Both Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party are popular events at Disney but often I'm asked which one is better. To be honest I don't think there is one right answer to this question but I do think that individually one can be better for you!

At a press conference yesterday, Bob Iger and Tom Staggs announced that Disney and the folks that brought you AVATAR have formed a "long-term creative partnership" that will include bringing the movie's fantasy world to Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Like many Disney fans I have a bookshelf full of Disney titles from authors of yesterday and today. I'm always looking for a new text to dive into and Samland is a frequent stop in my quest for information on great Disney Books to pick up.

It was a huge hit when it was released some seventeen years ago, and now it's 3-D version has taken the theaters by storm. "The Lion King" reigned supreme at the box office this past weekend, taking in an estimated $29.3 million.

This amount almost doubles the $15 million Disney had estimated the film to gross and may be attributed partly to the vast majority of "Lion King" audiences opting to check out the 3-D version of the classic film. It's said that 92 percent of the film's viewers elected to buy the pricier 3-D ticket this weekend.

Packing to go vacation can be a stressful affair, but when it's time to come home, figuring out how to transport your souvenirs can give you nightmares all over again. With Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival fast approaching it's a good time to take a look at the nuances of transporting liquid and glass in luggage.

There are two new dining experiences on the horizon for Walt Disney World guests - a character lunch and a holiday dinner.

First off, the Animal Kingdom's Tusker House will be expanding the Donald and Daisy-themed character breakfast to include a character lunch. Starting December 4, the Donald's Dining Safari lunch will let guests enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet with African touches in a character dining atmosphere. Reservations for this new experience began September 15.

OSHA has cited and fined Walt Disney World for safety violations following the March death of a worker on the Animal Kingdom ride Primeval Whirl.

Russell Roscoe, a maintenance employee, was killed by one of the ride's vehicles in March as he was working on the roller coaster. The Primeval Whirl, originally closed in January for refurbishment, remained closed after the accident.

Disney got a new head of casting when it hired Randi Hiller to fill the slot of VP of casting. The post had been vacant since February's layoffs.

Hiller, an independent casting director with more than twenty years of experience, has worked on Marvel pictures in the past, including "The Avengers," "Thor," and "Iron Man 2." Her resume also includes a few past Disney pics - "Miracle" and "Race to Witch Mountain." She is also noted for her work on the Oscar-winner "Crash."

We are traveling back to the 90's (and early 2000's) today to reminisce about The Legend of the Lion King. This attraction was the predecessor to the successful Lion King show on Broadway.

Background
Legend of the Lion King opened in 1994 in Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland Theater and replaced the Magic Journeys 3D movie, which had been the main attraction at the Fantasyland Theater since 1987. Interestingly enough the Lion King show and the Lion King movie were being developed at the same time.

The Show

Walt Disney World Foodies, take note: the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is gearing up to host its second annual Food and Wine Classic next month. The Classic looks to combine great food, wine and music along the causeway near Crescent Lake.

Along with the bevy of treats and eats from the resorts' award-winning restaurants, guests will have the opportunity to meet celebrity chef Todd English as well as many other resort chefs.