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POSTED Tue, 01/13/2015 - 06:00 | POSTED BY Traci C.
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Disney Research Using Video to Detect Behavior of Giraffes at Night

Researchers with the Disney Research have developed a new video technique that will automatically detect unusual giraffe behaviors at night. The technique was tested by monitoring four giraffes at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

POSTED Mon, 01/05/2015 - 06:00 | POSTED BY Traci C.
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Walt Disney World Resort Announces ‘Flip Side’ Sweepstakes for January

We can't think of a better way to start the New Year than winning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation that includes an overnight stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite at the Magic Kingdom.

If that's your idea of the best way to ring in the New Year then you'll want to enter the 'Flip Side' Sweepstakes that was recently announced by Walt Disney World.

POSTED Wed, 12/04/2013 - 06:05 | POSTED BY Traci C.
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House Where Walt Disney was Born to be Restored and Preserved

Today in honor of Walt Disney's birthday, WDB Restorations LLC is announcing the groundbreaking on the restoration and preservation of the home where Walt and Roy Disney were born in Chicago.

Chicago's Mayor Rahm Emanuel has proclaimed today to be "Walt Disney Day" in honor of the groundbreaking.

The home, located at 2156 N. Tripp Avenue, was built by Elias Disney in 1893 and was designed by their mother Flora. Elias also built several of the other homes on the street.

POSTED Wed, 09/25/2013 - 05:05 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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Disney Research Invents Microphone That Transmits Sound through Your Fingertips

If you've ever wanted to send someone a secret message simply by touching their ear, Disney Research has come up with a way to do just that.

This new invention - called the Isihin-Denshin - takes the sounds that are spoken into a microphone and transforms it into a low current inaudible signal that is then sent back into the speaker's body. And this is where it gets really sci-fi - when the person who spoke into the microphone touches another person's ear that inaudible signal vibrates in the person's earlobe, recreating sound.

POSTED Tue, 08/20/2013 - 05:05 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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First Masai Giraffe Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Has a Name Thanks to Disney Parks Blog Fans

Earlier this summer a baby giraffe was born at Disney's Animal Kingdom - the very first Masai giraffe born at the park - and of course he needed a name. Not just any name would suit this little guy, so the Disney Parks Blog set up a contest to have the fans pick a name.

There was a list of names chosen by the animal care team and readers of the blog had a few days to make their picks.

POSTED Fri, 07/19/2013 - 05:05 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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2013 Disney Legend Award Honorees Announced

Eight more Disney Legends will be honored for their contributions to the Disney legacy at next month's D23 Expo.

POSTED Fri, 07/12/2013 - 05:05 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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New Alternate Reality Game ‘The Optimist’ Allows Participants to Explore Walt Disney’s Vision of Tomorrow

If you ever wanted to know what it might be like to be part of a secret project that involves solving a mystery based on Walt Disney's plans for tomorrow, then there's a new alternate reality game just for you.

POSTED Mon, 07/01/2013 - 05:05 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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Á La Mode’ Costume Contest Honoring Fans’ Creativity Planned for D23 Expo

At the D23 Expo, fans often dress in costume to honor their favorite Disney movie, attraction, or character. And at this year's D23 Expo those fans and their creativity will be showcased at the first-ever A La Mode Costume Contest.

POSTED Wed, 06/26/2013 - 05:05 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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Photos from Walt Disney’s Personal Camera Released to Members on New D23 Website

This week D23: The Official Disney Fan Club officially relaunched its website and some of the new member-exclusive content are never-before-released photos from Walt Disney's personal camera.

POSTED Mon, 06/24/2013 - 05:05 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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Former Disney Carolwood Estate Up for Sale for $90 Million

Nearly six decades after Walt and Lillian Disney built their dream house on Carolwood Drive in Los Angeles' Holmby Hills neighborhood, the 3.7 acre estate is on the market. Asking price: $90 million.

It's amazing what you can miss when you're running through the parks to ride the latest e-ticket ride. In this column we explore a variety of hidden attractions and tucked away treasures throughout the Disney parks and resorts.

Articles

POSTED Tue, 09/15/2015 - 11:00 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk
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Ocean Spray Traveling Cranberry Bog To Appear At Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Folks around these parts are counting down the days (there are 10 in case you were wondering) to the kick off of the 20-year celebration of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival! It's one of our favorite events of the year at Walt Disney World when for 53 days guests of the Epcot Theme Park are invited to snack and sip their way around, enjoying exciting flavors of the World.

POSTED Thu, 07/23/2015 - 11:00 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk
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Seven Ways To Beat The Disney Blues

Every now and then all Disney fans have to deal with the Disney Blues. It's that post vacation let down when you realize that all that work you put in planning is over, and you're home from having a fabulous time, but then the lull sets in. That melancholy feeling that settles in once everyone is done asking where you went or what you did on your trip. You spent so much time planning and getting ready, now there's a big mouse-shaped hole in your life. Never fear! We've got six super ways to beat the Disney blues.

POSTED Thu, 05/14/2015 - 11:00 | POSTED BY Guest Author

Lucasfilm Headquarters a Fun San Francisco Excursion for Star Wars Fans

Tucked into the quiet military-post-turned-national-park, among the cedar trees, and overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, lies San Francisco's Presidio. And within the Presidio lies a little bit of magic.

POSTED Thu, 03/19/2015 - 13:00 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk
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Disney Tagalongs Are Fun New Friends That Share The Magic

When it comes to Disney shopping, I must admit I'm a big kid. Last year on the Disney Parks Blog, Steven Miller showcased one of the cutest new Disney Toys I've seen in awhile - the Tagalongs! Tagalongs are little character toys that easily ride around on your shoulder using a magical, magnetic power disc. When we arrived at Walt Disney World last month, I was on the hunt for one of my own.

POSTED Thu, 01/01/2015 - 06:00 | POSTED BY Traci C.
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Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Debuts Redesigned Lobby

The renovation of the lobby at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort is complete and the new space gives the resort a fresh, new, and modern vibe while staying true to the original vision of the hotel. The waterfall feature (and its very distinct smell) might be gone but what is in its place is rather stunning.

POSTED Thu, 12/11/2014 - 06:00 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk
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Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade - VIDEO

The holidays are such a beautiful time of year down at the Walt Disney World Resort. I especially love the feeling at night when the Magic Kingdom is decked out in garlands and lights. There's nothing quite like enjoying your favorite hot beverage on a cool night while watching your favorite Disney characters joined by dancing gingerbread men and elves traveling right down the middle of Main Street U.S.A.

POSTED Wed, 11/19/2014 - 06:00 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk
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Fresh Floral Lei Share the Aloha Spirit at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

One of the most loved customs of the Polynesian Islands is that of the lei that are used to adorn the body with garlands of flowers, leaves, shells, seeds, nuts, and feathers. In Hawai'i there is a rich lei tradition where they are used to show respect and honor, or merely symbolize the aloha spirit. Beautiful lei are worn with very few rules; anyone can wear lei for any reason - no special occasion needed.

POSTED Wed, 11/05/2014 - 05:00 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk
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Limited Edition Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom Card To Be Distributed at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

We mentioned last week in the WDWFG Newsletter that Queen Elsa will be reigning over a new holiday stage show in the Magic Kingdom. The show, called "A Frozen Holiday Wish" will feature Anna, her sister Elsa, and many of their 'Frozen' friends live on the Castle Forecourt Stage. The highlight of the fun spectacle is when Elsa turns Cinderella Castle into a glittering ice palace.

POSTED Wed, 10/15/2014 - 05:00 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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In The Utilidors: Disney Underground

Every night, the fireworks explode above Cinderella Castle and the guests watching in awe might easily forget that they are actually standing on the second floor of the Magic Kingdom. Below their feet, a small city is hard at work making Disney Magic possible. The entrances to the utilidors are all around us as we travel through Magic Kingdom, but because we have no need to locate them, the doors blend seamlessly into the scenery.

POSTED Thu, 09/11/2014 - 05:00 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk

The Proverbs of Kidani Village

Animal Kingdom Lodge's Kidani Village is a beautiful example of how Disney's Imagineers strive to create a home away from home for Disney Vacation Club Members. The grandeur of Jambo House is brought down to a smaller yet equally stunning design at Kidani, giving it a warmer and more intimate feeling. One of my favorite details of Kidani Village are the simple sayings painted on the walls of the resort. Popular native proverbs from the countries of Africa express truths or common human experiences that touch the heart.