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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Walt Disney World guests are propelled to speeds reaching 30 feet per second on Crush ‘n’ Gusher, a new water coaster thrill ride at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Three distinct water-coaster ride systems will send guests up and down twisting slopes and turns of chutes filled with gushing water. The attraction is themed to be the towering remains of a washed-out fruit exporting plant.

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Summer splashes onto the scene at Walt Disney World Resort with a bang and a belly laugh — the new Monster’s, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club bringing down the house at Magic Kingdom while Donald Duck reprises a famous comedic movie role in the new “Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros” at Epcot’s Mexico pavilion.
Meanwhile, Disney’s Dream Squad will continue to patrol the parks on a mission to deliver hundreds of thousands of dreams and magical moments as part of “The Year of a Million Dreams,” a first-of-its-kind event celebrating Disney Dreams and the role that Disney cast members play as dream makers. Guests are treated to an unprecedented level of guest service as cast members are empowered to create tens of millions of personal interactions and special experiences that money can’t buy.
With new shows and attractions — plus a fancy flower festival, football and “The Force!” –summer 2007 guests at Walt Disney World Resort can expect even more vacation magic.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Dreamers are everywhere.
At least that’s what Disney’s Dream Squad cast members have discovered since the Oct. 1, 2006, launch of “The Year of a Million Dreams” at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., and Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif.
Dreams have been awarded to theme park guests visiting from as far away as Clenrothes, Scotland, or as close as Mickey Mouse’s “backyards” of Central Florida and Southern California. Dreams are awarded every day at Disney Parks and Downtown Disney locations on each U.S. coast.
Presented in random, surprise fashion to guests visiting from around the world — from Wailuku, Hawaii, and Workington, England, to Brown Deer, Wis., and Gig Harbor, Wash. — Disney Dreams have come in all shapes and sizes so far, including Dream FASTPASS lanyards, admission to sold-out Disney Parks events, luxurious vacations aboard Disney Cruise Line and more.
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4th Annual Espn Celebration at Walt Disney World Resort March 2-4

ESPN The Weekend Presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods — the fourth annual ESPN special event at Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World Resort — will give sports fans the opportunity to see many of their favorite athletes and ESPN personalities up-close and personal March 2-4.

More than 30 world-class athletes, representing MLB, NBA, NFL, the Olympics and the world of action sports are scheduled to appear, including Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints), Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers), and other Pro Bowl football players; basketball legends David Robinson and Sheryl Swoopes; pitchers Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt (Houston Astros) and outfielder Magglio Ordonez (Detroit Tigers); Olympian Michelle Kwan (figure skating); and perennial X Games star Mike Metzger.
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Fans of all ages will see and hear more ESPN personalities, athletes and sports celebrities March 2-4, 2007 during the fourth annual “ESPN The Weekend, Presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods.” The event will be held at the Disney-MGM Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. ESPN and Walt Disney World join to present the sport-themed festival. This is the fourth annual sports festival, which is included with regular theme park admission. More than 60 sports celebrities are expected to appear in fan-friendly events and shows.

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