February 18, 2010

Disney Parks Recruit More Than 600,000 Volunteers

Disney Parks are celebrating a major milestone: “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” is more than halfway toward reaching its goal of inspiring 1 million people to perform volunteer service. Since the program’s launch on Jan. 1, more than 600,000 people in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada have volunteered for projects in their communities. Locally, program participants have worked on beautification projects in Kissimmee, whisked away trash on beaches in Brevard County and collected blankets for the homeless in Central Florida. “The level of volunteerism we have seen in the first weeks of 2010 is tracking to new highs,” said Michelle Nunn, co-founder of HandsOn Network and CEO of Points of Light Institute. Hundreds of volunteer opportunities are still available. To start the search, click here.

Second Harvest Food Bank Benefits from Disney’s Can-Do Spirit

Inspired by “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day,” Disney VoluntEARS recently created a spectacular display of canned goods to benefit hunger relief agencies in Orlando, Miami and Atlanta. The sculpture, titled “Celebrate Volunteers,” was revealed at Epcot® on Feb. 11 and validated by Guinness World Records™ as the Largest Canned Food Structure ever created. The 115,527 cans – approximately 44 tons of food – were donated to several food pantries in the Southeast. “These cans will go to immediate use in our community and make such a difference in the lives of the people receiving it,” said Dave Krepcho, president/CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. View a time-lapse video and to learn more here.

Mouse Minute: Insights on Fantasyland® Expansion from Magic Kingdom VP

Work commences this month on the much anticipated Fantasyland expansion – which will double the area’s size with exciting new experiences that will take guests inside timeless Disney stories. As the vice president of the Magic Kingdom, Phil Holmes plays a pivotal role in the project. How does it feel to be part of the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom® Park? The Howey-in-Hills resident and almost 40-year Disney veteran shares his insights here.

Apopka Girls Flag Football Team Scores Tips from Super Bowl MVP

Less than a day after winning Super Bowl XLIV, New Orleans Saints quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees celebrated in the Magic Kingdom Park and spent time with players from the Apopka High School Blue Darters, part of The NFL Girls Flag Football Program. He offered pointers on football and life and encouraged the girls to reach for their dreams.. According to the NFL, Florida is a leader in girls’ flag football.. Since the state sanctioned it as a high school sport nine years ago, participation has risen by 458%. More than 4,800 female athletes participate nationwide.

Disney’s Dreamers Academy Welcomes 2010 Class of Dreamers

Walt Disney World® Resort and syndicated radio personality Steve Harvey welcomed high school students from across the country last week to the Disney’s Dreamers Academy of 2010. Approximately 100 students were chosen to participate in special experiences designed to inspire them to reach their full potential. Celebrities, such as Grammy-award winning artist Mary J. Blige, shared stories about the importance of hard work and perseverance. Several Central Florida students took part in the Academy this year: Brooke Jackson from Winter Park, an aspiring attorney and sports agent and Yancey Styles from Clermont, who dreams of becoming a performer. Click here to read more.

Walt Disney World Resort Unveils Summer Offerings

The return of a cherished parade, a special summer fireworks spectacular, and much more was unveiled as part of the "What's New, What's Next" media event on Feb. 10. During the presentation, Meg Crofton, president of the Walt Disney World Resort, announced plans for Summer Nightastic!, a series of limited-time entertainment offerings that will shine at Disney’s Florida parks this summer. Included in the lineup is Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade, returning to Magic Kingdom Park in early June for the first time since 2001. Click here to learn more.

Disney Cast Members Offer Help for Haiti

Approximately 400 Walt Disney World Cast Members volunteered to answer more than 16,000 calls for the “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon on Jan. 22 and handle donations for disaster relief organizations participating in the historic event. The benefit raised more than $61 million for earthquake disaster relief. In addition to helping with the telethon, more than 1,700 Disney Cast Members have chosen to make a direct contribution from their paycheck to the Red Cross Crisis Relief Fund, giving more than $46,000 to date. Read more here.

Disney Animal Experts Welcome Baby and Release Endangered Animals

Disney animal care experts are keeping busy this month with a new addition and multiple releases.

Guests visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park are getting a glimpse of the latest addition to the park’s family – an endangered white-cheeked gibbon born Feb. 2. The yet-to-be named male and his mother, Melaka, are bonding well. See photo here.

During the past few weeks, Disney animal experts released dozens of endangered animals as part of Disney’s commitment to animal conservation and wildlife rehabilitation. The animals, which range from a tiny, 11-ounce endangered Key Largo Woodrat to an eight-foot, 828-pound manatee were returned to their native Florida habitats. Learn more here.

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