If you’re going to be at Walt Disney World on April 22, there are two really fun and unique events you can attend at no additional cost. April 22 is Earth Day and, by no coincidence, is also Animal Kingdom’s birthday. This year, Disney is celebrating Animal Kingdom’s 10th anniversary with a morning rededication ceremony [...]

Orlando Attractions Magazine and Inside the Magic bring you part 2 of our 4-part video series celebrating Animal Kingdom’s upcoming 10th anniversary. This week, we’re joined by Debbie Weber, Proprietor of the Animal Nutrition Center at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as we take a tour of where all of the food is prepared for the various [...]

An outdoor adventure that has been a favorite with Walt Disney World guests since 1971 is receiving some enhancements. As part of a resort-wide renovation project, on now, changes are coming or already in place across the 700 acres of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. “Over the last 37 years, the average length of [...]

The voting process has begun to elect the first-ever Disney Chief Magic Official (CMO). From dreamcmo.com: Which one do you think has the best personality to become the Disney Chief Magic Official? Your every vote counts So come back often Voting ends March 22nd at 11:59:59pm EST Voting is unlimited, so if you have a [...]

A lot of the model train track at the Germany pavilion at Epcot has been taken up. But don’t worry, the train will be back on new track soon. Some Internet sites were reporting the train was going away. In fact, they did remove the exhibit soon after they first installed it, but they received [...]

The Wall Street Journal previously released a work-in-progress photo of the highly-advanced animatronic version of Mr. Potato Head that will be installed at the upcoming Toy Story Mania attraction at both Disney’s California Adventure and Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme parks. Now, Yahoo! has a view of what the spud, all put together, looks like. From [...]

Besides Spaceship Earth being completed with some new features in the ride and in the post show, there are a few other new things to see at Epcot. (Look for our full story on the newly enhanced Spaceship Earth in our April May issue.) First up is the new Waste Management exhibit in Innoventions West. [...]

Fourteen-year-old Gene Trujillo of Orlando transforms into a Hannah Montana-style rock star at Disneys Secret Star Makeover exclusively at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Downtown Disney. Starting Feb. 24, the new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique package includes everything a rock star wannabe would need – blonde wig, microphone set, makeup, guitar purse and photo session for $109.95. [...]

Little girls will soon have a new choice when getting a makeover at the Downtown Disney Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Starting Feb. 24, the boutique will offer a Secret Star Makeover, just like the role Miley Cyrus plays on Hanna Montana. For $109.95 they’ll receive the makeover including hair (wig) and makeup, and a guitar purse, [...]

Photo by Garth Vaughan An artist paints the new logo for Disney’s Hollywood Studios high atop the famous “mouse-eared” water tower on the backlot of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Last month, Walt Disney World officially changed the name of the showbiz-themed park in Florida from “Disney-MGM Studios” to “Disney’s Hollywood Studios.” Painters began work on the [...]

The Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom recently received several major updates. However, despite being open for over 4 months since the refurbishment, tweaks are still being made inside. The latest update is a significant improvement to the singing busts in the graveyard scene. No longer do their faces glow, clearly revealing the secret behind [...]

From nytimes.com: An animatronic figure with an estimated $1 million price tag will sing songs and interact with guests as they wait. Employees dressed as “Toy Story” characters will stroll among the crowds. “There’s an erosion of patience,” said Bruce Vaughn, the chief creative executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, the company’s development group. “People’s tolerance [...]

We posted yesterday that ‘American Idol’ would be coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios soon and found it very interesting that the word “live” was always in quotes in the press release from Disney. As it turns out, there is definitely more to it than simply auditioning in front of Disney Cast Members or a guest-filled [...]

High-res concept art (click to enlarge): Walt Disney Parks and Resorts will create an “American Idol” attraction that will bring the television and pop culture phenomenon to life at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, it was jointly announced today by Jay Rasulo, chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts; Simon Fuller, CEO of 19 Entertainment; [...]

As usual, there are quite a few job ads in the newspaper today. Including some interesting ones I haven’t seen before. Universal Orlando has a cute ad in today’s Orlando Sentinel. It features the above picture of The Simpsons and mentions the new ride opening this year. Below it says “Suddenly, calling Universal a family [...]

Many of us knew that Donald Duck was entering the Disney CMO contest, despite being obviously ineligible (employee of The Walt Disney Co., rules against not wearing pants, etc.). Now, we’ve been alerted to several more attempts made by Donald to work his way into the contest. First, we’ve got Donald’s psuedo-MySpace page / blog [...]

From go.com: Come and enjoy exciting shows and attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ like the full-throttle, high-octane live stunt spectacular Lights, Motors, Action!™ Stunt Show, the high-speed loops and turns of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith and the creepy thrills of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™! While you’re there, enter the sweepstakes for [...]

Disney.com announced today the launch of the first ever Dreams Come True online sweepstakes, in partnership with Disney Parks.  The sweepstakes, which celebrates the Year of a Million Dreams at Disney Parks, gives Disney fans the opportunity to win one of five Disney Parks magical vacations.  The Grand Prize trip is a vacation at the [...]

The new edition of Orlando Business Journal features a story on the cover about Disney’s testing of the Nintendo DS as a guide to the Magic Kingdom. (Which was first reported here on our blog on Jan. 10) Quoted in the article is our own Ricky Brigante. Thanks to reporter Dan Ping for contacting us. [...]

From Disney Press Release: Some of the most popular children’s TV characters from Playhouse Disney on Disney Channel come to life as never before in the new Playhouse Disney — Live on Stage! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Children are invited to sing, dance and play along as their beloved friends from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy [...]