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The world’s most popular theme parksArticle from Fox News:Theme parks have been a definitive element of popular culture for over half a century. With titans like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios drawing enormous crowds, the U.S. has a lot to offer, in terms of attendance and variety. 
However, other major theme parks, particularly in Asia, have emerged to rival the American mainstays. 
That got us thinking about which parks attract the most visitors. Here are the some of the top theme parks which draw the biggest crowds in the world.
Walt Disney World Resort – Florida, USA
In 1971, Disney built what [...] Continue Reading…

Disney Patrons Will Be Able to Get Their Starbucks FixArticle from ABC News:The Mouse is about to get culturally caffeinated.
Disney DIS, the world’s largest theme park company, on Monday announced a deal with Starbucks SBUX, the world’s largest coffee chain, to open stores in its theme parks at Disneyland Park and Walt Disney World Resort.
The first of six Starbucks cafes will open in June at Disney California Adventure.
For Disney, which has often been criticized for the limited food and beverage choices at its parks, this is a huge move forward. For Starbucks, which is running out of ways to [...] Continue Reading…

Troupe explores risks of Disney-topian futureArticle from Columbus Dispatch:By  Michael Grossberg
The Columbus Dispatch Thursday April 26, 2012 9:25 AM

Enlarge Image
Matt Slaybaugh
From left: Ian Short, Drew Eberly and Acacia Duncan in Down & Out in the Magic Kingdom

Does a world in which people live to be more than 100 and technology has eliminated work and boredom sound like utopia? Not in Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, which will receive its premiere tonight.
 “This cautionary fable celebrates some of the possibilities of technology but cautions against the dehumanizing effects,” said Matt Slaybaugh, artistic director of Available Light Theatre, who adapted [...] Continue Reading…

Starbucks Coming To Disneyland and Walt Disney WorldArticle from BSCkids:
Disney has just announced that it will be welcoming Starbuck’s drinks and food to its Disneyland and their Walt Disney World Resorts.The first Starbuck’s is set to arrive at the Disney California Adventure this June and there will be five other locations will be set to open at other Disney Parks soon.  The other locations will be at the nearby Disneyland Park and at the parks in Orlando, Florida — Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot.  Each Starbucks, will serve its specialty beverages, sandwiches, and pastries as well [...] Continue Reading…

It’s a tall world … Starbucks to open in Disney parksArticle from msnbc.com:AP

Soon the fireworks won’t be the only burst of energy in Disney’s U.S. parks.

By Eve Tahmincioglu
After waiting in line for hours at Space Mountain or getting jostled around on Test Track, many weary parents realize there isn’t really a child in all of us and need a serious coffee jolt to make it through their Disney vacations.
Alas, Disney resorts haven’t been known for their baristas, until now.
Starbucks Coffee Company and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced Monday they were partnering to open up Starbucks stores at Disney [...] Continue Reading…

LT band tunes up for trip to Disney WorldArticle from TribLocal:Post a story

From the community

By Maddy Brennan Yesterday at 8:27 p.m.

When band member Emma Palmer ’15, recalls going to Disney World with her older brother, former band member Kyle Palmer, she remembers being mesmerized by the parade in which LT’s Marching Band participated. Watching her brother and his fellow band member’s march down the streets of Disney World, Palmer knew that someday she wanted to be a part of the magic. Now that she has a chance to go herself, she couldn’t be more excited.“The parade down the main [...] Continue Reading…

Teaching kids about money at Disney WorldArticle from CBS News:(MoneyWatch) COMMENTARY I spent the past week with my three small children at Disney World. It was our first visit there, and we had a great time. However, while Disney may be the happiest place on Earth, I quickly made a discovery: It’s also one of the most commercial places on Earth. You can’t turn around in the parks without landing in a store selling Disney gear. Crystal glass slippers! Mickey Mouse ears! Peter Pan figurines! Most of the major rides seem to exit through a gift shop.
My children aren’t [...] Continue Reading…

In Customer Service Consulting, Disney’s Small World Is GrowingArticle from New York Times:ORLANDO, Fla. — Maryland teachers were instructed to engage children by crouching and speaking to them at eye level. Chevrolet dealers were taught to think in theater metaphors: onstage, where smiles greet potential buyers, and offstage, where sales representatives can take out-of-sight cigarette breaks.

Gary Bogdon for The New York Times
Responding to advice from the Disney Institute, a Florida Hospital campus in Orlando hired a ukulele-playing greeter.

New York Times
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Orange Bird back at Disney World, a victory for trufansArticle from Boing [...] Continue Reading…

Best Disney World Restaurants for CelebrationsArticle from WESH Orlando:

DisneyFoodBlog.com

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Create your own memorable party with a reservation at a Disney restaurant! Many guests to WDW plan their vacations around a special occasion – prom, rehearsal dinner, birthday, anniversary, and more. We’ll help you plan a romantic meal, fun birthday, or exciting grad celebration.
Romance
While many folks don’t automatically associate Disney World with romance, there are award-winning restaurants with exceptional cuisine that offer romantic settings for your prom date, anniversary celebration, or proposals!Cinderella’s Royal Tablecontinues on WESH Orlando
>>> Read the full article from the source

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Homeless Children [...] Continue Reading…

Disney’s ‘NextGen’ plan is expected cut wait times for rides and moreArticle from Fox News:If you’ve ever been to Walt Disney World you know that planning is key and long lines can just about ruin your trip.
But image if you could book appointment times for your rides, meetings with Disney characters and other popular park attractions months before your vacation.
This isn’t some fantasy land, but part of a high-tech reality being introduced across Disney theme parks as part of a billion-dollar project dubbed “NextGen.”
Details of the plan emerged in February 2011 when Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs [...] Continue Reading…