Actress Eva La Rue, star of the CBS series “CSI: Miami,” and her daughter Kaya (left), age 8, pose March 1, 2010 with Minnie Mouse at the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Prior to joining the cast of “CSI: Miami,” La Rue appeared on the ABC Daytime drama “All My Children.”

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BURBANK, Calif. – February 3, 2010 – Seventy years ago, Walt Disney opened his tree-lined, campus-like studio lot in the heart of Burbank, and Disney twenty-three magazine travels back in time to tell the story of how Walt’s dream factory was created – one of more than a dozen new features and articles in the Spring 2010 issue.

The latest issue of Disney twenty-three magazine is available beginning today, and will be mailed directly to members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans. It’s also available at select Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstore locations, online at DisneyStore.com and throughout the Disneyland® and Walt Disney World® Resorts.

Rare and never-before-seen photos from the history of the Walt Disney Studios include the testing of vehicles for Disneyland’s Submarine Voyage (which was actually carried out in a specially built a tank on the Burbank lot); images of the Studio’s construction; and behind-the-scenes pictures taken during the production of such classic Disney movies as Darby O’Gill and the Little People, The Love Bug and Pete’s Dragon and Zorro.

The Spring 2010 issue of the glossy, oversized Disney twenty-three magazine also takes readers into Walt Disney’s office and onto the lot during key moments in the Studio’s history.

But it’s not just Disney history on display in the Spring 2010 issue of Disney twenty-three – it’s Disney’s exciting, vibrant future, as well.

The magazine takes an in-depth look at the upcoming expansion of Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Theme park fans will want to pore over this seven-page article that’s filled with large, detailed, full-color images of this ambitious expansion.

Disney twenty-three also features an exclusive interview with award-winning actress Helena Bonham Carter, who plays the Queen of Hearts in Tim Burton’s soon-to-be-released Alice in Wonderland, and reveals some unexpected attributes of her character along with secrets of how the Queen’s bizarre appearance was created.

Michael Giacchino, nominated on Tuesday for an Academy Award for his memorable score to Disney-Pixar’s Up, is also the subject of an in-depth profile, showcasing his impressive list of Disney credits, including videogames, theme-park attractions and complex, highly lauded music for ABC’s Alias and Lost, which has just begun its final season.

The 64 pages of Disney twenty-three magazine’s Spring 2010 issue are filled with surprises for Disney fans of all ages. The magazine is free to Gold-level D23 Members, and has a retail price of .95. Subscriptions and D23 memberships can be purchased online at www.disney.com/D23.

About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the wonder and excitement that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official community for fans in Disney’s 85-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at www.disney.com/D23; a collectibles line, The Walt Disney Archives Collection; and special events for D23 members throughout the year. Fans can join D23 at www.Disney.com/D23, select shops at Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort, and www.DisneyStore.com.

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New Terror for Tower, too

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Feb. 10, 2010) – The “Main Street Electrical Parade” lights up the streets of Magic Kingdom and headlines a season of after-dark excitement coming to Walt Disney World Resort.

“After the sun goes down, our Walt Disney World parks will light up the night with ‘Summer Nightastic!’, ” announced Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort, at a media event Wednesday.

Disney magic will shine and shimmer in a whole new light. Here’s a look around:

* With floats and characters appearing for the first time at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” returns with its joyous sights and sounds. Direct from Disneyland and marking its first engagement in Florida since 2001, the cherished parade will be led by Tinker Bell waving from the basket of a magical balloon aboard a new float. Pinocchio and Snow White join the parade this summer, aboard bright new floats. Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” is set for its summer-long nighttime premiere in early June at Magic Kingdom.

* The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror welcomes “drop-ins” this summer with even more pulse-racing surprises. New lighting effects and the addition of a new drop sequence, created especially for “Summer Nightastic!”, will bring unexpected frights to guests who step into that infamous service elevator. If they dare.

* What could be more summery than fireworks on a star-studded night? Magic Kingdom will treat guests to a special summer fireworks spectacular. The night sky will explode in vivid colors and brilliant visual effects as whimsical music fills the air.

* Other fun! The return of the Sounds Like Summer concert series to Epcot and extended evening hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom several times a week add up to summer fun as only Disney can do – at all four Walt Disney World theme parks.

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From StarWars.com:

This summer, Walt Disney World® continues the tradition of offering new Disney/Star Wars-themed logo art for its Star Wars Weekends event, with Jedi Mickey fending off laser blasts from the galaxy’s best bounty hunter, Boba Fett!

2010 celebrates the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, the film which originally debuted Boba Fett, and for those fans with a slant for the old-school Star Wars aesthetic, you can’t miss that nod to the classic double-bar wrap-around logo!

Look for this event logo artwork on merchandise offered at Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida starting in May, and don’t miss the four Star Wars Weekends happening this summer:

* May 21 - 23
* May 28 - 30
* June 4 - 6
* June 11 - 13

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(L-R): Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Michelle Nunn, co-founder of HandsOn Network and CEO of the Points of Light Institute; and Ty Pennington, host of the ABC-TV series “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” pose at Epcot in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. on Feb. 11, 2010 with Mickey Mouse and Goofy in front of a sculpture made up of 115,527 canned goods. The canned food structure, featuring Disney characters and a “Celebrate Volunteers” message, was unveiled during a special event for Disney Parks new “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” volunteer initiative. The canned goods in the sculpture represent more than 70,000 meals and will be donated to food banks in Orlando, Fla., Miami and Atlanta. The sculpture was authenticated by Guinness World Records as a new world record for canned food structures. To recognize their good deeds, in 2010 Disney Parks is celebrating those who volunteer through the program by giving them a free one-day admission to either a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park. Volunteers can start the search and sign-up process by going to www.disneyparks.com. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – So how is New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees celebrating his heroic play in Super Bowl XLIV? In the frenzied moments just after his team claimed the National Football League championship Sunday night in South Florida, he stood in front of a TV camera and shouted five words that have become an almost iconic reaction to milestone achievements: “I’m going to Disney World!”

Brees’s pronouncement, part of the production for one of TV’s most enduring and celebrated commercials, was captured after the Saints’ 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts – a game during which he earned the MVP honor, completing a Super Bowl record-tying 32 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns. He was 16-for-17 in the second half, twice leading the Saints from behind. It added up to be a catalyst for the Saints’ first Super Bowl celebration in team history

On Monday (Feb. 8), Brees was to go to the place where millions of vacationers celebrate their personal milestone moments – Walt Disney World Resort. He was to be joined in the Magic Kingdom by NFL Youth Football players, who will participate with the Saints star in a Super Bowl celebration parade down Main Street, U.S.A.

This latest commercial is the 42nd of a series that began in 1987 following Super Bowl XXI. The first “I’m going to Disney World” commercial, featuring New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, was regarded as a groundbreaking concept – a produced national commercial involving a current event, airing on major networks within hours of its conclusion. Brees joins a lineup of people from sports and beyond who have celebrated milestone accomplishments in “I’m going to Disney World” commercials.

A Look Back at “I’m Going To Disney World!”

First Spot: Super Bowl XXI (Phil Simms, New York Giants)
Number of Spots Since Inception: 42
Chronology of “I’m going to Disney World” Spots:
2010 Super Bowl XLIV (Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints)
2009 Super Bowl XLIII (Santonio Holmes and Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers)
“American Idol” Season 8 (Kris Allen, singer)
2008 Super Bowl XLII (Eli Manning, New York Giants)
“American Idol” Season 7 (David Cook, singer)
2007 Super Bowl XLI (Tony Dungy and Dominic Rhodes, Indianapolis Colts)
2006 Super Bowl XL (Hines Ward, with Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers)
2004 Super Bowl XXXVIII (Tom Brady, New England Patriots)
Major League Baseball World Series Champions (Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox)
2003 Super Bowl XXXVII (Jon Gruden and Brad Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
2002 Super Bowl XXXVI (Tom Brady, New England Patriots)
2001 Super Bowl XXXV (Trent Dilfer, Baltimore Ravens)
Major League Baseball home run record (Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants)
2000 Super Bowl XXXIV (Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams)
1999 Super Bowl XXXIII (Terrell Davis and John Elway, Denver Broncos)
Women’s World Cup (United States Championship Team)
1998 Super Bowl XXXII (John Elway, Denver Broncos)
Major League Baseball home run record (Mark McGwire, St. Louis Cardinals)
1997 Super Bowl XXXI (Desmond Howard, Green Bay Packers)
Holiday Gift-Giving (Santa Claus)
1996 Super Bowl XXX (Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys)
1995 Super Bowl XXIX (Jerry Rice and Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers)
1994 Super Bowl XXVIII (Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys)
Winter Games XVII (Nancy Kerrigan, U.S. Figure Skater)
1993 Super Bowl XXVII (Troy Aikman, Dallas Cowboys)
Stanley Cup (Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens)
1992 Super Bowl XXVI (Mark Rypien, Washington Redskins)
1991 Super Bowl XXV (Ottis Anderson, N.Y. Giants)
NBA (Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls)
1990 Super Bowl XXIV (Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers)
Graduation (Jim Thompson of Temple University, and
Matt Kaldenberg, Phyllis Kaldenberg and Laura McEwen of Simpson College)
1989 Super Bowl XXIII (Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers)
NHL (Al MacInnis, Calgary Flames)
NBA (Joe Dumars, Detroit Pistons)
1988 Super Bowl XXII (Doug Williams, Washington Redskins)
Miss America (Gretchen Carlson)
World Series (Orel Hershiser, L.A. Dodgers)
NBA (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, L.A. Lakers)
1987 Super Bowl XXI (Phil Simms, N.Y. Giants)
America’s Cup (Dennis Conner)
NBA (Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers)
World Series (Frank Viola, Minnesota Twins)

* The Super Bowl has been the catalyst for the most “I’m going to Disney World” spots (23)
* There have been four “I’m going to Disney World” repeaters: Joe Montana (1989 and 1990), Emmitt Smith (1994 and 1996), John Elway (1998 and 1999) and Tom Brady (2002 and 2004).
* “I’m going to Disney World” spots immediately following the Super Bowl have featured non-Super Bowl MVPs nine times: 1989, 1995 (shared), 1996, 1998, 1999 (shared), 2001, 2003 and 2007 and 2009 (shared)

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