Timelapse, B-Roll & Soundbites: 17th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Blooms Earlier than Ever – Now through May 16, 2010
The 17th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is back in a burst of color and outdoor family fun – starting earlier than ever and continuing through May 16, 2010. “The advantage of starting earlier is that we’ll be able to feature more brilliant color than ever, with richly hued petunias, violas, snapdragons and other hardy flowers,” says festival horticulture manager Eric Darden.
Donald Duck and his topiary pals set up camp in full floral color to celebrate The Great Outdoors at the Epcot front entrance. Each year, dozens of Walt Disney World horticulturists install the giant display in a single night, starting once Epcot guests depart and finishing before sunrise. This year’s display includes a live waterfall and pond, Goofy in a fly-fishing misadventure, Daisy Duck roasting marshmallows over a campfire, and Pluto in his “pup tent.”
Special gardens, events and children’s play areas include:
- The new Community Garden - featuring topiary Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto and Goofy tending tomatoes, beans, peppers and herbs in a salute to community gardens being planted across the country.
- Expanded Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden – Topiaries of Tinker Bell and friends from Walt Disney Pictures’ latest DVD release “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure” sprinkle pixie dust over this playful garden for kids, now including the popular live butterfly garden.
- Flower Power concerts – Nationally-known bands play every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. Scheduled performers include Jose Feliciano, Davy Jones, Chubby Checker, Tony Orlando and former Boston lead singer Fran Cosmo.
- Home gardening presentations – Both Disney horticulturists and visiting gardening celebrities and authors share tips and secrets.
Timelapse: 17th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Blooms Earlier than Ever – Now through May 16, 2010
The 17th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is back in a burst of color and outdoor family fun – starting earlier than ever and continuing through May 16, 2010. “The advantage of starting earlier is that we’ll be able to feature more brilliant color than ever, with richly hued petunias, violas, snapdragons and other hardy flowers,” says festival horticulture manager Eric Darden.
Donald Duck and his topiary pals set up camp in full floral color to celebrate The Great Outdoors at the Epcot front entrance. Each year, dozens of Walt Disney World horticulturists install the giant display in a single night, starting once Epcot guests depart and finishing before sunrise. This year’s display includes a live waterfall and pond, Goofy in a fly-fishing misadventure, Daisy Duck roasting marshmallows over a campfire, and Pluto in his “pup tent.”
Special gardens, events and children’s play areas include:
- The new Community Garden - featuring topiary Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto and Goofy tending tomatoes, beans, peppers and herbs in a salute to community gardens being planted across the country.
- Expanded Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden – Topiaries of Tinker Bell and friends from Walt Disney Pictures’ latest DVD release “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure” sprinkle pixie dust over this playful garden for kids, now including the popular live butterfly garden.
- Flower Power concerts – Nationally-known bands play every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. Scheduled performers include Jose Feliciano, Davy Jones, Chubby Checker, Tony Orlando and former Boston lead singer Fran Cosmo.
- Home gardening presentations – Both Disney horticulturists and visiting gardening celebrities and authors share tips and secrets.
Gina Aalgaard Kelly Takes the Crown at Disney’s Princess Half Marathon
More than 13,000 participants race to a finish in weekend’s signature event; Women-centered weekend brings in more than 18,000
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – (Mar. 7, 2010) – In a tight race, Gina Aalgaard Kelly bested over 13,000 runners from around the world at Disney’s Princess Half Marathon on Sunday. Kelly (Lisbon, ND), 33, and second place finisher Heather Schulz of Orlando, Fla. overtook Nicole Falvo, of Grand Blanc, MI, who led most of the race, as the women entered Disney’s Epcot theme park. Kelly crossed the finish line in 1:23:58 and Schulz, 35, came in with a time of 1:24:21. Falvo, 35, crossed only 4 seconds later (1:24:25) to finish third.
In the Masters Division, Mary Pardi (Falmouth, ME.), 40, won in a time of 1:25:10. Tricia Brookover-Brau from Palm Harbor, Fla. crossed at 1:27:51 to claim second place.
Disney’s Princess Half Marathon was the signature moment in a weekend full of events that saw more than 18,000 runners compete in various races that included Disney’s Princess and The Frog Royal Family 5K and Disney’s Kids’ Races, making the event one of the largest endurance race weekends geared towards women.
The weekend also involved Disney’s Fit for a Princess Expo that was open to the general public. The expo, geared toward women’s health and wellness, featured celebrity runner appearances, Disney characters and seminars on training, racing and nutrition, along with the opportunity to experience the latest in running and fitness equipment. While the weekend is designed for women, more than 400 men participated on behalf of the princesses in their lives.
Registration for the 2011 Disney’s Princess Half Marathon begins this summer at www.disneyprincesshalfmarathon.com.
About Disney’s Endurance Series
Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend is part of the Endurance Series at Walt Disney World Resort, which gives recreational athletes of all ages and abilities the chance to walk, jog, run, bike and swim their way “around the world.” From marathons to road races to triathlons, athletes from across the country and around the world compete to stay in shape, achieve personal best times and raise donations for charitable causes. Popular Endurance Series events are Expedition Everest Challenge (June 12, 2010), Inaugural Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (Oct. 1-2, 2010), Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon (Jan. 6-9, 2011) and Champion 5k at ESPN the Weekend (February 2011).
‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ Reaches Goal
1 Million People Inspired to Volunteer in 2010 through the Disney Parks Program
March 9, 2010 – “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” – a first-of-its-kind program of Disney Parks – reached its goal of inspiring 1 million people in 2010 to give back to their communities through volunteer service in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.
Since the program started just 10 weeks ago, on Jan. 1, a million people already have volunteered or have committed to volunteer in their communities, according to Disney Parks and HandsOn Network, the nation’s largest volunteer network and a facilitator of “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day.”
To celebrate the good deeds of these individuals, Disney Parks offered each volunteer who completed an eligible project a free one-day admission to one theme park in Walt Disney World Resort in Florida or Disneyland Resort in California. Although registration is now closed and the program has ended, those who volunteered have until Dec. 15, 2010, to redeem their free park ticket (certain block-out dates apply).
“By any measure, the ‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ program exceeded our expectations,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “These one million volunteers touched their communities with their hearts and hands. Their commitment to service is truly worth celebrating, and there’s no better place to celebrate than at Disney Parks.”
Volunteerism has been a part of the Disney culture since the beginning. Through Disney VoluntEARS, cast members have been giving back to communities for more than a quarter century. More than 5.5 million hours of volunteer service worldwide have been donated, and Disney’s commitment to volunteerism will continue even as “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” draws to a close.
Officials at HandsOn Network credited the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program for increasing volunteer activities this year.
“The innovative nature of this program has exponentially increased our capacity to both invite and excite people about volunteerism,” said Michelle Nunn, co-founder of HandsOn Network and CEO of Points of Lights Institute. “The overwhelming participation of families – and youth especially – is a testament to a growing trend. Many of these volunteers are serving for the first time, and some will develop into service leaders who help change the face of our nation.”
Encouraging that kind of commitment was one aim of the Disney program, Staggs said.
“The goal of the ‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ program was to lay the groundwork for a new spirit of volunteerism,” he said. “The need for volunteers across the country is ongoing. We look forward to more people, especially families, carrying on the momentum and giving back to their communities through volunteerism.”
Neighborhoods in need were the big beneficiaries of “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” – from San Juan to San Diego, Vero Beach to Vancouver.
In Puerto Rico, 500 volunteers cleaned the beaches of Vaciatalega and La Perla located in the vicinity of Old San Juan. In Oakville, Ontario, a neighborhood center got new shelving and a spruced-up mural.
In Boston, volunteers served meals to people in need, knitted and crocheted scarves and mittens for children afflicted with life-threatening illnesses and helped as caregivers at an animal adoption center. In California, San Francisco Bay-area volunteers helped with basic English lessons, painted park benches and planted flowers.
In Jacksonville, Fla., volunteers painted murals and spruced up rooms at a home for women and children, while in Pittsburgh they took on construction tasks – tiling, sanding, staining and painting – to help create affordable housing.
Although the program has ended and a free Disney theme park ticket will no longer be provided, those still interested in volunteering may search for opportunities through HandsOn Network at HandsOnNetwork.org (or in Canada, at govolunteer.ca).
-30-
NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
Walt Disney World Public Relations – 407/566-6397
Disneyland Resort Public Relations – 714/781-4500
HandsOn Network (Points of Light Institute) – Meredith McPherson (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
)
Volunteer Canada – Volunteer Canada, 613-231-4371
GDDWRAP/3-9-10 FINAL
‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ Reaches Goal – 1 Million People Inspired to Volunteer in 2010 through the Disney Parks Program
March 9, 2010 – “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” – a first-of-its-kind program of Disney Parks – reached its goal of inspiring 1 million people in 2010 to give back to their communities through volunteer service in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.
Since the program started just 10 weeks ago, on Jan. 1, a million people already have volunteered or have committed to volunteer in their communities, according to Disney Parks and HandsOn Network, the nation’s largest volunteer network and a facilitator of “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day.”
To celebrate the good deeds of these individuals, Disney Parks offered each volunteer who completed an eligible project a free one-day admission to one theme park in Walt Disney World Resort in Florida or Disneyland Resort in California. Although registration is now closed and the program has ended, those who volunteered have until Dec. 15, 2010, to redeem their free park ticket (certain block-out dates apply).
“By any measure, the ‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ program exceeded our expectations,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “These one million volunteers touched their communities with their hearts and hands. Their commitment to service is truly worth celebrating, and there’s no better place to celebrate than at Disney Parks.”
Volunteerism has been a part of the Disney culture since the beginning. Through Disney VoluntEARS, cast members have been giving back to communities for more than a quarter century. More than 5.5 million hours of volunteer service worldwide have been donated, and Disney’s commitment to volunteerism will continue even as “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” draws to a close.
Officials at HandsOn Network credited the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program for increasing volunteer activities this year.
“The innovative nature of this program has exponentially increased our capacity to both invite and excite people about volunteerism,” said Michelle Nunn, co-founder of HandsOn Network and CEO of Points of Lights Institute. “The overwhelming participation of families – and youth especially – is a testament to a growing trend. Many of these volunteers are serving for the first time, and some will develop into service leaders who help change the face of our nation.”
Encouraging that kind of commitment was one aim of the Disney program, Staggs said.
“The goal of the ‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ program was to lay the groundwork for a new spirit of volunteerism,” he said. “The need for volunteers across the country is ongoing. We look forward to more people, especially families, carrying on the momentum and giving back to their communities through volunteerism.”
Neighborhoods in need were the big beneficiaries of “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” – from San Juan to San Diego, Vero Beach to Vancouver.
In Puerto Rico, 500 volunteers cleaned the beaches of Vaciatalega and La Perla located in the vicinity of Old San Juan. In Oakville, Ontario, a neighborhood center got new shelving and a spruced-up mural.
In Boston, volunteers served meals to people in need, knitted and crocheted scarves and mittens for children afflicted with life-threatening illnesses and helped as caregivers at an animal adoption center. In California, San Francisco Bay-area volunteers helped with basic English lessons, painted park benches and planted flowers.
In Jacksonville, Fla., volunteers painted murals and spruced up rooms at a home for women and children, while in Pittsburgh they took on construction tasks – tiling, sanding, staining and painting – to help create affordable housing.
Although the program has ended and a free Disney theme park ticket will no longer be provided, those still interested in volunteering may search for opportunities through HandsOn Network at HandsOnNetwork.org (or in Canada, at govolunteer.ca).
-30-
NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
Walt Disney World Public Relations – 407/566-6397
Disneyland Resort Public Relations – 714/781-4500
HandsOn Network (Points of Light Institute) – Meredith McPherson (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
)
Volunteer Canada – Volunteer Canada, 613-231-4371
GDDWRAP/3-9-10 FINAL
A PERFECT BLEND OF RETRO AND URBAN AT D STREET: Downtown Disney West Side...
 A PERFECT BLEND OF RETRO AND URBAN AT D STREET: Downtown Disney West Side will welcome a hip new boutique where urban pop culture intersects with stylized Disney. D-Street will feature eclectic apparel, Vinylmation™ figures and novel collectibles, artwork, handbags, accessories and jewelry for men and women. Opening in April 2010 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., the store will feature a raw, unfinished industrial look with walls adorned with Disney art created by local artists.
PLAY BALL!: Atlanta Braves Spring Training returns to Walt Disney World Resort...
 Atlanta Braves Spring Training returns to Walt Disney World Resort for the 13th consecutive year, with a 16-game “Grapefruit League” home schedule in March featuring Major League Baseball’s top teams at the newly re-imagined ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
UNIQUELY DISNEY: Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina Hawai’i features waterways, pools, flowing pathways and all the other extra touches that will make this destination resort uniquely Disney.
 UNIQUELY DISNEY: Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina Hawai’i features waterways, pools, flowing pathways and all the other extra touches that will make this destination resort uniquely Disney. The full-service family resort will include two restaurants, conference facilities, kid’s club, recreational activities and spa. The first phase of the deluxe resort is scheduled to open in fall 2011.
|
