By now I hope you have heard about the Dopey Challenge and the Walt Disney World 10K that we will be kicking off next January as a part of the 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna. In addition to new medals for those races, new medals are currently being designed for the half marathon, marathon and Goofy Challenge. But we also have more good news coming as a part of our flagship runDisney weekend. In an effort to make sure runDisney events provide the best possible experience for our guests, the team will be introducing the following changes for the 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend:

• We are reducing the number of runners that we are registering for the weekend, in an effort to allow more space on the course.
• We are asking the vast majority of our runners to provide proof of time (if they have it), so we can accurately place runners of the same pace in the same corral.
• We are adding additional corrals, with fewer people in each corral, to spread the runners across the course.
• We are keeping the marathon course that was introduced last year for the 20th anniversary.
• And we will now be offering women’s cut tech shirts (in addition to the men’s cut) for the 10K, half, full, Dopey Challenge and Goofy Challenge.

This year promises to be the best marathon weekend ever! And no matter what distance you are running – from 5K to the 48.6 miles of the Dopey Challenge – we are working hard to make every mile magical.

Registration opens today at noon EDT for all Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend events. Dopey is off and running; are you?

 
Keep running!

Tagged: runDisney, Video, Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, WDW

Filed: Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

With nine PBS cooking and lifestyle TV series and 12 seasons in syndication, Chef George Hirsch has fans around the world. Now you can see him in person at this year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, where he’ll share grilling tips in the courtyard at American Adventure in World Showcase.

He launched his television career with the phrase, “If I can do it, you can do it!” and Chef George’s enthusiasm is contagious. His grilling tips are super easy to follow, like this short video on how to grill a perfect steak.

See Chef George’s Grill Live! complimentary demo at 1:15, 2:45 and 4:15 p.m. on April 26, 27 and 28, then again (same times) on the festival’s closing weekend on May 17, 18 and 19.

Tagged: Epcot, International Flower and Garden Festival, Video, WDW

Filed: Epcot, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

Today we’re pleased to announce that everyone’s favorite galactic smuggler, gambler and scoundrel will temporarily leave Cloud City and board the Millennium Falcon with a course set for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as actor Billy Dee Williams returns to Star Wars Weekends for the 2013 edition.

Williams, a fan favorite for his portrayal of Lando Calrissian in the film saga, will attend Weekend IV, June 7-9, 2013.

Lando, who is described on his official StarWars.com bio as having two weapons of choice — a blaster pistol and “a devastating smile” — betrayed the Rebellion when he made a deal with Darth Vader to capture his old friend, Han Solo. However, there was a storybook ending to the tale when he redeemed himself by later helping to free Captain Solo and assisting in the destruction of the second Death Star.

If you make plans to attend Weekend IV, I definitely suggest attending one of the “Stars of the Saga” talk shows that features Williams. It was a highlight for me at past events to hear him tell tales about his portrayal of the suave scoundrel. But be sure to get there early; his appearances will most likely be a popular gathering place for members of both the Empire and the Rebellion.

Join the conversation online by using the hash tag #StarWarsWeekends on Twitter.

Star Wars: © 2013 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.

Tagged: DHS, Star Wars, WDW

Filed: Celebrity Visits, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

Don’t miss your chance to meet acclaimed author Ridley Pearson, as we set sail for adventure with the release of his newest book, Kingdom Keepers VI: Dark Passage, the much anticipated addition to the Kingdom Keepers saga. Ridley will be on hand for special appearances and signings at the following locations April 10-11, 2013.

• April 10 – Once Upon A Toy, Downtown Disney Marketplace (4-6p.m.)
• April 11 – The Writer’s Stop, Disney’s Hollywood Studios (9:30-11:30 a.m.)

Here’s a look at the cover as well as on what you can expect from this new book.

The five Kingdom Keepers and their core friends have uncovered a startling truth: Maleficent and the Overtakers (Disney villains) are plotting a catastrophic event that could have repercussions far beyond the world of Disney. Aboard Disney Cruise Line’s inaugural passage through the new Panama Canal, the Keepers and their holograms uncover a puzzle hidden within the pages of a stolen journal. The point of that puzzle will reveal itself in the caves of Aruba, the zip lines of Costa Rica, and the jungles of Mexico. A destructive force, dormant for decades, is about to be unleashed. The five Kingdom Keepers are to be its first victims.

Something to keep in mind: Wristbands will be distributed to guests on the day of the signing with each purchase of Kingdom Keepers VI: Dark Passage by Ridley Pearson, allowing the wristband owner to get two books signed. A wristband from the appearance location is required to meet Ridley Pearson. A limited number of wristbands will be available the day of the signing. Once the wristbands have been distributed, the line to meet Ridley Pearson will close.

For more information on Ridley’s appearance and Kingdom Keepers VI: Dark Passage, please visit ArtofDisneyParks.com

Tagged: DHS, Downtown Disney, WDW

Filed: Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

At Walt Disney World Resort, we make magic happen everyday for kids. Today Mickey Mouse, Goofy and some of our cast members got to spread even more magic to dozens of non-profit organizations that serve children in Central Florida.

As part of Disney Helping Kids Shine Grants program, we awarded more than $1.5 million to 59 local organizations and school districts that have a positive impact on approximately 70,000 thousand children in our community. They do that through programs that inspire creativity, encourage compassion and promote the health and well-being of families.

During the event, Walt Disney World Resort President George Kalogridis also presented the Orange County Public Library System with the Bob Allen Outstanding Community Service Award. The grant is given each year to recognize a local social service, environmental or humanitarian organization for outstanding work in Central Florida. The library system plans to use the grant for its Summer Reading program.

Hats off to all 59 organizations for their dedication to Central Florida’s youth.

Tagged: Disney Youth Programs, Video, WDW

Filed: Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

I was delighted to see the logo for Star Wars Weekends 2013 as shared by my fellow author Gary Buchanan. He said the artwork gives a nod to the 30th anniversary of “Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.” I vividly recall seeing the film in theaters with my parents in May 1983. I was completely obsessed with Star Wars at the time, so I love this poster as it reminds me of my childhood. Disney Design Group artist Tyler Dumas said they had some different poster concepts, like Mickey Mouse in the Rancor pit, before selecting an iconic scene from the Battle of Endor.

Here is a look at some new items with this year’s logo coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 17, 2013.

The logo is featured on numerous items including a Disney pin, a coffee mug, a photo frame and more. Disney Design Group also created a unique Star Wars Weekends “title crawl” image for merchandise, which reminds me of the opening title sequences from the Star Wars motion pictures.

We are trying a few new things this year, like an oversized calendar with 13 previous Star Wars Weekends posters. Each poster measures 12-inches by 18-inches, and can be removed from the calendar for framing. We are also introducing a deluxe autograph and photograph book (I’m adding that to the “long overdue” column). The popular Star Tours nametags using Aurebesh will be returning. This year, we will have a new black name tag for Annual Passholders only!

I’m particularly excited about some new toys this year. Jedi Mickey’s Starfighter is amazing (insta-buy)! We will also have new Muppets action figures and new die-cast cars of Disney•Pixar “Cars” characters portraying Star Wars characters. I think the oversized Salacious B. Crumb latex character and the thermal detonator “hot potato” game are perfect for this year’s theme.

Finally, we will have new Vinylmation at this year’s event including a limited release mystery series; a Vinylmation, Jr. series with droids; and two limited edition figures – a removable, 3-inch figure of Han Solo in Carbonite, and a 9-inch Jabba the Hutt figure with a 1.5-inch Salacious B. Crumb figure.

Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog, StarWars.com and DisneyWorld.com/StarWarsWeekends for future updates. I can’t wait for May!

Join the conversation online by using the hash tag #StarWarsWeekends on Twitter.

Star Wars: © 2013 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.

Tagged: DHS, Gallery, Star Wars, WDW

Filed: Disney's Hollywood Studios, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

All five senses are engaged at this year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, especially “taste,” at a dozen new Garden Marketplaces around World Showcase Lagoon. The flavors of springtime abound, especially at the Florida Fresh Marketplace, where guests can enjoy a classic strawberry shortcake – fluffy angel food cake, Florida berries macerated in sugar, freshly whipped cream and a flourish of fresh mint.

We had Chef Jens Dahlmann show us how he creates this colorful dessert. You can sample his version, as well as a variety of other sweet and savory dishes featuring local fruits and veggies, through May 19 at Epcot.

 
Read on for more updates from the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival:

• Spring is on Display at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
• HGTV’s Chris Lambton Goes ‘Yard’ – Family-Style – at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
• Believe in the Magic of Oz … See it in Bloom at Epcot

Tagged: Dining, Epcot, International Flower and Garden Festival, Video, WDW

Filed: Disney Dining, Epcot, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort