Walt Disney World has shown their support of minority-owned businesses yet again with the recent scholarship award given to Genesis VII, Inc. The announcement was made by The Central & North Florida Minority Supplier Development Council (cnFMSDC), and the construction services company was awarded a scholarship to attend the Advanced Management Education Program at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Business.
Says Malik Ali, president of the Central & North Florida Minority Supplier Development Council:
We’re pleased that one of Central Florida’s finest minority-owned businesses will be able to attend the Advance Management …

Starting today, Walt Disney World Resort will be awarding $1.5 million in grants to a variety of organizations across Central Florida that benefit the region’s children.
According to sources, Disney will be giving away “Helping Kids Shine” grants to 59 organizations in the area. Estimates say these grants could potentially benefit about 70,000 children.
The first grant will be awarded to the Orlando Repository Theatre, an organization that uses music, art and theater to help stimulate creativity in children. Disney will make surprise visits to other organizations throughout the week that offer …

The Fantasyland renovation at Walt Disney World is progressing nicely, with the opening of one of the two Dumbos in Storybook Circus, a brand new train station and The Barnstormer family-friendly coaster. Now, Disney has announced the next two phases in openings for this multi-year expansion.
Says Meg Crofton, president, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, United States and France:
Fantasyland is a place where a very special kind of memory is made: where children just old enough to understand the moment come in contact with princesses and heroes and …

Disney Theme Park Merchandise has teamed up with eco-friendly company Alex and Ani to create a line of four exclusive charm bangles to be sold at Disney domestic properties, Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
The four expandable bangle charms that will be offered with this initial launch will include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and both Disneyland and Walt Disney World castle charms.
Designer Carolyn Rafaelian, Owner and President, says:
Partnering with the force of nature known as ‘Disney’ is a humbling experience. Simultaneously I feel like a child, full of wonder, and …

Walt Disney World is currently testing their new FastPass system, and now we’ve heard that Disney World employees have been given iPads in carry around the theme park as part of the testing phase.
Guests who have been selected as part of the testing will be given a card that acts as their “ticket” to the FastPass line. When a guest shows up for the ride, they wave their card in front of a special RFID sensor and their information will be sent to a nearby Cast Member’s iPad. Once the …

A few weeks ago, we let you know that Princess Merida from the upcoming Pixar film Brave will soon be getting her own meet-and-greet in both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. This week, however, the character made her first Disney Parks appearance in Epcot, coming out to greet Walt Disney World guests for the first time.
Although this does not appear to be a regular meet-and-greet, guests may be able to find Merida here in Epcot sporadically before her permanent location in the Magic Kingdom opens in a …

Tickets are now on sale for the 30th annual Magic Kingdom event “Night of Joy.”
This two-night Christian music event at Walt Disney World Resort proves to be popular every year. As it is an after-hours event, you must purchase a separate ticket to Night of Joy in addition to your Walt Disney World admission ticket. The events run from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., and select attractions will remain open for event-goers.
“Night of Joy” will be held September 7 and 8th and feature a variety of Christian music acts, including:
9/7 …

The dates for two of Walt Disney World’s most popular after-hours events have been announced for this fall and tickets are now on sale.  Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, both held at Magic Kingdom, are events that celebrate fun fall and winter holidays, and are suitable for the entire family.
If you are planning a visit to Walt Disney World during the September-December timeframe, and plan to attend either Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you’ll have the …

We mentioned the new Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar coming to the Italy pavilion in Epcot earlier this year, as well as the renovation of the popular Tutto Italia Restaurant. Now that the official grand opening has occurred, our friends at Disney Food Blog have shared a look inside both establishments – and we have photos and details to share with you.
For the ribbon cutting ceremony, Mickey and Minnie donned their Italian costumes and joined executives in celebrating the grand opening.
At the new Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, which was designed to …

A new pirate-themed attraction will be coming to Walt Disney World Resort’s Hollywood Studios this year!
While full details have yet to be revealed, we do know that “The Legend of Jack Sparrow” will fully immerse guests in the world of the Pirates of the Caribbean films.
Says Jason Roberts, show producer for Walt Disney Imagineering:
This is going to be an immersive experience. We’ll really delve into the story of Captain Jack Sparrow and put our guests in the middle of it all in new and exciting ways. In this …