First Lady Michelle Obama Celebrates Second Anniversary of ‘Let’s Move!,’ Disney Magic of Healthy Living at ESPN Wide World of Sports
posted on February 11th, 2012 by Kathleen Prihoda, Manager of Media Relations, Walt Disney World Resort
Taking a cue from Perry the Platypus from the Disney Channel series “Phineas and Ferb,” First Lady Michelle Obama, Disney Channel and Disney XD stars and nearly 1,500 local children and families got their groove on this afternoon at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
With the goal of showing how fitness can be fun, the First Lady joined pro athletes and Disney Channel stars Debby Ryan (“Jessie”), Roshon Fegan (“Shake It Up”), and Disney XD stars Doc Shaw and Kelsey Chow (“Pair of Kings”) and Olivia Holt (“Kickin’ It”) to inspire attendees to live healthier lifestyles by taking simple steps every day.
From “The Platypus Walk” (a new dance inspired by Perry the Platypus) to soccer drills to cooking demos with healthy foods, the event was jam packed with activities that can easily be done at home. Kicking, sprinting and jumping were par for the course and the kids seemed to enjoy the challenge.
These efforts mark the second anniversary of Let’s Move!, the First Lady’s initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation, and Disney Magic of Healthy Living, an initiative designed to partner with parents in their quest to raise healthy, happy kids.
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Disney Characters Make the Rounds with a Special Dose of Magic
posted on February 10th, 2012 by Kathleen Prihoda, Manager of Media Relations, Walt Disney World Resort
Drawing wisdom from Mary Poppins, a dedicated team of Disney Parks cast members is using a dose of Disney magic much like “a spoonful of sugar” to help the medicine go down.
Throughout the year, Disney’s animal care team ventures into Orlando-area hospitals to lift the spirits of children in pediatric care.
Accompanied by all sorts of exotic animals on these special visits, Disney animal experts bring the joy and wonder of wildlife to young patients who get to learn and interact with them.
Special visitors make the rounds as well; Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Donald Duck and Chip ‘n’ Dale have all been known to appear toward the end of the program.
It never fails to amaze me how magical it feels when “Nurse Minnie” and other Disney characters walk into these rooms. For a moment, kids seem to forget about what’s ailing them. Smiles abound and everyone is left feeling good.
While it is a temporary relief, these visits are much like pet therapy. They make the hospital experience a little less scary, encourage curiosity about nature and aid in the healing process by helping children journey into their imagination.
VIDEO: Disneyland Resort Donates $5 Million to CHOC Children’s
posted on February 7th, 2012 by Betsy Sanchez, Manager of Media Relations, Disneyland Resort
Yesterday, Disneyland Resort President George A. Kalogridis announced a $5 million donation to CHOC Children’s. Check out this video of the event – it was a special day for CHOC and the Disneyland Resort.
Moments like these make me especially proud to be a Disneyland Resort cast member.
Historic Relationship Continues with $5 Million Donation from the Disneyland Resort to Children’s Hospital of Orange County
posted on February 6th, 2012 by George A. Kalogridis, President, Disneyland Resort
In February 1960, Walt Disney joined a newly formed executive council dedicated to filling the growing need for a children’s hospital in Orange County, California. Fundraising came to fruition and dedication turned to development with Children’s Hospital of Orange County first opening its doors in 1964. Since then, the relationship between the Disneyland Resort and CHOC has continued to grow.
This morning, 52 years after Walt helped secure donations for their first building, the Disneyland Resort announced a charitable contribution of $5 million toward CHOC Children’s fundraising goals for their newest building!
CHOC Children’s state-of-the-art, seven-story tower is set to open in spring 2013. It will feature fun and engaging experiences for all CHOC visitors on the second-floor lobby where Imagineers and Disneyland Resort cast members are currently working on some very magical designs.
As a company with 22,000 cast members in Southern California, many of whom have utilized the services at CHOC, we are bound together by much more than just proximity.
It’s about our shared history …starting with Walt Disney more than five decades ago.
It’s about our present relationship … maintaining a great bond through sustainable programs like the CHOC Walk, efforts from our Disney VoluntEARS and charitable donations like this one.
And it’s about our future together … supporting not only the building of a new tower, but the vision of building a stronger community with our friends at CHOC Children’s.
400 Children in Germany Attend Disney Cruise Line Community Event
posted on February 2nd, 2012 by Rebecca Peddie, Manager of Public Affairs at Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Fantasy recently left the shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, but not before nearly 400 children from three local schools got to experience Disney characters and a special screening of “The Lion King” in 3D. It was Disney Cruise Line’s special way of saying thanks to the community that many cast and crew members have called home while the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy were being built at the nearby Meyer-Werft shipyard.
As the children clamored to hug Donald Duck and Minnie Mouse in the lobby of the local theatre, it was clear that while most of us who were Disney VoluntEARS at the event could not speak German with the children, a smile – rather 400 of them – means the same thing in every language.
This is just one of the many ways in which Disney Cruise Line gives back to the community across our many ports of call, including The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera and Europe.
A Disney’s Dreamers Academy With Steve Harvey & Essence Magazine Program Update
posted on January 31st, 2012 by Laura Spencer, Social Media Manager, Walt Disney World Resort
There’s exciting news for some high school students who applied to participate in the 2012 Disney’s Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine program. The final 100 have been selected and they will head to Walt Disney World Resort in March to get a fresh perspective and jump start on career paths and life! Along with Mickey Mouse, entertainer and program ambassador Steve Harvey has a special message about what the new class will experience while one alumnus of the program says her life changed forever.
Wounded Military Heroes Play Ball at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on January 11th, 2012 by Darrell Fry, Sports Media Director, Walt Disney World
Standing near first base next to Major League Baseball All-Stars Johnny Damon and A.J. Pierzynski, I finally realized who my favorite player is. No, not Pierzynski or Damon. It’s Josh Wege. And Greg Reynolds. And the rest of the members of the Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball team running around Field 13 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort this morning.
These U.S. military veterans have each lost a limb – in Wege’s case, two limbs – while fighting for their country in Iraq or Afghanistan. Yet, after extensive rehabilitation, they have mustered the courage to join together and travel the country playing exhibition softball games. With all due respect to the New York Yankees, these guys really should be considered “America’s Team.’’
Today they were practicing at our sports complex in preparation for exhibition games in nearby Plant City, Fla., against several former U.S. Olympic softball team members such as Jennie Finch. Pierzynski (Chicago White Sox) and Damon (Tampa Bay Rays), who both live in Orlando, jumped at the chance to meet the team. They even brought their baseball gloves and practiced with them.
It was a real thrill to stand there at first base so close to these superstar ball players. Oh, and it was good to see Pierzynski and Damon, too.
Here’s a brief video of Pierzynski, Damon and the Warriors during practice:
Giving in Celebration of Three Kings Day at the Disneyland Resort
posted on January 10th, 2012 by Betsy Sanchez, Manager of Media Relations, Disneyland Resort
As Erin mentioned a few weeks ago, last weekend we celebrated Three Kings Day at the Disneyland Resort. Not only was it a fun-filled event for our guests, it also was an opportunity for us to give back to the local community.
In keeping with the tradition of gift-giving in celebration of Three Kings Day, the Disneyland Resort donated hundreds of books, DVDs and toys to Latino Health Access, a nonprofit organization in Orange County dedicated toward improving the lives of children and families.
We are proud to support the wonderful outreach Latino Health Access provides local families by educating them about living a healthy lifestyle – whether through their diabetes management or healthy eating programs – they are truly making a difference one family at a time.
An American Soldier Reunites With His Fiancée at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on January 9th, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
When Stan Evavold, a Drone Pilot (UAV Operator), found out that he would finish his latest tour of duty in Afghanistan early, he wanted his return to be a surprise for his fiancée Lindley Key.
According to Stan, Walt Disney World Resort has always been “the Happiest Place on Earth” for Lindley, who was set to visit Downtown Disney with Stan’s parents, Standord and Kathy, in early January. Stan worked with cast members at the Team Mickey Athletic Club shop to set up a surprise reunion that had him concealed within the store while Lindley shopped around. Check out this video clip to see how the magic unfolded.
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Walt Disney World Resort Brightens the Holidays With ‘Season of Sharing’
posted on December 23rd, 2011 by Kathleen Prihoda, Manager of Media Relations, Walt Disney World Resort
Happy holidays everyone! I’m happy to report the spirit of giving is alive and well at Walt Disney World Resort, where cast members are sharing their magic to make the season brighter for many Central Floridians.
As part of the “Season of Sharing” during the past few weeks, Disney VoluntEARS have:
- Collected 38,323 toys for the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots campaign;
- Spent more than 4,500 hours sorting and distributing Toys for Tots donations;
- Outfitted more than 2,000 teddy bears for the Salvation Army;
- Prepared more than 1,500 meals at Coalition for the Homeless; and
- Packaged more than 30,000 pounds of prepared food for the Disney Harvest program benefitting Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
While these efforts clearly help during the holidays, they go well beyond, as Disney gives cash and in-kind support year round at hundreds of local nonprofits that focus on improving the lives of children and families.
Time and time again, I’m impressed and amazed by what happens when Disney steps up to help address community needs.
These acts of generosity are deeply appreciated by those who benefit from them and are truly making a difference during a time when it’s needed most.
