Aquatica is getting ready for the spring and summer seasons with a new, thrilling water slide — Omaka Rocka. This brand new family slide features high-speed tubes and half-pipe funnels. That means you’ll be splashing and dashing while sliding every possible way — forward, backward and even up the walls! Once you reach the bottom, you’ll literally skim and skip across the water before the drenching splashdown. I’ve sent my Orlando spies to go check out the new water action, so expect a first-hand report very soon.

After the splashdown, if you’re up for splashing out, you can look into renting a private cabana. Aquatica offers several levels for those who want a guaranteed places to relax and aren’t concerned about paying extra for it. There is a wide range of prices as well as amenities, starting from /day for up to four guests (extra guests for an additional /person) all the way to the Ultimate Cabana at a whopping 0/day. Cabanas feature upgraded furniture, lockers and more; some even include complimentary drinks and ceiling fans. But Cabana rentals do not include park admission–these rentals are all extras but during high capacity times, they’re worth budgeting for, provided you make your reservations early.

But it’s not all luxury extras–Aquatica has a new way to save money, as well. Check out the after 2pm pass, which allows entrance to the park after 2pm for the rest of 2010. That’s NINE MONTHS of entry, with NO blackout dates, for .99 — a whopping more than a standard one day adult pass. That’s a fantastic deal, especially if you know anything about Orlando summer weather, where daily morning and early afternoon thunderstorms are the norm. By 2pm, that weather will generally have passed and the parks will likely be less crowded, with the weather having chased away the morning crowds. Take advantage of this deal for sure.

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., March 1, 2010 — Guests visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom are getting a special treat along the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail where they can get a rare glimpse of a newborn gorilla born Feb. 19. The critically endangered western lowland gorilla, whose gender is still unknown, is doing well and has already become an integral member of the gorilla family group which includes first-time mother, Kashata, father Gino, and two other females, Benga and Hope.

Members of the primate team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are encouraged by Kashata’s natural instincts at motherhood. First-time mothers often experience difficulty knowing the right things to do. They must learn to properly hold the baby and adapt to a demanding nursing schedule. “Kashata has been a model mother from the moment the baby was born, said Matt Hohne, animal operations director for Disney’s Animal Programs. “She immediately knew how to properly hold the baby and her nursing skills have been exemplary.”

Since Kashata has been holding the baby close to her body, animal keepers have yet to determine the baby’s gender. Most gorilla mothers keep their offspring close for several months while the baby adjusts to the environment. In addition, gorilla babies typically nurse for approximately 12 months and may be weaned between the ages of four and five.

The new baby, which is yet to be named, is the third gorilla born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan which manages genetic diversity among species through detailed records of individual animals. Disney’s Animal Kingdom also participates in AZA Species Survival Plans for several other animals, including elephants, cotton-top tamarins and okapi. The first gorilla birth occurred in 1997 before Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened, and the second baby arrived in 1999.

Aside from breeding activities, Disney’s Animal Programs team remains active in gorilla conservation in other areas. The team currently:

· provides staff expertise for the creation of the first rescue and rehabilitation center in eastern Africa for orphaned gorillas to ultimately reintroduce them back into the wild. The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund has provided funding to support this effort.
· has developed an innovative training technique that enables team members to monitor the heart health of gorillas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom by administering cardiac ultrasound exams on fully alert gorillas.

GORILLA FACTS:
· Gorillas are the largest of all primates, standing 5-6 feet tall and weighing up to 450 lbs.
· In the wild, western lowland gorillas are found in lowland tropical rainforests throughout western Africa.
· Gorilla habitat in Africa is quickly disappearing because of coltan mining, a mineral used to make batteries for electronics. Recycling cell phones or laptops may contribute to gorilla conservation.

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Jay DeMarcus (left) of the country music trio “Rascal Flatts,” and his mother Caron Myers (right) pose May29th, 2010 with Pluto in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. DeMarcus took his mother to Walt Disney World to celebrate her 60th birthday.

All of the Sea World parks are known for the assistance they offer animals, both in the wild and in rescue/rehabilitation programs in the parks and behind the scenes. In the wake of the latest oil spill tragedy affecting the Gulf of Mexico and the coast of Alabama, Sea World has jumped in to help. The official statement is below:

“SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment – including the SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego — today pledged their expertise, facilities, manpower and resources to aid animals affected by the devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
SeaWorld’s animal rescue teams have particular expertise with the care and treatment of oiled animals. All three SeaWorld parks rescue and rehabilitate hundreds of ill, orphaned and injured marine animals each year; more than 1,000 in just the first four months of 2010.”

Here is a video of Sea World Orlando veterinarian Dr. Chris Dold, explaining a bit about who and why Sea World plans to help.

While officials are saying no civilian volunteers are currently needed, if you want to help and have the ways and means to get to the site, please call the following phone number and leave your information. Officials from Alabama will contact when your help is needed: 888-421-1266.
All of the Sea World parks are known for the assistance they offer animals, both in the wild and in rescue/rehabilitation programs in the parks and behind the scenes. In the wake of the latest oil spill tragedy affecting the Gulf of Mexico and the coast of Alabama, Sea World has jumped in to help. The official statement is below:

“SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment – including the SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego — today pledged their expertise, facilities, manpower and resources to aid animals affected by the devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
SeaWorld’s animal rescue teams have particular expertise with the care and treatment of oiled animals. All three SeaWorld parks rescue and rehabilitate hundreds of ill, orphaned and injured marine animals each year; more than 1,000 in just the first four months of 2010.”

Here is a video of Sea World Orlando veterinarian Dr. Chris Dold, explaining a bit about who and why Sea World plans to help.

While officials are saying no civilian volunteers are currently needed, if you want to help and have the ways and means to get to the site, please call the following phone number and leave your information. Officials from Alabama will contact when your help is needed: 888-421-1266.

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The fun never stops when you’re a Disney Cast Member, especially when you’re raising money for a good cause. This last weekend, nearly 6,000 Walt Disney World VoluntEARS teamed up to extend their reach into local classrooms via the Disney Bowl-A-Thon. Event organizers anticipate the two-day fundraising event, held at bowling centers across Central Florida, raised approximately 0,000 for Junior Achievement of Central Florida and will ultimately benefit thousands of local children.

Junior Achievement is a non-profit organization that goes into schools to provide age-appropriate economic education for children in grades K-12. Preparing young people for economically sound futures, Junior Achievement helps students understand fiscal responsibility by teaching lessons in how to earn, save, maintain a budget, manage credit and control their personal finances.

“We are incredibly grateful to have Disney’s support in our mission to help local students become financially literate,” said Gary Blanchette, president of Junior Achievement of Central Florida. “Through the Bowl-A-Thon and the ongoing work of Disney VoluntEARS in local schools, Disney is ensuring our youth will become the successful leaders of tomorrow,” said Blanchette.

Disney VoluntEARS stay active with Junior Achievement year around by donating their time and talent to teaching Junior Achievement curriculum in Orange and Osceola County schools. In 2009, Junior Achievement reached 94,911 students in more than 4,286 classrooms in Central Florida. Funds raised from the Disney Bowl-A-Thon will go toward Junior Achievement programming, educator kits and classroom supplies.

“The Disney Bowl-A-Thon raises funds to create the educational materials that Junior Achievement volunteers use in the classroom to teach children about economics, finance, entrepreneurship and the free enterprise system,” said Jack Blitch, vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering and Junior Achievement board member. “Now more than ever, this education is vitally important, and Junior Achievement works to ensure students have access to it,” said Blitch.

Walt Disney World Resort has been involved with Junior Achievement for more than 16 years and has raised more than .45 million for the organization.

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2010) –Against the backdrop of a world-record sculpture of canned goods destined for food banks, Disney Parks officials on Thursday announced a major milestone with the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program, a first-of-its-kind effort to help inspire 1 million people to perform volunteer service.

Since the program’s launch only six weeks ago, more than 600,000 people in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada have volunteered or signed up for volunteer projects in their communities, announced Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

“With the launch of our ‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ program, we hoped to spark something truly special,” Staggs said. “But even we have been overwhelmed with the response.”

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.

HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute and the largest volunteer network in the nation, is supporting the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program by connecting volunteers with projects.

According to Michelle Nunn, co-founder of HandsOn Network and CEO of Points of Light Institute, 10,000 community organizations, through the Disney Parks program, are getting the volunteers they need to meet important community challenges.

“The level of volunteerism we have seen in the first weeks of 2010 is tracking to new highs,” she said. “Our dream at HandsOn Network is for everyone to recognize their power to make a difference. Disney is helping us make that dream a reality, a million times over.”

Since the launch of the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program on Jan. 1, 2010, volunteers have trekked through wetlands near Long Beach, Calif., and through mountain preserves in Phoenix, Ariz., clearing away non-native vegetation. A continent away, volunteers have whisked away trash on Atlantic Coast beaches in Brevard County and Dade County, Fla. In Port Huron, Mich., “soccer families” have picked up paint brushes to help spruce up a community center. In Atlanta, Ga., volunteers have assisted hospitalized children as they create arts and crafts projects. And with the forecast for a cold night ahead, the homeless in Central Florida were handed blankets by caring volunteers.

In addition to celebrating the “Give A Day, Get a Disney Day” program, Disney Parks welcomed to Walt Disney World Resort Thursday other outstanding volunteer families from the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada who gave back to their communities in special ways, as part of Disney’s celebration of family volunteerism in 2010.

“Today we are here to celebrate you,” Staggs told the families. “With each of your efforts, you make a difference.”

Volunteering: A Snapshot

PEOPLE WANT TO VOLUNTEER
Organizations have seen a dramatic increase in volunteer efforts during the past few years. People of all ages have made a conscious effort to get out and do more, especially intheir local area.

* Since 2007, the number of people working to fix a community problem has risen 31 percent – a substantial amount – further benefitting local communities especially during the current economy, according to Volunteering in America 2009.

A FAMILY THAT VOLUNTEERS TOGETHER …
Spending time together is usually always a priority for families – and many parents are using this time to set an example for their children.

* More parents than single adults (68 percent vs. 55 percent) plan to volunteer in some way in 2010, according to a survey conducted by New York-based Kelton Research in November 2009.
* Approximately five out of six (84 percent) moms surveyed would like their children involved in youth volunteer activities, according to the 2008 Quaker Youth Volunteerism Report.
* In fact, Just Kid. Inc. reports 37 percent of kids, 44 percent of tweens and 46 percent of teens would volunteer more if given the opportunity.
* Young adults (ages 16-24) are helping lead the way in volunteerism – with more than 441,000 young volunteers in 2008 versus 2007, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Youth today believe it is essential and “very important” to help others in need, the report also found.

WHO BENEFITS FROM VOLUNTEER EFFORTS?
Nonprofits were especially helped by those who contributed their efforts in 2008, and planned to increase their reliance on volunteers in 2009. Additionally, local communities are reaping the ongoing benefits of these added helping hands.

* Between September 2008 and March 2009, more than a third (37 percent) of nonprofit organizations planned to increase the number of volunteers they used, and almost half (48 percent) expected an increase in 2009, according to a national survey of nonprofit organizations.
* Parents also are noticing the benefits of volunteering at home. Family volunteerism is a hands-on way to teach children the values of kindness, compassion, tolerance, community responsibility and good citizenship. Additionally, family volunteerism helps mobilize thousands of new volunteers and instills the next generation with a lifelong commitment to volunteering.
* Moms have identified respect (88 percent), teamwork (87 percent) and compassion (85 percent) as the positive traits that a young volunteer develops when helping others, according to the 2008 Quaker Youth Volunteerism Report.

AMERICANS’ GOALS FOR 2010
Volunteerism has seen a surge of interest in recent years – in fact, almost 60 percent of all Americans would rather resolve to give back by volunteering in 2010, according to the New York-based Kelton Research survey from November 2009.

* More women than men (62 percent vs. 54 percent) include volunteering as a 2010 goal.
* When asked what Americans anticipate they could accomplish in 2010, 30 percent selected volunteering as a foreseeable goal.

HANDSON NETWORK’S VOLUNTEERISM EFFORTS
HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute, is an international nonprofit organization whose core mission is to inspire, equip and mobilize people to take action that changes the world.

* The organization has more than 250 Action Centers (local affiliates) serving 83 percent of the American population and 12 international communities.
* HandsOn reported a 43 percent increase in volunteers registering in 2009 and a 58 percent increase in people signing up for new volunteer opportunities.
* The first six months of 2009 saw a 29 percent increase in the unique opportunities available for volunteers, compared to the same period in 2008.
* Collectively, it is estimated that 30.4 million total service hours were completed by volunteers engaged by HandsOn Network in 2008, according to findings from the 2008 Annual Affiliate Report.

POPULAR WAYS TO LEND A HAND
Through HandsOn Network affiliates, those looking to donate their time have a variety of unique volunteer service opportunities to choose from – whether it’s disaster relief and environmental causes to seniors, children/youth and community enrichment programs. Below are examples of opportunities available through the HandsOn Network affiliates located throughout the country:

* Help package donations at a food pantry
* Plant, weed and tend a community garden
* Participate in a local community clothing or toy drive
* Visit nursing homes to play games, make crafts or share talents with senior residents
* Read books to children at a local daycare center
* Assemble backpacks with school supplies for under-resourced schools

DISNEY’S VOLUNTEARS ‘SPREAD THE MAGIC’
Volunteerism has been a part of the Disney culture for more than a quarter century, encouraging cast members to dedicate their time through Disney Parks’ VoluntEARS program.

* Launched in 1983, Disney VoluntEARS have donated 5.5 million+ hours of service.

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