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One Expert is Warning Tourists to Avoid Walt Disney World this Summer Due to Zika

By now we've all heard the news reports about the Zika virus, the mosquito-borne virus that has swept through Brazil and other countries in Latin America. Recently a professor from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine warns that some families should avoid visiting Central Florida due to the risk of Zika.

Florida Man Banned from All Disney Parks for Life After Making a Meth Lab Joke

File the following under "what not to say at to cast members at the Walt Disney World Resort." A Florida man was recently banned for life from all Disney theme parks after making a joke about building a meth lab while he was speaking to a cast member at Disney's Pop Century Resort.

Disney’s Disability Access Service Card Goes Digital

Disney's Disability Access Service Card has gone digital. As of April 30 cast members will no longer be writing down return times for attractions but will now scan guests' tickets or MagicBands. This change has been instituted so that the disability accommodation can be integrated with My Disney Experience.

More Updates for the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Outdoor Kitchens Plus Cooking Demos

The 2015 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival opens March 4 (less than one week away!) and the Outdoor Kitchens will once again be serving up delicious food and beverage items. This year's festival features at least 11 Outdoor Kitchens including the all-new Botanas Botanico which will be located between France and Morocco.

Special Weekends and More Planned for the 2015 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

We're just about six weeks away from the start of the 2015 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival which begins March 4 and runs for 75 days until May 17. This year's Festival will feature new Frozen-themed topiaries, 11 Outdoor Kitchens, a new concert series, and 10 new gardens plus new weekend festivities.

Disney Springs Retail Lineup to Include Sound Lion Store

The first Sound Lion retail store in the state of Florida might be located at Disney Springs.

Disney VoluntEARS Help Build a New Playground for Kids in Central Florida

A group of Disney VoluntEARS recently helped build a new playground that provides a safe place to play for the kids of Oakland, Florida.

The VoluntEARS worked with a KaBOOM! construction crew and representatives from the town of Oakland to place 48,600 square feet of safety surfacing and assemble new playground equipment. In all more than 200 volunteers took part in the project.

Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Hotel to Offer Elf Tuck-ins and More for Holiday Season

Guests as the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel can experience some holiday magic this year with the resort's Holiday Happenings event.

The month-long Holiday Happenings event begins in December and will feature a Florida-themed Santa and Mrs. Claus who will be meeting and greeting guests in Santa's tiki hut. The hut will be decorated with palm trees, flamingos, and reindeer.

Orlando City Soccer Club Will Play 2014 Home Games at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

The Orlando City Soccer Club announced plans to play its 2014 home games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort.
This temporary move occurs as the Lions' home stadium, the Florida Citrus Bowl, is undergoing renovations.

Fans can purchase tickets for the 2014 season immediately, while season ticket holders for 2014 will receive first choice for seats for the 2015 season, which is expected to be the Lions' inaugural Major League Soccer season.

Sustainable Florida Recognizes the Walt Disney World Recognized for Energy Conservation

The Walt Disney World Resort was recently recognized by Sustainable Florida for their work with energy conservation and was given the organization's large business best practice award.

The company had set a goal to reduce electrical usage by 10 percent and based the goal on its 2006 consumption. In this year alone, Walt Disney World saved enough electricity to power Space Mountain for 35 years.

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Articles

Fantasmic! A Disney Hollywood Studios Nighttime Spectacular

When the sun goes down at Walt Disney World it doesn't have to be time to head home. My family loves to spend nighttime in the parks and explore all of the magical details of Disney after dark. Fans know that some of the most spectacular shows and effects that Disney has created to entertain the masses happen at the end of the night. Fan favorites include "Wishes" Magic Kingdom Fireworks, Epcot's "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth", and my favorite at Disney's Hollywood Studios "Fantasmic!"

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.

Should Disney Continue with Stand Alone Hotels?

It was announced last month that The Walt Disney Company has canceled plans to build a 500 room National Harbor resort in Washington, D.C. Disney purchased the 15 acres in May of 2009 for $11 million.

Looking to build a stand-alone Disney branded hotel, they pulled out with Disney spokeswoman Kristin Nolt Wingard stating, "Given the full slate of expansion currently underway at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, the timing isn't right to proceed with another new project of this scale."

5 Ways To Get Back To Nature At Walt Disney World

With so many exciting activities at the theme parks, many people don't realize that you can spend some time interacting with nature at Walt Disney World as well. Conservation and education were always important to Walt, and the company continues to find ways to offer some simpler pleasure to it's guests. Check out my 5 favorite ways to get back to nature in Disney.

Orlando's Winter Weather

Every year thousands of northerners head south to Florida in an effort to take a break from the cold and snow. After freezing, shoveling, and slipping on the ice, they pack their bags during December, January and February trying to recapture the sun and warmth that they are missing in the cold arctic blasts. However, old man winter can be a cranky guy and the January weather in Florida has become increasingly colder.

Walt Disney World Resort Leads the Way in Florida's Green Lodging

More and more frequently today families are concerned with the environment; they conserve water, recycle cans and papers, drive hybrid cars, and do what ever they can to help make a better world. Even tourism is going green, and more choices are being made for eco-friendly travel. However, relatively few people realize what a strong choice for environmental conservancy they make when traveling with Disney.