Disney's Friends for Change: Project Green ----

---- a multiplatform environmental initiative that will help kids help the planet was launched recently. Disney stars Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato are among the 29 young stars participating in outreach messages to debut on Disney Channel, Disney XD, Radio Disney and Disney.com.  The Disney's Friends for Change: Project Green initiative invites young people to join together to help the environment across four key areas: climate, water, waste and habitats.  Kids will learn practical ways to preserve the planet, track their collective impact and have the opportunity to vote on how $1 million in donations from Disney will be divided and invested in various environmental causes over the course of a year. Kids can pledge to join online at Disney.com where they'll commit to take simple everyday actions, such as turning off the lights and switching to reusable water bottles, and find out more about why these actions matter. Through the online community, kids will be able to invite friends to join, interact with one another and take pride in the results of their efforts as their collective impact on the planet is tallied and their votes determine the distribution of charitable contributions.

Anaheim has Disneyland . Orlando has Walt Disney World ----

---- And San Francisco soon will have the Walt Disney Family Museum . Officials behind the new Presidio venture will announce plans today to open the facility in October. It will be the world's only museum dedicated to the life of Walt Disney.

 The museum will use high-tech exhibits to illustrate his family life, his business successes and failures, his imaginative process and pioneering technologies.

 "I want people to feel stimulated and inspired, and I want them to know him," said Diane Disney Miller, his oldest daughter and a founder of the museum, which is owned by the Walt Disney Family Foundation and is independent of Disney corporate entities. The exhibits feature historic documents, family photographs and original animation art.

 Housed primarily in a refurbished army barracks at 104 Montgomery St. at the Main Post, the presentation consists of 10 galleries on two floors that trace Disney's life chronologically, from his birth in Chicago in 1901 to his death in Los Angeles in 1966.

Walt Disney Co has obtained approval  ----

---- from China's regulatory bodies to launch the long-awaited Shanghai Disney Park, the Shanghai-based Wen Hui Bao reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

T. Rowe Price, the investment organization ----

---- in collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering, is sponsoring an innovative financial education and entertainment experience at Epcot. Called The Great Piggy Bank Adventure, the interactive exhibit is scheduled to open this spring at Innoventions. The exhibit will "bring basic saving and investing concepts to life in a fun and captivating way" and will encourage families to "engage in regular dialogue about the importance of saving and how to manage money responsibly." The first-of-its-kind exhibit, in conjunction with a companion online game and associated website, will offer lessons on four key financial themes: setting goals, saving and spending smartly, staying ahead of inflation, and diversifying your investments.

Walt Disney World said it has begun allowing guests ----

---- at its hotels and time shares to check-in online up to 10 days before they arrive at the resort.

Designed to speed the check-in process – and make it more automated – the service allows Disney guests to provide check-in information, register the names of everyone in their party, advise the hotel of their arrival times and request room preferences (though Disney says requests are not guaranteed). Guests can also opt to provide a credit card number ahead of time to cover room charges during their stay.

Once they arrive at the resort, Disney says the pre-checked-in guests will visit a special welcome center where their room keys and other material will already be waiting. Meeting planners can also arrange private group check-ins at Disney resort convention centers or other spots.

The online check-in service is “the latest benefit created as part of our continuous effort to provide a seamless and hassle-free arrival experience for our guests as they begin their Disney vacation,” Kevin Myers, Disney World’s vice president of resort operations, said in a prepared statement.

on-line check-in ----

----for Disney Vacation Club Members:

1. Logon to the Members' website.

2. In "My Membership", select "Vacation Points".

3. Select "View Vacation Details".

4. Under Upcoming Vacations there is a bar to click to "Enter/Edit Check-in Information."

A longtime favorite of Disneyland guests ----

---- will return as "The Disneyland Story, featuring Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln," an enhanced version of the show which appeared, in various forms, in the Main Street Opera House at Disneyland park from 1966 through 2004 . The attraction will reopen later this year in celebration of the 200th anniversary year of Abraham Lincoln's birth. MORE….

Also returning to Disneyland in the fall ----

---- is a prominent new home on Main Street, U.S.A. , for The Disney Gallery. Formerly located above Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square , The Disney Gallery houses treasured Disney artwork and collectibles representing creative efforts from throughout The Walt Disney Company. A frequently changing exhibit area often includes never-before-displayed art. The Disney Gallery's new home will be in the Bank of Main Street building, located next door to the Main Street Opera House and currently serving as the headquarters for Disneyland Resort Annual Passport processing. The Bank will continue to operate as an Annual Passport center until mid-summer 2009. After that, Annual Passport processing will move to the Plaza Pavilion.

Night of Joy Line Up Announced ----

---- Disney has announced the line up of acts for Night of Joy, a gathering of Christian bands and acts that will perform at Hollywood Studios on September 11 and 12, 2009. This is a hard ticket event. On September 11 P.O.D., newsboys, Kutless, Tomlin, NEEDTOBREATHE, Leeland and Superchick will be performing. On Sept. 12 the following acts will perform: Skillet, MercyMe, Jars of Clay, Flyleaf, Family Force 5, Grits and Mandisa. For complete ticket information go to: www.nightofjoy.com

Pixie dust is in mighty short supply ----

---- at Hong Kong Disneyland . The park, a joint venture between Walt Disney and the Hong Kong government, was supposed to be Disney's foothold in the potentially lucrative China market. Now the project has hit a new snag: Disney has indicated that it is putting on hold long-awaited plans to expand on the park. In a statement from Disney's Burbank office released on Mar. 16, the company said it was laying off employees in Hong Kong after failing to reach an agreement with the Hong Kong government to fund a much-needed expansion.

Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival ----

---- will celebrate the international cultures, people, food and traditions that have made California one of the most diverse culinary destinations in the world. With a theme of "World Celebration," the Festival expands to six weeks in 2009 - April 24 through June 7 - featuring daily complimentary demonstrations and premier ticketed events at Disney's California Adventure park and throughout the Resort.

 More than 600 complimentary experiences will be available at the fourth annual Disney's California Food & Wine Festival, including culinary demonstrations, children's programs and wine and spirits seminars. In addition, food and wine aficionados will get tips from Disneyland Resort chefs, mingle with noted winemakers and celebrate at the spectacular ticketed events, including the gala Festival finale "Taste Food-Wine-Life."  MORE….

Raytheon Company plans to unveil ----

---- an interactive, math-based experience at Innoventions at Epcot, set to open fall 2009. "The Sum of All Thrills" will engage children through a fun and educational experience that helps instill a lifelong passion for math, science and technology. The new exhibit will be a core component of Raytheon’s MathMovesU program, an initiative designed to engage middle school students in math and science, and help create the next generation of innovators for the U.S. In addition, Raytheon will be supporting another 2009 initiative at the Walt Disney World Resort: the 2009 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition, which will take place May 7-10, 2009 , at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. The competition is the culmination of an enrichment and coaching program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement in every U.S. state and territory. Raytheon is the title sponsor of the MATHCOUNTS National Competition for the next three years, through 2011.

The newest attraction at Downtown Disney ----

---- is the ‘Characters in Flight’. This attraction takes off every 10 minutes from behind Bongos restaurant. A ride on this balloon will cost you $16.00 for an adult, and $10.00 for children ages 3 - 9.

The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) ----

---- announced that The Seas at Epcot has been granted accreditation by AZA's independent Accreditation Commission because of its "high standards in every aspect of its operations." To be accredited, The Seas underwent a thorough investigation to ensure it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards, which include animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process in order to be members of the Association, and are required to resubmit to this process every five years.

Tren-D ----

---- is a new store opening at Downtown Disney in Disney World. The store is located in the Marketplace section of the shopping complex. You can see pictures at: http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2009/03/disney-world-downtown-\ disney-tren-d-shopping-retail.html

More performers for ----

---- Epcot's Food & Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concerts have been tentatively scheduled. The current list (subject to change) is:

September 25-27 -- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
September 30-October 3 -- Starship Starring Mickey Thomas
October 7-8 -- Better Than Ezra
October 12-13 -- Kool & The Gang
October 23-25 -- Taylor Dayne
October 26-28 -- Boyz II Men
October 29 -- John Waite
November 3-5 -- Billy Ocean

Disney Cruise Line began construction ----

---- on two new ships today with a steel cutting ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg , Germany . Scheduled for completion in 2011 and 2012, the new ocean liners will further advance the company’s one-of-a-kind guest experience and create more family cruise options with a brand guests know and trust.

The first piece of steel cut for the new ships was part of the art deco inspired scrollwork that will grace the bow of the ships. Similar to the scrollwork on the Disney Cruise Line ships, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the intricate pattern is reminiscent of the classic ocean liners of the 1930s, designed to reflect the glamour of the golden age of cruising with added touches of Disney whimsy, such as the Mickey Mouse medallion in the center of the design. MORE….

What’s in a name ----

---- for the two new Disney ships? Disney President and CEO Bob Iger announced the names of the two new Disney cruise line ships (currently being built in Germany) at the company's annual shareholder's meeting: the Disney "Dream," which will begin sailing in 2011, and the Disney "Fantasy," which will sail in 2012. Both new ships will sail out of Port Canaveral at least through the year 2014.

The Walt Disney Co. says it plans ----

---- to have one of its cruise ships, Disney Wonder, make Los Angeles its home port in 2011. The move from Port Canaveral , Fla. , will be made when the first of two under-construction ships, the Dream and Fantasy, arrive at that port in 2011. The switch could create some 2,600 direct and indirect jobs in the Los Angeles area, according to the office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The two-year deal between the port and Disney has a three-year renewal option. The Wonder could draw an estimated 250,000 customers to the Port of Los Angeles over five years. The port hosted the Magic in the summers of 2005 and 2008 for tours of the Mexican Riviera. The upcoming itinerary has not yet been announced.

Disney Vacation Club has begun selling ----

---- interests in the 60 Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Each three-bedroom, two-bath villa will sleep nine, with a queen bed in two bedrooms, a pair of bunks in the third bedroom, and a cathedral-ceiling living room furnished with a queen-size sofa bed and twin sleeper chair. Other planned features include an open kitchen equipped with an island sink and bar area offering seating for three, a separate dining table with seating for six and flat-panel TVs. Walt Disney Imagineering's Interior Design team is outfitting the homes with what it calls a "cabin casual" style. The treehouses are tentatively scheduled to open this summer.

If you’re a member of the Disney Vacation Club ----

---- or planning on renting some points for your next vacation, you’ll want to see how your typical vacation pattern is affected by the recent reallocation in how points are used in the DVC. Disney is prevented by state law from changing how much it costs to stay for a week, but they’re allowed to make some slight changes to parts of a week. If you like to stay around weekends, you’ll find your points stretching just a big further, but if you prefer those mid-week stays, then you might find it just a bit more expensive. All part of an effort by Disney to maximize the value of their DVC Resorts for weeklong visits. MORE….

Disney's Doorway to Dreams ----

---- scheduled to open later this summer, will offer Roosevelt Field visitors and Long Island, N.Y.-area residents a convenient and exciting way to learn firsthand about Disney Vacation Club, Disney's vacation-ownership program. Located at Roosevelt Field on Long Island, NY, Disney's Doorway to Dreams will feature a full-scale, two-bedroom model of the vacation home accommodations Disney Vacation Club members and their families can expect to find at Disney Vacation Club resort hotels., Designed to create a fun and immersive experience, this convenient mall location will provide a glimpse of all the DVC choices available. Disney's Doorway to Dreams is planned to also offer an interactive family vacation discovery zone, comfortable discussion areas and a supervised children’s play area within approximately 6,900 square feet of retail space. For more information about Disney Vacation Club and the new Disney's Doorway to Dreams preview center, visit www.disneyvacationclub.com.

According to Variety, the upcoming film ----

---- "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", has just signed another actor on to join the cast. Italian actress Monica Bellucci will be playing Veronica, a sorceress, who also happens to be Nicholas Cage's character's long lost love. Belluci joins, Cage as well as Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer and Toby Kebbell in the cast. Nicholas Cage will also be executive producing the film along with Norm Golightly, Todd Garner, Barry Waldman and Mike Stenson and Chad Oman from Jerry Bruckheimer Films'. The film is currently being shot in New York City and is scheduled for release on July 16, 2010 .

The "Buy Four, Get Three Free" offer ----

---- at the Walt Disney World Resort will feature travel dates through Aug. 15, 2009 ! This Offer includes park tickets and you can add the meal plan to it. The offer is good for longer trips as well.

The "Buy 4, Get 3 Free" promotion ----

---- that Disney World was offering earlier this year has been extended. Now the promotion is valid for travel most nights thru August 15, 2009 . (some black-out dates apply). There is a five-night minimum stay required for this package. The number of rooms for this offer is limited.

2009

Disneyland , Walt Disney World,

Disney Movie Premiere & Other

March 18 – May 31

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

May 22-24, 29-31 / June 5-7, 12-14

Star Wars Weekends at WDW’s Hollywood Studios

May 29

UP – opens nationally

June 26 - 28

Disney's Pin Celebration 2009, The Museum of Pin-tiquities . EPCOT. Registration will open for this event in February 2009 on DisneyPins.com

July 14 - 18

NFFC 25th Anniversary Disneyana Convention, Show and Sale

July 19

NFFC All Disneyana Show and Sale – Anaheim , CA

August 8

SHAG "Spirited" Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary Cocktail Reception

September 9

Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary Merchandise Event

September 10-13

Disney's D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center

Sep 11 & 12

Night of Joy - WDW

Sep 13 – 17

Disney Vacation Club's Member Cruise 2009. Reservations begin on November 2, 2008 by calling Member Services at 800-800-9800. Visit the DisneyVacationClub.com member website for more details.

Sep__ – Nov__ Dates TBA

International Food and Wine Festival – EPCOT

October

Dates TBA

East Coast NFFC Disneyana Convention, Show and Sale

Nov __ - __-

Dates TBA

Festival of the Masters – Downtown Disney - WDW

Various TBA

Nov __ – Dec __

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party / Call (407) W-DISNEY (934-7639) to order

December

The Princess and the Frog – opens nationally

2010

Disneyland , Walt Disney World,

Disney Movie Premiere & Other

2009:

Paris, Hong Kong & Tokyo

Apr 22 – Jun 30

Spring Carnival at DisneySea

July 8 – Aug 31

Summer Program at Disneyland & DisneySea

July 14

Bastille Day

Sep 10 – Nov 3

Disney’s Halloween at Disneyland & DisneySea

Sep 15 – Oct 31

Haunted Halloween

Nov 10 – Dec 25

Christmas Fantasy – Tokyo Disneyland

Nov 10 – Dec 25

Harborside Christmas – Tokyo DisneySea

Nov 15 – Dec31

Sparkling Christmas

2010

Paris, Hong Kong & Tokyo

Jan. – Feb.

Chinese New Year Celebration

Mar

St. David Welsh Festival