LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Aug. 16, 2010 – All 32 sea turtles recently taken in by Walt Disney World Resort after being impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have completed their initial veterinary examinations and are responding well to treatment, say Disney animal care experts.

Among the sea turtles in recovery are Green Turtles, an endangered species, and Kemp’s Ridley Turtles, one of the most endangered species of sea turtle in the world. The initial exams performed at the veterinary hospital at Disney’s Animal Kingdom included x-rays, blood tests and a complete physical assessment.

“The animals are doing quite well,” said Andy Deneault, an assistant curator responsible for the care of sea turtles at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “Once we received these animals, we immediately put them on a regimented diet to build their strength. We also keep the sea turtles in special shallow salt-water pools set up just for this effort.”

With the ultimate goal of releasing the turtles back in the wild, Disney animal experts are focused on increasing the turtles’ body weight so they have the strength to swim in the open ocean.

As a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center, Disney Animal Programs supports the rescue and rehabilitation of more than 1,000 injured and orphaned wild animals each year. Since 1986, Disney animal care teams have nursed more than 250 endangered sea turtles back to health.

In addition, as part of the coordinated response to the Gulf oil spill, Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF), supported by Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green, has donated 0,000 to help with environmental and animal rescue efforts, including ,000 to The National Audubon Society for their response in the Gulf. Another ,000 in grants from the DWCF Rapid Response Fund is being awarded to various grassroots organizations assisting with the cleanup.

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The Big Thunder Suite is the wildest suite in the wilderness and immerses up to six pioneers in 1,400-square-feet of luxurious rustic accommodations inspired by the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction at Disneyland park.

Howling wolves sound to the push of the suite’s doorbell as guests step into a mine shaft foyer inlaid with Fool’s Gold and hear the rumble of a passing runaway mine train. A button on the wall can be pushed to trigger sound effects from the attraction. The mine shaft leads into a living and dining area that separates the suite’s two bedrooms. In many rooms, repurposed wood from a Midwestern barn is used as flooring and paneling, which is complimented by textured earthen walls.

A stone-hearth fireplace in the living area serves as the suite’s centerpiece and houses a mounted flat-panel television. When not in use, the TV is cleverly concealed by one of the many pieces of attraction concept art found throughout the suite. The living area also includes a surround sound-stereo system and displays antique tools once used for mining gold, including an 1850s gold scale and pan.

The centerpiece of the dining area is a knotted table with seating for eight, with a wagon-wheel chandelier. Nearby is a wet bar made of petrified wood and above the bar hangs a “living portrait” of a gold miner who magically changes activities over the course of the day.

Rustic décor belies the luxurious amenities found in the suite’s two bedrooms. The master bedroom is appointed with a desk, sitting area, TV and king-sized bed with a commanding headboard made of rich wood, brown leather and exposed brackets.

The master bath is revealed through a sliding barn door, where a free-standing copper tub is surrounded by a dramatic stone wall. The tub’s copper finish matches the copper piping in the adjacent steam shower, which is tiled with an earth-tone mosaic. A television is concealed behind the mirror above the bathroom’s bucket sinks.

In the coming weeks, details of other signature suites, including the new Fairy Tale Suite, Mickey Mouse Penthouse and Pirates of the Caribbean Suite. All are located on the 11th floor of the hotel’s Dreams Tower and boast a distinct design, luxurious amenities and amazing views.

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Less than 160 days away from the maiden voyage of the Disney Dream. All of the spaces on the ship are quickly transforming from cavernous steel hollows to beautiful guest areas.

Construction is moving very quickly on the Buena Vista Theatre which will span two decks and have capacity for 399 guests. As you can see, the decorative ceiling is nearly complete, the stadium seating structure is already in place and furnishings will be installed shortly.

For cinephiles, the Buena Vista Theatre will be home to first-run-movies, including releases in stunning digital 3-D. Take a look at this rendering of the finished venue.

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Actor Cheech Marin was recently presented with a diorama showcasing Cars die-cast toys to honor his role as Ramone, the popular low-rider in Disney/Pixar film, Cars. Since Cars opened in theaters in June 2006, more than 120 million die-cast Cars toys have been sold.

Cars 2 opens in theaters next summer; Disney Consumer Products will support the film with a very robust licensing program.

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Spread the Word about Disney’s Fan Club

BURBANK, Calif. – October 24th, 2010 – Membership in D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is already filled with exclusive perks, and now D23 Members who ‘Refer a Fan’ to the global community of Disney enthusiasts will receive very special gifts for making their friends a part of the magic.

When existing D23 Members refer new members to D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, the referring member will receive the following special rewards:

• Refer one (1) fan who becomes a new D23 Member, receive an exclusive collector pin created especially for the D23 Refer a Fan program

• Refer five (5) fans, receive an exclusive three-pin set featuring favorite Disney characters

• Refer 10 fans, receive a special tour of the Walt Disney Archives

• Refer 15 fans, receive a free, one-year Gold-level D23 Membership
This special ‘Refer a Fan’ program began on August 9, 2010, and continues through July 31, 2012, and is open to all existing D23 Members. This program applies to the purchase of new memberships (Gold or Silver-level) only and cannot be applied to the renewal of an existing membership.

D23 Members receive a host of special benefits throughout the year, including a one-year subscription to Disney twenty-three, the quarterly publication of D23 (Gold-level memberships only); access to special, member-only events throughout the year; annual membership gift from the Walt Disney Archives Collection; special discounts and offers on a wide range of products and services; and a suitable-for-framing membership certificate plus a personalized D23 membership card.

In addition, D23 Members will receive discounted admission to the 2011 D23 Expo and a number of special benefits during this ultimate Disney fan event.

Gold-level D23 memberships are .99, and Silver-level memberships – which provide all benefits with the exception of a Disney twenty-three subscription – are just .99 a year. All discounts and special promotions are available to both Gold- and Silver-level D23 Members.

Disney fans can become members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club at www.disney.com/D23 , select shops at the Disneyland® and Walt Disney World Resorts, and at www.DisneyStore.com/D23.

For more details: http://d23.disney.go.com/pages/ReferAFan.html

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(originally published on Official Disney Parks Blog)

New Star Tours Video Makes Us Ask: Where Will the New Star Tours Attraction Take Us?

Last year, Disney Parks fans learned that “The Adventures Continue” with the return of a new Star Tours attraction in both California and Florida in 2011. Earlier today at the Star Wars Celebration V fan event, Star Wars fans caught a first glimpse of a new video that will appear in the queue area of the reimagined Star Tours attraction in Disneyland park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios next year. The video produced by Star Tours is a new “commercial” that shows one of their exciting getaway travel packages.

Today we’re also giving our Disney Parks Blog readers a peek at the video before it appears in the queue next year. While Star Tours now offers flights to new destinations, we cannot confirm that you will travel to any of the destinations shown in this video . . .

Since many Disney Parks fans know the new Star Tours attraction will take place between the two sets of Star Wars Trilogies, and that Star Tours can now take guests to more places in the Star Wars galaxy, what do you think of this video? Is there a destination you hope to visit on the new attraction when it opens next year?

Star Tours fans should also know that there’s still a chance to ride the original attraction for one of the last times in Florida. You can purchase your “Last Tour to Endor” tickets at www.StarWarsCelebration.com/Disney and also at the Disney Parks Merchandise booth at Star Wars Celebration V.

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