Archive for Scott

Disney VoluntEARS Strike Gold for Junior Achievement

King Pins and Alley Cats were out in full force this past weekend when more than 5,000 Disney VoluntEARS teamed up to bowl for a cause at the annual Junior Achievement Bowl-A-Thon. During the three-day event, Disney Cast Members raised approximately $250,000 for Junior Achievement of Central Florida, which will ultimately go toward helping thousands of local children better understand finances and the economy.

Junior Achievement (JA) is a nonprofit organization that provides age-appropriate economic education for children in grades K-12. JA’s programs help students understand financial responsibility by teaching kids ways to earn, save, maintain a budget, manage credit and control their personal finances.

Walt Disney World Resort and its Cast Members have supported JA’s mission for the last 17 years, raising nearly $3.7 million as part of the company’s longstanding commitment to building a better future for Central Florida children.

“JA is so very proud to be working with Disney VoluntEARS again this year,” said Kathy Panter, President of Junior Achievement of Central Florida. “We are humbled by the generosity of time and financial support that we receive from Disney Cast Members through this event and through the volunteer efforts in the classrooms. The success of this event provides funding for nearly 600 JA programs reaching over 12,000 Central Florida students with valuable lessons in financial literacy and workforce readiness.”

In addition to supporting JA’s annual Bowl-A-Thon, Disney VoluntEARS also donate countless hours teaching JA curriculum in Orange and Osceola County schools.

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Starbucks Opens First Store in Downtown Disney District

Starbucks Coffee Company and the Disneyland Resort announced the opening of a new company owned Starbucks location at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, Calif., for the millions of guests visiting Disneyland Resort from all over the world each year. This store will be the first of four to be operated by Starbucks across Disney properties in the United States and will serve as a destination for guests looking to relax and recharge as part of their visit.

“This store is a reflection of two iconic brands coming together to offer their customers the kind of high quality experience they expect in a way that embodies the unique passion of each”

“This store is a reflection of two iconic brands coming together to offer their customers the kind of high quality experience they expect in a way that embodies the unique passion of each,” said Arthur Rubinfeld, chief creative officer and president, global innovation for Starbucks. “Collaborating with Disney offered us the opportunity to create a unique moment of connection for our customers in a way that evokes the magic that their guests expect.”

The new Downtown Disney location will bring one of Starbucks most engaging experiences to customers with technology and content designed specifically for this store. This includes introducing customers to the story behind Starbucks coffee projected across a 10-foot video installation in addition to a first-of-its-kind interactive touch screen that will inspire moments of playful creativity for even the youngest visitors.

The store will also offer some of the rarest coffees available as part of the Starbucks Reserve® coffee line and Clover® brewing system. This sustainably built to LEED standards location will include an outdoor patio designed around a native tree, reclaimed wood siding and a living, green wall with more than 1,000 plants in the shape of a coffee cup that serves as a backdrop to capturing memories for visiting guests.

“Guests visit Disney parks and resorts around the world to share experiences with their friends and families and to create memories that will last a lifetime,” said Daniel Delcourt, vice president of Disneyland Resort Hotels and Downtown Disney. “This new location at Downtown Disney will appeal to their love of Starbucks, and provide yet another memorable experience at the Disneyland Resort.”

Starbucks opened its first location at a Disney resort in 2009 in Disney Village at Disneyland Paris with an innovative concept store that earned LEED platinum certification. The company also has worked with Disney to offer Starbucks signature beverages and pastries at locations inside the theme parks including Disneyland Resort’s Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café at Disney California Adventure park and Market House at Disneyland park; as well as two locations at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida – Main Street Bakery at Magic Kingdom park and Fountain View at Epcot.

Starbucks and Disney will bring five more Starbucks locations to guests, including: one additional Starbucks-operated location in Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort, two Starbucks-operated locations at Downtown Disney at the Walt Disney World Resort and two Disney-operated locations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort.

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B-Roll: Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade

Enchanting stories and characters from Fantasyland come to life for Magic Kingdom guests in a new, daily spectacular – Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade.

The fanciful tribute to Fantasyland highlights several new and classic Disney and Pixar stories on a grand scale. There’s nearly 100 performers – on stilts, swings and flying rigs – donning vibrant costumes in this lively mini-Broadway cavalcade soaring to new heights on Main Street, U.S.A.

The parade, which began Sunday, March 9, is already thrilling park guests with eye-filling scenes: a fire-breathing dragon, a pirate ship with smoking cannons, a music box that’s a seashell, sassy Bubble Girls with cotton-candy hair, a mega-sized bagpipe, and more.

Disney Festival of Fantasy parade is the first of a new generation of parades for Disney Parks featuring never-before-used technology on eye-popping floats adorned with Disney characters from more than a dozen fairytales. Set to an all-new musical score, the dazzling parade floats will soar up to three stories tall with spirited performers donning dramatic costumes crafted at ten different design houses across the country.

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Sneak Peak: Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade: “The Princess Garden”

Festival of fantasy the princess garden
Enchanting stories and characters from Fantasyland come to life for Magic Kingdom guests in Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade. The daily spectacular showcases fantastic and innovative parade floats, vibrant costumes, and an original soundtrack that features beloved songs from favorite Disney films, plus a new parade theme song. Magic Kingdom is located at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)
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Sneak Peak: Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade: “Peter Pan” Float

Festival of fantasy peter pan
Enchanting stories and characters from Fantasyland come to life for Magic Kingdom guests in Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade. The daily spectacular showcases fantastic and innovative parade floats, vibrant costumes, and an original soundtrack that features beloved songs from favorite Disney films, plus a new parade theme song. Magic Kingdom is located at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)
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Students Culminate Exclusive Weekend at Walt Disney World with Steve Harvey

Walt Disney World Resort concluded a 4-day exclusive weekend for a group of select students at the Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine.  A high-impact graduation ceremony deemed the students official Dreamers, making them one of only 700 students nationwide to hold the honor.

The students were among 100 teens selected from more than 10,000 applicants to participate in a once-in-lifetime mentoring program this weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort. The teens, along with a parent or guardian, received an all-expense-paid trip to participate in an innovative, outside-the-classroom, educational experience and learn tips from noted professionals and celebrities including: Magic Johnson, E! News’ Terrence J, Entertainment Tonight’s Rocsi Diaz and 15-year old CEO, Jaylen Bledsoe, Bledsoe Technologies.

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Top “Take a Break” Walk Through Attractions (Part II) by Sarah Graffam

On a Disney World vacation, it is incredibly easy to get caught up in a “let’s hurry up and get to the next attraction” mindset, and that approach can be crucial if you want to experience some of the most popular attractions without long waits. However, I have found that an excellent way to enhance my enjoyment of the headliners is to take a few moments to experience a walk through attraction. By their very nature, these attractions invite you to slow down, take a break, and appreciate the details that make Disney World such a special place.

In our previous issue, I focused on walk through attractions in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. This time, we turn to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom parks and my favorite attractions there that will leave you refreshed and ready for some more Disney excitement.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

To me, Hollywood Studios always feels like a busy park, second to the Magic Kingdom only because there are fewer major attractions. There is the heart-pounding thrill of the Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster as well as the vibrant colors and energetic games of Toy Story Midway Mania. Like the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios does not have a lot of walk through attractions. So, where is my favorite place to find some respite after my family’s traditional multiple rides on Star Tours?

That answer is easy — Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream. Talk about slowing down to appreciate the details of Disney! In addition to all sorts of Disney artifacts, photos, art, and displays about Walt’s history and family life, the gallery has models of Main Street in Disneyland, the Jungle Cruise, and Spaceship Earth. It also features a replica of Sleeping Beauty Castle and the original Audio-Animatronic Abraham Lincoln.

You can end your tour relaxing in a nice dark theater watching an inspirational film tribute to Walt. Every time I go into One Man’s Dream, I am newly energized from learning about Walt Disney the man and his parks!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

It is no accident that I have saved the Animal Kingdom for last when considering the joy of walk through attractions. Indeed, much of this park can be seen as one great big walk through attraction, with its winding pathways, animal exhibits, and hidden quiet spots. Taking a slower pace can be a bit of a conscious effort during a Disney World vacation, but the Animal Kingdom is the park where I feel most invited to do so.

That invitation starts with the shaded paths of the Oasis Exhibits as you enter the park and continues through the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, through the Discovery Island Trails, and in the intricate carvings on the Tree of Life.

My personal favorite is the Maharajah Jungle Trek, especially when walked in the quieter hours at twilight. The sights and smells of lush tropical plants, exotic animals including gibbons, flying foxes, and majestic tigers, waterfalls, the sounds of bird singing, and the mystique of ancient ruins all transport me to another world. Sitting on a quiet bench absorbing this place is exactly what I need while I look forward to another exciting day in the parks.

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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.comRunners 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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