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Disney News Round-Up: New Disney Vera Bradley Designs, New Popcorn Flavors, and More

Happy Wednesday and welcome to another edition of our Disney news round-up! The Magic Kingdom was recently named the #3 amusement park in the country in Trip Advisor's Travelers' Choice Awards. Disney's Hollywood Studios was #6 on the list, and Disney's Animal Kingdom was #10.

Disney Makes Donation to OneOrlando Fund Following Mass Shooting at Pulse Nightclub and Security is Increased at all Disney Properties

As Orlando and the rest of the world continues to mourn the victims of Saturday's mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub, the Walt Disney Company has announced a $1 million cash commitment to the OneOrlando Fund.

Dapper Dans Help Celebrate Southwest Airline’s First Non-Stop Dallas to Orlando Flight from Love Field

The Dapper Dans, the famous barbershop quartet from the Magic Kingdom, helped make a recent flight from Dallas to Orlando a bit more magical.

To celebrate Southwest Airline's first non-stop flight from Dallas' Love Field to Orlando International Airport, the quartet provided in-flight entertainment.

On October 13 at Flight #887 was departing Love Field, Jungle Cruise Skipper "Jungle Jane" made the flight announcements and during the flight the passengers were served Mickey Mouse-shaped treats.

Disney VoluntEARS Create Handmade Items for Central Florida Hospitals and Other Groups

A group of Disney VoluntEARS known as BlanketEARS are working hard to make handmade items to donate to local organizations in Central Florida.

The VoluntEARS dedicate their time to knit, crochet, and stitch baby hats, scarves, pillowcases, and blankets for babies, kids, and other residents in the area.

The BlanketEARS have been working together in the group for the past seven years and the group was initially formed to knit caps for soldiers who were stationed overseas.

Uber Car Service Launches App in Orlando despite Lacking Vehicle-for-Hire Permits

A new car service has launched in the Orlando area, but local officials haven't exactly rolled out the welcome mat.

Uber, a San Francisco-based company, launched its app-based car service on June 4 in Orlando despite lacking the proper vehicle-for-hire permits. The app connects potential passengers to ordinary local citizens who are willing to use their personal vehicles to give rides.

Disney Expanding Golden Oak Site to a Total of 400 Homes in Eight Neighborhoods

Golden Oak, the exclusive and gated residential community within the Walt Disney World Resort, is expanding.

The residential area debuted in 2010 and currently includes 100 homes in four neighborhoods. When the area is completed it will be comprised of eight neighborhoods with nearly 400 homes total.

To date, only 40 of the 100 current home sites have been purchased. The homes in Golden Oak range in price from $1.8 to $6 million and all are custom built. The development also features parks, gardens, and natural preserves.

Eight Disney Parks Resorts Named Silver Badge Winners by U.S. News & World Report

Several of Disney's top resorts have been named Silver Badge Winners by U.S. News & World Report in their annual "best of" series.

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel came in at the top of the list of "best of" hotels in the Anaheim/Disneyland area. It ranked #1 out of 315 hotels in that area, and was #142 in Best California Hotels, and #11 in Disney Hotels and Resorts.

WestJet Debuts New ‘Magic Plane’ Featuring Sorcerer Mickey

WestJet recently unveiled its newest custom-painted aircraft and this one features Sorcerer Mickey and has been dubbed the "Magic Plane."

The aircraft was unveiled on December 2 by WestJet, WestJet Vacations, and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts (Canada) and made its inaugural flight on December 3 from Calgary to Orlando.

Largest Electric Car Rental Fleet in the Country Launches in Orlando with Walt Disney World Resort as a Partner

The next time you visit Orlando for a Walt Disney World vacation, maybe think about going green and renting an electric car.

The nation's largest electric car rental fleet is launching in Orlando as part of the Drive Electric Orlando program. And the Walt Disney World Resort is a partner in the program.

Venus Williams and Andy Roddick Set to Headline Mylan WTT Smash Hits Charity Tennis Event at Walt Disney World Resort

Two former number-one-in-the-world ranked tennis players - Venus Williams and Andy Roddick - will be headlining a charity night of tennis at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex this fall.

The event is the Mylan WTT Smash Hits presented by GEICO and it's co-hosted by Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King. This year's event is planned for Sunday, November 1 at the HP Field House and it locally hosted by Robert and Tricia Earl.

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Articles

Travel Tips for Winter Weather Help Plan For The Unexpected

Mother Nature can sometimes put a kink in the plans of even the most experienced traveler, but with a little pre-planning you can make sure that your family is prepared for anything. With a heavy winter storm bearing down on thirty-three states over this Thanksgiving weekend, it seems like a good time to revisit some of our previous articles on winter travel.

Top 10 Spots for a Beer with Dad at Disney

Father's Day is Sunday and to celebrate our Disney loving Dads I thought I would come up with a list of the top 10 places to share a beer with Dad at Walt Disney World. There's no shortage of spots to grab a brew, but these all have something just a little more special about them. They all have that magical spark that can make any day a celebration. So without further ado, and in no particular order... away we go!

Downtown Disney Hotels - What You Need To Know

If you've been to the Downtown Disney area you've seen the hotels. Maybe you've stayed at one or all of them. Or maybe you're wondering if it's worth it to say "off property." While we can't tell you where to stay, we can tell you that the Downtown Disney area hotels have enough magical amenities that they're worth considering for your next trip.

The Magic Kingdom's Liberty Belle Riverboat

Located in Liberty Square at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom you can find one of the more unique vessels in the Disney Fleet. An authentic steam powered stern mounted paddle wheeler ferrying guests along the Rivers of America named the Liberty Bell.

Walgreens Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival At Downtown Disney

The Walgreens Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival pays homage to the traditional water-sport festivals which originated with the Ancient Chinese. In Chinese custom, a dragon represents wisdom and is a powerful symbol of spring rain and growth. Disney World created this fun event in 2008 to inspire guests to refresh their mind and body in both amusement and health. Recently this event was honored with the "Best Single Sport Event Award" at the SportsTravel Awards.

Hiring a Car in Orlando

Though many guests coming to Walt Disney World and staying on property opt to use Disney's Magical Express for their transportation needs, sometimes it's easier and more convenient to hire a car and take a limo. I am a particular fan of using town cars for my transportation needs when a bus just doesn't cut it.

Three Great High Energy Bars

We've covered a lot of Disney Bars and Lounges over the past year, but these three are my picks for the top high energy clubs on all of Walt Disney World property. So if you're looking for a place to cap off your night with music, fun, and abundant cocktails, this is the list for you! Next time you're looking for some extraordinary Disney nightlife, give one of these three places a try.

Disney Castmember BlanketEARs Stitch for a Cause

Back in 2007, a group of Disney castmembers would meet once a week to knit caps for soldiers that were serving overseas. In the past 5 years, the group has grown into a larger organization that calls themselves the BlanketEARS.

Banana Cabana Pool Bar at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

Amongst Walt Disney World pool bars, this one may very well have the most cult-like following of all. Guests and fans of Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort will happily sing the praises of the Banana Cabana Poolside Bar at Old Port Royale. It's one of the things that this resort's guests look forward to most as they plan their next Orlando vacations.