68 years ago this week, the heartfelt tale of Dumbo was released in theatres. Dumbo was Walt Disneys 4th animated film, and although it was his shortest (only 64 minutes) it has long been considered one of Walt Disney’s most legendary pieces of animation. After the studios did poorly with Pinocchio and Fantasia, in which Disney was accused of being too complicated with his animation, Dumbo saw a return to a more simple style of animation. Dumbo is based off of a children’s book written by Helen Aberson and illustrated by Harold Pearl.

The movie featured the voice talents of Sterling Holloway (the voice of Winnie the Pooh), Cliff Edwards (the voice of Jiminy Cricket) and Verna Felton (the voice of Cinderella’s fairy godmother, Alice’s Queen of Hearts and Flora the Fairy from Sleeping Beauty.) But their voice work was not credited in the film. That doesn’t mean that the film went unnoticed by the movie community. Dumbo won the Oscar for Original Musical Score and received a nomination for “Baby Mine,” the sad song we hear when Dumbo goes to meet his real mother. Although “Baby Mine” did not win, Dumbo was considered a hit and helped the Disney studios regain some of their financial losses.

Fans of the floppy-eared elephant will love the upcoming Fantasyland expansion at the Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom. While Dumbo only has one ride at the moment, he will soon have a circus of his own. As part of the planned Fantasyland additions, which will feature brand new meet and greet spots for the princesses, Tinkerbell’s Pixie Hollow and even a dark ride based on The Little Mermaid, Dumbo will also get his own spot. To go with the theme of the movie there will now be a beautiful circus tent environment featuring all sorts of games and not one, but two Dumbo rides. Instead of waiting in line to go on the flying elephant attraction you will be able to play games until it’s your turn to get on and go for a spin. The new additions won’t be done until 2013, but you can get to the store and pick up Dumbo on DVD and Blu-ray to help you get your dose of Dumbo until 2013.

There are plenty of awards ceremonies for certain aspects of the Orlando theme parks. The Golden Ticket Awards are just one of the ways parks are honored for achievements like best dark ride, friendliest staff and best rollercoaster. The Disney Company has its own way of honoring the people behind the parks. It takes thousands of people to make sure the Disney theme parks run smoothly for the guests that go through the gates every day, but it takes an even larger crew to create the Disney parks people visit and the movies people see. Those crews are honored by the Disney Legends Awards.

The awards were created in 1987 by Robert Iger and Roy E. Disney at The Walt Disney Studios to honor animators, songwriters, actors, Imagineers and business leaders that help the Disney machine run smoothly year after year. In 1997 Disneyland Paris got its own version of the awards to honor the European Disney leaders. There are three elements to the Disney Legend award’s statue. The spiral represents the imagination and the power of ideas. The hand represents the gifts of skill and the discipline required for good craftsmanship, and the wand and star represent the magic of imagination and skill combined to form a new dream.

There are plenty of Disney legends already inducted into this hall of fame. 2009 brought in a new class of equally talented Disney stars. Two men that voiced classic Disney characters are part of the list this year. Tony Anselmo, the voice of everyone’s favorite cranky bird Donald Duck, was inducted alongside Bill Farmer, the voice of Goofy. Inductee Robin Williams, famous for his variety of acting roles in movies like Night at the Museum, Jumanji and The Bird Cage, was also the voice of the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin. America’s Golden Girls were also inducted. We lost Estelle Getty, who played Sophia on the Golden Girls, last year. This year we lost Bea Arthur, who played Dorothy. Rue McClanahan (Blanche) and Betty White (Rose) survived Bea and Estelle, but all four of them still received their Legends award. New people are inducted into the Disney Legends group every year and the list of legends grows. It’s great to see the talented members of the Disney community honored for their achievements, even if a lot of them are behind the scenes!

We all know how important it is to volunteer and serve your community to help those that need it in this tough world. Now Disney is trying to get the entire country to realize how important it is to volunteer…by giving potential “VoluntEARS” one of the best incentives around! Starting January 1, 2010, citizens can sign up for one day of volunteer service. Once you complete your day of volunteer service and have proof of your efforts, you will get one day’s admission to one park in Disneyland or the Walt Disney World Resort. So not only will you get the reward of a job well done and helping someone in need, you’ll get the reward of getting into Disney for free - awesome, right?

Disney is partnering with the HandsOn Network. This is the largest volunteer group in the nation. The HandsOn Network has 250 Hands In Action Centers that will be helping Disney facilitate this great program. Even Annual Pass holders will be able to benefit from this great program. You will be eligible to receive a Disney FastPass, an Ear Hat figurine with special trading pins or you also have the option of donating your ticket to a non-profit organization.

To further promote this great program, Disney is launching a “Cheers to Volunteers” sweepstakes. Five day trips for four will be given away for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World with Southwest Airlines pitching in for the transportation section of the contest. With President Obama calling on Americans to volunteer and give back to the community as well, it seems all of America is trying to get into the giving spirit. Jay Rasulo, the chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, wants to get as many volunteers invested in serving the community as possible.

“In 2010, we want to recognize and add one more reason for celebration: the contributions people make to their communities every day,” said Jay Rasulo. “We want to inspire one million volunteers – people who will invest time and energy to make their own communities and neighborhoods a better place.”

The Give a Day Get a Day program sounds like a great way to start. Where will you be volunteering?

When you think of glamorous cities, does Orlando come to mind? We are sure you probably think of New York and Paris before the theme park capital even comes close to popping up in your head. Well thanks to the legendary Waldorf Astoria hotel from New York, Orlando will be getting a dose of luxury over in Bonnet Creek. Nestled close to the Walt Disney World Resort, this beautiful hotel will provide visitors a decadent escape from the Orlando theme park madness, theme restaurants and theme hotels.

Going to the parks is great, but knowing you get to go home to a luxurious hotel room after a long day of riding fun attractions (and having to deal with their long lines) is even better. Orlando’s Waldorf Astoria is only the second Waldorf Astoria in the world and the first of the hotels to be a resort. Much like the New York Waldorf Astoria on Park Avenue, you will find beautiful rooms and décor including a marble floor lobby with sky blue domed ceilings and a replica of the clock in the New York location. This clock made of wood and nickel also chimes every 15 minutes and uses the same tone as the original clock in NYC.

The prices of the hotel rooms aren’t a bad deal either. Prices this fall will start at around $200, much cheaper than in New York. While this lucky price streak reverses in March (the Orlando Waldorf Astoria will have rooms starting at $330 while the NYC rooms will be $240) you can’t beat that price for the chance to stay in the hotel of hotels. There are a few unique Florida features at the Bonnet Creek Waldorf. For example, the patio and its furniture are built to withstand hurricanes and instead of getting views of New York City you’ll get incredible views of the hotel’s multiple golf courses and beautiful pools.

The Waldorf Astoria’s general manager thinks this is the best time to open the Orlando branch considering the additions of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Universal Studios Orlando and the massive expansion of Fantasyland over at the Magic Kingdom.

"The next foreseeable five or six years are going to be dynamic in Orlando," said General Manager R. Michael King. "We're here at an opportune moment when that's happening." This is sure to be a hit with luxury travelers!

If you are an iPhone user and like to find out cool facts and insider secrets when you visit the Orlando theme parks, you will enjoy TimeStream’s Walt Disney World Secrets Gold notescast. Kind of like a podcast, a notescast delivers information straight to your iPod, iPhone or iTunes account. But the great thing about Walt Disney World Secrets Gold is that it can be used as a handy, electronic tour guide that will give you information on the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The latest update in the Walt Disney World Secrets Gold notescast is the addition of pictures and more information. It only costs $1.99 at the App store but the updates are free and this little gem of an app keeps getting better and better every time new information is added. Another plus: Hidden Mickeys! Hidden Mickeys can be found in every Walt Disney World Resort theme park and even the hotels. A Hidden Mickey is a Mickey Mouse head carefully hidden in décor and even floor patterns. This practice was originally started by Disney Imagineers as a joke. But now, the hunt for Hidden Mickeys has spawned plenty of websites and even guidebooks. Your Walt Disney World Secrets Gold notescast features Hidden Mickey Tour with over 80 certified Hidden Mickey spots.

This notescast has over 200 secrets about the Walt Disney World theme parks and resorts. Learn about the tricks Imagineers used to make the World Showcase Pavillion’s “Eiffel Tower” look true-to-scale. Or find out secrets about Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom. With this great app you can look up anything you want to know in an instant. It definitely beats having to pull out a guide book and search a long index as you thumb through page after page for one little fact. With walking tours, WDW secrets, and the ability to receive frequent updates on all of the latest news from the Disney theme parks, this little app is a great tool to have on hand. If you’re not an iPhone user you can still download the information onto your iTunes and check it out there before heading to the parks.

If you cannot get enough of the Disney Princesses you are in store for an incredible surprise. Fantasyland at the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom will soon become a princess paradise for fans of Cinderella, Belle, Aurora and Ariel. As part of the D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center, Jay Rasulo, the Chairman of the Walt Disney World Resort and Parks, finally announced what Disney fanatics and internet experts already knew: Fantasyland is getting a major makeover.

Don’t fret! Peter Pan, the teacups and rides like “It’s A Small World” will all still be there, it’s the area behind Dumbo and Ariel’s Grotto that will change. Unfortunately for Toon Town fans, that area will most likely be gone, but what will take its place promises to be worth the change. Fantasyland will be doubling in size to include many wonderful interactive princess attractions and eventually Tinkerbell’s Pixie Hollow. But first, let’s get started with the classics.

Guests will be able to visit Cinderella’s country chateau and watch her transform from servant to princess. Knights and princesses in training (young guests) will get to help Cinderella practice for her big ball event with her prince. Do you love the classic Sleeping Beauty? You will be able to meet the three fairies Flora, Fauna and Merryweather to help plan a surprise 16th birthday party for Princess Aurora in her cottage. If you’re ready to do some acting, you will love visiting Belle’s village where you can re-enact the story of Beauty and the Beast for Princess Belle and the Beast himself. All that acting will surely work an appetite and the “Be Our Guest” dinner show is set to be a big crowd pleaser in Beast’s Castle.

You will then go under the sea in “Ariel’s Adventure” where guests will relive the magical journey of Ariel and Prince Eric in a ride set to the incredible music of The Little Mermaid. Meet and greets will be a big part of this Fantasyland expansion. Even Dumbo is getting a makeover with a fantastic circus setting and two Dumbo rides operating at the same time. You won’t have to wait in a line anymore; this new ride will let you play interactive games before hopping on for a ride with the adorable elephant.

This expansion is set to be completed by 2012 and 2013 will bring a special treat for Tinkerbell fans. With Pixie Hollow guests will be “shrunken” down to Tink’s size as they wander through a giant world of oversized plants and blades of grass with Tinkerbell and her friends.

Fantasyland is going to be bigger and better than ever—we can’t wait!

No one will ever forget the tragedy of September 11th, 2001. All you have to do is ask someone where they were and they will tell you what was going on in their lives when they first learned about the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. The entire nation was affected by the terrible event and the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland were no different. It’s no secret Walt Disney was an incredibly patriotic man and that is a sentiment still very much engrained in the Disney family today.

The day of the attacks, Disneyland kept their parks closed. Because of the time difference no one had gone to visit the parks, but there were still people at the resorts. Food and beverage stations remained open and all telephone charges were suspended so visitors could call their families. Groups that had been stranded were entertained by free Disney movies over at Downtown Disney.

Here at Walt Disney World, Cast Members were instructed to link hands and form a human wall to gently guide visitors out of the parks. Hotels let stranded visitors stay in and also suspended telephone charges so people could try and connect with their loved ones. The closing of the Disney parks on September 11th marks only the second time in history the Disney parks closed. The first was when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963.

There are plenty of ways to salute America and be patriotic in the parks. Over at the Magic Kingdom you can visit the refurbished Hall of Presidents. Over at Epcot you can visit the American Adventure Pavilion at the World Showcase. Check out Voices of Liberty, an eight singer group that sings classic American songs or check times for the next performance by the The Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps. This incredible group marches right into the streets with incredible renditions of “Yankee Doodle” and “God Bless America” all in colonial costume. You can also view the 30 minute American Adventure which features music, film and Audio-Animatronics of important figures from American history like George Washington and Martin Luther King Jr. Despite the country’s ups, downs and tragedies the spirit of Walt Disney and patriotism will always be found at Walt Disney World.

Want to ride a Segway but can not afford the price tag? EPCOT theme park has announced a fantastic tour that will give you backstage access to the World Showcase and other great EPCOT pavilions. There are various tour times throughout the morning, so your tour time will depend on the reservation you make. Remember, the price of the tour is not included in your theme park admission, so make sure you purchase your discount EPCOT tickets with OrlandoFunTickets.com to save some cash before booking the tour.

Every “Around the World on a Segway” tour begins with a 45 minute training session. This session is meant to teach riders the operation of the Segway vehicle as well as the necessary safety measures needed to keep riders from getting hurt. The training is provided by EPCOT cast members who ride along with your group to make sure everyone stays safe and to provide great insight and tidbits on the EPCOT theme park throughout the experience.

After your training session, you will leave Future World and head off to the World Showcase on your Segway. Your journey will take you through all of the pavilions: France, Italy, Mexico, Germany, Japan, China, Morocco, Norway, Canada, USA and the UK. Your Disney cast member tour guide will let you know about the parks history as you watch other cast members prepare the World Showcase for the day. Since the World Showcase doesn’t open until 10 am, the earlier you take your tour the better. These early hours will give you clear views of all of the pavilions without the hordes of tourists snapping pictures or waiting in line for rides. You will get to see, in detail, the amount of work put into the facades of the buildings and learn how Disney keeps authenticity in mind when replicating these foreign landmarks.

The Segway tours run for two hours, four times a day at EPCOT. The minimum age for the tour is 16 years old, and if you are under 18 a parent or legal guardian must sign the waiver for you. Also, because of the vehicle, there is a weight limit of under 250 lbs. You are standing on the Segway for long periods of time as you motor around EPCOT, so make sure you are in good health before signing up for the tour. This is a great addition to the EPCOT theme park and sure to be a hit with guests to the Walt Disney World Resort.

When visiting the Orlando theme parks for your Fourth of July vacation, there is no better place to feel patriotic than the Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom Theme Park. After months of high-tech renovations and the addition of one very special figure, you will want to make sure you head to Liberty Square within Magic Kingdom this upcoming weekend!

The Hall of Presidents is BACK, and better than ever! With a refreshed look and feel, the Hall of Presidents will reopen this Fourth of July weekend with some spectacular new updates. After having its biggest make-over in its 38-year history, guests will be awed by the newest and most life-like addition yet to this famous attraction, the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama. The current president has been added to the other "living" audio-animatronic presidents, from throughout history - Washington, Lincoln, Bush, Clinton, and all of the other historical figures. But, the Obama figure is in a true league of its own!

Obama's animatronic figure has set some new standards for the Presidents in this hall. President Obama, himself, actually has a very hands-on approach to helping to create this life-like figure. Obama not only provided his voice, as did other Presidents such as George Bush and Bill Clinton, but he actually got measured for the part! From his mannerisms to his expressions to his overall body-type, Disney measured Obama to a "T" to get the perfect replica of this historically iconic president. "The audio-animatronic Obama purses its lips to pronounce it's b's and p-'s in a way frighteningly evocative of the real one, and raises its hands, open-palmed, while shruggling its shoulders, in a way that can only be described as Obamaesque. Even the president's wedding ring, with its braided design, has been recreated," wrote Jacques Steinberg.

The animatronic Obama will come to life on the Fourth of July along with the rest of the redesigned attraction. New music, multi-speaker sound systems, visual techniques, and a brand new storyline (narrated by famous actor Morgan Freeman), will all add to this tribute to the American Presidents. Also adding to the overall experience will be a completely new dialogue for President Abe Lincoln. At the opening, Abe Lincoln will recite the Gettysburg Address in its entirety for all to hear. Also, President George Washington will have a speaking role for the first time.

For a true patriotic experience this Fourth of July, make sure you stop by Magic Kingdom Park's Hall of Presidents. Get chills as you hear the life-like, first-ever black President, Obama recite his oath of office, former President Abe Lincoln recite the Gettysburg Address, and as all of the past and present Presidents of the United State state the Constitution in unison. To see this patriotic reopening of this famous attraction get your Disney tickets ahead of time with OrlandoFunTickets.com! Have a great Fourth of July!

Holiday Inn is one of the most widely-recognized and family-friendly hotel brands in the world, and now it is heading right to the doorstep of Walt Disney World Resort! With a 2007 announcement of a one-billion dollar relaunch program for their brand, Holiday Inn set out to modernize their brand with a contemporary brand image, increased quality, and consistency throughout their hotels. Over 3,200 Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels will be receiving face-lifts to be debuted by the end of 2010. Over 800 hotels have been “relaunched,” thus far, and next on the list for its updated debut it the Holiday Inn in the Walt Disney World Resort!

“When the Holiday Inn in the Walt Disney World Resort opens this Fall, it will be both the newest property in the Downtown Disney area and the only Holiday Inn on Disney property,” said John Merkin, senior Vice President of Brand Management for Holiday Inn Brands, the Americas, to finchannel.com. “Many of today’s travelers have memories of staying at Holiday Inn during their own childhood family vacations, and we’re excited that out new contemporary brand will now be part of even more vacation magic.”

The new Holiday Inn on Walt Disney World property will feature the elements of the relaunch, including refreshed guest rooms, signature welcome service to the hotel, and a new service promise. Guests will be welcomed to the hotel with customized music and scent selections floating through the air, giving guests a complete sensory experience. The new “Stay Real” service plan will give guests a personalized experience, so that they feel more like an individual rather than a number. There will even be a head leader to this program – the Guest Experience Champion! Rooms will be redefined with new bedding, improved bathrooms, LCD HD televisions, and numerous guest rooms that overlook the Walt Disney World Resort, perfect for viewing nighttime firework displays. Also within the hotel, there will be a state-of-the-art fitness complex, jogging paths, swimming pool, lap pool, hot tub, sun deck, and a game room.

This 14-story, 323 room, Holiday Inn will be within walking distance to Downtown Disney Marketplace. In fact, as a paying guest, you will be treated just as you would on any other Disney property hotel. You will get the added perks of complimentary transportation to the Disney theme parks (every 30 minutes), guaranteed access and preferred tee times at Walt Disney World golf courses, assistance with reservations for Walt Disney World restaurants and dining experiences, Disney character breakfasts, an on-site Disney retail store, and, even, free delivery service of Disney Theme Park purchases and souvenirs to your hotel room.

If you are looking for the consistent service that you would expect from Holiday Inn’s while on your Walt Disney World vacation, you should check-in to the new Holiday Inn on Walt Disney World property starting this Fall. And, as always, if you are looking for the consistently discounted prices for Walt Disney World tickets, you can depend on OrlandoFunTickets.com.

One Mans Dream, an exhibit at Disney Hollywood Studios documenting the life of Walt Disney and his legacy through photos, artifacts, and film, is a longtime favorite of park-goers at Walt Disney World. Located in the Animation Courtyard area of the park, this museum-like attraction takes guests on a trip through time from Disney’s 1901 birth in Chicago to his creation of some of the most innovative inventions and visions that still continue to touch us today. And just as Disney’s dreams come to life, the parks, keep improving, One Man’s Dream has gotten a fresh makeover thanks to D23, a new Disney community created especially for fans.

Now sporting a sign on its marquee that reads, “D23 Welcomes You,” the exhibit’s change of hands to D23 signals that One Man’s Dream will now celebrate the fans, who are equally important to the Disney legacy.

“D23 is the ultimate Disney fan community and One Man's Dream is the ultimate attraction tribute to Walt Disney in our parks, so they fit together perfectly,” explained Eric Jacobson, senior vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering, whose team thought of partnering with D23 on the endeavor. “One Man's Dream showcases the history of Walt Disney and The Walt Disney Company and gives our Guests a look at what is new around the world and a sneak peak at what's coming. D23 has a similar mission for its members.”

But the result of this partnership isn’t just the addition of a new sign. Along with new D23 theming, the exhibit will now offer a new display case featuring the room of a Disney fan, adding to the extensive collection of Disney history on display.

The new display case features items that have been pulled from the Walt Disney Archives, but which are real pieces a Disney fan might own. There’s the Ultimate WALL·E, a “Treasures of the Archives” lithograph, and the five-Mickey pin set, which was the very first Walt Disney Archives Collection item.

“Plus, a lot of the books are favorites for us in the Archives, like Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, The Disney Poster Book, and of course from the Disney Archives, Disney A to Z by our very own Dave Smith!” said Becky Cline, manager of the Walt Disney Archives and a D23 team member.

Other artifacts from the Archives on display in One Man’s Dream include Jimmie Dodd's Mouseguitar from the 1955 Mickey Mouse Club, original props from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Walt Disney's working office, in addition to his second-grade school desk.

You don’t need to be a D23 member to enjoy the exhibit, but if you’re interested in joining, a one-year charter membership costs $74.99. Members receive the special Disney Twenty-Three quarterly publication, a membership card and certificate, a surprise collectible gift, offers for exclusive special events and merchandise throughout the year, a subscription to the bi-weekly D23 FanFare e-newsletter, and an invitation to the D23 Expo, the ultimate Disney fan convention taking place in Anaheim, California on September 10, 2009.

Many Disney fans, however, will instead opt to visit the One Man’s Dream exhibit, a fascinating collection of Disney history that really puts a day at Walt Disney World in perspective. After all, it all started with a mouse.

So be sure to check out the new additions to Hollywood Studios’ One Man’s Dream, a great attraction for any Disney fan. Book your Walt Disney World tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com, and you’ll be on your way to stepping inside one great man’s world.

Earlier this January, Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge welcomed the birth of two Ruppells Griffon Vultures. They’re the first hatchings of this threatened species at Walt Disney World. Each chick weighed less than six ounces and was about eight inches long, a far cry from what they’ll grow up to be – up to three feet in height and 15-20 pounds, with a wingspan of nearly eight feet.

Over the past twenty years, the population of Ruppell’s Griffon Vultures has been declining, leading the International Union for Conservation of Nature to raise the species’ status to threatened. Members of Disney’s Animal Programs Team hope to increase the species population and generate more awareness of the challenges these birds face.

However, the Ruppell’s Griffon Vultures wouldn’t be the first threatened or endangered animal to be born thanks to the efforts of Disney. Though Animal Kingdom is obviously themed around animals, many may not realize that the park is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, meaning that it has met and exceeded the standards in education, animal conservation, and research.

In addition to Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Disney welcomed a newborn calf to a herd of African elephants at Animal Kingdom last summer. Twenty-six-year-old Moyo gave birth to a 327-pound male, a significant birth since African elephants are endangered and challenging to breed. And last December, Animal Kingdom saw the birth of its 28th Gerenuk calf, born under the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Gerenuk Population Management Plan.

To learn more about animal conservation and see what Disney is doing, the best thing you can do is take a train ride over to Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Animal Kingdom. There, guests can see endangered cottontop tamarin primates up close at the Habitat Habit!, a fun and educational wildlife trail dedicated to the preservation of animals. You’ll learn about different conservation efforts as you get an up-close look at the inner workings of Animal Kingdom.

Also, don’t miss a chance to visit the Conservation Station, the center of Disney efforts to promote wildlife conservation awareness. A behind-the-scenes look at the animals of Animal Kingdom, Conservation Station allows guests to meet with animal handlers, learn about veterinary care, and other day-to-day activities at Animal Kingdom. You’ll also take part in a variety of wild animal experiences, interactive shows, and games. There’s even a veterinary hospital viewing window that allows guests to watch medical procedures conducted by the veterinary staff.

Similar to Animal Kingdom, the Animal Kingdom Lodge is dedicating to giving people a greater appreciation for wildlife. Home to a wide variety of animals that either originated from Animal Kingdom or other zoos, the lodge is a working wildlife reserve with a 33-acre savannah. Its species include Grant’s zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, sacred ibis, Ankole-Watusi Cattle, white-bearded wildebeest, and more. All the animals inhabiting the lodge savannah return periodically to an on-site animal care facility for feeding and routine care.

There’s no doubt that when it comes to the conservation and care of animals, whether stable in the wild, threatened, or endangered, Animal Kingdom is the cat’s pajamas – and the cat’s shelter, too. Take a trip into the wild and see what you can do to help; check out Walt Disney World tickets today at OrlandoFunTickets.com.

One of our favorite places in Walt Disney World to eat, shop, and spend a leisurely afternoon, Downtown Disney is like a mega metropolis of fun. Filled with restaurants, unique shops, and live entertainment, this attraction draws hundreds of visitors every day. And soon, Downtown Disney is about to get even better with a new high-tech store that will allow guests to customize their clothing.

In a grand opening ceremony on January 9th, Walt Disney World launched balloons, confetti cannons, and unveiled a giant T-shirt cake in celebration of its newest store, Disney’s Design-A-Tee Presented by Hanes. The first of its kind, this interactive T-shirt design and printing store located at the Downtown Disney Marketplace will enable guests to create unique vacation tee shirts with limitless design capabilities.

Using one of eight state-of-the-art kiosks with touch-screens, guests will be able to customize a long-sleeve or short-sleeve T-shirt in multiple colors by choosing from more than 300 art selections of Disney animation and movie characters. Make a green Tinkerbell shirt or a red Pirates of the Caribbean tee – the design is up to you! Guests can also add a unique message or logo of up to four lines to their tee using a wide selection of type fonts and colors. If you can’t think of any particular message you want your tee to convey, previously programmed messages are also available to choose from.

Disney’s Design-A-Tee is the latest product of the collaboration between Walt Disney World and Hanes Brands, Inc. In 2007, the clothing maker signed a deal to become the official T-shirt supplier at Disney World.

Once guests have designed their unique tee, the design is electronically sent to the store’s printing machine. Shirts at Disney’s Design-A-Tee are printed on site and take about 15 minutes to make, although the wait may be longer if the store is busy. Guests can watch the creation of their tee via video screens while they wait, or they can opt to pick them up later or have them delivered. You can make one T-shirt just for you, or produce multiples of the same design to share with friends, family, or perhaps a club or team. Prices range from about $20 to $30.

Tee-lovers can find the Design-A-Tee shop next to the Art of Disney store at the east end of Downtown Disney. Downtown Disney is home to the Downtown Disney Marketplace, featuring the largest Disney character store in the world, and Downtown Disney West Side, featuring top-notch restaurants, theaters, shows, and one-of-a-kind amusement, including Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba. Be sure to plan a stop here during your next Disney vacation, and don’t forget your discount Disney tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com.

A new year means many things: new opportunities, new experiences, new resolutions to try to keep, and a whole year filled with new chances to celebrate whatever might be important to you. One particularly fun celebration we all share is birthdays, and at Walt Disney World Resort, you can really make your birthday a day you’ll always remember. We here at OrlandoFunTickets.com are especially determined to your birthday magical – and not just any kind of magical – Disney magical.

In 2009, your birthday will be a true milestone when you purchase Walt Disney World Resort tickets from OrlandoFunTickets.com. When you do, not only will you guarantee an amazing day of fun at Disney, but you’ll also get to choose one of three incredible treats: a birthday fun card to use for merchandise, recreation, and fun at participating Walt Disney World Resort locations; a special FASTPASS for certain attractions at the park you visit on your birthday; and a 1-day Magic Your Way base ticket for you to use any time until your next birthday.

Simply bring your ticket to the gate on the day of your birthday along with a valid photo ID (including proof of birth date) in order to take advantage of this super-cool offer. The only hard part is deciding which treat to choose!

The birthday fun card, for example, can be used towards merchandise items at participating Walt Disney World or Disneyland resorts. It’s great for buying a unique birthday gift for yourself, one that you’ll always have to remember your special birthday at Walt Disney World. (The birthday fun card cannot be used towards the purchase of food or beverage items, personal services such as face painting or caricature drawing, or Disney resort room charges.)

However, the FASTPASS is great for skipping all the long lines on your birthday. With it, you can make sure to cram the most fun into your birthday at Walt Disney World. It can also be used for the birthday boy or girl and up to five members of his/her party, ensuring that everyone with you gets in on the fun. If you do wish to choose the FASTPASS, you may want to pick it up early, as the number of these special birthday passes is limited and may not be available after 11 am.

And though a birthday fun card and FASTPASS are fun, a 1-day Magic Your Way ticket might be the ultimate birthday gift. After all, the only thing better than a day at Walt Disney World is two days at Walt Disney World! Best yet, you can use it anytime after your birthday until your next one. It’s perfect for seeing all the sights and attractions you couldn’t fit in the first time around.

There are some important things to remember in order to make sure you’re eligible for these amazing birthday gifts from Disney. First, you can only receive birthday benefits on the actual day of your birth. Similarly, the birthday fun card is only valid on your birthday – so be sure to spend it all! And finally, proper identification is required in order to redeem your birthday benefits; if you’re 18 or older, a Driver’s License, Government-issued photo ID, or passport will do. If you’re a minor and don’t have these forms of ID, a birth certificate or notarized copy of a birth certificate can be used.

So what are you waiting for? Even if your birthday is in December, there’s no rule that says you can’t start planning and looking forward to it now. Get discount Disney tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com, and you’ll be on your way to a special Disney celebration where you’re the guest of honor. Have a very happy and magical Disney birthday!

One of the first two resorts to open on Walt Disney World property back in 1971, the Disney Contemporary Resort was named so for its contemporary design – an A frame built with outer walls which slope inwards around an inner atrium. The rooms are similarly modern, with muted colors and dark woods, a suede headboard running the length of the room, a clear glass desk with computers, a light green day bed/couch, LCD television sets, and Kohler flat sinks. Undergoing a refurbishment to this present day look in 2005, the Contemporary Resort is always trying to stay on top of the latest trends, and Disney guests can now see just a few more of their recently unveiled improvements.

One of the most modern changes guests will find is the new Contempo Café in the Grand Canyon Concourse at the resort. This newly opened eatery has taken the fourth floor space originally occupied by the Concourse Steakhouse and is a high-tech venture into dining. Designed for guests who want to grab a quick snack rather than a full sit-down meal, Contempo Café features some particularly neat technology when it comes to ordering. Instead of ordering from a server, guests will order their food from a self-service touch screen.

Guests will start by perusing the menu on electronic boards; they’ll be able to read descriptions and look at color photos of dishes on these boards. When they’re done, they’ll place their orders at touch screens and head to a cashier to pay for their food. When their meal is ready, a pager will blink, signifying that the food is available for pickup at the counter.

For those who think this new technology might make dining harder, Disney has anticipated every request diners might possibly make. For example, a salad can be ordered with the options of having the dressing mixed in, on the side, or not at all. Prices on the screen change according to your choices, and a running total is displayed at all times so guests can see how much they’ll spend. The Contempo Café is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and features thin-crust pizzas, hearty deli sandwiches, and house-made soups, among other options.

In addition to the new Contempo Café, Disney’s current revitalization of the Contemporary Resort includes the new Wave Restaurant on the first floor, which opened this past summer, and the construction of a new game arcade on the fourth floor concourse. Also, the area that was once the Outer Rim Lounge is being converted into additional seating for Chef Mickey’s, while the new Outer Rim Lounge is being constructed at a different location in the resort.

And for those who are wondering what that construction is next to the Contemporary Resort, that would be the Bay Lake Tower, a Disney Vacation Club property that is set to open in fall 2009. The 15-story building will mimic the Contemporary Resort in design and feature a rooftop lounge and fireworks viewing area for seeing the show at Magic Kingdom. Bay Lake Tower will also be connected to the Contemporary Resort via a pedestrian bridge.

Be sure to stop by Disney’s Contemporary Resort sometime soon to enjoy all the latest improvements and changes. At Walt Disney World, fun new additions are being made all the time, which is why you can never go too long without visiting, or you’ll miss out! So score your discount Disney tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com, and see what’s new at your favorite parks and resorts.

Walt Disney World knows it can be hard to leave your furry friend behind when you come on vacation; that is why the parks offer several kennels for dogs and cats so that guests can enjoy the parks while knowing their pets are safe. Kennels are located at Magic Kingdom (the Ticket and Transportation Center), Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

Since the beginning of 2008, all these Disney kennels have been taken over by an industry expert, Best Friends PetCare Inc. A national provider of pet hospitality in the US, Best Friends PetCare Inc. has 44 locations in 18 states. And soon, this leader in kennels will be able to add a luxury pet resort to their list, which is planned to open at Walt Disney World in late 2009.

Best Friends Pet Care Inc. recently signed an agreement to build and operate a full-service, luxury pet “resort.” This facility will cater to park and resort guests as well as Walt Disney World employees, providing a full range of pet hospitality services such as dog and cat boarding, day care and grooming services, and doggy day camp.

Pets will even enjoy luxury and amenities not available at any other Disney kennel. These include luxury suites with television and raised bedding, activities such as nature walks and playgroups, and pampering services including ice cream treats and bedtime stories. The new state-of-the-art pet resort will be located on Bonnet Creek Parkway, close to Epcot and Disney’s Dixie Landings Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, and Disney’s Old Key West Resort.

"We are thrilled to have this opportunity to come to Walt Disney World Resort to create the premier vacation destination for pets," said Dennis Dolan, president and CEO of Best Friends Pet Care. "This project is still in the design phase, but our goal is to create a true resort destination for pets. This facility will be designed to fit into the Walt Disney World vacation experience and will be unlike anything else in the industry.”

Best Friends PetCare Inc. introduced the concept of a “pet resort” to the industry in 1996. They have been an innovator in services and care options such as luxury suites and doggy day camp programs, which provide opportunities for dogs to play, exercise, and socialize.

Currently, Disney’s kennels provide daytime and overnight boarding, though feeding and walking is only available at the Magic Kingdom, Fort Wilderness, and Epcot Kennels. At Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, guests are required to feed and walk their own pets. All dogs and cats must have proof of certain vaccinations and must be at least 8 weeks old in order to stay at Disney’s kennels. Pets are not currently allowed at Disney Resort hotels, except for designated service animals, of course.

As Disney takes steps to make sure our beloved pets have a nice vacation, don’t forget about your own! Start planning a 2009 trip to Walt Disney World for you and your Fido or feline and remember to save with discount Disney tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com.

One of the biggest changes the Walt Disney World Resort has seen in years became final when the new year began. On January 7, 2008, Disney’s Hollywood Studios made its debut, and there are loads of new reasons to visit in the coming year. Before we even get to the changes guests can experience in the park, we have to tell you about the great discount Disney tickets you will find right here at OrlandoFunTickets.com. We are your number one source for tickets to all of the great theme parks and attractions at Walt Disney World.

Disney officials said the park’s new name “reflects all that Hollywood has to offer: movies, music, theater and television.” And in keeping with that description, they are adding some great new entertainment to give park visitors an even more interactive and enjoyable experience.

Handy Manny joined the cast of characters at The Studios late last year, and next month he and his new friends will team up in a wonderful new live production. The “Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage!” show promises to be fun for the kids and Mom and Dad too, with performances from the Mickey Mouse Club House, Little Einsteins, Handy Manny and more!

Springtime at Disney Hollywood Studios will bring the “Block Party Bash,” a brand new parade that will replace the “Disney Stars and Motor Cars” parade. The new traveling show is reported to be the “most interactive parade in Disney history,” and guests will agree as they dance and sing with over 20 characters from their favorite Disney-Pixar Films: “The Incredibles,” “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “A Bug’s Life.”

And the excitement keeps on coming. Disney’s Hollywood Studios plans to take interactivity and entertainment to the highest levels this summer when they introduce Toy Story Mania! This “innovative ride-game experience” combines characters, games, 3-D and a carnival midway.

With all the excitement promised in the coming year, you know you want to visit Orlando and take in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the newest park at the Walt Disney World Resort (even if in name only!). Make your Orlando vacation affordable and get all of your Disney tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com. We always have cheap tickets to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and all of the theme parks at Walt Disney World. We are also your one-stop shop for tickets to other Orlando attractions like SeaWorld and Universal!