Walt Disney World employees finally have a new contract, as members of the unions which represent over 20,000 of the resort’s full time employees voted to approve the new agreement offered by the company.  The vote was far from unanimous, however, as leaders of some of the groups which make up the coalition criticized the measure.
Of the six different unions which together form the Services Trade Council, leaders of two groups – Unite Here! Local 362, and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1625 – urged members to vote the …

Actor Bruce Willis whiled away the hours Sunday with a visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where he graciously posed for pics with Minnie Mouse and Goofy.  The “Die Hard” actor was in Orlando this weekend, visiting Walt Disney World with family and friends. 
Photo copyright Disney
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The curtain has fallen on another successful Disney signature marathon event, but not before records were set.
This past weekend, an event-record 22,000 runners participated in the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend events, which included a 5K, family fun races, a health and fitness expo, as well as the headlining half marathon through the streets and parks of Walt Disney World.
More than 17,000 runners participanted in the half marathon alone – many donning tutus or tiaras for the special occasion.  Thirty-three year old Jennifer Hanley-Pinto from Jacksonville, Florida, led the field …

At last night’s star-studded 83rd Annual Academy Awards ceremony, films affiliated with Disney took home four honors out of the thirteen nominations they had received.
Disney Pixar’s “Toy Story 3″ won two Oscars, for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Song for Randy Newman’s “We Belong Together.”  Tim Burton’s live action “Alice in Wonderland” also triumphed in two categories:  Art Direction and Costume Design.
In two of the four categories won by Disney films, other works by the company were also nominated.  Randy Newman’s song bested Alan Menken and Glenn Slater’s …

Are you a Disney-loving family with a less-than-perfect backyard?  Would you like to bring a little pixie dust home with you?  Then this may be the opportunity you’ve been looking for!
HGTV and JayTV are teaming up to transform the backyards of families living in and around the Cincinnati, Ohio, and Orlando, Florida metro areas into a Disney dream getaway!
Producers of JayTV are looking for families in these areas with great stories about why they love theme parks and family resorts – and what they’d like to have in their very …

It just became a little easier to ride Aqua Duck if you’re a kid.
Previously, Disney Cruise Line required that all riders of its water roller coaster, which made its debut on the recently christened Disney Dream, be 48 inches or taller.  As of last Thursday, however, the height requirement has been lowered to 42 inches.  But riding solo?  You have to measure in at 54 inches tall and be at least seven to have the inner tube all to yourself.
The restrictions, which are still being fine-tuned, seem to have more …

Where else would you expect to see a member of the rock group Aerosmith, besides Rockin’ Roller Coaster, starring none other than his group?
Joey Kramer, drummer for the super band, took a few minutes out of his busy schedule on a visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Friday, to pose with Goofy in front of the thrilling roller coaster set to Aerosmith hits.  But the question is – did he and Goofy ride?
Photo copyright Disney.
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We love these hi-res versions of two stills that Disney Pixar has released via the current issue of Entertainment Weekly for its upcoming short “Toy Story:  Hawaiian Vacation.”  I mean, when was the last time that you saw anything as cute as Woody in that straw hat?
“Toy Story: Hawaiian Vacation” is scheduled to accompany “Cars 2″ when it hits theatres this summer.  Variety is also reporting that a second Toy Story short will be attached to Disney’s “The Muppets” when it opens next November.  Woo!  We can’t wait!
Photo and Story …

We confess:  we love Easter eggs – those little in-jokes that Disney incorporates into its films, just to make sure that we’re all paying attention.  And “Gnomeo & Juliet” is no exception.
The CG film, which is beating expectations with nearly $61 million in ticket sales, is still going strong, thanks to word of mouth as it enters its third week of release.  The clever film is chock full of little inside jokes – many of which are inspired by the Bard himself.  Since “Gnomeo & Juliet” is based upon William Shakespeare’s …

Yesterday marked the beginning of a very important race:  “Regis and Kelly’s Run Across America with Dean Karnazes,” and it all began at Disneyland!
Renown ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes is literally running across America, nearly 3,000 miles, in hopes of inspiring viewers of the popular talk show to live a healthier lifestyle.
Karnazes was joined by host Kelly Ripa and a couple of hundred lucky participants as they kicked off the epic event in Anaheim on live television yesterday morning.  If you’d like to keep up with the race’s progress, or you’d …