Disney4me

Walt Disney’s fascination with animals—both real and imagined—and the role that animals play in Disney storytelling is the basis for an inspiring legacy that continues today. A fantastic example is the release of Diamond Edition of “Disney The Jungle Book,” the last animated feature personally produced by Walt. View the full article

Earlier this week, Hong Kong Disneyland released their Annual Business Results for 2013, posting their best year ever, and setting new attendance and hotel occupancy records for the fourth straight year. Guests are loving the new attractions at Hong Kong Disneyland, and with the successful opening of Mystic Point (last May) Grizzly Gulch (2012) and Toy Story Land (2011), these new attractions give guests even more opportunities to connect with our characters and be part of our stories. The three themed areas have increased the park size by about one-fourth bringing the total number of attractions and entertainment offerings to over 100. View the full article

Don’t miss your chance to meet acclaimed author Ridley Pearson, as we celebrate the release of his newest book, Kingdom Keepers VII: The Insider, the much-anticipated, final addition to the Kingdom Keepers saga. Ridley will be making special appearances on the following dates: View the full article

Almost (almost) too pretty to eat, the dainty macarons at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie at the France pavilion at Epcot are lined up like beautiful jewels in the pastry case – edible art, a sophisticated, light-as-a-feather French classic. Fans will fly to Paris for the perfect macaron, but now Epcot World Showcase guests can savor the tiny treats. View the full article

Orlando City Soccer Club and Brazil's Fluminense FC will join six MLS teams this week for the fifth edition of the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Â View the full article

Come with me into the wild jungles of Disneyland park for a tour of the world-famous Jungle Cruise! First I’d like to thank you, Disney Parks Blog readers, for contributing your ideas in the comments of the Paradise Pier edition of this series. Ian thought that this classic Disneyland park attraction would be the perfect place to “beheaded” and I agree! So … hello! My name is Erin and I will be your Disney Parks Blog skipper for the next several minutes as we explore the story behind this opening-day Disneyland attraction. View the full article

We're still digesting the news about the outdoor kitchen offerings at next month's Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, and now Disney announces the dates for the 2014 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. View the full article

We’ve already got our culinary plan of attack for the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival opening in just about two weeks (March 5 - May 18), and now we can look ahead to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival that’s going to run a record 53 days, from Sept. 19-Nov. 10. Maybe this year will be the year to sample all of the great tastes. View the full article

At ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, soccer athletes of all ages and abilities can get their kicks during open registration tournaments, soccer camps, seasonal showcases and more. Even our own kicking correspondent, Gary, was recently able to put his “unique” skillset to the test with the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic beginning this week. View the full article

This week’s look inside New Fantasyland focuses on some of the charming details that can be found on the Dwarfs’ cottage at the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction in New Fantasyland. View the full article

Everybody has a "Disney Side." That’s the side that laughs bigger, screams louder and lives life to the fullest. When you’re preparing for a Disney vacation, what do you pack to show your "Disney Side"? View the full article

As Obi-Wan told Luke, a lightsaber isn’t a clumsy weapon like a blaster, rather it is an elegant weapon for a more-civilized age. View the full article

Disney World has published the full menu for its upcoming Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Although folks usually think of eats in relation to the Epcot International Food Wine Festival, Disney added food booths to the lineup in 2013. They're back for round two, although they're now referred to as "outdoor kitchens." View the full article

To me, one of the most magical experiences at Disneyland park is watching the Rivers of America come to life during the nighttime spectacular, “Fantasmic!” You can’t help getting swept away watching Mickey Mouse as he commands water, lasers and fireworks in the epic finale. To make the most of this experience, I’ve got a few tips to share with you today: View the full article

I’ve long associated Epcot with a variety of wonderful scents. A sniff of an orange, a rose or a campfire reminds me of my three favorite Future World pavilions – Horizons, Journey Into Imagination and Spaceship Earth respectively. In World Showcase, there are also many delightful things to smell, from the signature restaurants (hello, Cheddar Cheese Soup from Le Cellier in Canada Pavilion) to the several merchandise locations that offer a variety of fragrances. I recently strolled around the “world” in search of the perfumes, lotions and more you can take home or give as gifts. View the full article

One of the things I learned from my cruise in Europe last summer is that a little extra planning goes a long way for your days in port. Since the destinations we visit are rich in history and there is so much to experience, you’ll want to have a game plan ahead of time. View the full article

As the Walt Disney World Resort’s 15th anniversary celebration came to a close in fall 1987, a new parade replaced the “15 Years of Magic." “We the People All-America Parade” stepped off September 20, 1987. View the full article

Disney fandom knows no bounds. And though Disney princess and cartoon characters would seem to get the most attention from fans, there’s plenty of love for merchandising, digital game-playing and, of course, various thrill rides in the Disney parks. View the full article

This week, Disney Parks unveiled a new collection of amazing costume creations for “Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade,” which debuts at Magic Kingdom park in March. View the full article

Still searching for a Valentine’s Day treat for your loved one? Would a romantic ride in a horse drawn carriage fit the bill? This weekend at the Disneyland Resort, you can snuggle with your loved one as hooves clip clop on the path through the Downtown Disney District and the gardens of the Disneyland Hotel. The ride fee of $25 and includes a souvenir 5” x 7” photo. Rides are offered tonight and Saturday night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. View the full article

Last night, 200 Disney Parks Blog readers got an early start on celebrating Valentine’s Day by joining the Disney Parks Blog Team for our “BLANK: A Vinylmation Love Story” Meet-Up at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. View the full article

Everyone has a “Disney Side,” but sometimes it can be hard to find in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But the romance and fantasy here at the Disneyland Resort - and in all our Disney Parks around the world - make it easier to find that special spark again, especially on Valentine’s Day … View the full article

This morning, we shared some Disney Villaintines, and now we’ve got another way to spread the love today - Disney Parks Valentines! Check them out below and let us know which is your favorite. View the full article

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, I thought it would be fitting to highlight the only married couple who have each been honored with their own windows on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park – Marc and Alice Davis. Married in 1956, the couple is said to have enjoyed a “Disney fairy-tale-romance-come-true” for 44 years until Marc’s death in 2000. Their windows, which are a tribute to their outstanding contributions to Disneyland, are side-by-side just north of the Main Street Cinema as a representation of their lifelong partnership. View the full article

Runners from around the world will be migrating to Central Florida and donning tiaras this week for the 2014 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World. View the full article