Tokyo DisneySea opened in September 2001, almost 8 years after Disney opened the gates to its premier park in Japan – Tokyo Disneyland. By 2002 the two parks combined welcomed its 300 millionth visitor and reached 400 million in 2006. On Friday, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea reached another big milestone, they said “Youkoso!” to their 500 millionth visitor!
Megumi Soma went through the entrance gate of Disneyland at 10:21 a.m. with her family as the lucky guest. A 38-year-old housewife, Soma was the recipient of some amazing gifts; a five-year passport …

Halloween hasn’t even tinged the air with orange candy corn or goblins yet & we’re already looking forward to Spring blooms! Disney is releasing some early information about the 18th annual “EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival” which is scheduled to take place March 2 through May 15, 2011 at Walt Disney World. Guests who plan on visiting during the popular event are encouraged to make plans early as EPCOT is usually the place to be when Spring’s brilliant blooms come alive!
30 million blooms are creatively displayed throughout 300 …

After already becoming the highest grossing animated film of all time and passing the impressive $400 million dollar mark domestically a few weeks ago, Disney/Pixar’s “Toy Story 3″ has now achieved yet another distinction. Today, Disney reports, “Toy Story 3″ will become the third Disney film to gross $1 billion, joining 2006’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” and this year’s remake of “Alice in Wonderland.”
Surpassing the $1 billion mark puts “Toy Story 3″ in an elite group of only seven movies that have achieved this distinction. The other …

Tinker Bell, Silvermist, Fawn, Iridessa, Terence, and Rosetta have made room in Pixie Hollow for another set of wings! Meet Vidia, she’s known for being the fastest-flying Disney fairy. She’s a classic loner, has a prickly personality, lives in a sour plum tree all alone, and isn’t known for being as warm & friendly as the other fairies.
Guests at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom have the opportunity to join the fairies in their own magical world when they shrink down to pixie proportions in the heart of Never Land. …

Disney’s Pixar may have taken home top honors six out of the last ten times, but that is all changed now. An announcement from Disney today stated they have withdrawn from the Hollywood chapter of the International Animated Film Society, a group who hands out awards for achievment in animation.
Disney has made no secret of its feelings regarding the group in recent years. While not the case with most organizations that hand out awards, Disney feels the group responsible for the Annie Awards allows people to …

Not your typical cowboy digs, a new 1,400-square-foot luxury suite – fashioned after “The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness,” Big Thunder Mountain – is soon to debut at the Disneyland Hotel. Located on the 11th floor of the “Dreams Tower,” the suite boasts breathtaking views, custom themed design, and luxurious amenities.
Rustic décor includes a stone-hearth fireplace, concept art from the Big Thunder Mountain attraction, flat-panel televisions, a wagon-wheel chandelier, a free-standing copper tub in the bathroom, “living” art & a wet bar, as well as many other surprises. Every …

“Disney Channel Rocks” is going to be a high-energy live rock concert blasting popular music from various Disney Channel hit shows. Be prepared to sing, dance, & rock your socks off when the show debuts on October 22 at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World and in California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort. Disney has been holding auditions for the show; looking for talented youths with pop-rock, rap, and soulful R&B sounds which gives us a clue as to the variety of music guests will enjoy in the …

Crazy about Disney movies?  Mark your calendars: Disney Family Movies Channel is bringing fans a free preview weekend from Thursday, September 2 to Monday, September 6. 
Customers of providers Verizon FiOS, Comcast, Charter, AT&T Universe, Avail TVN and Suddenlink will be able to get a glimpse of the subscription video on demand channel.
Actress Phylicia Rashad is slated to be the hostess for the preview weekend.
As part of its free preview, Disney Family Movies is set to show such family favorites as “Pocahontas,” “A Bug’s Life” and “Muppet Treasure Island.”  Other titles …

More than 14,000 participants are registered for Disneyland’s “Happiest Race on Earth” scheduled to be held on September 5th; representing participants from 16 countries and all 50 U.S. states. In true Disney style the 5th annual event has a lot of surprises in store; Disney characters, live entertainment, and finisher medals featuring Sleeping Beauty Castle are a few of the highlights. In addition to the 13.1 mile marathon racers also have the opportunity to participate in a Disneyland Fabulous 5K, family races, and a Health & Fitness Expo. 5,000 people …

In an attempt to streamline the popular stroller rental service at Disneyland four new self-service kiosks have been added on the Esplanade; in addition to the staffed wheelchair & stroller rental counter. The new kiosks will allow guests to skip long lines & use their credit card to reserve strollers for up to six days. Located right outside the Disneyland Park entrance the kiosks will give guests the option to complete their transaction in either English or Spanish.
Heather Hust Rivera, Manager of Print and Social Media for the Disneyland Resort …