Disney4me

WHAT: The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is winding down for the year. This is the penultimate weekend for the event. The HGTV personality appearing at the Festival Center will be decorator Genevieve Gorder. Chubby Checker and the Wildcats will be doing their trademark twist and more during the Flower Power Concert Series. View the full article

Recently my fellow Disney Parks Blog author, Erin Glover, went under the sea in Rainbow Reef at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, to try the Supplied Air Snorkeling (S.A.S.) experience (link to video). Today, I invite you to visit the only private snorkeling lagoon on ‘Oahu again, but this time from the point of view of one of the nearly 50 different types of sea life that live in the reef! View the full article

You still have a chance to own a giant piece of Disney World history -- if you can fit the bill, that is. View the full article

Are you considering a trip to Walt Disney World Resort this fall or winter? If so, then this just might make you bite – our popular Free Dine offer is back! View the full article

One of my favorite people to visit a Disney park with is my mom. From our first family visit to Walt Disney World in 1982 to her first visit to the Disneyland Resort in 2011, we’ve always found new ways to have a great time together. So take it from me - even moms have a Disney Side! View the full article

This week’s Caption This image was shot at a previous Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Who are these curious ducks off to see? Tell us in the “Comments” section below! View the full article

Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park is adding a show that stars macaws. It will debut sometime this summer, Disney says. View the full article

I am thrilled to share first with DisneyParks Blogs fans news about a new animal experience coming soon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Stars of the show are flocks of macaws in a kaleidoscope of colors flying over and around the heart of the park—Discovery Island. Brought to you by the fantastic team that inspires and delights guests at our Flights of Wonder show in collaboration with Disney Creative Entertainment, “Winged Encounters—The Kingdom Takes Flight,” will debut this summer. View the full article

A growing number of visitors to Walt Disney World are preplanning their vacations with "MyMagic+," although spending on the billion-dollar technology project continues to weigh down company profits, Disney executives said Tuesday. View the full article

My fellow author Michelle Harker recently shared some Mother’s Day gift ideas from Disneyland Park in a fun video. Many of the items that were discussed are also available at Walt Disney World Resort. With Mother’s Day only a few days away, I thought I’d share some additional ideas for those who still need to get a gift. View the full article

Ten extraordinary high school seniors were each surprised at their Orange County, California schools with an in-class visit from Disney Ambassador Megan Navarette – and a $7,500 scholarship from the Disneyland Resort! Along with demonstrating academic excellence and leadership skills, this year’s scholarship recipients were chosen for a combined 7,000 hours of community service. View the full article

More than 5,000 runners came in search of the Yeti during the Expedition Everest Challenge this past weekend. Participants braved the elements and conquered their fears as they ran 3.1 miles throughout Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The nighttime adventure included obstacles like jumping over hay bails and crawling under nets. After completing the 5K runners went back into the theme park for a scavenger hunt. Once participants solved four clues they were allowed to cross the finish line and receive their commemorative Compass finisher medal. It was a real “wild” night. View the full article

Disney has shown it isn't afraid to make changes, and next up on its revamp list at Walt Disney World is the Polynesian Resort. Part of moving forward though is a bit of a throwback. View the full article

Now is your chance to own a piece of Disney history -- a really, really big piece. View the full article

Greetings from the Disney Magic! As a Cruise Director, my job is to make sure every Disney cruise is exciting, entertaining and enjoyable for all of our guests. One of my favorite parts of cruising is that every sailing is totally different, no matter what ship or itinerary. New guests, new experiences and new memories make each one special. View the full article

Three Central Florida residents are in Hollywood today for the world premiere of "Million Dollar Arm," but they will be doing more than watching Disney's latest sports movie. View the full article

In the early 1950s, “green-thumbed” brothers Morgan (known as Bill) and Jack Evans were hired to landscape the grounds of Walt Disney’s Holmby Hills home and the gardens surrounding his backyard railroad, the Carolwood Pacific. In 1954, they received the ultimate challenge when Walt asked, “How about you fellows landscaping Disneyland for me?” View the full article

It was announced last week that park guests will have to wait until May 28 to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine train at Magic Kingdom, but in the meantime, fans can see the latest attraction at Walt Disney World rise from the ground up with a new video released by Walt Disney Imagineering. View the full article

One thing my fiancée has taught me is that having the right accessories can make a good outfit even better (that probably explains why I keep buying her tiki-themed handbags). Soon, she and other Guests will find many awesome accessories and more at Cherry Tree Lane, a new boutique coming to the Marketplace Co-Op at Downtown Disney Marketplace. The name of this high-end, fashion boutique was inspired by the street name where the Banks family resides in Disney’s “Mary Poppins.” As it turns out, there will be several nods to this classic live action film in the location. View the full article

As Tom Staggs announced last week, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will officially open its doors in New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park on Wednesday, May 28. View the full article

Earlier today we looked back on the 10th anniversary of one of the most popular attractions at the Disneyland Resort, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. For 10 years, guests have been dropping into the fifth dimension at Disney California Adventure park. Having experienced the attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort, I anxiously awaited the opening of the attraction on this coast. I was so excited that I was here for the opening event on May 4, 2004. In honor of the anniversary, let’s continue “The Magic of Disney Parks Storytelling” by checking in at the Hollywood Tower Hotel. View the full article

You may have heard that Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will grand open on May 28 - and in honor of this milestone, the Seven Dwarfs are looking to add another Disney character to their mining team. View the full article

Ten years ago today, Disney California Adventure park guests were invited to fall into the fifth dimension aboard one of the only remaining working elevators in the Hollywood Tower Hotel -- a onetime “star in its own right, and a beacon for the show business elite.” View the full article

One of my favorite gifts to give my son is a die-cast metal car as it was something my parents gave me while growing up. For nearly 10 years now, Disney Theme Park Merchandise has offered some die-cast cars called Disney Racers. I first discussed these awesome cars on the Disney Parks Blog in December 2010 for their fifth anniversary. Soon, Disney Racers will relaunch at Disney Parks with all new packaging and several new things. View the full article

This week, Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs announced the date many of you have been waiting for - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom Park officially opens on May 28. View the full article