New Medal to Mark 5th Anniversary Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend

Registration opens today for the fifth anniversary Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort, and runners who sign up will have the chance to earn a one-time-only fifth anniversary medal.

The all-new commemorative medal will be distinctive and unique, a collectors’ item for anyone who completes the 13.1-mile nighttime race on Nov. 9 through Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. The race weekend will also include Mickey’s Jingle Jungle 5K and runDisney Kids races on Nov. 8.

Immediately after the half marathon, runners and their families have the opportunity to celebrate at the popular Finish Line Party during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival inside Epcot until 4 am (friends and family must purchase a party ticket for entry). The Finish Line Party features more than 25 kiosks offering fine cuisine and wine from the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, plus Disney characters, musical performances and the opportunity to ride signature Epcot attractions.

There will also be a Disney Wine & Dine Pre-Race Taste on Nov. 7, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  This special ticketed evening event offers runners and fans a private reception on the set of Lights, Motor, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, featuring food and beverages from the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, music and meet & greets with Disney characters.

The race weekend kicks off with the Disney Health and Fitness Expo on Nov. 7-8, at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World.  The expo, which is free and open to the public, offers the latest in running apparel, technology and a speaker series featuring running experts such as runDisney official training consultant Jeff Galloway and runDisney nutritionist Tara Gidus.

To register for the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend races and to purchase tickets for the Disney Wine & Dine Pre-Race Taste and Finish Line Party at Epcot, visit www.runDisney.com. Runners can access specially priced theme park tickets and accommodations after registering for the event by calling 407-939-iRUN.

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Blooming Bites and Savory Sips Return for 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Set among millions of blossoms, classic topiaries and live entertainment, garden-themed food and beverage offerings are returning for the 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 5-May 18, 2014 at Walt Disney World Resort.

Back for a second festival year, the 11 food and beverage marketplaces have been dubbed Outdoor Kitchens, where chefs will be cooking a variety of new and popular returning menu items, including vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. At The Smokehouse: Barbecue and Brews Outdoor Kitchen, Piggylicious Bacon Cupcakes and Smoked Turkey Ribs are on tap with a lineup of great brews. Last year’s top menu picks like the Watermelon Salad with local baby arugula, feta cheese, pickled red onions and balsamic reduction will return for an encore at the Florida Fresh Outdoor Kitchen.

Urban Farm Eats will be the new Outdoor Kitchen on the promenade with a sustainable garden featuring tilapia, eggplant and other farm-raised treats. Guests can try new menu items including The Land pavilion-Grown Eggplant “Scallop” with Romesco Sauce, Ghost Pepper Dusted Tilapia with Winter Melon Salad and Mango Chutney, plus red and white vegan wines and gluten-free beer.

Outdoor Kitchens, including location and food and beverage offerings are below. Menu items noted with ** are part of TRYit, Disney’s campaign that encourages children to try something new.

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Video – ‘Frozen’ Songwriter Bobby Lopez performs ‘Let it Go’ at TEDxBroadway

‘Frozen’ Songwriter Bobby Lopez discusses songwriting at TEDxBroadway.

He discusses ‘Frozen’ around the 22 min. mark and then performs ‘Let it Go’.

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The Universal Language of Disney by David Dunkle

There’s a song that says “music is the universal language if you know what I mean”.  Well, I have found its first cousin.

I am in sales and marketing and therefore have folks from all sorts of backgrounds coming through my office.  One never knows what type of personality you will be working with until you sit down and begin that discovery process.  But no matter what “type” they may be…one thing can be a common denominator for sure.

Everyone has their own way of finding “common ground” with prospective clients to develop a rapport and ease into discussions relating to the actual sales process.  What is my winning ice breaker? Disney, of course!

I have only two Disney items in my office.  A Walt Disney World coffee mug and a large candy dish resembling Mickey’s red shorts and shoes, not to mention Sorcerer Radio is always playing on my desktop.

It never fails that my visitors notice these items and it affords me the opportunity to share a recent experience or personal anecdote.  They in turn do the same or if they have never been to the “World” they tend to ask a lot of questions!  Maybe I’m marketing for the wrong company!

I could very easily get sidetracked and talk Disney all day, but I have learned to weave my Disney experiences and community offerings throughout the conversation that not only builds a great relationship with my family clients, but can make a difficult decision process less intimidating and more entertaining.

They always take an interest in what I share with them, which in turn lends to them having greater interest in what I’m here to educate them about and ultimately win their trust, their business.

We are all about making a personal connection with our guests, family members and residents here and by me using the universal language of Disney, it’s always a breeze!  So, put a Mickey on your mantle, a castle on your credenza or a Dumbo on your desk.  See what a little Disney commonality can do for you. The results can be magical!

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Magic Kingdom: First look at Disney Festival of Fantasy parade

The Orlando Sentinel takes at detailed look at the brand new Magic Kingdom parade.

Full Story

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B Roll & Soundbites: Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

B-Roll: The 2014 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (March 5-May 18) marks the festival’s second year to feature garden- and backyard-living-inspired food and beverage items at 11 Outdoor Kitchens around the World Showcase promenade. Guests will marvel at the Festival’s nearly 100 whimsical topiaries, multiple themed gardens, children’s play areas and dozens of Disney-crafted “flower towers” during the 75-day flower and garden extravaganza.
Soundbite: Eric Darden, horticulture manager for the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

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MAGIC, COLOR, FLAIR: the world of Mary Blair Coming to the Walt Disney Familily Museum

The Walt Disney Family Museum is pleased to present MAGIC, COLOR, FLAIR: the world of Mary Blair. On view from March 13 to September 7, 2014, this comprehensive exhibition explores the artistic process and development of one of Walt Disney’s most original, beloved, and influential designer and art directors, Mary Blair (1911–1978). Blair’s joyful creativity―her eye-appealing designs and exuberant color palette―endure in numerous media, including classic Disney animated films, such as Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan, and theme park attractions at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, most notably it’s a small world.

Mary Blair Audio Guide
 Enjoy an audio journey through this special exhibition with our exclusive audio tour. Travel through Blair’s early work, the inspiring trip she took with Walt to South America, the vibrant world of Disney feature films, and on to it’s a small world and beyond. Enjoy personal stories, anecdotes, and historical information from contributors John Canemaker, exhibition curator; Ted Thomas, director of Walt and El Grupo; Rolly Crump and Alice Davis, Disney Legends and friends of Mary Blair; and Blair’s nieces Maggie Richardson and Jeanne Chamberlain.
The audio guide is available for $7 or is free for members; find out more at the museum ticket desk.

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Top HGTV and DIY Network Stars to Appear at 2014 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Superstars of HGTV and DIY Network shows will appear at the 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival presented by HGTV between March 5 and May 18, 2014. Three HGTV stars will “crash” the festival for the first time: Matt Blashaw from “Yard Crashers,” Matt Muenster from “Bath Crashers” and Alison Victoria from “Kitchen Crashers.”

The popular HGTV celebrities will meet festival guests and showcase expert tips and clever tricks at noon and 3 p.m. each Friday, Saturday and Sunday on The Designers’ Stage presented by HGTV at the Festival Center. The Crashers and their crews are known for plucking regular folks out of home improvement stores to help them – in just three days – make over the family’s yard, bathroom or kitchen.  Also new to this year’s festival are “Renovation Raiders” star Amy Matthews and Chip Wade, who started with John Gidding on “Curb Appeal” and now has his own hit show, “Elbow Room.”

HGTV/DIY favorites returning to this year’s festival include Vern Yip, “Design Star” judge, Florida’s own David “Color Splash” Bromstad, John Gidding of “Curb Appeal” and HGTV Star Genevieve Gorder.  Here’s the lineup (subject to change):

  •  March 7-9 - Vern Yip, ”Design Star”
  •  March 14-16 - Chris Lambton, “Going Yard”
  • March 21-23 - Matt Blashaw, “Yard Crashers”
  • March 28-30 - Matt Muenster, ”Bath Crashers”
  • April 4-6 - Taniya Nayak, ”House Hunters on Vacation”
  • April 11-13 - Amy Matthews, “Renovation Raiders”
  • April 18-20 - John Gidding, ”Curb Appeal”
  • April 25-27 - David Bromstad, “Color Splash”
  • May 2-4 - Chip Wade, ”Elbow Room”
  • May 9-11 - Genevieve Gorder, HGTV Star
  • May 16-18 - Alison Victoria, ”Kitchen Crashers”

Presentations by HGTV and DIY Network stars and all gardening programs and exhibits are included with admission to the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.  For more information, call 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639) or visit www.EpcotinSpring.com.

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