Another Flower and Garden Festival guest favorite is back for 2012 as Disney and HGTV continue their partnership and bring special presentations and demonstrations to the fest.

Recently, Disney announced this year's lineup of stars from HGTV for the 2012 International Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot. Here are the stars and the dates they are scheduled to appear:

• March 9 - 11: John Gidding, HGTV's Curb Appeal: The Block
• March 16 - 18: Sabrina Soto, HGTV's The High/Low Project

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.

Earlier this week, the Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team held practice at Field 13 at ESPN Wide World of Sports. The team, made up of U.S. military veterans who have lost a limb (in some cases, it's more than one) while serving in Afghanistan, travel the country playing exhibition games.

Joining the team on the field was Major League Baseball All-Stars Johnny Damon and A.J. Pierzynski of the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox, respectively. Both players reside in Orlando and took up their gloves to practice with the team.

Disney's newest cruise ship, the Disney Fantasy, is one step closer to its maiden voyage scheduled this spring. Yesterday, the Fantasy had its float out test in the shipyard's harbor where it's being constructed.

In true Disney fanfare, thousands turned out for a look at the ship upon the water while fireworks exploded over the harbor.

Construction will still continue on the interior of the vessel, giving it signature Disney touches.

The Fantasy's first voyage is scheduled for March 31 with a planned departure from Port Canaveral, Florida.