LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 16, 2010 – Plans for Disney’s Art of Animation Resort mean new construction jobs for Central Floridians now and new permanent resort hotel jobs when the property opens in 2012.

Already in the land clearing stage, the project is expected to create up to 800 construction jobs. Once open by the end of 2012, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will also create 750 permanent resort hotel jobs, for a total of 1,550 jobs created. Walt Disney World Resort features 24 uniquely themed, Disney owned-and-operated resort hotels with more than 26,000 guest rooms. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will likewise be unique, with themed building exteriors and room interiors that bring to life The Lion King, Cars, Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid.

Located adjacent to Disney’s Pop Century Resort, the new resort will include 1,120 family suites in The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo wings, and 864 themed rooms in The Little Mermaid wings. Suites will feature both a living room and a bedroom, offering added space for families.

“The construction of family suites at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is an innovative approach to a changing marketplace,” said Kevin Myers, vice president of resort operations for Walt Disney World Resort. “Today more and more multi-generational families are traveling together for various celebrations, including family reunions. These families not only want to play together, they want to stay together, which has created tremendous demand for family suites.”

The larger-than-life icons depicted in newly-released renderings demonstrate one way guests at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will be immersed in their favorite stories. For example, guests exploring The Lion King courtyard will see characters from the film – like the hyenas and Simba’s evil uncle, Scar – through the eyes of Simba and in the same size and scale as the young Lion King cub would experience them.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will be a uniquely-themed 68,800-square-foot commercial building with shopping, dining and features such as three pools and a water play area.

The family suites and rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will fit into the “value” category of lodging, with nightly rates similar to Disney’s All-Star Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

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PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. (Jan. 4, 2011) – The newest Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Dream, sailed into its home port of Port Canaveral, Fla., this morning after a 16-night trans-Atlantic voyage from Germany, where it has been under construction for nearly two years. Beginning with a maiden voyage on January 26, the Disney Dream will sail three-, four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas, calling Port Canaveral home.

The launch of the Disney Dream brings sizable economic benefits to Port Canaveral and the region, given the increased capacity of the new ship over the current Disney ships. According to an economic impact study by Martin Associates, the new ship is expected to generate nearly 450 direct, indirect and induced jobs in the area, and attract thousands of additional cruise guests to the port.

“We are delighted to welcome the Disney Dream to its new home port,” said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line. “As we grow the Disney Cruise Line business, not only does this mean a positive economic impact for the region, but this allows us the flexibility to provide even more options to our guests. With new innovations onboard and new destinations to explore, ultimately we’re providing even more ways for guests to enjoy a family cruise vacation.”

The recent construction project for Disney’s cruise terminal and dock area in Port Canaveral has also delivered economic benefits. Enhancements include an expanded dock area and terminal facility, along with the construction of a new parking garage connected to the terminal by a sky-bridge walkway.

“This is a special time for us,” says Port Canaveral Chief Executive Officer J. Stanley “Stan” Payne. “We’re thrilled to welcome the Disney Dream home to her expanded terminal facility. We continue to have a great relationship with Disney Cruise Line and we look forward to continuing that for many years to come.”

In addition to the expansion at Port Canaveral, Disney Cruise Line has also made enhancements to its private island Castaway Cay in the Bahamas, to further accommodate the new ship and more guests. From extended beaches and more dining locations, to the addition of private beach cabanas and Pelican Plunge, a new floating water play structure with water slides, the island boasts even more offerings and activities for families to enjoy.

With the arrival of the Disney Dream to its home port in Florida, preparations are underway for its inaugural cruises and events, including the traditional christening of the vessel. Other Disney Dream inaugural events include a Benefit Preview Cruise in support of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, sailing Jan. 21-23.

Accommodating up to 4,000 guests, the 130,000-ton Disney Dream takes Disney’s special brand of family cruising to a whole new level with industry firsts such as the AquaDuck water coaster and Magical Portholes that transform inside staterooms into rooms with magnificent views. All of the ship’s new features – combined with Disney quality entertainment, unique dining experiences and age-specific areas for children, teens and adults – create an unforgettable cruise experience for the entire family. A sister ship, the Disney Fantasy, is under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and will arrive in early 2012. It will sail seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries, also from Port Canaveral.

With the addition of two new ships, Disney Cruise Line is offering a wider variety of itineraries and will sail to more destinations around the world, including a repositioning of the Disney Wonder to the West Coast of the United States, sailing Mexican Riviera and first-ever Alaskan itineraries in 2011. Meanwhile, the Disney Magic will spend another summer sailing European itineraries in 2011.

Disney Cruise Line established the blueprint for family cruising when the business launched in 1998. The first two ships, the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, which set sail in 1998 and 1999, respectively, were purpose built for families to reconnect, adults to recharge and kids to immerse themselves in worlds of fantasy only Disney can create.

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The highly anticipated D23 Expo 2011: The Ultimate Fan Event returns to the Anaheim Convention Center from August 19 – 21, 2011, once again bringing the entire world of Disney under one roof, and offering attendees unprecedented access to Disney films, television and theme parks as only D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can!

Until the end of 2010, you can purchase D23 Expo tickets at the 2009 pricing levels!

An event that only occurs every other year, this is the first D23 Expo since the premiere event in 2009.

Highlights of D23 Expo 2011’s weekend activities will include:
• 2011 Disney Legends. Paying tribute to the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to Disney entertainment
• Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives. Featuring dozen of props, artifacts and costumes, accessible to the public for the first time in Disney’s history
• Collector’s Forum. Where attendees can buy, sell and trade precious memorabilia and merchandise
• Fan Art Contest. Themed to 101 Dalmatians in honor of the 50th anniversary of the animated classic
• The Ultimate Disney Trivia Tournament will allow participants to demonstrate their Disney knowledge as they compete for outstanding prizes
• Many more one-of-a-kind D23 Expo panels, presentations and experiences which will be announced in the coming months.

Read more details on specific prices on the D23 Web site:
www.D23Expo.com

Highlights of D23 Membership include:
• Disney twenty-three. A one-year subscription (4-issues) to D23’s exquisite magazine created exclusively for Disney fans. Each issue comes with a surprise collectible gift. (Gold Membership level only)
• Special Offers, Discounts and Contests just for D23 Members.
• Annual Membership Gift from the Walt Disney Archives Collection. The 2010 gift is Disney Undiscovered: A 23-Month Calendar of Disney’s Unrealized Masterpieces.
• Special Events. The opportunity to attend exclusive member events
• D23 FanFare. Bi-weekly e-newsletter sent just to D23 Members
• Personalized Membership Certificate and D23 Membership Card
For complete details on D23 Membership visit:
www.D23.com

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Since 1986, Pixar films have stretched the boundaries of our imagination with stories about unlikely heroes who explore the bonds of friendship and family. Now some of those heroes are the subjects of colorful new Send a Hello stamps that encourage people to connect with loved ones through the mail.

The Send a Hello stamps, which go on sale Aug. 19, are a natural outgrowth of the Art of Disney stamp series issued between 2004 and 2008. Originally intended as a series of three annual issuances depicting friendship, celebration, and romance, the Art of Disney stamps proved so popular that the Postal Service expanded the series to include issuances in 2007 and 2008 to celebrate imagination and magic.

Based on that success, the Postal Service was eager to work with the Walt Disney Company again, choosing to explore the Disney*Pixar films, which offer exciting, contemporary characters and strong themes involving family and friends.

This pane of 20 stamps includes five different designs featuring Pixar characters: Lightning McQueen and Mater from Cars (2006); Remy the rat and Linguini from Ratatouille (2007); Buzz Lightyear and two of the green, three-eyed aliens from Toy Story (1995); Carl Fredricksen and Dug from Up (2009); and the robot WALL*E from WALL*E (2008).

Since the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature was introduced in 2001, all seven Pixar films released since that time have been nominated and five of the seven have won, including Ratatouille, WALL*E and Up.

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Sea World’s sweet killer whale calf — born on October 9, 2010 — is getting bigger every day and is finally in need of a name. The aquatic theme park is letting all its fans and guests help choose the right one for the little guy. Here are the choices:

Haruki — Japenese for “shining brightly”
Makaio — Hawaiian for “a gift of God”
Nico — from teh Greek name “Nikos,” which means “victory of the people”

You can vote via Sea World’s Facebook page; the wining name will be announced January 4, 2011. You can get a look at the little guy (for now, he’ll top the scalles at more than 10,000 pounds when fully grown) at Sea World Orlando in the viewing tank near Shamu Stadium. Here’s a peek at what you might see during your visit:

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While many people dream of going to Africa to live like renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, most of us just don’t have the time to pack up and fly around the world, particularly those of us with children. The Jane Goodall Institute, together with our longtime friends at Walt Disney World, would like to offer you and your family the next best thing: An Exclusive VIP Weekend at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge® featuring the chance to spend time with Jane over President’s Day Weekend.

Trip Highlights Include:

• Private VIP transportation provided to and from Orlando International Airport;
• Three nights in a savannah view room in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge®;
• Exclusive breakfast with Dr. Jane Goodall and some of Disney’s famous characters;
• Intimate campfire with Jane Goodall overlooking Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge® savannah including stories, hot chocolate, s’mores and more;
• Opportunity to get up close to a variety of spectacular and majestic animals in their backstage habitats on Disney’s special Backstage Safari Tour;
• Gala dinner featuring an exclusive private performance of the Festival of the Lion King;
• Access to Disney’s theme parks with Park Hopper® passes. Transportation to any of the Disney parks is included, along with a Dining Card valid at a variety of locations; and
• More!

Package is for Presidents Day Weekend (February 18-21, 2011). Complete experience includes capacity of up to 30 people. Includes hotel, select meals, unlimited three-day admission to all Disney theme parks, transportation to and from the Orlando airport, and all scheduled events.

Cost: ,500 per adult and ,500 per child, ages 7 and up. Includes hotel, select meals,unlimited three-day admission to all Disney theme parks, transportation to and from the airport, and all scheduled events.

See janegoodall.org/travelwithjgi for more information.

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