This week is very special in Disney history and in the history of animation in general. On December 5th we will be commemorating the birth of Walter Elias Disney, the man responsible for bringing us the wonderful world of Disney Animation. The native Chicagoan began his industry in Kansas City where he began with small animated shorts that became so popular within the city that he earned enough money to create his own studio. From there he hired animators that would soon earn the name of the “9 Old Men,” animators that would help Walt create some of the animated classics that would make him a legend.

Walt first began his career with the Alice Comedies (not Wonderland Alice) and the animated cartoon of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. But it wasn’t until Disney lost the rights to Oswald and had to come up with a brand new character that a very familiar character we all know and love was born. Walt used to own a pet mouse as a child, and one of his animators drew inspiration from that to create Mortimer Mouse. But Walt’s wife Lily suggested Mickey was a much friendlier name, and thus Mickey Mouse was born.

Now seen all over the Disney theme parks and considered a classic American icon, Mickey Mouse made his first appearance in a musical cartoon in the black and white Steamboat Willie. Mickey Mouse soon took off, and with the addition of Snow White, Disney’s first princess, the Disney Animation Studio became a staple in American animation and movie making. Though there were set backs throughout the years regarding the animated films the Disney studio, we have the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland and all of the other parks of the Walt Disney World Resort to prove that the Disney Company overcame all of their adversity to become perhaps the most recognized name in the world.

There is so much that wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for “Uncle Walt” paving the way that a simple blog couldn’t capture all of it. But we do know that we have the theme parks, the movies, and an entire legion of loyal Disney fans that above all remember the main message of the Disney ideal; that hard work does make dreams come true. The next time you visit the Disney parks, just remember, it was all started because of a mouse. Happy Birthday, Uncle Walt!

This is a very special week in the world of Disney. Everyone’s favorite mouse, loved all over the world by kids and adults, is celebrating his 81st birthday this week! Walt Disney and his animator pal Ub Iwerks created the lovable Mickey Mouse all the way back in 1928. While Mickey began as a silent black and white cartoon in “Plane Crazy,” where he tries to fly a plane and sneak a kiss with Minnie Mouse at the same time, his official debut is considered to be in the musical cartoon “Steamboat Willie.” Disney aficionados will recognize the familiar image of Mickey steering a giant steamboat as he whistles along, and some may say it was with that cartoon that the empire of Walt Disney began. Who knew, way back then, that a little cartoon about a mouse would spawn the incredible Disney theme parks in Orlando and all over the world?

There’s a famous quote by Walt Disney that goes: “I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing — that it was all started by a mouse.” It couldn’t be a more honest and even fascinating statement. That little mouse trying to sneak a kiss and steer a steamboat gave birth to a company that would create Disneyland in Anaheim, California and the Walt Disney World Resort right here in Orlando. There are now Disney Parks all over the world including Tokyo, Paris and soon Shanghai. How can we forget the classic movies? From Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid and The Lion King to the brand new The Princess and the Frog, which features Disney’s first Black princess, Tiana!

There are also great television projects like The Mickey Mouse Club, which was where stars like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Justin Timberlake got their start. The Disney Channel expanded to produce a new level of teen stars with performers like Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez. Along with the great shows and theme parks, there are also special events where Mickey and Minnie are the star of the show; whether it be in a parade or through Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Incredible how Disney has grown after 81 years, and it’s only going to get bigger. Happy Birthday to the mouse that started it all!

Here in the Orlando theme parks area we’re lucky to have a variety of great attractions to check out. Whether you want to spend time in the House of Mouse, check out Busch Gardens Tampa bay or go to Universal Studios Resort, the Central Florida area has plenty of options. Some places aren’t so lucky, and many visitors to the theme parks have to travel long distances to get there. Internationally, Disney has some parks in Europe and Asia. There’s Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disney. These beautiful theme parks bring the Disney brand to fans across the globe and let anyone and everyone experience the Disney magic in their region.

Now, after 20 years of long talks and plenty of paperwork, Disney is finally able to announce there will be a new park in Shanghai, China! This is great news for both countries as they continue to bridge political gaps and come closer together. As the Disney Company continues to expand across the globe we get to learn great details about new attractions and park development. It’s always interesting to see how the different countries incorporate their own cultures and different styles into the designs of their parks, and now we’ll get to see what with Shanghai Disney.

The resort will consist of shops, hotels and a “Magic Kingdom” style park that will take up 1,000 acres of the Pudong district. The actual theme park will be a little bit bigger than Disneyland in Anaheim, California but will still feature all of the great aspects guests expect of the Disney theme parks every year. The announcement of this awesome project will be official right around the same time President Obama arrives for his historic visit.

Since President Obama is going to visit China to talk diplomacy and trade, officials of the Shanghai Disney project figured it couldn’t be a better time to announce the Disney partnership than with the arrival of the president of the United States, where Disney was born. While there isn’t any word on an official ceremony featuring President Obama, or even a statement from him regarding the matter, his visit is timed perfectly with the announcement of Shanghai Disney. We can’t wait to see what the Shanghai Imagineers come up with!

Fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise will be excited to hear what Walt Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook revealed about 2011. Cook stood before a crowd of about 5,000 Disney fanatics and announced he had a special treat for them. In 2011 Disney will release the next installment of Pirates of the Caribbean, the popular franchise that stars Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley in a series of swashbuckling adventures with Depp’s character Captain Jack Sparrow.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will be the title of the new movie. At D23, however, it wasn’t only Cook that announced the awesome news, but Captain Jack Sparrow himself! As smoke filled the stage and the familiar theme song from the Pirates movie played, a pirate ship glided onto the stage commandeered by none other than Johnny Depp dressed in full Captain Jack regalia. The crowd went crazy for Depp who remained in character the entire time while he was on stage. We’re sure for many of the kids in the audience it was just like seeing their hero right before their eyes.

Up until now the Pirates films have been directed by Gore Verbinski, but he recently left the franchise to pursue other projects. While the newest film now has a title and Johnny Depp will be back as Captain Jack, the rumor mill is still buzzing about who will be the next director. Jerry Bruckheimer supposedly has his eye on Rob Marshal, director of movies like Chicago, Nine and Memoirs of a Geisha, to direct the new pirate flick, but we’ll just have to wait and see until further details come out. If you can’t wait for the new movie why not have a watch party marathon and check out Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.

The best way to get in the pirates mood is head down to Walt Disney World Resort and check out the attraction that inspired the movies over at the Magic Kingdom: Pirates of the Caribbean. While you’re there check out the Pirate’s League where you get to dress up like your favorite Pirates of the Caribbean character as well!

The D23 Expo in Anaheim was a huge success. It marked the first time a convention of this magnitude was ever put on for the Disney community and fans were not disappointed. From movie previews to news about park expansions and everything in between, Disney’s top execs came out to Anaheim to speak to thousands of fans just dying to find out what’s next from the House of Mouse. Well one of the more memorable presentations came courtesy of a galaxy far, far away.

Jay Rasulo, the Chairman of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, took to the stage to make a very special announcement to a crowd of loyal Star Wars fans. Rasulo began his presentation by shocking crowds saying that starting in October of 2010, Star Tours will be closing at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World here in Orlando. But the shocked crowd had no time to react as a legion of Stormtroopers arrived on stage to the sound of “The Imperial March.” Rasulo feigned confusion as “Darth Vader” appeared on the giant screen behind him. Rasulo announced Star Tours 2 would re-open in 2014 which Vader did not approve of. Fans laughed as Rasulo was pressured by the costumed impersonator to open the ride a bit earlier.

After the theatrics the crowd found out they will not have to wait until 2014, but instead 2011. This sent the crowd into another frenzy as Rasulo announced guests will be treated to a sneak peek at special footage of the upcoming Star Tours 2 ride. Audience members were all given 3D glasses as they entered the room and they finally got to find out why. Along with brand new technology for the motion simulator, all of the ride footage will now be in 3D. The interior of the ride is supposed to get a revamp as well but details on that are very hush hush–we will give you the scoop as soon as we find out. As for the footage, fans can expect to race through Tatooine in their own podracer like the scene featured in Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. Other popular Star Wars planets and scenes are expected to be featured in the new ride upgrade as well, but details have just started to emerge. Who knows what’s in store for Star Tours 2? But we know 2011 is going to be a great year for Star Wars fans in the Disney theme parks.

Love it or hate it, wrestling has one of the biggest and most loyal fanbase in the history of sports - or more appropriately, sports entertainment. Whether you grew up watching WCW or WWF (now called WWE) there are plenty of kids that grew up liking wrestling who continued to like it through adulthood. If you’ve ever been to the Orlando theme parks you’re sure to have seen people wearing Stone Cold Steve Austin or John Cena t-shirts. Well did you know that you can actually see wrestling live in Orlando?

TNA, or Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, films its shows and Pay-Per-Views (PPV) live at Universal Studios Orlando. TNA features a six-sided ring, the high-flying X Division (where you can see crazy stunts and flips) and the TNA Knockouts, their women’s division. Plenty of wrestling stars that have come from WCW and WWE are now part of TNA and you can see them all live at Soundstage 21 August through December. Kurt Angle, Sting, Mick Foley, AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Christie Hemme and Awesome Kong are all part of the superstar lineup TNA brings to you throughout the year.

The best part is that getting into the show, even Pay-Per-View, is completely free! All you have to do is purchase a ticket to Universal Studios Orlando and you are game to get a seat for all of the TNA action, so why not get a discount Universal ticket and save some cash while you’re at it? Tapings go on through the year but October is the busiest month with fve shows. November features TNA’s PPV “Turning Point” on the 15th. While you don’t need a ticket, seating is first come first serve so make sure you get there on time. Because of the subject matter you might see at a TNA show, you have to be 14 years of age and older to get in. We recommend showing up about an hour early just so you can grab a prime seat. Doors open at 6 for the regular 6:30 tapings and at 6:45 for their PPV shows. PPV’s also have pre-show tapings at 7:30 until the show goes live from 8:00-11:00 pm. If you love wrestling, Universal Studios Orlando is the place for you!