surges; and
  • Disney’s Blizzard Beach offers all the spine-chilling thrills of a northern ski resort, whether it’s bobsledding down the “snowy” slopes of Mt. Gushmore or plunging straight down Summit Plummet at up to 55 mph.
During the spring, summer and fall vacation periods, both parks are open daily, offering a cool break from theme park fun. Admission tickets can be purchased at each park or folded into Disney’s Magic Your Way ticket with the Water Park Fun & More add-on option.


Located near Downtown Disney West Side, the 61-acre Typhoon Lagoon includes several major features, including Crush ‘n’ Gusher, the first-ever water coaster thrill ride attraction in Central Florida; a man-made watershed mountain with eight twisting-and-turning water slides and roaring streams; a two-and-one-half-acre wave-making lagoon with surfing-size waves, and a 362,000-gallon saltwater pool, Shark Reef, where snorkelers swim fin-to-fin with exotic marine life including butterfly fish, French angels, tangs, groupers and even nurse sharks.

The park also features a water playground for children, sunny beaches and lazy streams surrounding a 95-foot mountain, a shop that provides necessary underwater equipment for Shark Reef (including wet suits, masks and snorkels), changing areas, lockers, showers, a picnic area and two restaurants which serve up everything from specialty sandwiches and salads to cookies and ice cream in waffle cones.


Meantime, while the 66-acre Blizzard Beach has all the look of a northern ski resort, it is in fact strictly tropical — and the ice is limited to the soft drinks. The most eye-catching attractions can be found on the slopes of Mt. Gushmore, the 90-foot snow-capped mountain that is home to Downhill Double Dipper, the only side-by-side racing water slides that stand 50 feet high and 200 feet long. Guests will travel up to 25 mph, twisting and turning before shooting out through a curtain of water.

Mt. Gushmore also features slalom courses, toboggan and water sled runs and the awesome, 120-foot-high Summit Plummet — one of the nation’s tallest, fastest free-fall speed slides, visible from almost anywhere in the park. From Summit Plummet’s “ski jump” tower, it’s a breathtaking high-speed 55 mph plunge straight down to a splash landing at the base of the mountain.

Next to Summit Plummet is the tall but less steep Slush Gusher, a speed slide that drops guests through a snow-banked mountain gully. Mt. Gushmore’s other attractions include Teamboat Springs, the world’s longest family white-water raft ride takes six-passenger rafts down a twisting 1,200-foot series of rushing water falls; Toboggan Racer, an 8-lane water slide that sends guests racing over exhilarating dips as they descend the “snowy” slope, and more.

The sandy beach below Mt. Gushmore offers a large wave pool, a lazy river, two snack bars, a polar pub lodge, and a pre-teen and children’s play area.

The Village at the Blizzard Beach entrance houses guest services such as a tube pick-up area, towel rentals, lockers, first aid, merchandise and a restaurant.


Available at Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon for day-long rental, Beachcomber Shacks and Polar Patios are premium spaces that put a roof or a large umbrella over guests’ heads, provide upscale Adirondack seating for relaxation, put beverages to quench a whole days’ thirsts at guests’ fingertips, and give them a service attendant who does the leg work if they want to purchase food from the a la carte menu.

For more information about Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water parks, guests may call 407/824-4321 or visit disneyworld.com.