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47 First-Look Photos Inside Shanghai Disney

While we’ve gotten glimpses and heard rumblings about the upcoming Shanghai Disney, the opening is still a month away. But, a few lucky people were able to explore the park early and, lucky for us, posted pictures on places like Twitter and Instagram.

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Walt Disney World Refurbishments

Magic Kingdom® Park
Monorail
The Walt Disney World® Resort Monorail System is undergoing refurbishment and may be on modified service and/or routes. If Guests plan to use this form of transportation during their visit they should check to be sure of the best option available on their day of travel, as alternative transportation options will be available.
Through June 2016
Epcot®
Soarin’
Stave Church Gallery
House of the Whispering Willows
Jan. 4, 2016 – Summer 2016
Apr. 20 – May 27, 2016
May 2 – Jun. 16, 2016
Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
Pizza Planet
Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Jan. 19 – Late 2016
Jul. 16 – 19, 2016
Jul. 24 – 27, 2016
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
None  

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
None  
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
None

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Soft Goods Refurbishment Apr. 2 – Oct. 14, 2016
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Concierge Lounge
Closed for refurbishment. An alternative lounge location will be available during this time.
May 7 – 22, 2016
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Soft Goods Refurbishment Jan. 1 – May 20, 2016
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Soft Goods Refurbishment Jul. 15, 2016 – Jan. 24, 2017
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Soft Goods & Bath Refurbishment Jan. 22 – Aug. 17, 2016
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Flying Fish Restaurant Through Summer 2016
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Jamaica Village Pool Through May 19, 2016
Trinidad South Pool May 2 – Jun. 15, 2016
Martinique Pool May 31 – Jul. 1, 2016
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Construction work in Loop 2100
There will be increased traffic throughout the resort between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Guests should allow extra time for travel.
Through July 2016
Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort
Beach Renourishment Project May 1 – Fall 2016
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Routine Roof Maintenance
During this time Guests may see work in progress.
Through Summer 2016
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Treehouse Villas Soft Goods Rehab Feb. 7 – Jun. 22, 2016
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
Hard Goods Refurbishment Through Summer 2016
Shutter’s and Bleacher’s Bar & Grill
Closing to make way for new dining experiences coming soon
June 2016
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge & Villas
General Resort Refurbishments
Due to extensive refurbishment projects, Guests will very likely see and hear construction work in various areas throughout their stay. To minimize disruptions, we will attempt to limit work until after 9:00 a.m.
At this time, many popular areas will remained closed – including the Hidden Springs Pool (the leisure pool at The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge), beach, marina, playground and more. In addition, certain pathways, like our nature trail, will be unavailable, and surrounding views may be altered. However, the recently renovated Silver Creek Springs Pool will remain open and boat transportation to Magic Kingdom park will continue to be offered.
Through 2017
Cub’s Den (Children’s Activity Center) – unavailable Through 2017
Sturdy Branches Health Club – unavailable July – October 2016
Buena Vista Palace
General Resort Refurbishments
Due to multiple resort refurbishment projects, Guests will notice construction work in various areas. The pool will be unavailable. The spa pool, located in the main tower will remain open for all guests. Additionally, neighboring hotels on Hotel Plaza Blvd. will allow Buena Vista Palace guests to use their pools during this time. Watercress Café will be closed during this time, however, the one80 Sports Bar and Restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Through June 2016
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Guest Room Renovations
Renovation work is scheduled to take place between 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. No guests will be accommodated in the renovation area as to minimize impact on the guest experience.
June 2016 – September 2016

Disney Springs
Roadwork on Buena Vista Drive
Due to heavy roadwork, expect delays on Buena Vista Drive. It is recommended that Guests use complimentary Walt Disney World Resort transportation from Parks and Resorts to Disney Springs and plan to arrive early for reserved dining and entertainment experiences.
Through May 2016
Planet Hollywood Jan. 6 – Summer 2016
Fulton’s Crab House – reopening as Paddlefish Apr. 4 – Fall 2016

Golf Courses/Miniature Golf
None  

Information and dates subject to change without notice.

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MICHAEL VARGO NAMED VICE PRESIDENT, D23, SPECIAL EVENTS AND DISNEY CORPORATE CREATIVE RESOURCES

Michael Vargo has been named Vice President, D23, Special Events and Disney Corporate Creative Resources, it was announced today by Zenia Mucha, Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, The Walt Disney Company.

A 24-year Disney veteran, Mr. Vargo will oversee D23: The Official Disney Fan Club and the Walt Disney Archives. He will also lead production and digital technology operations at Disney Corporate Creative Resources, the in-house creative agency that serves Disney’s Corporate departments. Mr. Vargo, who previously served as Director, Corporate Special Events and General Manager of D23 Expo, will report directly to Ms. Mucha.

“Mike has displayed superb leadership and talent in producing special events that showcase the very best of Disney, from our Annual Meeting to the spectacular D23 Expo that draws tens of thousands of fans from around the globe,” Ms. Mucha said. “His deep knowledge of the Company and understanding of the Disney brand make him perfectly suited to lead D23 and the Walt Disney Archives to even greater achievements.”

“I am thrilled and honored to be working with the talented teams at D23, the Walt Disney Archives, and Disney Corporate Creative Resources as we deliver creative and innovative content, produce first-class special events, and share our company’s rich history with our fans and audiences worldwide,” Mr. Vargo said.

Rounding out the D23 and Archives leadership teams are Kristin Rodack, Director of D23 Membership and Marketing, Jeffrey Epstein, Director of D23 Communications and Creative Content, and Rebecca Cline, Director of the Walt Disney Archives.

Mr. Vargo began his career at Disney in 1992 at Disneyland Entertainment. He served as Senior Production Manager, Walt Disney Special Events Group & Disney Live Family Entertainment from 1998 to 2004, before being named Director, Corporate Special Events. He graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications.

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Disney Will Stop Printing Disney Dollars This Week

When I was a kid I loved Disney Dollars. For those unfamiliar, they’re Disney’s paper notes that look like real money and feature cartoon characters such as Mickey Mouse and Dumbo on the front.

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THE GOLDEN CAMELS OF ALADDIN BY SAM ALLEN

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Ever since “Aladdin” first hit the big screen, fans of the film have imagined what flying on a magic carpet would be like. In 2001, a new Adventureland attraction offered Magic Kingdom guests a taste of the soaring, tumbling, and freewheeling experienced by Aladdin and Princess Jasmine. While a variation on the classic “Dumbo” spinner ride, “The Magic Carpet of Aladdin” offers a few new twists on the familiar experience.

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How to Pull Off a Magical Proposal at Disney

Disney has long been a place for brides-to-be to make their fairy tale wedding dreams come true, but before saying “I do” many people are saying “yes” at the Happiest Place on Earth.

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A tangent on storytelling and Epcot Center by Scott Shindeldecker

A comment on my last blog post regarding music and radio got me going off on a tangent today.  The comment made mention of Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, which put my brain off and running on a semi-related path.  And I haven’t even had the chance to write up my post on the importance of music in the original Epcot Center, have I?  I can’t remember.  Anyway.

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Invictus Games Orlando 2016 Celebrates Competitors with Electrifying Closing Ceremony

thousands joined almost 500 servicemen and women from around the world to celebrate the conclusion of the Invictus Games Orlando 2016, presented by Jaguar Land Rover, during an electrifying Closing Ceremony. Celebrities, dignitaries, and musical guests joined the competitors and their family and friends at Champion Stadium. For many competitors, the Closing Ceremony was the culmination of years of training and intense dedication to their recovery.

The ceremony was also the final opportunity to cheer on the men and women who have exemplified the true meaning of Invictus. To start, each team paraded across the stage for the Medallion Ceremony.

The medallions, which were given to each competitor by the Invictus Games Foundation, were distributed by Prince Harry; Ken Fisher, Chairman of Invictus Games Orlando 2016; Dr. Jill Biden and Chairman of the Invictus Games Foundation, Sir Keith Mills. Competitors smiled from ear to ear, beaming with excitement as they took a lasting photograph with both Prince Harry and Dr.Jill Biden.

To celebrate four days of competition, world renowned musical artists took the stage to tell their Invictus stories through music.Jordan Smith, Season 9 winner of hit show, The Voice, performed Adele’s, “Set Fire to the Rain,” and accompanied by a gospel choir, sang “Somebody to Love.” Following Smith’s performance, the first nationally recognized wounded warrior band, Vetted, performed “No Man Left Behind.”  American Idol Season 11 winner, Phillip Philips performed, “Gone, Gone, Gone,” among other songs.

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Learn to Draw Dozens of Disney and Pixar Characters in Disney Art Academy

Calling all budding artists and Disney fans! In the Disney Art Academy game, launching exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems on May 13, you can use a wide variety of tools to learn to draw more than 80 Disney and Pixar characters in 2D. By setting your own pace through multiple easy-to-follow lessons, characters like Mickey Mouse, Nemo fromDisney Pixar Finding Nemo, Elsa from Disney Frozen, Buzz Lightyear from Disney Pixar Toy Story and Simba from Disney The Lion King come to life on your Nintendo 3DS screen.

“Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, you will be surprised by what you can create in Disney Art Academy,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “The game uses fun lessons to teach drawing skills to artists of all ages and skill levels.”

In Disney Art Academy, Disney and Pixar characters can be sketched or painted in many different ways. Using nine art tools like pastels, paintbrushes or markers, you can discover your inner artist by participating in lessons inspired by Disney art and animation. These art lessons are absolutely intuitive and, most importantly, fun! Each lesson guides you through a step-by-step progression to draw a single character. What starts as a series of lines and shapes will gradually evolve into a familiar character using your new art skills! If you ever want to take a break, lessons can easily be saved to continue from the same spot at a later time.

You can even add some extra flair with the Magic Brush, a new addition to the Art Academy series. With the Magic Brush, magical additions like stars, bubbles, and glitter can be added to your masterpieces – all easily accessed by using the touch screen on Nintendo 3DS.

As your art skills improve and you create more and more Disney and Pixar characters, you may very well want to share your creations with others. That can easily be accomplished directly in the game by connecting to the Internet and sharing through Miiverse or social media via Image Share. Completed artwork is also saved to the Nintendo 3DS system’s SD card, allowing you to upload your creations to a personal computer and print them out. Refrigerators around the country are about to get a lot more colorful (and a lot more magical!) once families start printing their favorite drawings.

If you want to create outside the game’s numerous lessons you’re in luck, as Disney Art Academy includes a Free Paint mode that lets you draw even more characters any way you choose. In Free Paint, you can put your newly learned skills to the test by drawing on a blank canvas, or you can select from more than 80 Disney images to use as reference as you add to your virtual gallery. All completed artwork can be viewed at any time in the game’s Clubhouse, where you can also select your favorite pieces to be viewed in a personal showcase slideshow.

Disney Art Academy launches on May 13, and can be purchased in stores, in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS and at Nintendo.com at a suggested retail price of $29.99. For more information about the game, visit http://artacademy.nintendo.com/disney/.

Remember that Nintendo 3DS features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

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One Of Infinity War’s Writers May Have Just Accidentally Confirmed A Guardians Of The Galaxy Appearance

Who knew that the weirdest characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe would go on to become some of the most endearing? James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy blew audiences away two years ago, and we’ve clamored for their return ever since. We know that a sequel to Guardians will hit theaters next year…

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