John Lasseter, who currently holds the title of chief creative officer of
the Walt Disney Co., selected a stockholders annual meeting in New Orleans
Thursday to announce that Disney will return to hand-drawn animation in 2009
with a feature set in New Orleans. The feature, The Frog Princess, will be
directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, who oversaw The Little Mermaid and
Aladdin, and who were forced out by the studio’s previous management when it
decided to abandon hand-drawn animation in 2004. The movie will also feature
the first African-American princess to appear in a Disney animated film.
“We’re going back to hand-drawn animation,” Lasseter announced at the
meeting. “This movie is going to be classic Disney and yet you have never
seen this before.” The studio said that it plans to rehire many of the
animators it let go during the bloodletting following the failure of 2004’s
Home on the Range, Disney’s last “2D” animated film.

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(MARCH 13, 2007): Ed Mikkin of Long Island, New York, the winner of $34.5 million from the New York Lottery, joins his family son Chris, age 14; wife Donna and son Eddy, age 18, March 13, 2007 on the Main Street USA Trolley at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. During the New York Lottery’s press conference last Wednesday in Long Island, New York to introduce the winner, the Mikkins shouted “I’m Going To Disney World!” and told media that the first thing they did upon winning the lottery was to book a dream vacation for their family and extended family at Walt Disney World. Mikkin, a truck driver, was the sole winner in the $34.5 million Lotto jackpot drawn by the New York Lottery on February 10, 2007.

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a trip to Walt Disney World Resort, what with 40 square miles of attractions, entertainment and recreation at guests’ beck and call.

But what about the “bottom line”? What’s all the fun going to cost? With a little planning and a pinch of pixie dust, a trip to the Vacation Kingdom can be awesome and even more affordable.
Here are some money-saving — and value-adding — tips for guests to consider as they think about when to go, how to get there, where to stay, what kinds of tickets to buy, and how to eat more economically.
Read the rest of this entry »

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Disney Parks and CareerBuilder.com Invite America to Interview the Dream “Job” Finalists as Part of Disney’s “Year of a Million Dreams” Celebration

Burbank, Calif. (March 7, 2007) — More nerve-wracking than a trip to the board room, how about having to interview with 300 million Americans to see if you’ll land your dream job! On center stage are the 100 most creative finalists from the CareerBuilder.com-Disney Dream “Job” online video search who are competing for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to live out a Disney Dream “Job” for a day. Beginning March 6 and running through March 30, America can check out the video auditions online at www.careerbuilder.com/disneydreamjobs and click to view and vote for their favorite Jungle Cruise Skipper, Haunted Mansion Butler or Maid, Pirate, Princess-in-Waiting or Disney Park Parade Performer.

The five applicants in each category who receive the most support will get the chance to live out their honorary dream job for a day. The winners will travel to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., in June 2007 during the grand opening of Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. “We have been overwhelmed by the response. We have received submissions from every U.S. state and thousands of people visit the contest site daily,” said Michael Mendenhall, executive vice president, global marketing, Disney Destinations. “The creativity of the auditions has been astounding and we have seen everything from would-be Jungle Cruise Skippers navigating the treacherous waters of their swimming pools to Disney Pirates plundering and pillaging their own living rooms! This really has captured the imagination of the public and will be one tough choice for America.”

Dream “Job” wanna-bes were asked to send in a video that showcased their most original and creative attributes, including why they want to work at a Disney Park, qualifications and skills for their desired position and reasons why this is their Disney Parks Dream “Job.” For complete rules and regulations surrounding the CareerBuilder.com-Disney Dream “Job” search, log on to www.careerbuilder.com/disneydreamjobs.

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Tony has submitted a stunning photo of the Disney Castle with our Photo Submission form page! Check out Tony’s photo below and feel free to submit your own photos as well!

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Interested in being the “Face of Disney?”  There’s a chance you can be!  According to a 2007 article on Careerbuilder.com all you need to do is apply to become a Walt Disney World Ambassador.  As Ambassador, you will represent the resort’s nearly 60,000 cast members at more than 1,000 events, such as ceremonies, grand openings, special promotions and media interviews, as well as host dignitaries and other VIPs at Walt Disney World Resort. The selection process involves a series of interviews with fellow cast members and executives in which candidates have the opportunity to demonstrate their passion for and knowledge of all things Disney. The article does not give instructions on how to apply, but I would recommend calling the Walt Disney World jobline at 407-828-1000 to speak with someone at the Casting Office for more information.  I have called the Casting Office myself several times with career opportunity questions and they were of course always very Disney friendly in answering all of my questions.

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Extensive refurbishment of the WDW Haunted Mansion is likely to begin June 2007, with plans to complete by early October 2007. These dates have not been 100% confirmed. However, this is said to be the planned timeframe.

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Many brides-to-be dream about a grand wedding in a storybook setting with a designer flair. Now the dream is a reality at Walt Disney World Resort with a new line of celebrity-style weddings — Disney’s Couture Wedding Collection by David Tutera.
Award-winning lifestyle expert David Tutera is known as a trendsetter and leading creative force in the wedding and party planning industry. His talents can be seen on his hit primetime series on Discovery Home Channel, “Party Planner with David Tutera.” His high-profile client list includes Jennifer Lopez, Jewel and Barbara Walters. He has created events for the Grammys, royalty, socialites and other organizations worldwide.
The romance of Walt Disney World Resort is what drew Tutera to create the wedding collection, available exclusively at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion and receptions held at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Couples will be able to enjoy selections of rich fabrics, floral arrangements, props and furniture along with elegant flatware, stemware and table settings — all inspired exclusively by Tutera.
Brides and grooms also will have the opportunity to incorporate more of Tutera’s wedding vision into other aspects of their wedding, including the invitations and ceremony, to complete the entire experience.
“Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings is regarded as one of the most magical wedding experiences,” said Tutera. “I look forward to bringing in my new Couture Wedding Collection to create a brand new experience that will provide more delight and enjoyment for even more brides and grooms and their guests.”
“These Couture Wedding Collections provide an opportunity for brides to feel like a celebrity and become a guest at their own wedding,” Tutera added.
Disney’s Couture Wedding Collection by David Tutera offers brides four tailored looks to create the perfect atmosphere for their special day:
       Enchanted Garden – soft, springtime palettes of yellow and green create a fanciful floral garden setting amidst topiaries and butterflies in flight.
       Cocktail Soiree – chocolate browns and ice blues come together with chic lounge-style furniture and an illuminated bar to create a hip and contemporary party environment.
       Classic Elegance – a traditional, romantic setting that marries gold and pink and features an abundance of crystal chandeliers and numerous gilded mirrors to create the ultimate formal wedding.
       Simply Chic – clean contemporary lines, suspended white lanterns and the use of Lucite and glass in a pure white party space with green accents create a fresh take on a modern look.
Since 1991, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings has made dreams come true for more than 27,000 couples. With the expertise of dedicated, full-service planners and consultants, more than 1,500 couples exchange vows each year at storybook locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort. This includes the picturesque, lakeside Disney’s Wedding Pavilion, located near Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, that boasts stunning views of Cinderella Castle. Walt Disney World Resort is a top-ranked destination for magical weddings, honeymoons and vow renewals.
For more information on Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings and the Couture Wedding Collection by David Tutera, contact 321/939-4623, or visit disneyweddings.com.
 

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The Walt Disney Company announced plans to expand its successful cruise business with the addition of two new ocean liners. Scheduled to launch in 2011 and 2012, the new 122,000-ton ships will more than double the passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line to meet the sustained demand for Disney’s family cruise vacations.

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Pleasure Island Presents Sham Rock ‘n’ Roll March 15-17

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — For everyone interested in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day “the Irish way,” the Irish owners of Raglan Road Irish Restaurant & Pub at Downtown Disney have lined up a non-stop program of Irish music, song and dance across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 16-18, to match anything found in their native Dublin, Ireland.

Here’s what’s in store:
·  ‘U2 Elevation,’ the world’s most popular U2 tribute band, will play a storming mix of the band’s songs on Friday and Saturday evening.
·  Tuskar Rock, Raglan Road’s imported house band (and a huge favorite among locals), will present their unique mix of traditional and contemporary Irish music — featuring ‘Lord of the Dance’ star dancer Danielle Fitzpatrick. The band will also launch their eagerly awaited CD recorded live at Raglan Road.
·  Myra Waters, another Irish champion dancer, leads her Celtic Pulse Dance Troupe — featuring the cream of Orlando’s Irish Dancers — in a blistering set of tap and step dance routines.
·  “The Raglan Rose” competition (open to all guests) will unearth Raglan Road’s Festival Queen — as voted by the guests! That’s all in addition to a heady mix of Celtic Cocktails, Stupid Irish Dance Competitions and Raglan’s Irish cuisine and Irish beers — all the ingredients needed to create one fine Irish hooley (party).

The fun begins March 16 at 5 p.m. and continues on March 17 and March 18 beginning at noon. On Saturday, March 17, there is a $10 cover charge until 3 p.m. and a $15 cover charge after 3 p.m. No advance reservations are being taken for Saturday. For more information, call 407-938-0300 or visit raglanroadirishpub.com.

St. Patrick’s Fun Also Planned for Pleasure Island
Meanwhile, Sham Rock ‘n’ Roll at Pleasure Island celebrates St. Patrick’s Day March 15-17 from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. The Island will “turn green” with live music, videos by Irish artists, leprechauns, stilt walkers and more. While Pleasure Island club admission is not required to enjoy the Sham Rock ‘n’ Roll street party, now is a good time to purchase a one-night Pleasure Island ticket. Florida residents who purchase a $21.95 multi-club ticket before March 31 and show proof of Florida residency can return as many times as they like at no additional charge through June 30, 2007.

Guests may call 407-939-7781 or visit the Pleasure Island ticket booths at Downtown Disney for details on ticket upgrades and age restrictions.

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