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When you were a kid, did you get with the neighborhood gang to talk candy strategy for trick-or-treat night? We were all over it back then, remember? We covered our neighborhood, then went into adjoining neighborhoods, all in a quest to create the ultimate stash we’d call our own. Now as adults, the kid in us still comes out when it comes to candy during the Halloween season. Think about it – in your office, who comes to mind with the bowl of candy available for everyone? Only as an adult, we have to act more civilized. No running or screaming or shoving candy in our mouth – in public that is. At Disney Parks, we get that inside every adult is a child that still loves to play and enjoy life to its fullest. So each year, our creative team talks about how we can top last year’s experience, so check this out. For 2014 our Disney Floral & Gifts creative team developed a new Not-So-Scary Halloween Treat Bag for Walt Disney World Resort. Take a look at this exclusive canvas bag, featuring a Mickey pumpkin with battery-powered light-up eyes. Did you notice that at the bottom of the bag there’s “tattered fabric” to create a spooky look? The trick-or-treat letters glow in the dark, too. Then, our creative designer filled the tote with popular mouth-watering treats, including Mickey’s crispy treats, candy from Goofy’s Candy Company and more. It also comes with a Mickey pumpkin light-up lanyard for lighting up those spooky nights, temporary glow-in-the-dark eyeball tattoos and your very own autograph book to collect favorite character signatures. And get this, it comes in a Mickey and Minnie version for boys and ghouls. And, where would you want to take these bags? To Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, of course! So here’s the inside scoop, for third year in a row, I got ahold of the candy maps for the party so children and adults could start planning for their ultimate candy adventure! This year the Magic Kingdom Park has stocked up with even more candy than ever before. There will be two trick or treat trails, featuring over nine trick or treating locations where you may see some of your favorite characters all dressed up. Oh, and you may have heard that one of the many new experiences that are being launched this year revolves around the evil side of Disney at the Diamond Horseshoe in Liberty Square. The Club Villain Dance Party will feature a few of your favorite mischievous characters dancing the night away, so you gotta check that out. Want to see more of the Villains? Then, stay for the Happy Hallowishes Nighttime Spectacular and Villains Cast Show! For those of you who can’t make it this year to the party, we can kind of send a party to you. Our Not-So-Scary Treats Tote is also part of our ship to home offerings with just a few different twists. If you’re headed to the Disneyland Resort this season, to celebrate the holiday, it’s all about Mickey’s Halloween Party! Our Floral & Gifts team in California created Haunted Halloween Buckets to enjoy in the resort as well as in the parks! Special Tip: The Mickey pumpkin bucket features battery-operated glowing eyes and a collection of treats to keep you energized for the night! Of course, we got our hands on the Halloween party map as well! Make sure to catch the Halloween Screams – A Villainous Surprise in the Skies Fireworks hosted by Jack Skellington and eight trick or treating locations throughout Disneyland park. I’ve got a few more “tales to tell” about new gifting experiences this year. One includes “orchestrating a Halloween surprise” and building your own gift from our collection of tricks and treats. So stay tuned. And remember, you can also add Mickey’s Spooktacular Celebration to your Disney World vacation and a Disney Villainous Halloween to your stay at the Disneyland Resort. Our Halloween gifts are available now through October 31st or while supplies last. Oh, and you can also add these trick or treat totes and buckets to your Halloween In Room Celebration available at Walt Disney World or Disneyland. If you have questions, call a Dream Maker at 407-WDW-GIFT for Walt Disney World Resort or 714-781-GIFT for Disneyland Resort. New Halloween Trick-or-Treat Totes at Disney Parks by Jean Volante: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Gov. Rick Scott has agreed to make a charitable contribution of $2,800 to offset a campaign contribution from businessman Nik Patel, who was arrested Tuesday on fraud charges. View the full article

In honor of the upcoming Halloween holiday, we’ll offer an up-close look at a different resident of The Haunted Mansion right here on the Disney Parks Blog each Friday. Today, we’re focusing on one of the ladies of the house – Madame Leota. (Art by Cameron Garland) Leota first appears in the Seance Circle room, summoning the Mansion’s spirits from within an illuminated crystal ball that appears to float on its own above the table. Her famous line, “Serpents and spiders, tail of a rat. Call in the spirits wherever they’re at!” was recorded by Eleanor Audley, then Disney’s go-to gal for voicing the perfect villainess. (Audley also supplied the voices of Lady Tremaine in “Cinderella” and Maleficent in “Sleeping Beauty”). Leota’s visage was a visual of Imagineer Leota Toombs, an Imagineer/model builder whose face fit the dimensions the team was looking for and agreed to participate in a demo – and nailed it. The character of Madame Leota appears in another form later on in the attraction. Just before you disembark your Doom Buggie, “Little Leota”, appears up high and beckons guests to hurry back. Here’s a fun fact – although Eleanor Audley supplied the voice for Leota in the Seance Room, it’s both the voice and face of Leota Toombs that combined to create Little Leota. 999 Happy Haunts: Meet Madame Leota by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

New for Halloween Time this year, the Disneyland Resort has introduced three new glow cubes for your lighted drinking pleasure. The specialty cubes are available in the themed lands from which they come. For example, The Poison Apple Glow Cube can only be found at Disneyland Park in Fantasyland — the same area where you’ll find Snow White and the Wicked Witch, who’d like to poison her with one of these little flashing beauties. Poison Apple Glow Cubes You can pick up a Poison Apple Glow Cube at the fruit cart across from Village Haus. They come with the purchase of a specialty drink. Over in New Orleans Square, you can find Jack Skellington Glow Cubes brightening up your beverage! A Jack Glow Cube can be purchased from the Mint Julep Bar, Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans, or the New Orleans Square Lemonade Cart. Jack Skellington Glow Cubes Although I haven’t seen them yet, Pumpkin Mickey Glow Cubes are floating around in Disneyland drinks, too! They can be found throughout Disneyland at Carnation Cafe, Big Thunder Ranch, the Small World Lemonade Cart, the Tomorrowland Lemonade Cart, and at the Ship to Shore Food Stand, which is just across from Big Thunder Mountain. I’ll try to get my hands on one soon, so I can share a photo! In my opinion all drinks taste better with a Glow Cube in them. I’d really love a whole bowl of Poison apples for a Halloween decoration. I guess I’d better get to sippin’! Are you a sucker for Glow Cubes? Have you seen these specialty Halloween Time additions in the parks yet? Which one is your favorite? Heather Sievers is the Disney Food Blog’s Dining in Disneyland columnist. See more of her columns here! 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 Glow Cube Drink Gallery — What’s Your Favorite?Disney’s Famous Blue Glow-tiniDining in Disneyland: A Quick Peek at Halloween Treats View the full article

The David Maus family of auto dealerships has been sold to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, officials said Thursday. View the full article

Tonight’s “After Dark” image is a lovely shot snapped in our Moroccan pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot. What a beautiful sunset! GalleryDisney Parks After Dark view allDisney Parks After Dark: Sunsets in Morocco by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

After years of delays, construction is starting on a hotel-and-retail development aimed at budget-conscious Disney World visitors and athletes attending competitions at the resort's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. View the full article

Congratulations to the winners of the annual Best Bets awards. View the full article

Ever wonder what it's like to have an unforgettable Hawai'i vacation at Aulani? Discover a family paradise with a touch of magic at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa! http://di.sn/soC Watch...From:Disney ParksViews:108924ratingsTime:01:48More inTravel & Events

Okay, fellow ‘80s kids! Today is the day to vote for your favorite, totally rad photo from the 1980s! We’ve been voting for the top Disneyland Resort memory from each decade of the past 60 years, and today it is time to go back to the 1980s. As we prepare for the upcoming Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, we asked you to submit your most magical Disneyland Resort memories from the past six decades. Now we continue narrowing down the submissions to decide which will win! Here are the top Disneyland Resort memories we received from the 1980s: From @amii91581: 80s cousins with Goofy From @kerinjmb: Throwback Thursday to Disneyland circa 1988 From @KimaFoster:1980′s From @heidir313: 1985 From @bjjlawson: With my dad @ Autopia circa 1989. So, which is your favorite? Vote now! Vote Now for the Top Disneyland Resort Memory from the 1980sVoting will remain open until 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, October 8. Be sure to check back Thursday, October 9, when we’ll share the top five memories from the 1990s. Each decade winner will receive a special Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration prize. Then, we’ll give you the chance to vote for one Grand Prize winner from among the winners of each decade. This lucky fan will win a trip to the start of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration in spring 2015. For complete rules, click here. No purchase necessary. 18/age of majority+, 50 US/DC only. Void where prohibited. See Rules for details. Vote Now for the Top Disneyland Resort Memory from the 1980s by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

The Disney Parks online store continues its attraction poster T-shirt series this month with a salute to the Haunted Mansion. These Hanes Beefy-T shirts will be sold online from October 6-12, 2014. I did some digging to learn more about the original designs that inspired Disney Design Group Artist Richard Terpstra when creating these two shirts. The original poster for the Disneyland park attraction was created in 1969 by Ken Chapman and Marc Davis. In 1971, artist George Jensen adapted the original Disneyland poster for the Walt Disney World Resort attraction poster. You can see a few more poster images from this classic Disney attraction in my favorite book, “Poster Art of the Disney Parks” by Vanessa Hunt and Danny Handke. You can now find this book on our Disney Parks online store. To order the shirts, visit http://www.DisneyStore.com/ParkEvents starting October 6. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. There will also be a special promotion offering two shirts for $40.00 (plus tax). The shirts are normally $24.95 each. Haunted Mansion Attraction Poster T-Shirts Coming to Disney Parks Online Store October 6-12, 2014 by Steven Miller: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Need something to brighten up that commute, motivate you on that walk or run, or get you through another grueling gym workout? We have just the thing! We’ve just released our latest DFB Podcast episode. And since it’s our 21st episode, we thought we needed a little celebrating! What’s It About?Let’s hit the bars! OK, OK, this is Disney World, so most are family-friendly, and you can find some truly amazing food and drinks when you step inside. It’s the perfect way to relax and unwind away from the sensory overload of the Disney parks. In this episode, AJ and Brad cover some of their favorite Disney bars and lounges on both coasts, and give you lots of reasons why you may want to check a few out. Head over for a listen and let us know your picks for great bars and lounges at Disney Parks and Resorts. We also answer two listener questions and ask for new ones — so get those questions ready! Here’s the Podcast page for Episode 21. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS or on iTunes! We Love the Amazing Fondue from the Territory Lounge at Disney’s World’s Wilderness Lodge! Take a listen and as always, let us know what you think! And don’t forget — the podcast has its own Twitter account — tweet us at @DFBPodcast! What are your favorite Disney bars and lounges? Let us know in the comments below! 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: DFB Podcast Episode 4 Now Available: Best Disney Restaurants for AtmosphereDFB Podcast Episode 11: Disney Holidays!DFB Podcast Episode 18: Disney Food Year in Review View the full article

This week, our “Learn to Draw” series is focusing on a character who is a perfect fit for the month of October – it’s Jack Skellington! Character artist Brian James Fichtner from Animation Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is here to give you step-by-step directions on creating the perfect pumpkin king. Let’s do it! For more animation tutorials, visit the links below: Learn to Draw Oswald the Lucky Rabbit at Disney’s Art of Animation ResortLearn How to Draw “Frozen’s” Anna at Disney’s Hollywood StudiosLearn to Draw Disney Characters at Animation Academy at Disney’s Hollywood StudiosDo You Want to Draw a Snowman? Learn How at Disney’s Hollywood StudiosLearn to Draw Jack Skellington at Disney’s Hollywood Studios by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

This week, our “Learn to Draw” series is focusing on a character who is a perfect fit for the month of October – it's Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas! We come to...From:Disney ParksViews:3176162ratingsTime:08:31More inTravel & Events

You can’t concentrate at work because you’re too busy dreaming of Castaway Cay.You find yourself whistling “when you wish upon a star” at 5pm and imagining yourself at the Sail Away celebration. Your Throwback Thursday posts are all photos from your last Disney cruise.You can’t eat a meal without dessert, especially since every night you dream about Palo’s chocolate soufflé.You are considering replacing your home’s windows with portholes and redecorating with a nautical motif. Your friends wonder why you keep talking like a pirate and looking for excuses to wear your pantaloons and eye patch.You make towel animals and leave chocolates on your kids’ pillows each night. You hope every knock on your door is your stateroom host arriving to make your bed and tidy up your house.Disney cruisers, what else can you add to this list? Eight Signs You Are Craving a Disney Cruise by Jonathan Frontado: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

This week we celebrated the anniversary of the opening of Walt Disney World Resort, and 43 years later it’s still bringing magical memories to guests from all over the world. In honor of this week’s milestone, here’s an aerial view of Magic Kingdom Park and the surrounding resort area in early 1971. Read on for more posts about Magic Kingdom in the “Vintage Walt Disney World” series: Vintage Walt Disney World: A Classic Game of Baseball Vintage Walt Disney World: It’s Off To Work We Go Vintage Walt Disney World: ‘The Three Caballeros’ at Magic Kingdom Park Vintage Walt Disney World: Happy Birthday, Magic Kingdom Park! by Nate Rasmussen: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

A favorite place to dine at Walt Disney World is Epcot’s World Showcase. Learn About: Biergarten RestaurantEpcot Restaurants Disney World Restaurants With unique restaurants featuring tastes from around the globe, Epcot offers a smorgasbord of dining locations. Today, guest author Rebecca Elliott shares her dinner experience at the Biergarten located in the Germany pavilion. Prost! Epcot is designed to replicate a permanent World’s Fair with pavilions dedicated to innovation and international culture. Future World highlights technology while the World Showcase, on the other side of World Showcase Lagoon, celebrates international culture. The Charming Biergarten Entry Way There are 11 pavilions in the World Showcase, each themed and dedicated to a specific country. The décor can be old fashioned and kitschy, but the cast members, many of whom travel from their home countries to work in the World Showcase, give it an air of authenticity. The restaurants are by far the main attraction. Many pavilions have two or more restaurants that serve food inspired by their representative countries. I say “inspired” because the food is not necessarily authentic, but it has elements of authentic dishes and is served in a fun atmosphere with incredible theming. Instead of dining at our usual spot (Chefs de France in the France pavilion), my family and I decided to try something completely new on our most recent visit. This is how we found ourselves at Biergarten in the Germany pavilion. When You Step Into the Dining Room, You Are Transported to a Lively Oktoberfest Party AtmosphereBiergarten is located in the back of the Germany pavilion, which is the fourth pavilion in if you enter the World Showcase from Future World and start from the left. Disney’s original plan was to feature a boat ride here, similar to the one at the Norway pavilion, but these plans fell through. The main entrance of the boat ride is now the dining area for Biergarten. The setting for Biergarten is a quaint Bavarian village celebrating Oktoberfest. You are seated in the town square at communal tables, ready to enjoy traditional German music and food. It is dusk (no matter what time of day you eat), and the atmosphere is celebratory. Stage Area and Seating We checked in with a cast member at the hostess desk outside the restaurant who reminded us that seating would be shared at communal tables and asked if we were okay with this. We said we were, and made our way to the waiting area. When our buzzer went off a few minutes later, we were corralled with two other families by a sweet hostess wearing a dirndl who reminded us again that seating would be shared. This was the second time since we arrived that we were told we’d be seated with people we didn’t know at our table. My family and I were fine with this. It seemed to lend itself to the Oktoberfest atmosphere and offered a fun way to meet other Disney enthusiasts. Seating Area and Old World Charm One of the families immediately had a problem when we were seated. They wanted to sit across from each other, but because of the odd numbers in the other families, it didn’t work out. My husband and I offered to break up our party, but they chose to go with the original setting and sulk instead. This bugged me, because we were told several times that we would be sharing a table. Why not go with the flow and join the fun? A Traditional Oompa Band Performs The whole time we ate, we were entertained by a traditional oompah band. I’ve heard that the same family has been putting on this show for years. They were a delight, playing all the traditional German instruments, including the accordion and the alpenhorn. They even played “It’s a Small World” on the bells. Playing “It’s a Small World” on the Bells There is a dance floor in front of the stage, and the crowd is encouraged to sing and dance along. Children especially enjoyed this. Dancing the Night Away EatsWe were quickly greeted by our server, a German gentleman in lederhosen who took great delight in explaining the buffet and describing the foods we could expect there. Before letting us loose, he took our drink order. In true Oktoberfest tradition, guests were encouraged to order beer by the liter! Our tablemates did just that. Liter of Beer at Biergarten We all headed to the buffet, which was stocked with traditional German food and some not so traditional foods to accommodate the less adventurous. The buffet is two-sided, and the left and right lines are almost identical, so don’t be worried that you’re missing something on the other side. Some Traditional German Cold Salads Including Sausage Salad (left) and Herring Salad (right) First up were the cold salads. There were several to choose from, with a variety of tastes and textures, from creamy and mild to crisp and tangy. A Variety of Cold Salads Including Cabbage Salad, Bean Salad, Beet Salad, Chopped Tomato Salad and Cucumber Salad This is also where we found the rolls, including Biergarten’s famous pretzel rolls, which I swear I could eat by the basket full. Yummy Rolls, Including Biergarten’s Famous Pretzel Rolls Next came the hot items. Many traditional German dishes were represented, including schnitzel, spaetzle, rouladen, and different sausages with sauerkraut. There were also items like roast chicken and green beans for those feeling less adventurous. They needn’t worry – nothing is spiced too strongly. There is a nice selection of sauces and chutneys if you feel your dish needs a little extra oomph. Brown Gravy, Spaetzle and Green Beans Pork Schnitzel and Zesty Paprika Sauce Fresh Cod in Mustard Cream Sauce and Roast Chicken Roasted Potatoes and German Sausages with Sauerkraut Carving Station with Roast Pork and German Meatloaf Traditional Beef Rouladen Pot Roast Bavarian Style, Potato Dumplings, and Brussel Sprouts with Bacon Vinagrette Red Cabbage and Nudel Gratin Top Your Selections with a Variety of Chutneys and Sauces Just when we thought we couldn’t eat another bite, we sampled some desserts. There were many to choose from, including some traditional German delights like apple strudel and linzer squares (both delicious). There were also shot glasses filled with Bavarian cream that could be topped with strawberry compote. My daughter loved those! Traditional Apple Strudel Mmmm…. Linzer Squares… OverallBiergarten is a festive restaurant with an abundant selection of German-inspired dishes. There is enough variety on the all-you-can-eat buffet for everyone to find something to enjoy. Our early reservation ensured the selections were well-stocked and the staff was friendly and attentive. The only challenge was not having any control over who was seated at our table, and we ended up with a couple of duds. If you are looking for a quiet, romantic meal, or if the thought of sharing a meal with people you don’t know is not your cup of tea, Biergarten is not your best choice. If you like polka music and have a penchant for schnitzel and spaetzle, you’ll have a great time! Rebecca Elliott writes and hosts the food blog Home Cooks Unite! She is a dedicated foodie and Disney enthusiast whose latest trip to the Magic Kingdom included some incredible dining experiences. Has your family dined at Biergarten? Share your experiences in the comments below! 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: Guest Review: Biergarten in Epcot’s Germany PavilionReview: Biergarten in Epcot’s GermanyDisney Food Pics of the Week: Epcot’s Germany Pavilion View the full article

"The cast of Disney's “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” talks about their first experience at a Disney Park. The cast in this video star alongside Jennifer...From:Disney ParksViews:175540ratingsTime:01:03More inTravel & Events

Halloween Time is upon us at Disneyland Park, and that means the return of seasonal fan favorite, Haunted Mansion Holiday. Each year, Jack Skellington takes over the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland...From:Disney ParksViews:8658148ratingsTime:00:59More inTravel & Events

Remember a while back when Disney was making waves in tech circles for, well, food reasons? At that time, several tech outlets were all abuzz with the news that Disney had filed a patent application for an “interactive cake”. We did a post about what seemed like a fun adventure with food, since we couldn’t figure out how we’d approach interacting with a cake (other than eating it with wild abandon, of course), we studied the pics and did our best to imagine the end result. Cakes and Patents…Patents and Cakes Well, this week, Disney has finally let the cat out of the bag as it introduced Disney Wedding Cake Projection Cake Mapping at its Fairytale Weddings Expo. And it actually looks pretty cool. Disney Introduces Cake Mapping Basically, Disney has taken technology that looks similar to what it uses in its nightly slideshows at Magic Kingdom and Disneyland, and reduced it in size. The video sequence is then projected on the blank slate of a wedding cake. Couples still have the option to customize the inside of the cake with delicious fillings and flavors. The video is customizable as well, with the aim to tell a couple’s unique story. Want to see the effect in action? Check out these videos for a cool demonstration of the technology! The first one is a Disney-made promo of the system. The second is from someone who saw the technology at a recent expo. Currently, guests who would like to add Cake Mapping to their wedding festivities will need to book their special day at the Walt Disney World Resort, and opt for a Wishes Collection wedding. It will be interesting to see how Disney applies the technology in the future, and if Cake Mapping will be the Next Big Thing for big celebrations. I’m wondering how we might be able to Cake Map my next Butterfinger Cupcake. Does Cake Mapping bring additional WOW factor to a Disney wedding, do you think? Let us know your thoughts in comments below! 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: Guest Review: Disney Fairy Tale Wedding Reception Food and Wedding CakeGuest Review: Wedding Tasting — Choosing the Food (and Cake!) for Your Disney WeddingDisney Launches Food & Wine Festival App View the full article

Show Your Disney Side: Under The Sea (Canada) | Disney Parks Now, everyone in your family can share that side of them that laughs more, screams more and just plain lives life to the fullest—their Disney side. So why wait? Come show your Disney side...From:Disney ParksViews:268259ratingsTime:00:31More inTravel & Events View the full article

Montrer votre côté Disney: Sous La Mer (Canada Francais) | Disney Parks Il n'y a pas de meilleur endroit pour découvrir votre côté Disney qu'un parc Disney. Planifiez votre visite dès maintenant. http://di.sn/qnz À propos des parcs Disney : À présent, chacun...From:Disney ParksViews:30ratingsTime:00:31More inTravel & Events View the full article

Darden CEO Clarence Otis will get nearly $36 million in severance in cash, stocks and other benefits when he leaves the embattled restaurant chain later this year. View the full article

Three months ago, we shared the story of two loggerhead sea turtles that lumbered ashore under the cover of darkness to lay their eggs on the beach by Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. Lots of sea turtles nest like this elsewhere in Florida, but these two particular turtles are special. As you might have guessed, this was our first introduction to Anna and Elsa, our two loggerhead turtle princesses! Anna and Elsa made their debut the following morning at Olaf’s Beach Party as Disney’s Vero Beach Resort team hosted an annual Tour de Turtles event! After being outfitted with satellite transmitters so that researchers can continue to track their movements, Anna and Elsa ‘let it go’ and began their trek back to the ocean. Both turtles, along with the other turtle competitors in this year’s Tour de Turtles, are swimming to raise awareness about the threats that sea turtles face. Anna is raising awareness about artificial light pollution on nesting beaches, and Elsa is raising awareness about plastic debris littering our oceans. Is Anna following her big sister, Elsa, just as she did in Disney’s Frozen? Check out tourdeturtles.org to see where they are now! A few months have passed since we bid farewell to Anna and Elsa as they began their migratory journey to their foraging grounds. Meanwhile, many sea turtle nests are scattered across the beach, quietly incubating under the surface of the sand. Loggerhead sea turtle nests contain an average of 115 ping pong ball sized eggs. (The photo below depicts a life size model shown at this year’s event.) Both Anna and Elsa’s nests hatched during the past week, and we are happy to report some great news! As the younger sister, Anna is a smaller turtle. Her nest had 72 eggs, 68 of which resulted in little hatchlings that successfully made it to the ocean. (The photo below shows Disney sea turtle biologists counting the eggshells after Anna’s nest hatched.) That means that 94% of Anna’s hatchlings were successful, just like their brave mother! (If we’re giving out letter grades, she gets an ‘A+’ for ‘Anna’ and the success of her hatchlings, of course.) Elsa, the big sister to Anna, produced a larger nest of 127 eggs, of which 115 hatched! Elsa even returned two weeks after Tour de Turtles to nest again on our beach, and that nest is still incubating. We’re thrilled that both Anna and Elsa’s nests were so successful. Please join us in wishing the little hatchlings the best of luck as they begin their first big adventure in the ‘big ol’ blue’! On your next trip to the beach, you can help sea turtles like Anna and Elsa. Thousands of sea turtles accidentally swallow plastic debris that travels to the ocean through storm drains or flies from landfills, mistaking the small pieces for food. Pick up litter and you might save a turtle’s life! Wildlife Wednesday: Baby Sea Turtles Hatch from Anna & Elsa’s Nests at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort! by Anne Savage, Ph.D.: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

All three members of the Dallas ambulance crew exposed to a patient who developed Ebola have tested negative for the virus, the City of Dallas said on Wednesday. View the full article