We’re less than three months away now from the D23 Expo, and information is starting to come in about all the exciting things in store. Recently, D23 announced some of the items that will be on display at the Expo’s Treasures of the Walt Disney Archive exhibit, which will feature a collection of items from Mary Poppins.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mary Poppins this year, the Archives exhibit at the Expo will feature a wide variety of items from the iconic live-action film. Expo attendees will be able to view such …

Nearly 100 special needs and chronically ill children were able to enjoy the magic of Walt Disney World for a day on May 7 thanks to Operation Dreamlift.
A program run by the Sunshine Foundation, Operation Dreamlift has allowed over 5,000 children to visit special destinations in the Orlando area since the program began. Privately chartered planes carry the children to and from their one-day excursion. This was the foundation’s 24th trip to Disney, and the Foundation reportedly raised $300,000 in order to charter the flight for this year’s Operation …

Every year, Disney Friends for Change partners with Youth Service America (YSA) to offer grants “to help make a lasting, positive change in the world.” This year, 60 grants were awarded to participants between the ages of 5-25 and living in cities from Annapolis to Willimantic.
One recipient is Allison Marciniak, a kindergartener at Mackensen Elementary in Bay City, MI. Her project, “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully,” is made up of kids from grades K-5, and the members meet once a week to discuss the effects of – and …

Bella Thorne – 15-year-old singer, dancer, and actress perhaps best known for her role as Cece Jones on Disney Channel’s hit television series Shake It Up – has just signed an agreement with Delacorte Press. (Books published by Delacourte include such popular titles as The Iron Thorn and the Fallen novels). The talented artist is now trying her hand at writing alongside co-author Elise Allen, a veteran author who has penned such works as Populazzi and the Elixir series with Hilary Duff.
Thorne is in the process of writing a young …

Annette Funicello has died from complications stemming from her long bout with multiple sclerosis. The childhood star was 70 years old.
Beloved by fans for her stint as a Mouseketeer, Funicello later parlayed her success into a movie career.
The news was first announced via Twitter by D23, but Funicello’s family later confirmed that the star passed peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones as she was removed from life support.
Funicello first became a Mouseketeer at age 12. Her movie career as a teen sensation alongside Frankie Avalon in a string of successful …

This week brought another big milestone for Disney on Broadway and its hit show Newsies, which celebrated its one year anniversary yesterday, March 29.
Newsies, which features music by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman, a book by Harvey Fierstein, and direction by Jeff Calhoun, officially opened on Broadway March 29, 2012. The show’s Broadway transfer, following a successful run at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse, was initially intended to be a strictly limited engagement, with the show originally set to close on June 10. However, the show proved to be incredibly …

runDisney is adding a new race, as well as a new challenge, to its wildly popular Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in 2014. Next year, in addition to family fun runs, a 5K, a Donald Half Marathon, and a Mickey Marathon, runDisney will introduce the Minnie 10K to the line up. With the introduction of a new race, a new challenge has also been announced.
Beginning next year, runner will have the opportunity to complete the Dopey Challenge. The group of races, guaranteed to test the endurance of even the most …

ABC is already in the forefront of broadcast technology. They are the first network to sell episodes via iTunes as well as the first to offer free streaming videos on its website. Their upcoming “Watch” app would only confirm ABC’s lead over other networks in this particular oeuvre.
On Tuesday, the New York Times gave readers some details about a new app that Disney subsidiary ABC is preparing to launch. The app, known as a “Watch” app, would allow ABC subscribers to stream live video directly to their smartphone or iPad. …

Disney cast members presented the Orange County’s Pacific Symphony with a check for $5,000. The money was raised during an annual cast-member charity event called Minnie’s Moonlit Madness.
A cast member favorite, Minnie’s Moonlit Madness is a trivia-game-cum-scavenger-hunt in Disneyland where teams of four must complete a list of 10 assignments before midnight. The catch: all teams of four are tied together with rope! This year, 350 teams from all over the Walt Disney Company – including a team from Aulani – participated in the “Soundsational”-themed charity event, raising $5,000 …

Disney’s newest foray into new media outlets, OMD (Oh My Disney), is a unique blend of the nostalgic and retro with the current and trendy, all with a dash of Disney’s unique wit and wisdom.
The blog – which will eventually offer ways for fans to participate, along with video content – features brief articles on content that fans will find fascinating. For example, in honor of National Women’s History Month in March, OMD posted an article titled “Disney Damsels, Not in Distress.” The reading reviews 20 Disney Damsels who are …