The Waldorf Astoria Orlando (above right) and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek (above left) held their grand openings today. In attendance at the ribbon cutting was Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and a host of Hilton executives and special guests. The two hotels are surrounded by Disney property…
On Oct. 1, 1971, exactly 38 years ago, Walt Disney World first opened to the public. The resort at the time featured just one theme park, the Magic Kingdom, and two hotels, the Polynesian Village Resort and the Contemporary Resort. Today, the ongoing celebration at Walt Disney World is called “What Will You Celebrate?” and…
By Audrey Brown Cory Doctorow is the author of several books, one of which takes place in the Walt Disney World of the future. It’s called “Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom“. It not only displays Doctorow’s keen insights on the future of entertainment, but also his true love of Disney theme parks, in…
By Andy Guinigundo Halloween is a fun definitely a fun time at the Magic Kingdom in Florida with Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. It’s inevitable that you’ll get caught up visiting the many candy stations around the park. One might assume that Halloween at Disneyland in California, Paris and elsewhere is exactly the same….
Today Disney announced a new program that celebrates the spirit of volunteer service with a simple proposition: “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day.” Disney hopes to inspire families to volunteer in their communities during 2010 through this first-of-its-kind program. One million people who perform volunteer service for a participating organization will receive a free…
The Fall 2009 issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine is now shipping! Feature articles in this issue include: • COVER STORY: Rock ‘n’ Ride Blast off with Orlando’s newest, most high-tech roller coaster, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios. • Filling Florida with Fright Busch Gardens & Universal Studios give Central Florida some of…
We recently had a chance to take a look behind-the-scenes at Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival. Disney is gearing up for the festival’s 14th year and is producing an impressive new menu of foods from around the world, with 60 to 70 new items this year. In today’s sneak peek, we spoke with Epcot Executive Chef…
We recently had the chance to follow two young girls as they ventured into the Magic Kingdom for makeovers. One wanted to become a princess at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique inside Cinderella Castle and the other made her way into Adventureland to join the scallywags at the Pirates League. You can read about their journeys…
By Andy Guinigundo First off, I would like to thank my colleagues for bringing such complete coverage of Disney’s D23 Expo from Anaheim. Out of the Loop took a mini hiatus during this time since much of the coverage was news from outside of Orlando, which is this column’s focus. While, I was unable to…
The Fall 2009 issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine features a story on Disney’s new Bay Lake Tower hotel at their Contemporary Resort. The new 15-story tower is part of Disney’s Vacation Club and combines modern design with an ideal location, just minutes away from the Magic Kingdom. Below is a video tour of Bay Lake…
