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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.

Disney’s Polynesian Resort Announced as Next Disney Vacation Club Location

After much speculation, it's official. Disney's Polynesian Resort is the next location for the Disney Vacation Club.

This announcement came via press release that was quickly shared online, and comes after much debate as to where they next DVC location might be. The newest DVC property, The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, is scheduled to open on October 23.

Disney Parks and Resorts Celebrating 60 Years of Imagineering at D23 Expo

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Walt Disney Imagineering and the origins of Disney Parks and Resorts, and as part of the celebration Imagineering is hosting an open house at the D23 Expo in August, offering guests an unprecedented look at the creative process that happens within Imagineering.

News Tidbits: Christmas Party Sells Out & Valet Parking Price Increases

Here are a couple of news tidbits from around Walt Disney World.

First up, those of you who want to take in the first day of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on November 9 but don't have a ticket yet are out of luck. Yes, the November 9 opening date of this year's after-hours holiday bash at the Magic Kingdom is now sold out. Good news: there are still tickets to be had for future dates of the party. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is set to run November 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, and 30; it will also run December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 21.

'Magic Band' on the Horizon for Disney Tickets?

Could an electronic wristband that would replace paper tickets at Disney parks be in the works? Possibly, according to a Disney filing with the Federal Communications Commission.

The report, filed by Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts, is for a "radio-frequency wrist band." The name given to the device on the cover letter sent to the FCC by Disney is "Magic Band."

The "Magic Band" is described in the FCC filing as follows:

Wi-Fi Now Available at the Magic Kingdom

Back in March, Walt Disney World made high-speed wireless internet service available to those staying within its resorts. Now, Disney has taken the first step in making access to free wi-fi a reality within its parks: guests can now connect to the internet sans wires in the Magic Kingdom.

Disney Parks Expansions and Additions Exceed $3 Billion

When Disney improves upon its parks, it improves. The company has surpassed the $3 billion mark in its park additions and expansions - a first in its history. To give an idea of where all that moolah is going, here is a breakdown of recent work at Disney parks worldwide:

  • Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World: The Fantasyland expansion, the largest in the park's four decade history, will top out around $425 million when the construction is done.

Disney Makes Changes To Appearance Codes For Employees

Recently, Disney announced some changes in their policies affecting appearances of their employees. First, for the first time in sixty years, Disney will allow male workers in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland parks to grow beards or goatees. Next, the company will allow employees to partake in casual Friday.

Disney To Stop Newspaper Delivery To Rooms

Those guests staying at deluxe Disney resorts will have one less perk to look forward to now. As of January 30, Disney has stopped the daily weekday delivery of the USA Today newspaper to the rooms of its deluxe resorts.

Those resorts affected by this change are:

  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Disney's BoardWalk Inn
    Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort
  • Disney's Polynesian Resort
  • Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
  • Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Sneak Peak of Art of Animation Resort's Food Court Offerings

We're still a few months away from the opening of Disney's Art of Animation Resort, but details of the resort's food court, Landscape of Flavors, have surfaced.

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Articles

Walt Disney World Resort Comparisons: Pools

When choosing a Resort to stay at on a Walt Disney World Vacation, there are a wide variety of options that travelers can use to compare. Disney offers four different resort categories, each offering both subtle and significant differences. In this newly updated post we'll look at a few of the popular amenities that help guests make the decision of which hotel will be best for them.

The FREE MyDisneyExperience App Helps Keep Your Travel Plans On Hand

As we recently mentioned Guests who have planned their vacations ahead of time using the MyDisneyExperience website can keep all of the information in the palm of their hands with the free synchronized MyDisneyExperience Mobile App.

5 (or more) Reasons To Love Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Disney's Polynesian was one of the two original Walt Disney World Hotels and it continues to be a perennial fan favorite. Though refurbs and make-overs there are some things the "Poly" has always done better than anywhere else. I thank the Aloha Spirit that permeates the atmosphere and greats every guest to this tropical paradise. The resort is currently undergoing a multi-year re-imagining - the largest transformation since it's 1985 additions.

5 Reasons To Love Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa at Walt Disney World is a charming Deluxe Villa resort styled in the fashion of the famous New York Resorts of the 1800's. With Victorian charm, this retreat is nestled between lush Lake Buena Vista golf course greens and the shimmering Village Lake, just across the water from Downtown Disney. It's a delightful property with spacious villas and convenient parking. In no particular order, here are 5 great reasons to love this hotel!

Working Out While On Your Walt Disney World Vacation

A regular exercise can reduce stress and improve overall well being, but for many guests vacation means a two-week hiatus from their regular fitness routine. However, if fitness is your passion there's no reason time away has to put a crimp in your style. The Walt Disney World Resort offers several world-class fitness options so guests don't have to leave healthy habits behind. Here are three fantastic options for vacation workouts.

Details for Avatar-Inspired Land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Announced at D23 Expo Japan

After two years of rumor and speculation, the Avatar-themed land at Disney's Animal Kingdom really is happening.

Last weekend at the D23 Expo Japan, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Tom Staggs presented a first look at the new Avatar-inspired experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The announcement came via a video featuring James Cameron, director of Avatar and Walt Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde. You can watch it below.

5 Things We Love About Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Disney's newest Resort Hotel is a fun romp through the world of animation. The wildly popular Disney's Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World opened up in May 2012 and has been already gained a following of dedicated fans. Here are five reasons that we think this could be the hotel for you.

Walt Disney World Resort Comparisons: Overall Recreation

Last week we took a look at the differences between value, moderate and deluxe resorts when it comes to the pools, but a swimming isn't the only form of recreation that can be found at Walt Disney World for folks who would like to spend some time outside of the Parks. Many of the beautiful Disney hotel properties also offer other recreation opportunities to enjoy while you are a guest.

Disney's Niche Story Rooms at WDW Resort Hotels

Walt Disney World is known for the exciting and detailed themes of it's Resort Hotels. They not only offer a safe and clean room to stay in close to the Parks but through the magic of Imagineering have a way of transporting you from the reality of Central Florida to exotic locals around the globe and even into the worlds of Disney Movies. Staying "on property" is a truly magical experience no matter where you stay. However, some of Disney's resorts offer special niche rooms that offer just a little bit more flair.

Congressional Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus Questions Disney on MyMagic+

Last week Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger received a letter from the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus, Edward Markey, (D- Mass). The letter called the company on the carpet and demanded answers to seven multi-part questions about the collection of personal date from guests, with a focus on youth.