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HGTV Seeking Applicants For "My Yard Goes Disney"

It's that time of year again - time to apply for HGTV's show "My Yard Goes Disney." Yes, producers are seeking applications again for the show which gives the yards of those who are chosen Disney theme park makeovers.

Last year, winners' yards were transformed with various Disney touches, including a Mickey Mouse shaped pool and a playhouse inspired by Tinkerbell. There were even themes based on Disney's Animal Kingdom and Pirates of the Caribbean. This year, there are eleven such makeovers planned.

'Lion King' On Broadway Turns 14

Disney's smash Broadway hit "The Lion King" celebrated fourteen years on the stage yesterday at the Minskoff Theate.

Those fourteen years on Broadway have created some pretty nice stats for the show, which began November 13, 1997. First off, the show currently ranks seventh in terms of long-running Broadway musicals. It also is one of only six other shows to pass the ten year mark on Broadway and in the West End. In financial terms, "The Lion King" has grossed some 4.7 billion dollars.

Disney Being Sued By A Nun Over 'Sister Act'

It's a lawsuit over twenty years in the making. Delois Blakley recently sued Disney, claiming her 1987 autobiography, The Harlem Street Nun, was the basis for Disney's hit movie "Sister Act" and the theater production that followed.

The same year her book came out, Blakely reportedly wrote a synopsis of the story which she sent out to the movie industry, including a producer at Tri-Star Pictures. She claims that Tri-Star expressed interest in movie rights to the story, and that another producer took the project from Tri-Star to Disney. "Sister Act" was then made.

Free WiFi Comes to Select Disney Resorts

Recent news out of Walt Disney World has it that certain resorts are giving free WiFi a trial.

At this time, it looks like the free WiFi service isn't available at all resorts. Here is a list of those that are giving the new free service a trial run:

  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Disney's Beach Club Resort
  • Disney's BoardWalk Resort
  • Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
  • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney's Old Key West Resort

"Up" House Contributes to Utah Tourism Surge

Over the summer, we showed you the real-life "Up" house that a Utah construction company completed and put on the market. Turns out, the house has been a boost in the tourism to the Salt Lake City area.

The house is situated in Herriman, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City and has drawn nearly 27,000 visitors since opening this past summer. One of the home's builders estimates that some weeks, around 1,000 people visit the house. Herriman's population? Right around 20,000.

Movie Buzz: "Lone Ranger," "Thor 2," and "Phineas and Ferb"

Disney has been doing some rearranging of release dates for future movies, and here's the inside scoop on what's coming up and when.

First off, the release date for "Thor 2" was pushed back from July 26, 2013 to November 15, 2013. This, in turn, makes way for Disney's "Phineas and Ferb" movie to hit the big screen on the original "Thor" date of July 26, 2013.

Celebration A Top 10 Prettiest Neighborhood

Celebration, Florida, has been named to Forbes' Top 10 Prettiest Neighborhood List.

The Disney-planned and built community exudes a "small-town America feel," according to Forbes, thanks in part to its parks, places of worship, restaurants and shops. Forbes goes on to say that Celebration, while technically a town, is a throwback "to a time and place that may or may not have existed, but through force of will and careful planning, does now."

Disney Receives Award From Jane Goodall Institute

Last weekend, the Walt Disney Company was acknowledged by The Jane Goodall Institute at an event in Hollywood. The company received the Global Leadership Award for Corporate Social Responsibility last Saturday.

Dr. Jane Goodall handed over the award to senior vice president of corporate citizenship Beth Stevens, Ph.D. The doctor remarked on the company carrying out the legacy of Walt Disney with its commitment to global responsibility. Disney received the award because of its "long-standing efforts to make the world a better place."

'Lion King' Tops Box Weekend Box Office

It was a huge hit when it was released some seventeen years ago, and now it's 3-D version has taken the theaters by storm. "The Lion King" reigned supreme at the box office this past weekend, taking in an estimated $29.3 million.

This amount almost doubles the $15 million Disney had estimated the film to gross and may be attributed partly to the vast majority of "Lion King" audiences opting to check out the 3-D version of the classic film. It's said that 92 percent of the film's viewers elected to buy the pricier 3-D ticket this weekend.

Disney Fined $69,000 by OSHA for Safety Violations

OSHA has cited and fined Walt Disney World for safety violations following the March death of a worker on the Animal Kingdom ride Primeval Whirl.

Russell Roscoe, a maintenance employee, was killed by one of the ride's vehicles in March as he was working on the roller coaster. The Primeval Whirl, originally closed in January for refurbishment, remained closed after the accident.

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Five Photo Tips For Telling Your Disney Vacation Story

Walt Disney World is one of the most photographed placed on earth, you needn't look further than Instagram to know that's true. But there's a difference between capturing a couple of snapshots and creating a visual story to share. Check out our five tips for vacation storytelling through photography.

runDisney Motivates Me To Be Better

My friends know that I'll come up with just about any reason for a Walt Disney World vacation, but recently I've dedicated myself to one of my craziest plans yet. yes indeed - I signed up to run the 2018 Princess Half Marathon. Coming out of a long term health crisis I needed motivation to regain my previous fitness and stamina. So why did I chose to runDisney rather than complete a race closer to home? Sure - a fabulous vacation surrounding the race weekend was part of it, but runDisney provides more than just a stretch of road.

A Quick Stop At The BoardWalk Bakery

We all know that dining at the Walt Disney World Resorts can be an extraordinary experience. That especially holds true at the variety of venues on Disney's BoardWalk. As much as I love to dine at the wonderful table service venues, sometimes I just want to pick up a quick bite on the go, and that's when I turn to the BoardWalk Bakery.

Urban Spice Garden In Morocco Pavilion

Guests of the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival will find that the things growing in the Morocco Pavilion center around flavoring foods with a wide variety of fruits, herbs, and spices that are native to the region and lend Moroccan cuisine its unique flavor profiles. Near the rest area of this beautiful pavilion, guests will come across the Urban Spice Garden, where Disney's gardeners have planted containers of greenery producing exotic flavors.

Joffery’s Tea Treaders Café at Disney Springs

Update 10/18: While this location still offers a selection of Joffery's Tea, it is now more focused on coffee drinks.

Disney fans are known to be passionate about their coffee, and over the past several years Disney has really stepped up their java game by creating partnerships with both Starbucks and Joffey's. Both companies also has significant interests in the tea trade, and guests at Disney Springs are welcome to explore the world of the leaf at Joffery's Tea Treaders Cafe.

Galactic Mother's Day Gifts For Star Wars Loving Moms

Still thinking of the perfect gift for your Disney loving mom? Last week we had some sensational suggestions for classic gifts, but if you're mom is more galactic hero than perfect princess, take a look at the great gifts below. Go Rogue in style with this Rebel vs. Empire Twill and Vegan Leather Handbag, Wallet, and Lightweight Scarf. No one will doubt that mom is a fashion force, and she'll fit right in when meeting up with the other double agents for tea.

The Spitting Gargoyle at Impressions de France

Every now and then I come across a Disney tidbit that I probably should have know but escaped me. My most recent trip held one of these rediscovered gems when my friends and I went in search of the much overlooked "Spitting Gargoyle." We found him stoically waiting for us in the lobby of Impressions des France.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas For The Disney Mom In Your Life

Hey there - you know what time it is? Time to start shopping for Mother's Day! I know, I know, it's still a month and a half away from this annual tribute to our Moms. But after all she's done for you, don't you think Mom deserves a little forethought and planning? We've got some great new ideas for the Disney loving mom on your gift list.

Extraordinary Orchids At The Epcot International Flower And Garden Festival

I just got back from the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival; let me tell you, if you haven't been for a few years, it's time to start planning a trip. This annual extravaganza of colorful blooms has grown so much since I had last been six years ago I almost didn't know I was in the same place. It's a an explosion of natural color, fragrance, and ideas for making your world more beautiful. One of the most stunning displays that I came across this year was the Extraordinary Orchids in the Mexico Pavilion.

The Berry Basket Outdoor Kitchen At Epcot's International Flower And Garden Festival

I've been on the ground at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival all week, and I couldn't wait to get home to tell you about one of my favorite NEW Outdoor Kitchens. If you'll be at the festival yourself, be sure to head straight over to The Berry Basket.