This week, the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund honored six “Disney Conservation Heroes” at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) conference in Houston. In addition to having two Guest experiences – Disney’s Animal Kingdom and The Seas with Nemo & Friends – accredited by AZA, Disney works around the globe to conserve and protect many species of wildlife.

Guests get a firsthand look at conservation when visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Celebrating Vultures, Nature’s Clean-Up Crew – To help Guests learn more about vultures, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will join other conservation organizations around the world in celebrating International Vulture Awareness Day on September 2.

Injured Sea Turtles from the Gulf Arrive for Care at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Disney’s Animal Programs transported six endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles — among the most endangered species of sea turtles in the world — and two green sea turtles from the Florida Panhandle to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

From Frogs to Elephants: Biodiversity Celebrated at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – In July, Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrated the International Year of Biodiversity at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

Baby Warthogs and Oryx Join Disney’s Animal Kingdom Family – Three baby warthogs were born at the park on July 1.

Baby Elephant Takes First Steps on Kilimanjaro Safaris Savannah – Our new baby elephant, Luna, began her introduction to the Kilimanjaro Safaris savannah at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in June – part of a carefully developed plan by Disney’s Animal Programs animal care experts that included bonding time for Luna and her mom, introductions to other members of the herd, and even a swim test to prepare Luna for the ponds on the savannah.

May 19 is Turtle Day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – In May, Disney’s Animal Kingdom hosted a Turtle Day celebration where Guests learned about turtles and tortoises – and what they could do to protect them and their habitats.

May 8 is “For the Birds” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Guests celebrated bird migration at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with activities throughout the park in recognition of International Migratory Bird Day.

Elephants Have Word for ‘Bee-Ware’ – Do elephants tell members of their elephant family to beware when bees are nearby? That’s just one of the exciting questions scientists at Disney’s Animal Kingdom get a chance to ponder.

Party for the Planet on Earth Day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – April 22 is a very special day for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Not only is it Earth Day, but it’s also our theme park’s birthday.

Spring Forward to Help Endangered Frogs – Young Guests and their families got the chance play games that taught them about a frog’s life cycle and adaptations, listen to frog calls, and enter jumping contests to see if they could leap as far as a frog can.

Endangered Gorilla Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Lilly is the third gorilla born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as part of the AZA Species Survival Plan.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Welcomes Baby White-Cheeked Gibbon – This baby white-cheeked gibbon was born as part of a gibbon Species Survival Plan program.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Welcomes Endangered White Rhino to Herd – We welcomed a new member of the family to Disney’s Animal Kingdom early this year — a baby white rhino.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Welcomes Gerenuk Calf to Herd – Squirt is a gerenuk, an African antelope with a unique long neck usually found in dry, bushy shrub.

Wildlife Interaction Inspires Conservation Action at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Two young giraffes, Bruehler and Bolo, serve as ambassadors for their fellow giraffes in the wild.

Bats Are Special, Not Spooky – Our bats, which Guests can see every day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, get their annual physical exams each year in the days surrounding Halloween.

Mickey’s Cousin Gets a Helping Hand: Saving the Key Largo Woodrat – Since 2005, Disney’s Animal Programs has been assisting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with a recovery plan for the Key Largo woodrat, including the development of a woodrat breeding program at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The Seas with Nemo & Friends provides more than fun and learning for Guests – it is also home to many aquatic species.

A Boatload of Fun on World Oceans Day – Guests learned how they could protect our oceans at The Seas with Nemo & Friends on World Oceans Day, June 8. In one of several activities, families learned how coral reefs form, what wildlife live there, and the threats that face coral reefs today.

Seas Team Welcomes Rescued Manatee, Returns Another to the Wild – Earlier this year, The Seas team welcomed rescued manatee, Jasper. The team expects Jasper to be released back into the wild after he has gained weight and received medical care for cold stress.

Beyond the parks, Disney’s Animal Programs and The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund brings the spirit of conservation to animals in danger around the world.

Tour de Turtles at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort Boosts Awareness for Sea Creatures – Disney’s Animal Programs researchers track some 10 endangered sea turtles to learn more about their habits and migratory patterns.

Building a Home for Orphaned Gorillas – Construction on GRACE (Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center), which was initiated by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International with advice on design and systems provided by team members from Disney’s Animal Programs and the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), is under way. The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund is providing funding toward initial operating expenses for the facility.

Conserving for the Future on Earth Day — and Every Day – The Disney Conservation Report provides information on how we’re saving animals on the brink of extinction, protecting forests and other precious ecosystems, and helping people around the world help wildlife and wild places.

Endangered Sea Turtles, Rescued from the Cold, Are Now Being Released – Rescuing more than 4,500 sea turtles impacted by the record cold temperatures this year took a massive effort by Disney’s Animal Programs and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Walt Disney Company Investing $7M in Projects to Protect World’s Forests – In partnership with leading conservation groups Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy and The Conservation Fund, we’ve invested $7 million to support projects that use a variety of strategies including avoided deforestation, reforestation and integrated forest management.

Saving Gorillas – It’s Part of Our Mission – Find out how the Disney’s Animal Programs team is helping gorillas.

Tagged: Conservation, DAK, Epcot, One-Stop Searching, WDW

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

Ahoy, me hearties! (That means “hello my friends” in pirate-speak.) September 19th is International Talk Like A Pirate Day. The day started as a joke back in 1996 by some guys in Oregon and become official in 2002. It’s a fascinating story actually.

So, what is it about a pirate that’s so intriguing? Is it the cool captain’s hat? The parrot on the shoulder? The skull & crossbones logo? All that pirate booty?

As you know, we work with pirates here at the Disneyland Resort. You can find them inside the classic attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean, or walking around Adventureland. (I especially like to see that old scallywag Captain Jack Sparrow.)

Pirates of the Caribbean been a guest favorite since it opened July 24, 1966. In the video included in this post, you’ll see some of our park guests doing their best to talk like a pirate.

And now, in the spirit of International Talk Like A Pirate Day, “I be boardin’ one of the boats in Pirates of the Caribbean and takin’ a ride back in time. Arrrr! So, weigh anchor matey!” (That means “Let’s go!” in pirate-speak.) Savvy?

Tagged: DL, DLR, Video

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Young lads are hereby invited to step into our Royal Boutique and be magically transformed into a valiant knight. Your transformation will prepare you for far off adventures filled with slaying dragons and stopping mischievous doers in their tracks.

Where can you go to be transformed into this courageous knight? Your magical transformation is awaiting you at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Walt Disney World Resort.

When you step into the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Downtown Disney Marketplace or at Magic Kingdom Park, young knights will be treated like royalty by their own personal Fairy Godmother-In-Training. Each Fairy Godmother-In-Training will magically transform boys ages 3 and up into valiant knights complete with a colorful hair gel and confetti and most importantly, a trusty sword and shield.

The Knight Package is available beginning Sunday, September 19th in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiques at the Walt Disney World Resort. To book The Knight Package transformation, call 407-WDW-STYLE or to learn more, visit www.DisneyWorld.com/Style.

Tagged: Downtown Disney, MK, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Three new tasting marketplaces – Belgium, South Korea and Singapore – join the line-up at the 15th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival kicking off in just weeks. For 45 fabulous days, you can nosh your way around World Showcase Lagoon tasting everything from savory chicken souvlaki to sweet Belgian waffles.

Chefs figure they serve more than 100,000 desserts from Oct. 1 – Nov. 14, including this hot-off-the-griddle treat topped with berry compote and whipped cream.

In case you can’t wait, try these at home. To get in the spirit, serve for dessert with silky sweet Valckenberg Dornfelder from Germany’s largest wine region. Or just pour yourself a big ol’ glass of ice-cold milk.

Belgian Waffles with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream

Serves 4 (makes 8 4×4-inch waffles)

Belgian Waffles
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon dry active yeast
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons beer
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 stick butter, melted

Berry Compote
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon red wine
1/2 cup apple, orange, or cranberry juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh blackberries
1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
1 cup fresh raspberries

For Belgian waffles:

1. Sift flour into a large bowl. Add sugar and yeast. Create a well in the center of mixture.
2. Add water, milk, beer, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until mixture is just blended. (Don’t worry if there are lumps; they will dissolve as the batter rests overnight.) Add melted butter, and stir until just incorporated.
3. Refrigerate batter overnight.
4. Bring mixture to room temperature. Ladle waffle batter into a Belgian waffle maker; cook according to manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Serve warm with berry compote and whipped cream

For berry compote:

1. Combine cornstarch and red wine in a small bowl, stirring until cornstarch is dissolved. Set aside.
2. Combine fruit juice, sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Add cornstarch mixture, blueberries, and blackberries.
3. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, until berries are softened and mixture is thickened. Add strawberries, stirring to combine. Remove from heat, and gently fold in raspberries. Serve warm over Belgian waffles.

Tagged: Epcot, International Food and Wine Festival, WDW

Filed: Epcot, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

Hi everyone, Disney Floral & Gifts has a surprise to share today. You’re one of the first to know about our new “In-Room Celebration” gifting experience called, “Presenting Your Royal Princess.” Beginning this week, the Princess in your life can receive some pretty magical gifts and surprises in her Disney Resort room. You’ll notice that there’s a new experience for your Princess whether she’s a woman with a heart for fairy tales, a junior princess (ages 7-12) or a little princess (ages 3-6).

And speaking of fairy tales, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve stepped into my very own pair of glass slippers in that I’ll be joining the conversation with regular posts on the Disney Parks Blog. I’ll be sharing all things new and magical happening at Disney Floral & Gifts (part of the Disney Event Group), including unique experiences, design and gifting tips and even a few of the amazing stories we see every day. There’s much to share but I’m interested in hearing what you have to say. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Tagged: WDW

Filed: Hotels & Resorts, Walt Disney World Resort

Mickey’s Costume Party has been added as a fun, new exclusive experience at Mickey’s Halloween Party, the special, nighttime event at Disneyland park on Halloween night and Tuesdays and Fridays in October.

Mickey’s Costume Party is a new cavalcade featuring Disney characters and floats parading down Main Street, U.S.A. Today we’re giving you a first look at artwork for the opening of the cavalcade.

There are lots of treats in this cavalcade you won’t want to miss. Here are some highlights:

• Disney Characters will be dressed in their favorite Halloween costumes.
• There’s a purple Haunted Castle Float decorated by Mickey with bats, ghosts, spider webs, pumpkins and skulls.
• The Costume Shop Float celebrates the fun of dressing up for Halloween.

I’ve also heard that the upbeat, spooky music will have you dancing, jumping, shaking and maybe even howling along as we celebrate the magic of make-believe and spooky Halloween fun.

Tickets for Mickey’s Halloween Party are now available and can be purchased at Disneyland.com/Halloween. Here’s an insider’s tip: if you purchase tickets in advance, you’ll get a great discount on select nights. There’s also a discount for annual passholders on select nights.

Tagged: DL, DLR, Halloween

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

In an earlier post I talked about the beauty of the location for Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai`i, but – wouldn’t you know – a picture is worth a thousand words. I think this video at least begins to convey what a spectacular, fun and magical resort Aulani will be.

Imagineer Joe Rohde is the leader of the creative team on the project. Anyone who’s heard Joe talk about a project – he led and continues to oversee the Imagineering team for Disney’s Animal Kingdom – knows his passion for storytelling and his dedication to the real world people and places represented at Disney Parks and Resorts. In this video, his talks about the ongoing thrill of discovery as the design and experience of Aulani are inspired by the stories and culture of Hawai’i itself.

Djuan Rivers, Vice President of Disney Vacation Club and Resort, Hawai`i, is leading the operation of Aulani, having previously served as Hotel Director on the Disney Cruise Line Magic and Wonder vessels, as well as General Manager of Disney’s All-Star Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort. All told, Djuan has spent more than 20 years helping guests experience the magic and excitement of a Disney family vacation, and Aulani is being specially planned to create memorable moments – on the grounds of the Resort and the island of Oahu – for guests of all ages.

Tagged: Aulani, DVC, Video

Filed: Aulani, Disney Vacation Club, Hotels & Resorts