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Baby sitter Mariah Berry is deaf, intellectually disabled and mentally ill. Last year, the 21-year-old was ordered to prison for 15 years because a 9-month-old Sanford baby had drowned in the bathtub while she was supposed to be watching him. View the full article

Metal detectors are now permanent fixtures outside three roller coasters at Universal Orlando to deter visitors from taking keys, loose change, phones and selfie sticks onto the rides. View the full article

Barry Bonds' obstruction of justice conviction was reversed Wednesday by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled his meandering answer before a grand jury in 2003 was not material to the government's investigation into steroids distribution. View the full article

Babysitter Mariah Berry is deaf, intellectually disabled and mentally ill. Last year, the 21-year-old was ordered to prison for 15 years because a 9-month-old Sanford baby had drowned in the bathtub while she was supposed to be watching him. View the full article

Mary Doyle Keefe, the model for Norman Rockwell's iconic 1943 Rosie the Riveter painting that symbolized the millions of American women who went to work on the home front during World War II, has died. She was 92. View the full article

Add Scott Brooks’ name to the list of potential Orlando Magic head-coaching candidates. View the full article

As the state's efforts to get a non-euphoric medical marijuana oil to severely epileptic children moveforward, the University of Florida is proposing a study to answer a key question: Does it even work? View the full article

Happy Earth Day! Here at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, we celebrate Earth Day every day. Across the globe, our cast members work together toward one unified goal: protecting our planet to promise a better tomorrow. We invite you to take a unique look at what some of our environmental friends across Parks and Resorts are up to in support of planet earth: Disneyland Resort The Disneyland Resort took home four top prestigious environmental honors this year: Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) for waste reductionU.S. Zero Waste Business Council’s gold-level certification for Circle D Corral’s waste diversion program California Green Lodging Program’s Environmentalist-level award for Disneyland Resort hotelsU.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Food Recovery Challenge Award Disneyland Paris Protection of domestic bees is key at Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch at Disneyland Paris. The bees are essential in continuing the quality of the resort’s flowers, trees and meadows, and the park’s landscaping provides what the bees need to produce top-quality honey. The mixed-flower honey that is produced finds its way to the breakfast table of guests at the Disneyland Hotel. How’s that for some Earth Day buzz? Hong Kong Disneyland Resort At Hong Kong Disneyland, all plastic shopping bags from merchandise locations are made from post-consumer recycled plastics. Since launching in 2012, more than three million plastic bags generated from the resort’s daily operation have been diverted from landfill and reused for the production of merchandise bags. Shanghai Disney As development for Shanghai Disney Resort progresses, a common thread throughout the resort’s growth is its commitment to sustainable building design. Various administrative buildings are being built with gearless elevators, automatic heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) and exterior stairwells to help minimize the impact of the resort operations on the environment. Tokyo Disneyland Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea utilize multi-waste waste containers. Unlike the standard waste bin, these multi-functional containers are made of several different deposit stations that separate solid from liquid waste and encourage recycling. A single container features combustible trash, plastic silverware, paper cups, beverage carriers and liquid waste stations. The bussing carts for Quick Service Food & Beverage cast members are set up in the same manner, further aligning the cast and guest environmental experience. Walt Disney World Resort Each of the 25 Disney-owned and operated Walt Disney World Resort hotels participate in the Florida Green Lodging program. From distributing in-room materials printed on recycled paper to maintaining the HVAC in unoccupied guest rooms, our resort teams ensure their commitment to the environment comes through in their day-to-day actions. Stay tuned for more great environmental stories from Disney Parks and Resorts as we continue to celebrate our planet throughout the year. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Celebrate Earth Day Around the Globe by Molly McGranahan: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Former 'N SYNCer Lance Bass just can't say "Bye Bye Bye" to Orlando. View the full article

Fun news today out of one of our favorite watering holes —Â La Cava del Tequila. Learn About: La Cava del TequilaEpcot Restaurants Disney World RestaurantsSeems that the great group of margarita artistes are at it again. This time, they aren’t debuting something brand new, like their newest must-have Tamarind Margarita. Nor are they bringing back another old favorite, like the Hibiscus Margarita, for a limited time. (Get it now during the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. Hurry!) No — today, we’re reporting on a revamped favorite. The Pomegranate Margarita, it seems, has received a little attention, and the recipe has been updated. Think of it as the Pom 2.0, if you will. La Cava Has Changed Up the Recipe for Their Pomegranate Margarita! The new version even incorporates Strongbow Cider into the mix. I love it! Give it a try and let us know what you think. Will you be trying the new version of La Cava’s Pomegranate Margarita anytime soon? Tell us if you expect this one to be your new favorite! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: News! La Cava del Tequila’s Margarita Mondays…and more News! “Maelstrom Margarita” at Epcot’s La Cava del Tequila Coffee Margarita Now Available at Cava del Tequila in Epcot View the full article

Home sales increased more in Metro Orlando than in most cities throughout Florida from a year ago, a new report shows. View the full article

On Saturday, May 2 runDisney will host its final Expedition Everest Challenge. This exciting nighttime 5K through Disney’s Animal Kingdom includes obstacles throughout the course and is followed by a scavenger hunt making it the ultimate adventure. Get prepared for this final run on the wild side by showing your best Everest #DisneySide. Check out this gallery of some of my favorite outfits spotted during previous races. GalleryShow your #DisneySide at the Final Expedition Everest Challenge at Walt Disney World Resort view allTo get you ready for the journey, Leslie Kay of DisneyBound put together this male look with pieces from Champion and New Balance. Yeti or not, I can’t wait to see your wild outfit choices and share with you highlights from this year’s race in my next post. Good luck to all participants! Show your #DisneySide at the Final Expedition Everest Challenge at Walt Disney World Resort by Aubrey Hang: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

A Sanford judge today threw out the criminal case against a deaf, mentally disabled babysitter who was sentenced last year to 15 years in prison because a 9-month-old toddler drown in the bathtub on her watch. View the full article

Women who want an abortion in Florida will have to wait 24 hours under a bill that passed the House on Wednesday. View the full article

High-end Indian eatery American Gymkhana on Restaurant Row may be closing at the end of April, but it will only take days for successor Fusion 360 to reopen. View the full article

As we count down the weeks to the beginning of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration on May 22, it’s a perfect time to take a look back at some of the innovations that the Happiest Place on Earth has seen throughout its first sixty years. Let’s start with the biggest innovation of all – Disneyland itself – recalled in Walt Disney’s own words. For those of us who grew up in the time after Disneyland opened, it’s hard to imagine a time without theme parks. But that’s how it was when Walt Disney had his idea for a place where the young and young-at-heart could have fun together. “It came about when my daughters were very young and Saturday was always daddy’s day with the two daughters,” Walt said. “I’d take them to the merry-go-round and I took them different places and as I’d sit while they rode the merry-go-round and did all these things—sit on a bench, you know, eating peanuts—I felt that there should be something built where the parents and the children could have fun together. So that’s how Disneyland started.” Walt set out to build a place like no other. At the time, amusement parks were notorious for being dirty and unsafe. As Walt recalled, “When I started on Disneyland, my wife used to say, ‘But why do you want to build an amusement park? They’re so dirty.’ I told her that was just the point—mine wouldn’t be.” Disneyland was to be so much more than an amusement park . . . Walt envisioned an entire fantasy world that would bring stories and imagination to life. “Disneyland is like Alice stepping through the Looking Glass,” he said. “To step through the portals of Disneyland will be like entering another world.” He also wanted Disneyland to be a reflection of American life. Growing up in a small midwestern town had an enormous impact on Walt, and he wanted to bring that sense of pride and hope to all who came to this happy place. “Physically, Disneyland would be a small world in itself,” he said. “It would encompass the essence of the things that were good and true in American life. It would reflect the faith and challenge of the future, the entertainment, the interest in intelligently presented facts, the stimulation of the imagination, the standards of health and achievement, and above all, a sense of strength, contentment and well-being.” In the years since, Disneyland has become the standard by which other theme parks are measured. Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom has stood the test of time, due to constant innovation, unlimited imagination and the fond memories that have been made here. “But it all started from a daddy with two daughters wondering where he could take them where he could have a little fun with them, too.” Sixty Years of Innovation: Disneyland, Walt Disney’s Original Magic Kingdom by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Enter the Carthay Circle Theatre Restaurant in Disneyland Resort and enjoy one of their signature cocktails, a Ginger Rodgers. For this drink you will need the following: 1 Oz Dry Gin 1 Oz...From:Disney ParksViews:98230ratingsTime:01:38More inTravel & Events

An Adventures by Disney Danube River Cruise vacation has countless active adventures in store. Because I’m a “get up and go” sort of person, I couldn’t wait to write about all the action-packed options on this new itinerary. With so many different options to choose from, I found it difficult to select only my favorite activities. Nonetheless, I did my best, and here are my top five favorite active experiences on an Adventures by Disney Danube River Cruise. Climb Around The Famous Tree Path Kopfing Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Austrian Alps as you venture on the famous Tree Tops Path Kopfing. Walk among the treetops along 41 connected towers and soak in the unforgettable view of the surrounding forest and snow-capped mountains (just don’t look down). Your nature guide will show you the way as you climb along rope bridges, and a giant slide and fun-filled playground await exploration for the Junior Adventurers! Take in All the Fun Activities at Lazar Equestrian Park In Budapest, Hungary, challenge your friends to a spirited goulash making competition. I can guarantee you this will be one delicious competition! Then explore Lazar Equestrian Park and discover new music as you listen to live traditional Hungarian folklore musicians, take a carriage ride, see the famous “csikósok” (Hungarian cowboys), enjoy an entertaining horse show and meet the animals up close at a petting zoo. Dancing and Swimming in the Danube Dance the day away in Melk, Austria during your traditional Austrian dance lesson, and enjoy a lively fish barbeque demonstration. Then get a taste of the local flavors with marmalade making, wine and juice tasting, and a fun opportunity to take a splash in the Danube! Take a Wild Ride in a Salt Mine Step into the Salt Mines of Hallein and get ready for a thrill that you can’t do anywhere else as you zoom down a mineshaft slide. Take a raft through the underground salt mines and learn about this Austrian “white gold.” Whether you decide to soak up the view of the stunning mines or see who slid down the slide fastest, you are sure to discover the thrills that lie within. Enjoy a Bike Ride to Klosterneuberg Abbey Get ready for a bike ride to remember as you pedal your way from Vienna, Austria to the stunning Klosterneuberg Abbey. The breathtaking path to the Abbey is truly unforgettable and, after arrival, you’ll continue to marvel while viewing world-famous artwork. For those craving a little more serene experience, an Adventures by Disney River Cruise offers a multitude of activity options in each city and town visited, so there truly is something for everyone. With so many activities to enjoy, which one are you most excited about? Top 5: Active Experiences on an Adventures by Disney Danube River Cruise by Andrae Gill: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Police say a 41-year-old tourist was caught urinating early Tuesday morning in an ice machine at the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando. View the full article

T-shirts celebrating two long-time favorite destinations at Walt Disney World Resort will be featured this month on the Disney Parks online store. From April 27 to May 3, we are releasing T-shirts for adults, women and kids inspired by Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, and one of the longest-running dinner shows in American history – Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. These vintage-style T-shirts were designed by Disney Design Group artist Richard Terpstra. Richard told me that the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue shirt was inspired by some of the classic themed posters found around the stage area at Pioneer Hall. If you want a great look back at this dinner show, I invite you to read this article from last September by my fellow author Pam Brandon. One of my favorite details that Richard included in the artwork is the small “Florida” flag above the Walt Disney World Resort logo. This flag reminds me of early 1970s merchandise for the “Vacation Kingdom of the World” like the postcard shown above from my personal collection. The adults and women’s shirts will be printed on a Hanes Nano, while the kids’ shirts will be a Hanes Beefy-T. Guests can find these limited release T-shirts online only starting April 27 at www.DisneyStore.com/ParkEvents. Be a Happy Camper with Limited-Release Shirts Coming to Disney Parks Online Store on April 27 by Steven Miller: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

"Queen of Versailles" star Jackie Siegel and her husband, time-share mogul David Siegel, will be featured on "Celebrity Wife Swap," ABC has confirmed. View the full article

WELCOME to the new and improved Disney Food Blog website! Surprised you this morning, didn’t we? We are SO excited to present our brand new home base to you today, with the goal of providing you — our readers — with a much more user-friendly experience to make your Disney vacation planning (and dining!) even more seamless! And so with that, let’s do a little walk-through so you can know where to go to find the information you need the most! “So what are the improvements?”I’m glad you asked! We’ve been working on ways to make it much easier to find the information you need. For instance… We’ve got a brand new menu at the top of our home page so you can find exactly the information you’re looking for at a glance. From your favorite Disney recipes to easy access to reviews for the restaurants you might be considering for your next Disney vacation. Looking for the latest and greatest food news? Just visit the Disney Food News section highlighted on the Home page. Are you planning a trip to Disneyland? Then you’ll want to check out our specific section for Disneyland (and vice-versa for Disney World trip planners!), also found on the home page! See all the latest News, Disneyland, and Disney World posts immediately! Then click to see more! “But, AJ, I liked the site just the way it was…”No problem! We are still the Disney Food BLOG, so if you prefer to read the blog the same way you always have, you can just click our “Read the Blog” icon in the top right corner. Click on this button to read the blog as you always have in the past! It’s A Work in Progress…Of course, this much change all at once means we’ll need your help to ensure your experience is excellent. We’ll be continuing to update the site, improve the menu section at the top with even more detailed information, and beautify some of the site components over the next several weeks and months. But if there’s a part of your experience here you’d like to see improved, we’d love to hear from you. Please click here to send us an email with your thoughts. No matter what kind of info you’re looking for, we hope you have fun checking out our new look while enjoying the same thing we’ve always offered: the best in Disney food news and reviews! Make yourself at home… and we’ll see you back here real soon! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: Disney Food Post Weekly Round-Up: July 26 Disney Food Post Round-Up: November 1, 2009 Be Our Guest Restaurant Video — Another Look INSIDE! View the full article

Jameis Winston admitted to a possible NCAA violation -- albeit minor -- stating during an ESPN interview he received free food from a Tallahassee grocery store. Â View the full article

Avez-vous suffisamment de courage pour montrer à bord de The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror? #VoyagezÀDisney Inscrivez-vous: http://di.sn/q7h À propos de Walt Disney World: À Walt Disney...From:Disney ParksViews:191064ratingsTime:00:40More inTravel & Events

Surf’s Up! As part of the Coolest Summer Ever at Walt Disney World Resort, a new summertime dance party inspired by Disney Channel’s upcoming “Teen Beach 2” (sequel to the popular “Teen Beach Movie”) will hit the beach at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park. From May 22 through July 5, guests can join in the “Teen Beach 2:” Beach Party at various times throughout day. The fun includes “bikers” and “surfers” who dance and play beach-themed games with guests as a DJ spins remixes of retro tunes. Taking over part of Typhoon Lagoon’s main beach area, guests can participate in relays on the sand, hula hoop spinning, water balloon and beach ball tossing, and the grooviest dance moves this side of Mt. Mayday. Premiering this summer on Disney Channel, “Teen Beach 2″ is set months after surfer sweethearts Mack and Brady return from a summer adventure that transported them into Brady’s favorite 1960s beach party movie, “Wet Side Story,” only to receive a surprise real-world visit from Lela, Tanner, Butchy and their other newfound surfer and biker buddies. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is the perfect place to find cool thrills on attractions like “Crush ‘n’ Gusher” and “Humunga Kowabunga,” or you can just “hang 10” in North America’s largest wave pool or the lazy river. With Summer 2015 being the Coolest Summer Ever at Walt Disney World Resort, there’s never been a better time to check out all the water-soaked action at Typhoon Lagoon, including the “Teen Beach 2:” Beach Party. And don’t forget to check out “Teen Beach 2,” coming to Disney Channel this summer. Disney Channel Hit Movie Returns to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon with ‘Teen Beach 2:’ Beach Party by Charles Stovall, Public Relations, manager: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article