In plans that were revealed Tuesday, the White House has announced that President Barack Obama will be paying a visit to Walt Disney World later today.  The president is expected to reveal policies that will give U.S. tourism a boost.
Central to the president’s message will be the push for visa reform, especially for countries like Brazil and China.  The process for obtaining visas to visit the U.S. from both countries is arduous, and require in-person interviews and several days’ wait to gain permission to travel here.
Air Force One will be …

In anticipation of the larger crowds during the holiday season, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is adding more dining and entertainment options in the hopes to prevent lines from growing too large for holiday visitors.
Several hot dog carts, as well as two of the food kiosks from the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, have been installed at the park to create more dining space for visitors. One food kiosk, “Ristorante Italiano,” serves guests Italian favorites like minestrone and penne pasta, and is located near the exit from the Muppet Theater. The …

The family-friendly Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to bring laughter into the hearts of park visitors this season.
The show, which will run from December 25 until December 31, will be held at the ABC Sound Studio Theater and feature improvisational comedy acts, including past performers from the Pleasure Island Comedy Club. In addition to their own humor, performers will be taking guest requests throughout the special as they reinvent classic holiday stories, poems, songs and more.
While times are subject to change, current show times are …

Are you a Disney fan who also loves Star Wars? You might want to head down to Walt Disney World this summer and take part in Star Wars Weekends, an annual event held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that celebrates the Star Wars film saga and the animated TV show Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Yesterday, Disney announced the 2012 dates for this exciting event, which includes special events and experiences that Star Wars fans will definitely want to check out.
The special event will take place on the following weekends in 2012:

May …

Following the success of the Star Tours remakes at Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Tokyo Disneyland will be revamping the popular attraction as well, renaming it Star Tours: The Adventure Continues. The original attraction opened at the park in 1989, and after more than 20 years it continues to be a guest favorite year after year.
With the renovations, guests will be able to experience a new ride every time with more than 50 possible story combinations. The ride will also feature 3-D images, fully immersing riders in the world …

The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) announced the winners of their 18th Annual Thea Awards, and several Disney attractions, as well as an Imagineer, were honored.
Star Tours – The Adventure Continues at both Disneyland park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios were honored with the Award for Outstanding Achievement – Attraction Refresh, based on the extensive remake of the popular ride. Additionally, the Magic Kingdom show “The Magic, The Memories & You” received the Award for Outstanding Achievement – Show Spectacular.
The Animation Magic show aboard the Disney Fantasy, located in the Animator’s Palate …

Fans of Disney Junior’s Jake and the Never Land Pirates are in for a treat! Jake, the title character from the popular show, will start appearing at Disney parks this month.
Yesterday, Jake appeared at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where he will make regular appearances with Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso, and June from Little Einsteins at the Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine at Hollywood & Vine. Guests who choose to enjoy this character dining experience will be able to join the action by rowing the boat, swabbing the deck, and singing …

Don’t be surprised if you see an abundance of brides at Walt Disney World today; the park is hosting 11 weddings on 11/11/11 because many Disney brides say this number is the most magical wedding date.
Korri McFann, marketing director for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons, says that:
11/11/11 means a lot of different things to a lot of different couples. Some are choosing it because they want the date to be symbolic. One of the couples is actually traveling all the way from Hawaii to get married at Walt …

Disney announced the disappointing news yesterday that the annual Walt Disney World event ESPN: The Weekend is no more. The event, which has been held annually at Disney’s Hollywood Studios since 2004, featured appearances by top athletes, ESPN telecasts, special events and activities for sports fans, and more. Despite the fact that the 2012 dates for ESPN The Weekend had already been announced for March 2-4, 2012, the event’s cancellation is effective immediately.
Disney has explained that the event’s cancellation comes as a way for Disney to focus more fully on …

Due to popular demand and the anticipation of high numbers of visitors throughout the busy summer season, Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World will begin showing its popular nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! seven nights a week.  From July 3 through September 30, guests will (hopefully!) have an easier time snagging seats at this very popular show, which takes place in an outdoor theater.
The event, which combines water, special effects, pyrotechnices, and lights, along with special scenes from beloved Disney films, is normally featured multiple times each evening.  For more details …