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Dominic Lee had a promising future in football, according to his coach and fellow players. View the full article

As a graphic designer, Imagineer Kirstin Makela visually communicates Disney stories throughout the Disneyland Resort, even designing many of the graphics for the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration. Appropriately enough, we are featuring her in our 60th episode of Every Role a Starring Role! Which graphic design in this video is your favorite? Every Role a Starring Role – Walt Disney Imagineering Graphic Designer at the Disneyland Resort by Kevin Rafferty, Jr.: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

The white dry-erase board of "specials" on the wall remains enticing: A fried catfish dinner, with three sides, is $11.50. Or have your pick from the value menu: beef stew, rib tips or turkey necks. View the full article

The latest American Consumer Satisfaction Index revealed that pay-TV and internet businesses are among the most hated industries in the country. View the full article

At a GOP economic forum at which seven potential presidential candidates called for less taxes and government and most blasted Democrats, Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush called for "conservative principles applied the right way" and cautioned against angry rhetoric. View the full article

Your evening commute will likely be a wet one. View the full article

Heads up, all! A few select Disney World Resorts have rolled out an updated pricing structure for the Rapid Fill Mugs — refillable mugs that provide guests the option to purchase one mug and reuse it for fountain and other drink station beverages throughout their vacation for a pre-designated amount of time. Rapid Fill Mugs The price for a Rapid Fill Mug has been $17.99 for length of stay, with lower pricing options available for 1, 2, and 3 day visits since the Rapid Fill drink program debuted in August 2013. And it remains in effect at several Disney resorts currently. Rapid Fill Price Sign BUT…at Pop Century, the All Star Resorts, and Port Orleans – Riverside, the price is currently $16.49 plus tax for length of stay. Rapid Fill New Length of Stay Pricing — Refillable Mugs However, the 1, 2, and 3 day options are not currently available to guests, so essentially it costs $16.49 plus tax for guests to purchase the Rapid-Fill Mugs, no matter the length of their trip. Rapid Fill Mugs At this time, it is unknown whether any other Resorts have — or will — follow suit, and if so, in what time frame. If you are a current or recent Disney World Resort guest and have noticed any pricing structure changes to the refillable mugs at your resort, we’d be interested to hear about your experience (and we hope you have or had a great vacation, while you’re at it!). What do you think having one pricing option for the Rapid Fill Mugs? Please let us know with comment! 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! Update on Disney’s New Rapid Fill Refillable Mug News! Redesigned Refillable Mugs at Disney World Resorts! News: Disney World Refillable Mug System Experiment View the full article

An estimated $5 billion in U.S. travel deals and sales will be negotiated in the five-day U.S. Travel Association IPW convention. View the full article

An anonymous telephone call led to the arrest last week of a Winter Park High School student, who was charged with posting threatening messages to her teacher on Twitter, officials said. View the full article

The chairman of the Orange County school board is warning the town of Eatonville not to play politics over developing the 100-acre Hungerford school property. View the full article

Earlier this year, thousands of you voted to name our female baby rhino Kiama. She has been growing rapidly – gaining about three or four pounds a day – and now you can see her during your next adventure on Kilimanjaro Safaris! The young white rhino just stepped on to the savanna for the first time. Kiama weighs about 400 pounds, while her mom Kendi is closer to 4,000 pounds! Kendi was born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 1999. Kiama stays close to her mom, and sometimes breaks away to play in the dirt or investigate different noises. Then, she playfully runs back to the safety of her mom. They are a joy to watch, and I hope you have the opportunity to see them exploring the savanna soon! You can help rhinos in the wild by purchasing only “wildlife-friendly” products and never buying products made from rhino horns. You also can support organizations like the Disney Conservation Fund and the International Rhino Foundation, which are both active in rhino research and conservation. Learn more about rhinos and other animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot at DisneyAnimals.com. Rhino Kiama Makes Her Big Debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom by Jackie Ogden, Ph.D.: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

If you’ve ever had the good fortune to travel to Florence, Italy, chances are you’re familiar with Vivoli Gelateria. I’ve never been myself, but when I searched “Florence Must-Dos” online, Vivoli appeared on every list; wedged between art galleries and chapels, it was the only food venue mentioned in National Geographic’s City Guide to Florence, so you know it must be pretty spectacular! No immediate plans to visit Italy? No worries. The family-run gelato shop will open its second storefront – and the first outside of Italy – later this month at The Landing, the newest neighborhood to debut as part of the future Disney Springs. I recently had the chance to connect with Silvana Vivoli, the granddaughter of Raphael Vivoli, one of the company’s founders, to learn more about the gelateria. Founded in 1932 by Raphael and his two brothers, Vivoli Gelateria started out as a dairy – at that time, it was not easy to find raw materials such as milk, eggs and sugar and there were no gelato machines and freezers. After World War II, technology enabled the brothers to follow their passion and produce gelato every day – a far cry from the early recipes that relied on barrels filled with ice and snow from the nearby mountains to keep their concoctions frozen. Silvana’s father, Piero, learned to make gelato from his father. Silvana learned the craft from him, “keeping the same old tradition,” she shared. When I asked Silvana why they decided to open a location at Downtown Disney, the answer flowed freely, “Good gelato. In a fantastic place. With fun and family and a sunny destination? It’s a nice combination. Like vanilla and chocolate!” According to Silvana, the gelato at Vivoli is made with fresh, top-quality ingredients using the exact same recipes from the original shop. The artisans plan to use local and seasonal products, with cocoa powder, hazelnut and pistachio imported from Italy. “There are ingredients not easy to buy,” muses Silvana, “these are love and passion … when you fall in love with your job, you have these for free – they’re the final ingredients that make everything so special.” For a special gelato experience that will give you the “feeling of being in Italy for ten minutes,” make plans to try Vivoli Gelateria during your next visit to Downtown Disney. Not sure which flavor to order? I asked Silvana one final question: which is her favorite? “It depends on how I get up in the morning! But really, I cannot do without rice pudding gelato.” In addition to their signature gelato, Vivioli Gelateria will also serve traditional Italian panini, biscotti, espresso and tarts. For a mouth-watering look at what you can expect, check out the gallery below. GalleryVivoli Gelateria to Open Soon at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort view allVivoli Gelateria to Open Soon at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort by Darcy Clark: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

A local woman received about 100 robocalls over four months from Orange County schools, alerting her about everything from an absent child to lockdowns and fundraising campaigns. View the full article

It was a dog-meet-dog day at California’s State Capitol yesterday when Sutter and Colusa Brown, Governor Jerry Brown’s canine companions, met and shook paws with Pluto and his pal Mickey Mouse. Disneyland Resort President Michael Colglazier and Governor Brown also were there to celebrate the pups’ pow wow. Read more here about the Disneyland Resort visit to Sacramento. Governor Brown’s Dog Sutter Meets Mickey Mouse’s Dog Pluto at California State Capitol by Kevin Rafferty, Jr.: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

When the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens at Universal Studios Hollywood next year, it will feature an upgraded version of the attraction at its sister parks in Orlando. View the full article

See what’s happening in the world of Merchandise Special Events this June at Walt Disney World Resort! June 5 – 6: Join us as we welcome artist Joey Chou to WonderGround Gallery at Marketplace Co-Op in Downtown Disney Marketplace. Take part in a special artist showcase and signing from June 5 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. and June 6 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Special Tip: Joey will also be appearing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Star Wars Weekends. Learn more. June 10 – 14: Artist Greg McCullough returns this month with special appearances and signings June 10 – 14 from Noon – 8 p.m. at Art of Disney in Epcot and June 26 – July 1 from 1 – 9 p.m. at Art of Disney in Downtown Disney Marketplace. Learn more. June 11 – 22: Representatives from Precious Moments dolls will be on hand for the debut of the Patriotic Collection. Meet the representatives and see the dolls throughout the day, each day, June 11 – 22 and June 26 – July 20 at Once Upon A Toy in Downtown Disney Marketplace. Artist Appearance Tip: Look for a special appearance by designer and artist Linda Rick, June 13-14. Learn more. June 13: Join us as we welcome back artist Jasmine Becket-Griffith to WonderGround Gallery at Marketplace Co-Op in Downtown Disney Marketplace. Take part in a special artist showcase and signing from 4 – 7 p.m. Learn more. June 18 – 21: Meet artist Larry Dotson throughout the day from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. at Main Street Cinema at Magic Kingdom Park. Learn more. June 18 – 23: Stop in and find some of the latest releases by artist David E. Doss from 1 – 9 p.m., each day, at Art of Disney in the Downtown Disney Marketplace. Learn more. June 19: Take part in Trading Night from 6 – 9 p.m. in Veracruz A at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Register online now. Learn more. June 20 – 21: Humor columnist and author, Dave Barry will be on hand for a special appearance and signing of his newest book, “The Worst Class Trip Ever.” Meet Dave, June 20 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Writer’s Stop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and June 21 from 4 – 5 p.m. at Once Upon a Toy at Downtown Disney Marketplace. Learn more. June 20: A new hand-painted limited edition Ink & Paint cel, titled Ariel and Friends, will make a splash at the Animation Gallery at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Look for appearances by the artists from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2 – 5 p.m. on the day of release. Not able to make it? A special pre-purchase opportunity will be available now through June 18, 2015. Learn more. June 24 – 27: Meet Fragrance Designer Geir Ness throughout the day at Puffin’s Roost in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot. June 26 – 27: Meet artist Kristin Tercek from 5 – 8 p.m., each day at WonderGround Gallery in Marketplace Co-Op at Downtown Disney Marketplace. Learn more. Quick Reminder: Tickets to this year’s GenEARation D Pin Trading event taking place Sept. 11 – 12 are going quickly and are in limited supply. Don’t miss out! Find out all the details and get a peek inside the merchandise catalog for the event. Learn more. Which event are you most excited for? Walt Disney World Event Snapshot: June 2015 by Michelle Harker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

What to wear on a Disney cruise is one of the biggest topics addressed on the Disney Parks Moms Panel. For tropical destinations, we all know that swimwear is a must for daytime fun. But what is appropriate for nighttime? I reached out to the Disney Cruise Line specialists on the Disney Parks Moms Panel to find out what their family wears on nights designated as cruise casual, formal and semi-formal, and here’s what they had to say … Cruise Casual “For cruise casual nights, our family dresses in clothing that would be appropriate for a nice dinner out at a casual dining restaurant. That usually consists of khakis and a golf shirt for my husband and capris and a cute top for me. Since our kids are older, we choose the late seating for dinner. Our girls go directly to the Youth Clubs after the meal, so they prefer to wear something comfy and casual that they can wear straight to Edge and Vibe. You’ll probably find them in a cute tunic, leggings and sandals, or capri pants and a fun top.” –Diane W. “For my husband and teenage son, collared shirts are always easy to pack and go well with his khaki pants or jeans. Boat shoes are a staple in my boys’ closets, since it pairs nicely for evenings out and practically goes with everything. My daughter will usually be comfortable wearing a sundress for cruise casual evenings, paired with dressy ballet flat shoes. I’m usually comfortable with my capri pants and a nice bright colored blouse. Comfy wedge heels are a must for me in the evenings, since we like to stroll along the deck after dinner before heading over to one of the lounges for a cocktail or a nightcap.” –Dolly M. Formal and Semi-Formal “On formal and semi-formal nights, you’ll see everything from tuxedos and formal gowns to sundresses. We like to find a happy medium. My husband will wear a jacket and dress shirt (sometimes a tie), and I will wear a nice (but not formal) dress. I do enjoy seeing those who bring ball gowns and tuxedos, and that makes for a precious photo op with the Disney characters in their formal best.” –Diane W. “For formal night or an evening at Remy or Palo, I like to wear a dress with heels, and my teenage daughter wears a nicer sundress with the same ballet flat she wears on the cruise casual nights. We both bring a shawl or a light sweater to drape over just in case it gets breezy. My husband always packs a pair of dress pants and a jacket if we know we are dining at Palo or Remy, and he’ll bring an extra shirt and tie for formal or semi-formal night. My teenage son packs his Oxford shoes to match his dress pants and long-sleeved shirt. We never run out of collared shirts, since it’s our go-to outfits for the boys in the family.” –Dolly M. For other tips on what to pack for your Disney cruise, check out my previous posts: The Ultimate Disney Cruise Line Packing ChecklistSix Must-Have Items for a Disney CruiseA Mom’s Take: Packing for a Disney Cruise to AlaskaDressing for a Disney Cruise: Tips from the Disney Parks Moms Panel by Jonathan Frontado: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

In its early years, Gay Days was something of a lark. When Orlando resident Doug Swallow first suggested an informal show of gay solidarity at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in 1991, the gathering had the feel of that old theater cliche: "Hey kids, let's put on a show!" View the full article

Bonjour! We are popping into Les Halles Boulangerie and Patisserie in Epcot’s France Pavilion today to take a closer look at a new-to-us pastry! Learn About: Les Halles Boulangerie PatisserieEpcot Restaurants Disney World RestaurantsYou may remember last year around Mardi Gras time when we shared with you the Beignets commemorating that time of year. They were really interesting — unlike what we normally think of as beignets. (You know, those fluffy fried pillows of deliciousness. Rectangular or Mickey-shaped — we’re good either way.) But on a recent visit to Les Halles we were intrigued to read that the Beignets seemed to be different, since they were described as Chocolate Hazelnut-filled. Wait. What?! Yeah…that’s all it took to get us there. Le Beignet at Les HallesThe previous beignets at Les Halles were Bugnes Lyonnaise, diamond-shaped with a hole in the middle, and were rolled in granulated sugar. So when I was handed this treat, it was clear that we were dealing with something completely different. Enjoying a Beignet in a Quiet Spot We took the snack to my favorite secret hide-y place in the France Pavilion. (Nope, not tellin’ ya where…OK, behind the perfume shops. But don’t tell.) It’s a wonderfully quiet and shady spot — a perfect place to dig into Les Halles loot! As you can see, it looks like a traditional filled doughnut. Actually, it reminded me a lot of the Berliner featured at the Germany Booth during last year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Les Halles Beignet — Up Close Time to cut into it! I went for it, expecting to see a snug little pocket of chocolate Hazelnut filling. But this is what greeted me on the cross section. Beignet — Cross Section Well, I knew there was filling in there. It was too heavy for there not to be! And so I cut it again and the chocolate filling began to reveal itself. Beignet — Getting There… But I knew you guys would really want to see inside! So I went for one final cut. Jackpot! Here, you can see that the beignet is completely filled with what tastes a whole lot like Nutella. Beignet — Filling-Viewing Success! So how did it taste? Pretty awesome. The pastry was tender and fresh. And of course, you can never go wrong with the flavor combo of chocolate and hazelnut. This was a win for me! And since we split it four ways (and, er, may have also purchased a macaron collection), it was perfect for sharing. Everyone got just a bite or two of the pastry and filling, and the ratio was perfect. If you’re intrigued, are looking for a step up from your garden variety breakfast doughnut, or you just really love Nutella, then this one is definitely for you! Will you be trying the Beignet at Les Halles? Leave a comment and let me know what you think! 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: Holiday Snack Series: Bûche de Noël from Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in Epcot’s France Pavilion Review: The New Napoleon at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in Epcot’s France Review: A Lunch Stop at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in Epcot’s France View the full article

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson on Monday reassigned the leader of the Transportation Security Administration and directed the agency to revise airport security procedures, retrain officers and retest screening equipment in airports across the country. View the full article

RuPaul praises the latest winner of "Drag Race" for having the "biggest charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent that I've seen in a long time." View the full article

Senior Lauren Haeger drove in all three UF runs, highlighted by a two-run home run Senior Lauren Haeger drove in all three UF runs, highlighted by a two-run home run View the full article

A six-vehicle crash blocked State Road 46 in Sorrento for several hours Monday afternoon and sent two people to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, the Florida Highway Patrol said. View the full article

A 16-year-old Orlando girl died Sunday night after being thrown from a vehicle and then hit by another car on State Road 429 in Apopka, officials said. View the full article

SANFORD — When Seminole High Principal Connie Collins stopped by a morning football workout Monday, she found many players in tears. View the full article