LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (May 12, 2010) – Work begins soon on an exciting new resort hotel built around the themes of Disney animation, Walt Disney World Resort announced today. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will be one-of-a-kind, featuring family suites designed around four themes: The Lion King, Cars, Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid.

Crowned by a 35-foot-tall model of King Triton, the family-friendly resort will have themed room interiors in its nearly 2,000 new units — 1,120 family suites in The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo wings and 864 themed rooms in The Little Mermaid wings. Suites will have both a living room and a bedroom.

“These themes have both compelling storylines and vivid visuals which will come together to create a truly memorable, immersive resort experience,” said Eric Jacobson, Senior Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering. “With more multi-generational families vacationing together, guests are looking for places where they can play together and stay together. This resort was designed with the needs of families in mind, as we continue the Disney tradition of providing a great guest experience for every taste and budget.”

Added Tom Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts: “We are always looking for opportunities to expand and enhance our Walt Disney World offerings, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a great example of those efforts. This new resort will feature some of our most beloved characters and stories in a unique and special way that we think our guests will really enjoy. This project also underscores our optimism about the future, as we continue to invest in new experiences for our guests around the globe.”

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, the 26th resort at Walt Disney World, will be one-of-a-kind, with themed building exteriors and room interiors, and larger-than-life icons from the animated films in the courtyard areas. To be located next to Disney’s Pop Century Resort, all of the themed suites and rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are expected to open by the end of 2012.

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Every summer, Sea World keeps its gates open, its rides running and its show performing late into the night. And it’s all included in your regular Sea World admission. There’s music, a special nighttime Shamu Rocks! Show, the late-night antics of sea lions and otters, incredible fireworks, and the awesome spectacle of Manta at night.

Spin, glide and skim at top speeds by moonlight on Manta, Sea World’s newest coaster and animal encounter combination – an experience only Sea World could create. You’ll ride the coaster, head-first and face-down, as if you were a Manta Ray yourself – it’s a park favorite that is rapidly becoming a coaster-enthusiast fave as well.

Shamu Rocks is a high-energy rock and roll killer whale show, featuring music from some of the best in the business, an amazing light show and of course Sea World’s iconic orcas – incredible by day, even more amazing by night. There are also laughs to be had over at Sea Lion Theater. The popular (and hysterical) duo of Clyde and Seymour keep the comedy going after dark with Sea Lions Tonite, a parody of all the park’s daytime activities performed by sea lions, otters and walrus, with the occasional help from human actors and trainers. End the night with one of Orlando’s most amazing fireworks displays, plus an incredible display of specially-lit fountains and soaring sprays of water.

If you’re really looking to splash out (ha-ha), look into Sea World’s special VIP After Dark tour. It’s 7 hours long, guided by your own private tour host and includes dinner, a dolphin feeding opportunity, front of line access to Manta (as many times as you want) and special seating for all shows. This tour is not included in the price of admission but if you’ve got the cash to flash, it’s worth it.

For more information on Sea World Orlando and Sea World After Dark, visit http://www.seaworldorlando.com or call 1-888-800-5447.

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FILM OF THE MONTH

Silly Symphonies (1929-1939)
1:00pm and 4:00pm, Theater
(except Tuesdays and June 19 and June 26.)

Tickets available online at www.waltdisney.org

Starting with The Skeleton Dance in 1929 and ending with The Ugly Ducking remake in 1939, the Silly Symphonies is a series of 75 cartoons based on musical themes. The film of the month comprises selections from the series, which feature a different cast of characters in each installment. Highlights include The Old Mill (1937), Flowers and Tress (1932), Music Land (1935) and The Three Little Pigs (1933).

JUNE LECTURES

June 19 – Innovations in Animation: Sound, Color, and Depth
3:00 pm, Theater
Tickets available online at www.waltdisney.org

Walt Disney tested new technologies in the Silly Symphonies and produced animated shorts with sound, color, and depth. Russell Merritt, professor of Film Studies at Berkeley and co-author of Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies, will discuss Music Land, Flowers and Trees, and The Old Mill among other groundbreaking shorts.

June 26 – Firsts in Animation: A Look Back and Forward with Don Hahn
3:00 pm, Theater
Tickets available online at www.waltdisney.org

Learn how Walt took risks that pushed the boundaries in the industry and changed animation forever. Film producer (The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast) and director Don Hahn discusses “firsts in animation” and highlights the new technological and artistic developments in the industry.

JUNE DISNEY DISCOVERIES! + LOOK CLOSER SERIES

DISNEY DISCOVERIES: Second Saturday of each month

June 12 – Disney Discoveries! Silly Cartoon Cranked Moviola
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Learning Center Art Studio

Imaginations and creativity will soar with our new Disney Discoveries! The second Saturday of each month, join us for family fun and activities in the Learning Center. The activities planned by our education staff will inspire the hidden artist in young visitors while learning about the life and work of Walt Disney.

The Disney Discoveries! Activities are free with paid admission to the Museum. No ticket is needed for members—just show your membership card.

LOOK CLOSER:

June 25, 26 + 27 – Look Closer: Multiplane Camera
11:00 am and 2:00 pm, Theater Lobby

Would you like to know more about one of the artifacts in the galleries? Our Look Closer series will give you that opportunity. In the 15 – 30-minute gallery talk, staff will reveal little known facts and information not on the gallery label.

The Look Closer series is free with paid admission to the Museum. Members are always free and no ticket is needed. Just show your membership card.

The Walt Disney Family Museum
104 Montgomery Street, The Presidio of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA 94129

Admissions: Various: check Website for details.

WEBSITE: waltdisney.org

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/TheWaltDisneyFamilyMuseum

May 14 – 16, Chubby Checker & The Wildcats “The Twist”: Flower Power Concert Series Fills Weekends with Special Music during 2010 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. America Gardens Theatre shows at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m.

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Orlando offers many water parks and all of them are a great way to beat the stifling summer heat. But for family members who aren’t strong swimmers or who don’t know how to swim at all, pool time isn’t always an option. But now it can be — Aquatica, Orlando’s newest water park (and my personal favorite), is offering Red Cross-certified swimming lessons for children as young as 6 months old.

Children need to be enrolled 48 hours before the class begins — June 14th is the start of level one, with more advanced lessons (level 2) beginning on June 28, with 8 half hour sessions for each level. Parents attending class with their children must have their own Aquatica Pass. Classes are 9 for the entire session; Sea World Annual Pass holders get 0 off that price.

While Aquatica swim lessons are best for people on long Orlando vacations or locals who love the parks, there are plenty of basic water safety tips you can follow to beat the heat without worry.

• Never, ever let kids use pools or slides without supervision. All the water parks have lifeguards and employees on duty, but there is no substitute for your eyes on your child. You can get swim vests for young swimmers, too, and some parks will also allow outside floatables (like “water wings” or “swimmies”) — check with the individual parks to see what they offer and what they allow.
• Read all posted signs. Check height requirements and health requirements. Follow instructions for how to ride the water slides. Be sure to pay extra attention when moving from attraction to attraction — even shared pools may have different depths.
• Pay attention to employees and life guards. They are there to offer assistance and answer questions. But they are also there to ensure safety and, in case of am emergency, act quickly.
• Reapply sunscreen often. A bad case of sunburn or sun poisoning can ruin your entire vacation and even result in a trip to the ER.
• Hydrate! Being in the water doesn’t get the water into you. It’s hot out there so be sure to drink plenty of fluids.
For specific information all the Orlando area Water Parks, call the park directly so you can get your questions answered before you arrive.

Aquatica: 888-800-5447
Blizzard Beach: 407-934-7634
Coco Key: 407-351-2626
Typhoon Lagoon: 407-934-7634
Wet n Wild: 407-351-1800.

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Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear, the pink, plush and ultra-soft teddy bear from “Toy Story 3,” is the newest character to join the Disney’s Hollywood Studios family of stars. Seen here visiting the Pixar Place area inside the showbiz-themed park, Lots-o’-Huggin Bear (or “Lotso” for short) will make meet-and-greet appearances beginning May 9 inside The Magic of Disney Animation attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Also beginning May 9, Lotso will join his “Toy Story” pals in the “Block Party Bash” at the Walt Disney World theme park.

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