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Mini Ear Hats to Hit Disney Parks This Fall

Anybody who sets foot inside a Disney park can see guests love Disney hats, and now those hat-loving guests will have one more option this fall: MousekeEars.

Orlando Planning New Sculptures Around Its Downtown Area

If you ask anyone what structures come to mind when you mention central Florida, Cinderella's Castle or the Epcot Ball are certainly forerunners in the answer. Orlando is looking to bring some of that notoriety within its city limits with plans to add nine large, new sculptures in its downtown area, and they are also looking for ideas from artists worldwide.

Chat With Disney Imagineer Reveals Reimagined Test Track Details

Today over at the Disney Parks Blog, a live chat was held with Imagineer Melissa Jeselnick. The Imagineer revealed some details about the currently-being-revamped Test Track in Epcot.

First off, Jeselnick said guests can expect a totally different queue area, noting it "will look like nothing guests are used to seeing it look." The design aspect of automotives will dominate the queue; look for "items, sketches, cars and models from GM that have never been seen outside the Chevrolet family."

New Phineas & Ferb Experience Coming to Downtown Disney

Calling all Phineas and Ferb fans: Downtown Disney will be the site of a new, all-ages experience featuring the braniac duo starting next month. "Phineas & Ferb & YOU: A Brand New Reality" is set to start September 1 in DD.

This new experience will let guests step in and interact virtually with Phineas, Ferb, Dr. Doofenshmirtz and Agent P. To do so, guests will step onto a platform and then be able to see themselves ineracting with the characters on a screen. There will be twenty different interactions, including "The Platypus Walk" and experiencing Dr. Doofenshmirtz's Freeze-inator.

New and Improved Fantasyland Set to Debut December 6

The big news out of Walt Disney World recently is that guests visiting the Magic Kingdom this December will get to see the fruits of the Fantasyland expansion labor. December 6 is the date set for the new Fantasyland's grand opening.

Walt Disney World Rumors: Adventureland and Avatarland

Who doesn't love a good rumor now and then? Here are two newer rumors about the happiest place on earth that are currently making the rounds.

Disney Scented Air Fresheners Coming in August

Ever wished you could bring the scent of a Disney park home with you? Soon, you'll be able to! Disney is planning to release four new air fresheners in August that capture the smells of some of the best-loved treats at the parks.

Guests will be able to take home air fresheners based on the following Disney food items: a turkey leg, a Mickey-shaped premium ice cream bar, a candy apple and a Mickey waffle.

The air fresheners, which have been over a year in the making, will retail for 5.95 each. Look for them this August inside Disney parks.

Animal Kingdom Welcomes Baby Okapi

The okapi population at Disney's Animal Kingdom just got a little bigger with the addition of a new calf late last month. The newest okapi, a female named Nafuna, was born June 21.

Here are some fun stats about Nafuna's birth:

  • Her name is African and means "delivered feet first."
  • Nafuna weighed 35 pounds at birth.
  • The proud parents are first-time mom Zawadi and father Akili.

Royal Plaza Hotel at Walt Disney World to Become a B Hotel

The Royal Plaza Hotel at Walt Disney World will soon be getting a makeover and a new name. Earlier this week, B Hotels & Resorts LLC announced they would make the Royal Plaza a B Hotel.

This will make the third B Hotel in Florida. The B Ocean Fort Lauderdale opened last year while the B Hotel South Beach is set to open early 2013. In addition, B Hotels & Resorts LLC are planning to start a full service budget chain of hotels called "b2." The first of this chain is expected to debut in Miami early next year.

Disney Studios Names New President Of Worldwide Marketing

Walt Disney Studios has ushered in a new president of worldwide marketing. Ricky Strauss, a Hollywood veteran, has been named to replace MT Carney in that role.

Up until his recent naming as Disney Studios' top marketing exec, Strauss was the president of Participant Media. Under his seven year tenure there, he was responsible for production and marketing of the studio's "socially responsible" pictures. Prior to that, Strauss spent time as a marketing executive with Columbia Pictures.

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2012 Food and Wine Festival Marketplace Booth Menus

The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is taking place from September 28-November 12, 2012 at the Walt Disney World Resort. I can't wait to get back down to Disney and experience all the wonderful flavors of the world that this event offers. From the chatter going on over in the Walt Disney world For Grown Ups Forum, many of you can't wait either!

Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure

Kim Possible has been closed since May 18th and we eagerly await the launch of Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P's World Showcase Adventure sometime in late June!

Explore Epcot's New Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar

Eating and drinking my way around Epcot has always been one of my favorite activities, and good Italian is one of my very favorite ways to indulge. This week the delicious restaurant Tutto Italia re-opened with new menu items, newly designed seating, and outdoor patio, and the stellar addition of a brand new wine bar called Tutto Gusto!

It's the Walt Disney World Marathon's 20th Anniversary

Coming in 2013 the Walt Disney World Marathon will be celebrating it's 20th Anniversary Race during a fun filled weekend of activities for all ages. Race weekend (January 10th-13th, 2013) hosts fun events for families to enjoy that stress the importance of physical fitness for every age.

Disney Vacation Club Point Charts and Home Resort Advantage Are Great for Early Planners

Last week the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) sent out email to it's members announcing that the point charts for 2013 had been released. This is exciting news for owners as it means that they can sit down and really start to plan out their upcoming vacations!

Suite Themes at Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Have you seen the new concept art that's been released for the Art of Animation Resort? We've got a peek for you! These Lion King layouts seem to take you and your family right into the middle of Simba's animated savanna when kids and adults alike can share in the circle of life.