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Disney Chefs VoluntEAR at new Homeless Facility

Chefs from Walt Disney World Resort whipped up some delicious meals and were among the first to pepper their culinary expertise with the residents of the new Men’s Service Center at the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.

The Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida is the largest provider of homeless services in Central Florida and the largest residential facility for children. The Coalition provides a broad range of services to help deal with the root causes of homelessness, including job training and educational programs to over 600 men, women and children. The new Men’s Service Center offers community meals every night and provides supportive services for up to 250 men.

With 100 pounds of meat balls, 1,000 dinner rolls, 300 pounds of tortellini, 1500 corn dogs, 200 pounds of bread pudding and 750 cupcakes, the Disney chefs prepared enough food to feed 1,000 people during their latest bi-weekly visit to the nonprofit.

Disney’s involvement was not limited to the kitchen. Earlier this summer, other representatives from Disney volunteered time to unload trailers full of furniture, move them into the building and assemble the unfinished pieces. In addition, Disney has supported the Coalition through Disney Grants. As a top recipient of the grants, the Coalition receives ongoing comprehensive support from Disney, through volunteer board service, assistance in the maintenance and improvement of Coalition facilities and through the donations of more than 18,000 meals annually and warm clothing in the winter.

“Walt Disney World has been a long-time supporter of the work and mission of Coalition for the Homeless,” said Brent A. Trotter, president and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless. “Because of their generous support of our children’s programs, the donations of in-kind goods and services, and the hundreds of VoluntEAR hours given by so many Disney Cast Members on countless projects, we are able to provide crucial services to those experiencing the crisis of homelessness.”

In addition to supporting the Coalition for the Homeless, Disney is actively involved in helping address homelessness in Central Florida by working with community programs and partnerships to reduce the number of homeless people in the community and prevent more people from being at risk.

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Last Chance! Save up to 20% on Rooms at a Disneyland Resort Hotel

Time is running out! Clients can save 15% on a standard room or 20% on a premium room at Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel, Disneyland® Hotel or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa for stays most Sunday through Thursday nights now-Sept. 27, 2014. Book thru Sept. 4, 2014.

Contact Travel Agents, Scott and Becky Donahue, of Once Upon a Vacation to plan and book your vacation.

*Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room at the same hotel for most Sunday through Thursday stays between 8/17/14 – 9/27/14. Book from 7/30/14 through 9/04/14, with travel completed by 9/28/14.  Blockout dates of 8/29/14 through 8/30/14 apply.  20% savings available at Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel, Disneyland® Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa on Premium, Deluxe and Woods/Garden/Courtyard rooms; select Concierge rooms; and Paradise, Artisan and Regal suites.   Ask about savings in other room types.  Not valid on previously booked rooms. Advance reservations required. Subject to availability as the number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Excludes applicable fees and taxes. Limit two (2) rooms per reservation and five (5) people maximum per room. Not valid in combination with any other hotel discounts or offers. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.  Separate Theme Park admission required to enjoy the Parks.

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Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park Fact Sheet

Walt Disney on Tomorrowland, in 1955: “A vista into a world of wondrous ideas, signifying man’s achievements … a step into the future, with predictions of constructive things to come. Tomorrow offers new frontiers in science, adventure and ideals: the Atomic Age, the challenge of outer space and the hope for a peaceful, unified world.”

Overview: Tomorrowland opened as one of five original lands at Disneyland Park on July 17, 1955 and has had more attractions than any other park area. Guests have experienced the “world of tomorrow” through experiences such as the Carousel of Progress, Adventure Thru Inner Space and the PeopleMover. In 1998, Tomorrowland was completely redesigned for the third time since park opening, with a retro-futuristic, Jules Verne-inspired theme. Since 2005, Tomorrowland has grown to include attractions such as Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue and the re-launch of Space Mountain.

What’s new: Superheroes unite inside Innoventions, immersing guests in worlds unlike any other. Guests come face-to-face with Captain America himself for the first time at a Disney Park. Thor: Treasures of Asgard began welcoming visitors at Innoventions in November 2013, inviting them to explore the home world of Thor and his mighty hammer, Mjolnir. Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries features the Hall of Armor as seen in “Iron Man 3″ and other props from the film.

Don’t miss: Tomorrowland has 10 attractions, including Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, where guests challenge the Evil Emporer Zurg. Guests dive deep into the depths of liquid space in Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage or blast off into the furthest reaches of the final frontier on Space Mountain, a FastPass attraction. During Halloween Time, the attraction becomes the spooky Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy. Other FastPass attractions in Tomorrowland are Star Tours – The Adventures Continue and Autopia. Tomorrowland also features five shops, including Star Traders, which offers Star Wars and other space-age collectables.

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‘Guardians’ Leading Sluggish Labor Day Weekend, Becomes No. 1 Film of Year

James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy has become the No. 1 film of the year to date at the North American box office, flying by fellow Marvel Studios superhero film Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Full StoryMArvel-Guardians-of-the-galaxy-poster-2

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Video – Avengers & X-Men: AXIS – The Story So Far

Before Avengers & X-Men: AXIS kicks off this October, follow the events leading up to this epic! Relive the first battle between the Uncanny Avengers and the Red Skull! Also featuring the Apocalypse Twins, Kang and many more!

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Hollywood Studios a likely choice for Disney’s Star Wars franchise

More “Star Wars” attractions are coming to Disney theme parks, and industry experts say the franchise is likely to play a bigger role at a place where movies are right at home: Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World.

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B-Roll: Disneyland Half Marathon

There were 19,182 runners from California among the 35,500 that competed in the 2014 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. This year’s sold-out event weekend included runners, ages 14-82, from all 50 states and 26 countries. In addition to the half marathon, other weekend events included the Disneyland 10K, Disneyland Family Fun Run 5K and the runDisney Kids Races.

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Native Southern California Runner Returns Home to Win Disneyland Half Marathon On Sunday

Nick Arciniaga, originally from Fountain Valley, Calif., won the Disneyland Half Marathon in record fashion Sunday, finishing in 1:07:48. Arciniaga, 31, led the field of 16,056 registered runners virtually from wire to wire to win easily after placing 7th in the Boston Marathon earlier this year finishing as the second American in 2:11.47.

“I don’t get very many hometown wins since I don’t race around here very much but running at Disneyland is something that is pretty close to my heart,” said Arciniaga, who currently resides in Flagstaff, Ariz. “My aunt works here. I came here pretty much a couple times a year growing up so Disneyland is a huge place for me.”

Jennifer Berry, 33, of Denver, Colo., captured the women’s title at Disneyland, finishing with a time of 1:23:33, after winning the Disneyland 10K on Saturday.

“I was a little tired from yesterday,” said Berry. “I came in this morning just to do the best I can and today was good enough. I had some awesome competition out there and I’m really happy.”

Derrick Deaton, a huge Disney fan from Indianapolis, Ind. always wanted to run arunDisney race. However, the idea was inconceivable five years ago because Derrick weighed 529 pounds. But now, Derrick, 31, runs a 5K six days a week after losing 346 pounds. His scale now registers at 183 pounds. Derrick finished the Disneyland Half Marathon just under 2:30.

Runners in the Disneyland Half Marathon traveled through Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort, the streets of Anaheim and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. All along the route, they were greeted by cheering fans, Disney characters, music and live entertainment.

This year’s sold-out Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend included runners, ages 14 – 82, from all 50 states and 26 countries. There were 19,182 runners from California. In addition to the half marathon, other weekend events included the Disneyland 10K, Disneyland Family Fun Run 5K and the runDisney Kids Races.

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“Snowman” Clip – The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic

Did you know “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” almost did not make the final cut? Learn more this Tuesday at 8pm on ABC in The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic.

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B-Roll & Soundbites: Disney Side Dog’s Day at Magic Kingdom

Shih Tzus, Poodles, Beagles – 101 dogs in all – joined their owners and Disney dogs such as Pluto, Bolt, Stitch and Aug. 30, 2014 for the first-ever “A Disney Side Dog’s Day at Magic Kingdom” at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The tail-wagging morning featured a doggie dance party, a walk in the park through Cinderella Castle, a costume contest, green carpet, doggie treats and more – all before the park opened to guests. The event was part of Animal Planet’s “America’s Cutest: Disney Side Howl-O-Ween” TV special scheduled to premiere October 18.

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