President Barack Obama moves into the Hall of Presidents

President Barack Obama is going to be hanging out at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World in a starring role for at least the next four years. No, not the real flesh and blood president, but an amazing Audioanimatronic likeness. President Obama is just about ready to become the latest star in Disney’s Hall of Presidents, which re-opens in July. In addition to adding the current president, Disney gave the attraction a little spiffing up.

President Obama joins many recent presidents in actually taking on a speaking role in his own voice. In this incarnation of the Hall of Presidents, he will be joined vocally by “George Washington” and “Abraham Lincoln.” While seeing him in Audioanimatronic form might not be as exciting as meeting him in person, at least you won’t have to go through Secret Service clearance. With the talent of Disney’s Imagineers in recreating lifelike gestures, you might just feel like you’re in the president’s presence.

Above, Imagineer Joe Cutry programs the President in preparation for his debut, which isn’t much more than a month away. He’ll remain in his starring role at the Hall of Presidents for his entire term before giving up the starring role to a future leader.

‘American Idol’ winner is going to Disney World

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kris Allen or Adam Lambert won’t just be crowned the next “American Idol” — one of them is going to Disney World.

Whichever singer wins will shout the famous phrase “I’m going to Disney World!” in a commercial airing after the show’s Wednesday finale. He’ll also croon “When You Wish Upon A Star” in the spot.

Disney said a camera crew will capture the celebratory pronouncement on the Nokia Theatre stage moments after “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest announces the champion’s name. The Fox competition is down to Allen, a 23-year-old college student from Conway, Ark., and Lambert, a 27-year-old theater actor from San Diego.

The “Idol” tie-in relates to the “American Idol” attraction that opened at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. this year.

Last year’s “Idol” winner David Cook starred in a similar commercial. Earlier this year, an attraction based on “Idol” opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. Disney licensed the rights to create the attraction, which allows allow guests to audition and perform before a live studio audience, from “Idol” co-producers 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia.

New balloon flies 400 ft. over Downtown Disney

WDW has just launched their newest attraction, located in Downtown Disney. Their 105 foot high “Characters in Flight” balloon will soar 400 feet, carrying up to 30 passengers in its gondola. The balloon was built  by French Balloon maker Aérophile.

When the weather cooperates, passengers will be able to get a 360 degree view for up to 10 miles. The balloon is tethered to a special star shaped landing dock, and a quick mooring system will hopefully keep the lines from getting too long.

Rides on the balloon are $16 for adults and $10 for children (10 and under).

A similar balloon has been soaring over Paris for a decade, and has proven to be a huge success.

Celebrity chef Cat Cora to open new Walt Disney World restaurant

Disney's Boardwalk in Orlando, FL

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., March 17 /PRNewswire/ — Chef Cat Cora and Disney are joining together to open an exciting new family dining restaurant at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort. Kouzzina by Cat Cora will feature a menu of Mediterranean-style cuisine that pays tribute to the chef’s Greek roots.The restaurant, to be owned and operated by Disney, is scheduled to open by fall 2009 in the space currently occupied by Spoodles.

“I am pleased to welcome Cat Cora and her engaging new concept for Kouzzina to the Walt Disney World Resort,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “This collaboration between Cat and Disney represents a significant step in our ongoing commitment to offer unique culinary experiences and choices for our guests.”

As a Mississippi native born to a family of Greek restaurateurs, Cora grew up immersed in two different and flavorful cultures, and has taken from that unique background the kitchen “know-how” handed down through generations. The cuisine at Kouzzina (Greek for “kitchen” and pronounced “koo-zee-nah”) will showcase Mediterranean cuisine and Chef Cora’s philosophy to create simple yet sensational meals.

Cora said that the new restaurant will feature “time-honored recipes passed down from my ancestors, as well as my favorite Greek and Mediterranean dishes that my family loves.”

She began working with Disney in 2008 by creating a Disney Video on Demand series to showcase ways to help families develop more healthy eating habits. “I’m extremely excited about this latest extension of my relationship with Disney,” she said. “Together, we’re going to develop a truly amazing contemporary Mediterranean restaurant.”

The first and only female Iron Chef on Food Network’s hit show “Iron Chef America,” Cora is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York. She also is Executive Chef for Bon Appetit magazine. In addition to hosting the instructional cooking demonstrations for Disney Video on Demand, Cora has been a featured chef at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and at Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival at Disneyland Resort.

 

SOURCE Walt Disney World Resort

 

 

T. Rowe Price to sponsor Epcot exhibit

T. Rowe Price Group is hopping onto a new financial attraction at the Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida. T. Rowe Price said Monday it will sponsor a new interactive financial education exhibit at Innoventions at Epcot inside Walt Disney World.

The exhibit — The Great Piggy Bank Adventure — is slated to open May 19. The game is designed for a whole family to play.

Once inside the exhibit, visitors set financial goals, learn about savings and work on ways to keep up with the cost of inflation and diversify their investments. “Empowering parents to initiate discussion of the topics of saving and investing with their children is more important than ever before,” said Edward C. Bernard, T. Rowe Price Group vice chairman, in a statement released Monday.

The Baltimore-based money management firm declined to disclose the financial details of the sponsorship.

Disney Cruise Line Names New Ships!

(Disney Castaway Club release) As part of the Disney Cruise Line® family, we want you to be among the first to know that our two new ships now have names—Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Bob Iger, Walt Disney Company President and CEO, announced the official names today at the Disney shareholder meeting in Oakland, California.

Like Disney Magic® and Disney Wonder® before them, the names of the two newest ships in our fleet were chosen with care to celebrate Disney’s unique heritage-creating incredible worlds of fantasy where dreams really do come true. Disney Dream is scheduled to launch in 2011, with Disney Fantasy following soon after in 2012.

SEE THE CUTTING EDGE.
Disney Imagineers and ship builders have been working full-steam ahead since we first announced our two new vessels in 2007. On March 2, 2009, construction on both began at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany with a special steel cutting ceremony. The very first cuts created Disney’s signature, art deco-inspired scrollwork that will grace the bows of both new ships.

Click here to see a special podcast of this incredible event in Disney history.

Oscar winner Wall-E is absent at Disney World, but you can meet runner-up Bolt

(From Examiner.com)

Wall-E won the Best Animated Feature Oscar, but the little robot himself is absent at Disney World. Never fear, if you want to link up with Oscar celebrities, you can meet the stars of fellow nominee “Bolt” at Disney Hollywood Studio.

Bolt and his friend Rhino greet visitors throughout the day in the Animation Building at the Studio. You can also see a selection of memorabilia from the making of the film, including some early concept drawings by Chris Sanders. Sanders, of “Lilo and Stitch” fame, was removed from the Bolt project by John Lassiter, but you can see his influence in the original storyboards. The early Penny looks suspiciously like Lilo, while Bolt has an odd resemblance to Stitch.

As you can see by the photo, Mittens used to appear with Bolt and Rhino at the Studio. Unfortunately, she is missing in action, but Bolt and Rhino are still there. Their hours vary, so check the park schedule when you arrive. Their line can be quite long, but they spend quality time with each family so it’s well worth the wait. There may or may not be a Photopass photographer present, so bring you own camera just in case.

here are usually several other characters in the Animation building, such as Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Frozone, and Sorcerer Mickey. If you’re lucky, some unexpected characters might show up.

Wall-E may show up someday, but in the meantime you can get your Oscar fix with Bolt and Rhino.

Video: A Tribute to Horizons

Once upon a time, the best attraction in Epcot’s Future World was Horizons. Sponsored by General Electric, this nearly twenty minute-long Omnimover ride gave its guests a tour of the future – at least a very Disney vision of the future. It was educational, enchanting, uplifting, entertaining and relaxing – everything a Future World attraction should be – and it was torn down for the puke factory called Mission: Space. Of all the lost attractions at WDW, this is the one I miss the most.

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(Video) David Cook Speaks about Disney’s American Idol Experience

The American Idol Experience opens soon in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney gives free tickets to our armed forces

Disney is offering free admission to Disneyland and Walt Disney World to active and retired members of the military—plus active and retired members of the U.S. Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists.

Walt Disney World Resort
Through December 23, 2009, receive one free 5-day Park Hopper pass with the Water Park Fun & More option, getting you admission to all four theme parks plus five visits to other select WDW attractions, including its two water parks. Select resorts are also offering discounts of up to 40 percent.

Disneyland Resort
Through June 12, receive a free 3-day Park Hopper pass, admitting you to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. You can also purchase up to five 3-day adult or child companion tickets for the price of a 1-day ticket. For more information or to make reservations, you can call 714/956-6424, or go to Disney’s website.