Here’s a sampling of what’s in store at the Walt Disney World Resort for the holidays. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights – As “snow” falls overhead, the Streets of America backlot cityscape at Disney’s Hollywood Studios comes alive with millions of holiday lights that dance to music, animating sparkling displays to create twirling [...]

The lakeside setting of Downtown Disney is the backdrop for more than 150 artisans displaying original creations during the 33rd annual Festival of the Masters today through Sunday (Nov. 7 to 9, 2008). Festival of the Masters is a nationally recognized art show which is ranked among the country’s best outdoor art festivals each year. [...]

T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover opened it doors at Downtown Disney this afternoon at 4 p.m. Download a high-resolution version of the above video on our Videos page. T-Rex, developed by Schussler Creative and operated by Landry’s Restaurants, features dining and retail in a 30,000-square-foot, 600-seat family-friendly [...]

Our current issue features a story by Deborah Brauser on the Adventures Club and its closing. The article features interviews with some of the cast and fans. But we didn’t have room for all of the photos and information in the print edition, so here are the leftovers. For all of our unpublished photos visit [...]

A Night of Surprises Last night, the doors closed at all six clubs on Disney’s Pleasure Island including the beloved Adventurer’s Club, where fans began standing in line as early as 9am. The night was full of drop-in guests, tears, and a rousing Hoopla (Hoopla!) finale that lasted almost 75 minutes. One of the biggest [...]

It’s coming down to the last days for the Adventurer’s Club, the beloved Pleasure Island landmark full of quirky characters, interactive shows that often veer off in unexpected ways, and intensely loyal fans that know every line to every song performed. In fact, many of these “regulars” have visited the Club well over 100 times [...]

A two-story tall dinosaur was transported on a flatbed truck to Downtown Disney today. The dinosaur will be featured inside a new restaurant, currently under construction, called “T-Rex: a Prehistoric Family Adventure.” Developed by Schussler Creative and operated by Landry’s Restaurants, the 600-seat restaurant will feature dinosaurs, waterfalls, bubbling geysers and a fossil dig site. [...]

Volume 1, Issue 5 of Orlando Attractions Magazine has arrived and is now for sale! Be sure to visit our Volume 1, Issue 5 page for a free page-by-page preview of the entire issue. Articles inside Volume 1, Issue 5 page include: • Nighttime Activities at the Orlando Parks The party’s just getting started as [...]

I’m not exactly sure what this means, but we received this press release yesterday … At regularly scheduled evening screenings of the musical romantic comedy Mamma Mia! , moviegoers will find a very festive finale only available in theaters. This special event takes place tonight and tomorrow night at the AMC Pleasure Island 24 theater. [...]

I recently had a chance to spend a couple of nights at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort, just down 535 from Apopka-Vineland Road. It doesn’t look as large as it really is from the road, but the place is huge and has many activities. But you can read all about that in our upcoming [...]

I made the mistake of taking my family to Downtown Disney to watch the fireworks last night. The fireworks were set to start at 10:30 p.m., so we arrived around 9:30 p.m. The traffic was a mess, as expected. All of the parking lots were full except for the far one down past the West [...]

Disney has provided us with concept art for some of the updates to Downtown Disney previously reported on: Hanes Custom T-Shirt Store “La Dolbe” Restaurant Tuscan Country Trattoria (formerly Portobello Yacht Club) Tuscan Country Trattoria Interior (formerly Portobello Yacht Club) New Marketplace Stage New Marketplace Stage (Reverse Angle) Updated Fulton’s Crab House exterior Photo of [...]

We spoke with Downtown Disney vice president Kevin Lansberry today in front of Pleasure Island to clarify and confirm details released in last night’s release from The Walt Disney Co. regarding the closing of all six Pleasure Island clubs and updates to Downtown Disney. Lansberry confirmed that all six Pleasure Island clubs will be closing [...]

Walt Disney World Resort today unveiled a new vision for Downtown Disney, with new shopping, dining and other experiences including a completely re-imagined Pleasure Island. Also planned are numerous enhancements to popular Downtown Disney locations, as well as additional theming and storytelling by Imagineers. To make way for the new offerings, all of the clubs [...]

A popular July 4th tradition at Walt Disney World Resort will continue this year as star-spangled salutes to America’s independence are presented all across the World. Magic Kingdom: A Fourth of July “Concert in the Sky” will light up the night at Magic Kingdom in honor of Independence Day. Featuring a display of aerial fireworks, [...]

Here’s a quick photo update of the T-Rex restaurant being built at Downtown Disney: The building is starting to take on its full exterior shape, complete with snowy mountains. The restaurant is due to open later this year.

A virtual version of Walt Disney World has launched today on Google Earth, featuring 3D buildings of most of the major points on Walt Disney World property, including attractions and resorts. To enjoy the virtual Walt Disney World, download Google Earth here and navigate to nearly any area throughout the resort. Not only can you [...]

The Wolfgang Puck Express restaurant in Downtown Disney Marketplace re-open a little over a month ago and I’ve just had a chance to check it out. I was surprised just how much has changed. It looks like a completely new restaurant. There’s still indoor and outdoor seating, but both have been expanded. “After more than [...]

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, [...]