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With cooler temperatures on the rise (wait… that’s not right ), it’s that time of year to curl up with a warm beverage in your favorite mug! Of course, it happens to coincide with the time of year to think of gift-giving (and receiving!). So let’s take a look at some super fun Disney mugs that hit the scene in a veritable Mug-a-palooza! If you’d like to get a little shopping done while you’re at it, just click any of the links below… Okay, I don’t know how much she’ll help you against the chill, but this purple Elsa Mug captures the Frozen Queen quite nicely… Elsa Mug For Halloween, Christmas, or anytime of year, really, you gotta love this awesome Sally from the Nightmare Before Christmas Mug! Sally Mug “Red 5 standing by.” Leave it to Luke Skywalker… not only is he preparing for the Deathstar Battle, he’s also serving up your morning cuppa joe as a Mug version of himself! Luke Skywalker Mug It’s a three-fer! This set of Star Wars Stackable Mugs let’s you twist-and-match Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and a Stormtrooper. Star Wars Stackable Mugs This festive Mickey Mouse Mug comes with its own spoon to stir an extra dollop (or two!) of whipped cream into your hot cocoa. Mickey Spoon and Mug Set Don’cha think the Big Guy deserves a warm beverage of his own? Leave a little something for Santa with this Cookies for Santa Mug and Plate Set. Cookies for Santa Mug and Plate Set If you’ve got 999 Happy Haunts in your life, then your gift-giving list is probably pretty huge… How about this scuplted Haunted Mansion Mug? What’s that hand doing there?!? Haunted Mansion Mug It may take more than this Iron Man Mug to help you feel like a superhero in the morning, but it can’t hurt! Iron Man Mug Who knew Goofy was such a morning person? I love the vivid colors of the Goofy Brights Mug. Goofy Mug This mug is as close as I’m ever going to get to having the Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life in my house. Tree of Life Mug This Figural Bambi Mug is truly unique and understated. Bambi Mug Can you spy the silver Mickey in this Happy Hanukkah Mug? Happy Hanukkah Mug Maybe you have a princess in your life that would love this beautiful Aurora Mug… Aurora Mug But if mornings make you feel a little crabby, this Evil Queen Mug might be more your style. I like the sketch drawings all around the final color image. Evil Queen Mug So, here’s something fun… If you click on this Create Your Own WALL-E Mug link, it will lead you to options to create your own WALL-E or Eve Mug, or even a BnL logo mug, customizable with style and color options! I like how the Create-Your-Own series gives you options to find less often seen but well-loved characters, like the gang from Ratatouille or Up. Or how about The Incredibles? Would you believe the Create Your Own Star Wars Mug section has 150 options, from Mace Windu to Jabba the Hut to a Rebel Insignia? Create Your Own Mugs Happy sipping and shopping to all! Which of the above is your favorite mug? Please let us know with a 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: Disney Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Star Wars Kitchen GoodiesDisney Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Holiday for Your Home CollectionDisney Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Great Gift Ideas! View the full article

A flurry of excitement is swirling at Disney Parks. Why? The ‘cool’ new collection from Beautifully Disney debuting in stores now will undoubtedly melt your heart with its spectrum of colors inspired by the award-winning film, “Frozen.” New to the collection this year is the Rollerball Eye Shadow set. Designed with rollerball tip for effortless application, the lightweight, shimmering silver-toned Elegant Ice and golden-toned Sparkling eye shadows glide on with seamless precision for illuminated eyes. The shimmery loose shadows add dimension and light, creating a delicate dance of glistening crystals for your eyes. Tip: Simply glide the rollerball directly onto the eyelid for a subtle touch of glamour. Do you want to build … the perfect manicure? The whimsical winter colors of Spiraling Snow, Magnificent Power, Frozen Queen and Miss Royal Pants will help you do just that! Sparkling Snow is, of course, one of my favorites as it leaves me with a glittering feeling of fallen snowflakes on my fingertips. Those who are a bit more daring might find Magnificent Power a bit cooler for their taste. One of this year’s must-have items includes the newly designed eye shadow palette featuring eight different shades ranging from warm earth tones to fun frosty hues. Discover the magic inside as you mix and match colors to create your own look. Tip: Use colors like Crystal Snowflake and Powers Unleashed to create a classic and regal looking cat-eye. Or try shades like Touched By Magic and Follow Your Heart for a simple yet elegant twist. Your look is almost complete … the final touch: the lips. Find which one of the mini-lipstick sets suits your style, whether it is the soft pink of Regal Beauty, the rich mauve of Radiant Heart, the vibrant fuchsia of Queen To Be or the daring violet shade of Optimistic. Tip: These mini lipsticks are easy to take with you and create the perfect application for any occasion. Look for this new collection and other fan favorites in stores now at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, including the following locations: Disneyland Resort Downtown Disney District – Disney Vault 28Disneyland park – Disney ClothiersDisney California Adventure park – Elias & Co.Walt Disney World Resort Downtown Disney Marketplace – Marketplace Co-Op – Beautifully DisneyI know this new collection is on my list of things to pick up this holiday season. Is it on yours? The Beautifully Disney ‘Frozen’ Collection Debuts at Disney Parks by Michelle Harker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Cast members say that one of the best parts of working for the Disneyland Resort is the encouragement we receive to give back to our communities. This year, Disneyland Resort cast members granted 85 Southern California nonprofit organizations a total of $415,000 in grants through the Disney VoluntEARS Community Fund (DVCF). That’s nearly $2.2 million since the program’s inception in 1997! DVCF is funded entirely by cast members through regular payroll deductions or one-time donations. Those who contribute during the year have the opportunity to nominate an organization of their choice. The organizations, from local schools to social service agencies, received up to $5,000 each. Organizations that received a grant this year include American Heart Association, Boys & Girls Club, Make-A-Wish and Sam Dimas Mountain Rescue. Check out the video below and watch Christine Ludin, a hotels cast member at the Disneyland Resort, present $5,000 to the Southern California Special Olympics! Disneyland Resort Cast Members Grant Nearly $2.2M to Southern California Nonprofits Since 1997 by Melanie Vogel: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Cast members say that one of the best parts of working for the Disneyland Resort is the encouragement we receive to give back to our communities. Read more at the Disney Parks Blog: http://bit.ly...From:Disney ParksViews:37628ratingsTime:02:25More inTravel & Events

We all know about the upcoming addition of Avatar Land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as well as the Rivers of Light Evening Spectacular. Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom But today, we’re also hearing news of more expansion coming to other areas of Animal Kingdom — including new eating options! New Africa Marketplace May Include Counter Service Dining OptionWDWMagic.com is reporting that construction is underway on an expansion to the Harambe Village area of Africa. The development is taking place in an area that was previously backstage. When completed, the new area, called Africa Marketplace, will provide additional retail space and will include a new walkway connecting Africa and Asia. Welcome news, right? After all, it can become crazy crowded in this area, with only one way in and out. Africa Marketplace will be located between Kilimanjaro Safari and Mombasa Marketplace. Africa Marketplace Concept Art, Courtesy WDWMagic.com But we are most excited about new eats, of course! And it’s being reported that Africa Marketplace will also include a brand new counter service location, Harambe Marketplace. The new restaurant will feature multiple ordering windows and will offer African-inspired cuisine. Other New Dining Options Coming to Animal Kingdom?There is also a rumor that work has begun on another restaurant at Animal Kingdom — this one located in Discovery Island. Pizzafari may soon share its location with a new table service spot, as construction has begun to convert and expand the space. We are still awaiting news of the name and menu of the new restaurant, and all of this information is subject to change. Pizzafari may be getting a Table Service neighbor We are also hearing rumors about a possible expansion to Flame Tree Barbecue — and that would be welcome news! It’s pretty normal to see crazy long lines at this popular eating spot, which offers some delicious and hearty barbecue fare. A Bigger Flame Tree Barbecue? Yes, Please! Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog and we’ll bring you more details as soon as we have them! Exciting news about this beloved Park! What do you think of an expansion to the eating options within Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Leave us a comment and tell us what you hope to see at these two new restaurants! 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: Top 5 Restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom ParkHalloween Treats at Disney’s Animal KingdomHomemade Ice Cream Sandwich Available at New Location in Disney’s Animal Kingdom View the full article

If you’re looking for something different at Disney to do with the kids while they are out of school for the holidays, Disney Golf has some ideas for you. How about putting the kids in a golf camp? Starting December 22, Disney Golf is offering a series of special one-day holiday golf camps for juniors. The camps are December 22, 23, 29 and 30 at Disney’s Lake Buena Vista golf course at Walt Disney World Resort. The camps offer PGA instruction on all facets of the game, from putting to on-course play. Naturally, the camps are designed to appeal to kids through games, prizes and an overall fun atmosphere. Kids ages 7-17 can participate in one camp or all four. Each one-day camp runs from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and costs $115 per kid (includes lunch and beverages). To sign up your kid, call (407) WDW-Golf or go to www.golfwdw.com. There’s also something new for adults this holiday season. Guests looking to get in a few holes early before hitting the theme parks can take advantage of Disney Golf’s new Sunrise 9 promotion which allows golfers to play nine holes starting anytime between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. any day based on availability. The rate is $29 and includes a breakfast sandwich, plus a beverage before and after your round at Disney’s Palm, Magnolia or Oak Trail golf courses. To book a tee time, call (407) WDW-Golf or go to www.golfwdw.com/sunrise-9/. Get into the Holiday ‘Swing’ with Disney Golf by Darrell Fry: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

He may make a run for president, but former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush shows no sign of backing away from controversial "Common Core" learning standards denounced by tea party conservatives as well as many educators. View the full article

Happy National Gingerbread Day! To celebrate, I’m giving you a sneak peek at the brand-new gingerbread house coming to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at Disneyland Resort. Opening on November 27, this gingerbread house was created by a talented team of 25 artists, engineers and bakers, and it will take a total of 1,400 hours to bake and create the edible portion alone! The house measures in at a whopping 7 ½ feet tall and 12 feet wide. Which might leave you wondering: what goes into a gingerbread house of this scope? More than 500 pounds of gingerbread60 gallons of frosting and icing100 pounds of isomalt sugar50 pounds of granulated sugar50 pounds of powdered sugar2 gallons of egg whites1 quart of lemon juiceWant to bring home a piece of the holiday magic? Seasonal offerings for sale include: Gingerbread shingles and other assorted holiday cookiesHoliday cookie-decorating kitsGingerbread house kitsSpecialty hot chocolate and ciderRun, run, run as fast as you can to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa on November 27 to check out this sweet masterpiece! First Look at the New Gingerbread House at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at Disneyland Resort by Rachel Brent: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Voyez comment Véro profite du nouveau programme MyMagic+ au Walt Disney World Resort en Floride. MyMagic+ vous offre un contrôle sans précédent, vous permettant encore plus facilement de...From:Disney ParksViews:11ratingsTime:02:17More inTravel & Events

Mais três dias de diversão grátis | Walt Disney World | Portuguese Crie mais memórias mágicas com sua família no Walt Disney World Resort. Com este pacote de hospedagem e ingresso especial, você pode se divertir mais ainda com 3 dias extras! http://di.sn/g00G...From:Disney ParksViews:30ratingsTime:00:31More inTravel & Events View the full article

Even pirates tend to catch the holiday spirit during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties, and there’s no better example than this – a holiday musical performance by Rusty Cutlass band. In the video below, the pirates gather to play “one of the prettiest Christmas songs they know.” What do you think? Look for the pirates to perform in Adventureland during party nights at 7:45, 8:45, 9:45 and 10:45 p.m. Listen As Rusty Cutlass Pirate Band Plays Holiday Tunes at Magic Kingdom Park by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Even pirates tend to catch the holiday spirit during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parties, and there's no better example than this - a holiday musical performance by Rusty Cutlass band....From:Disney ParksViews:201148ratingsTime:03:31More inTravel & Events

We are taking another lap around World Showcase today and stopping into Karamell-Küche for a couple of treats! Learn About: Karamell-KücheEpcot Restaurants Disney World RestaurantsWho can resist all of that buttery caramel? Super not me. It’s true. We rarely make it all the way Around the World without stopping for a sweet treat here. Stepping inside is like finally realizing your best candy store dream ever. You don’t have candy store dreams, you say? Well you will after you’ve been here. There are so many outrageously good things to try, and we always finds something new! Recently, I told you about two other treats we tried here — the Caramel Bacon Square and Caramel S’more. Today, we’re back with two oldies but goodies to share! Caramel BrownieThe first treat I want to show you is the Caramel Brownie. I was excited to finally try this one. I have no idea why I hadn’t indulged before. It’s drizzled heavily with that golden Werther’s Caramel, and that turned out to be the best part. Caramel Brownie from Karamell-Küche in Epcot’s Germany Pavilion The brownie itself was more cakey than fudgy, and it really didn’t have the moistness I was looking for. It was a little dry and crumbly in fact. This alone kind of ruined the treat for me, but that may have just been a bad batch. Look a little more closely, and you can see that, in addition to the drizzle, there’s caramel baked right into the top of the brownie! It’s like a double shot of golden, buttery sugar. Caramel Brownie — Inside If you like chocolate and caramel in more of a cake-like form, grab a glass of milk. This one’s for you. Caramel ToffeeBut I also had to try something for the candy lovers out there! And this time out, I chose the Caramel Toffee. The marbleized detail on the top of the square really made it stand out from the sea of caramel and chocolate offerings in the case. Caramel Toffee from Karamell-Küche in Epcot’s Germany Pavilion A view from the side gives you a better idea of what you’ll be enjoying — a thick plate of that swirled Dark and White Chocolate sits atop straight Caramel. Caramel Toffee — Side View Flip the candy over and you see that the caramel base a little better, but there are actually two things happening here. Not only are you getting the soft and chewy Werther’s caramel that you see in many other Karamell-Küche treats. There’s also a layer of buttery, semi-hard toffee at the bottom. The two different consistencies make this candy truly something special. Caramel Toffee — From the Bottom You can definitely see what I’m talking about here. Because of the crunchy layer, I had to break the candy apart, rather than cutting it neatly to show you the inside. But that just served to show you that wonderful, stretchy caramel. So I’m totally saying I did it on purpose. Caramel Toffee — Stretchy Caramel Toffee Inside It was delicious, and, of course, super-sweet. It amazes me that with such a huge selection at Karamell-Küche, every single thing is distinct. At first glance, you may think that if you taste one treat here, you’ve tasted them all. But I suggest you do a little exploring to see all of the imaginative ways they’ve put caramel to good use. Want Even More Epcot Snack Details?Snacks are kinda of a big deal at Disney! But we know that your dollars are precious, and you don’t want to waste time or money. And that’s where we can help! We’ve got all the info you need to get the biggest bang for your snack buck! The DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks e-Book helps you to make the most out of your trip when it comes to your snack choices. Our fully guaranteed, convenient e-Book format is available for instant download and use on any mobile device, so you’ll be able to enjoy it immediately! Inside the DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks e-Book you’ll find full-color photos and reviews of over 250 of our favorite Epcot snacks, pricing and dining plan info, bonus items, and more! And for a limited time, we’re thanking you for supporting this blog by offering the Guide for a $3 discount! To take advantage of this discount, use code Epcot2014 at check-out. And all of our DFB Guides come with a 100% money back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose! Which treat will top your list for your next visit to Karamell-Küche? Leave a comment and tell us what looks good to you! 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: Snack Series: Caramel Corn Cupcake at Karamell-KücheReview: Caramel Bacon Square and Caramel S’more at Epcot’s Karamell-KücheReview: Chocolate Caramel Grapes at Karamell-Küche View the full article

Back in 2011, I started a Disney Parks Blog series called “Things That Spin In the Night.” It featured motion-blurred images of attractions at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks. I thought it would be fun to revisit that series today. The photos from “Things That Spin In the Night” included after-dark images of Astro Orbitor, Mad T Party, Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Silly Symphony Swings, and the Golden Zephyr. I realized that there was a particular photo of the Golden Zephyr that I didn’t take the first time around. The first time, I focused more on getting three attractions in one photo. This time, I focused on getting the name of the attraction in the photo. As you can see, the Golden Zephyr sign in the front of the attraction is quite attractive, especially at night when it has a blue glow. GalleryDisney Parks After Dark view allClick on the links below to see more of the “Things That Spin in the Night” series: Things That Spin in the Night – A Different Perspective at Disneyland ParkThings That Spin in the Night at Disney California Adventure ParkFun with Mickey’s Fun Wheel at Disney California Adventure ParkDisney Parks After Dark: Taking a Spin at Disneyland ParkDisney Parks After Dark: Things That Spin in the Night at Disneyland Resort … Revisited by Paul Hiffmeyer: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

One FSU football player was in Strozier Library alongside hundreds of other students when gunfire broke out early Thursday morning. View the full article

President Barack Obama, in a speech set to air at 8 p.m. EST, will tell Republican lawmakers angry about what he called "commonsense" executive immigration actions that they should "pass a bill," according to excerpts released by the White House. View the full article

One by one, five teenagers in maroon jumpsuits were led into a courtroom Thursday afternoon at the Seminole County Juvenile Detention Center to face a judge for the first time since they were arrested on rape charges. View the full article

Myron De'Shawn May's life seemed to be the quintessential American story: He grew up poor, graduated from Florida State University with honors and worked his way through law school to build a career. View the full article

Orange County will add four new kindergarten-through-eighth-grade schools in the next four years under a plan discussed by the School Board on Tuesday. View the full article

The United States has released five detainees from its detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, including the first Yemeni detainee to be resettled since 2010, officials said on Thursday. View the full article

If you could cash in on crazy, Florida would be the richest state in America. View the full article

In Hawaiian culture, names are very important. So today, our “Unforgettable Details of Aulani” series continues with a look at the meaning of the name ‘Aulani,’ and how Hawaiian culture and Disney storytelling came together to create a Hawaiian experience like no other at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. Aulani has a full time Cultural Advisor on staff, Kahulu De Santos. She explained to me that when Disney started this Hawai’i project, Walt Disney Imagineering established a Hawaiian Cultural Committee which worked side by side with Imagineers to create the experiences at Aulani. Their discussions surrounded the art work, architecture and themes that would be built into the resort. “As the story is told, one morning, while the committee was working on coming up with a name for the resort, one of the members shared that he had a dream about the name ‘Aulani,’” explained Kahulu. “Aulani means ‘messenger of a chief’ or ‘messenger of a greater authority.’ So the committee quickly determined that this would be the name it would present to Disney as the name for this new resort.” The important significance of Aulani is that the resort serves as a location that shares the messages and stories of the Hawaiian culture, its chiefs and its people, while recognizing and honoring traditional and contemporary Hawaiian practices, she explained. Aulani celebrates Hawai‘i’s rich legacy of storytelling combined with the magic of Disney. The name Aulani invites guests to ponder and listen to the many-layered stories or “messages” found at this beautiful resort on O’ahu. One of my favorite examples of these unique stories at Aulani involves the significance of the kapa design in the cast member nametags. Have you seen these? What’s your favorite story found at Aulani? Tell us in the comments below. For more from the “Unforgettable Details of Aulani” series, visit the posts below: Unforgettable Details of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa: Menehune Bridge Unforgettable Details of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa: Menehune Adventure TrailUnforgettable Details of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa: Beginning a Journey at Laniwai SpaUnforgettable Details of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa: Imagineer Joe Rohde on Design and InspirationUnforgettable Details of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa: What’s in the Name? by Tyler Slater: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

SANFORD - A jury this evening convicted Anita Smithey of murder for killing her estranged husband while she said he was raping her. View the full article

One of three people shot on the Florida State University campus early Thursday has been identified as Nathan Scott. View the full article

The nation’s largest construction companies are lining up to bid on a high-tech sensor manufacturing center near Kissimmee. View the full article