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President Obama To Visit Disney World

President Barack Obama will be in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World this Thursday to "unveil a strategy that will significantly help boost tourism and travel."

At this time, the specifics of the tourism plans aren't readily available, but Blain Rethmeier, senior vice president of public affars at the U.S. Travel Association had this to say:

We understand that he [Obama] is going to trumpet the value of travel generally and improve facilitation for international travel, especially from China and Brazil.

Wind Chill Causes Disney To Cancel Some Activities

A wind chill advisory in the central Florida area caused several outdoor activities in and around Walt Disney World to be canceled on Tuesday as the forecast called for the temperature to feel like it was in the high teens.

Among the activities affected by the cold weather included evening campfires, which were canceled at the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Yacht Club and Beach Club. Also canceled for Tuesday as well as Wednesday, January 4 are the Pirate speciality cruises. The Spirit of Aloha dinner shows were also a victim of the cold weather.

Decorating WDW By the Stats

Ever wondered exactly what it takes to make Walt Disney World its festive Christmas best? Here are some of those stats, courtesy of the Disney Parks Blog, in a holiday "infographic."

Holiday Infographic

Source

Spotlight on a Disney Santa

Luther Hunter, a seventy-one-year-old hailing from Gastonia, North Carolina, will spend this Christmas playing Santa in Walt Disney World - just as he has for the past two decades. This year marks Hunter's twenty-first appearance as Santa at the happiest place on earth.

Hunter got the job as the jolly man in red at Disney after meeting a casting director in a toy store in which he was playing Santa. He told the director it had been his dream to be St. Nick at Disney World and was later hired for that very job.

Construction Begins on Four Seasons

Back in September, we brought you news that construction on the Four Seasons Orlando Hotel would begin in December. Looks like that bit of news has panned out as ground was broke this week to start the construction of the luxury hotel near Walt Disney World.

Mickey Mouse and Meg Crofton, President of Walt Disney Parks and Resort Operations, were both on hand last week for the official breaking of ground on the hotel project.

App Puts WDW At Your Fingertips

Of course, there's an app for that. For those guests who have an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, the Walt Disney World Pro app can put Walt Disney World right in the palm of the hand. Literally.

Animal Kingdom Biologist Nominated for Conservation Award

Anne Savage, Ph.D., a senior conservation biologist with Disney's Animal Kingdom, has been nominated for the Indianapolis Prize, the world's leading award for animal conservation.

The prize comes about every two years and is awarded to one who has spent a lifetime saving endangered species. Currently, there are twenty-nine nominees, and in the spring of 2012, the Prize nominating committee will choose six finalists from that group. From those six, a jury will decide the winner. Look for that decision come mid-2012.

Walt Disney World Will See Eleven Weddings Today

Walt Disney World is a wedding ceremony destination for about a thousand couples every year, and today the resort will be full of wedding bells. In honor of today's date, 11-11-11, Walt Disney World will be hosting the weddings of eleven couples from eleven different states.

Korri McFann, Worldwide Marketing & Business Development Director, Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons, says:

Walt Disney World Speedway to Have New Exotic Cars in January

Walt Disney World guests who feel the need for speed will like what's coming to the Speedway in the new year. A new fleet of exotic supercars plus a new track will be available to provide guests with a new "exotic auto experience."

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

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Articles

Hit the Links on Vacation With Walt Disney World Golf

Did you know that for many Disney guests, playing a round of golf has been a vacation tradition since the resort opened in 1971? It's not uncommon to find fans of the Disney Courses who have come down for the weekend just to hit the links. Walt Disney World Golf offers several challenging courses are lead by Arnold Palmer's vision and management, including the famous Magnolia course, home to a Mickey shaped sand-trap on the 6th hole.

Vacation Photography Tips for Beginners: Summertime

Are you headed out on a Walt Disney World Vacation this summer? If so there are a few things to keep in mind to keep your vacation pictures looking brilliant and fun even if you're battling the heat and crowds. Here are a few tips for you to capture your vacation, while still enjoying all that Walt Disney World has to offer.

The Earffel Tower

The Earffel Tower was one of the first icons of Disney's Hollywood Studios when it opened back in 1989 as Disney-MGM Studios. The tall structure on the Park's back lot, stands a proud 130 feet high and is capped with one gigantic pair of Mickey Ears. It was meant to pay homage to the water towers found on studio backlots during the early days of Hollywood.

Special Rates for Florida Residents at the Walt Disney Resort This Summer

If you're a resident of the Sunshine State and you want to enjoy the Monstrous Summer planned for the Walt Disney World Resort, listen up! Special nightly rates at Disney resort hotels are available through mid-August.

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

Deep within the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World lies your opportunity to battle evil and save the galaxy. Galactic Hero Buzz Lightyear, from the Disney-Pixar hit Toy Story movies, is recruiting Junior Rangers to protect the universe from Evil Emperor Zurg. Recruits should make their way directly to Tomorrowland to join up, or at least to grab a FastPass.

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort offers a Taste of Americana

Disney Imagineers are known for their attention to detail, and the theming throughout the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels is no exception. Every nook, every cranny of a resort is meticulously put together in order to transport you to another time and place. You thought your were going on vacation to Florida in 2012?

Take Flight over California on Soarin’ at Epcot's The Land

It's one of those must-do-and-I-will-run-to-get-FastPasses rides. A visit to Epcot is just not complete until you've had a chance to ride at least once. OK, maybe twice. And then there's the fact that guests actually applaud at the end of each flight. Yes, I'm talking about Soarin'.

Frozen Coke – The Perfect Icy Drink On A Hot Disney day!

There are so many beverage choices at Walt Disney World from water to pop (or soda!) to adult beverages like beer, margaritas and of course the Grand Marnier Slush. But, if you're looking for the perfect non-alcoholic drink to cool you down you should think about finding a frozen Coke!

Disney Shorts: Mickey Mouse in Croissant de Triomphe

Some guys will do just about anything for their girls and Mickey Mouse is no exception. The Mouse pays homage to his beautiful girl in this brand new Disney Short film that's taken the Internet by storm. A fast frolick through France begins when Minnie Mouse runs out of croissants at her Parisian cafe!

Be 'That Guy' at the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor

Walt Disney World Resort has declared 2013 a Monsterous Summer to celebrate the June 21 release of the Disney-Pixar animated feature, "Monsters University." To honor his alma mater, everyone's favorite one-eyed MC has instructed his gang at the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor to come up with some brand new jokes to delight Magic Kingdom guests and gather the laughs to power Monstropolis.