Roy Disney, nephew of Walt Disney, dies at 79
Date: 16 December 2009 abc7.com
LOS ANGELES -- Roy Edward Disney, a longtime senior executive for The Walt Disney Company and nephew of Walt, died Wednesday in Newport Beach following a year-long battle with stomach cancer. He was 79 years old.
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Monorail Problems At Disney, Again
Date: 15 December 2009 Copyright 2009 by wftv.com
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- A potential mechanical problem forced Walt Disney World to shut down a monorail train, for the second time this week.
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Relative: 4 family members aboard plane that crashed in Osceola County
Date: 09 December 2009 By Henry Pierson Curtis and Walter Pacheco, Orlando Sentinel
KISSIMMEE — Four members of a Spanish family died late Monday while flying back to Fort Lauderdale from a visit to Walt Disney World with their teen-age son at the controls, according to a relative waiting Wednesday in Miami for the victims' father and husband to arrive in the U.S.
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Walt Disney World to become twin town of Swindon
Date: 07 December 2009 BBC News
A Wiltshire town hitherto best known for its railway heritage, Honda motors and Billie Piper, has been chosen as a twin by the Disney organisation.
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Star Wars Celebration V lands in Orlando
Date: 03 December 2009 Orlando Business Journal
The Orange County Convention Center was named the host facility for Lucasfilm Ltd.’s 2010 Star Wars Celebration V event, based on the popular Star Wars franchise.
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Universal starts wooing Muggles to Harry Potter
Date: 03 December 2009 By Jason Garcia - Orlando Sentinel
Wizarding World of Harry Potter set to open in spring at Islands of Adventure
After months of near silence, Universal Orlando is starting to sell Harry Potter.
The theme-park resort has in recent weeks ramped up advertising for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the highly anticipated addition scheduled to open next spring in Islands of Adventure.
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SeaWorld Aquatica’s 2010 expansion to include 4 new water slides
Date: 20 November 2009 Los Angeles Times
The recently opened SeaWorld Aquatica water park in Orlando, Fla. will add four first-of-a-kind water slides in 2010, including a pair of inner-tube rides that go uphill with the help of a hydro-magnetic launch.
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A look at the last 10 years of growth at Disney World — and the next 10
Date: 19 November 2009 The Daily Disney - Jason Garcia
Walt Disney World may one day add a fifth theme park. But it won’t happen in the next five years.
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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Walt Disney World
Date: 14 November 2009 Walt Disney World Recreation Examiner - Peggy Macdonald
There's a chill in the air and holiday decorations are everywhere: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Disney World
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Disney uses its theme parks as it tries to make its newest princess a star
Date: 11 November 2009 Jason Garcia - Orlando Sentinel
The Walt Disney Co.’s newest princess doesn’t arrive in movie theaters for another month, but she is already easy to find at Walt Disney World.
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Disney uses its theme parks as it tries to make its newest princess a star
Date: 11 November 2009 Jason Garcia - Orlando Sentinel
The Walt Disney Co.’s newest princess doesn’t arrive in movie theaters for another month, but she is already easy to find at Walt Disney World.
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Disney Verizon app will allow users to check wait times, plan for events
Date: 11 November 2009 Orlando Sentinel - Etan Horowitz
Each day, thousands Walt Disney World visitors are faced with a series of decisions. What ride should they go on next? When is the best time to get Mickey’s autograph? Should they eat lunch before they pick up a FastPass for Space Mountain?
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Disney World reveals new Space Mountain roller coaster details as rumors of a soft opening intensify
Date: 10 November 2009 Orlando Theme Parks Examiner - Barbara Nefer
Today the Disney Parks Blog has announced new details about Space Mountain (pictured at right), which is poised to reopen after a length refurbishment. The roller coaster is located in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom theme park. Although its official opening is slated for later this month, rumors seem to indicate that a soft opening could occur late this week or early next week
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Baby Giraffes Born At Disney's Animal Kingdom
Date: 19 October 2009 Wesh
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Walt Disney World Resort said two male calves were recently born at its Animal Kingdom park.
Disney said Bolo was born on Oct. 12 to second-time mother Big Girl, who first birthed a female calf in November 2005.
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Disney World combines damaged monorails pink and purple to create new monorail teal
Date: 15 October 2009 Walt Disney World Recreation Examiner - Peggy Macdonald
More than three months after monorail pink backed into monorail purple at Walt Disney World, killing 21-year-old pilot Austin Wuennenberg, the undamaged parts of the two monorails have been combined to create one monorail, which will feature a teal stripe.
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Christmas by the Numbers at Walt Disney World Resort
Date: 10 October 2009 By Scott
Miles of garland, ribbon, twinkling lights and glitter transform Walt Disney World Resort into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. Here’s a sample of what guests will experience throughout the Vacation Kingdom:
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Blackstone to Buy InBev Parks for Up to $2.7 Billion
Date: 07 October 2009 By Jason Kelly
Blackstone Group LP, the world’s biggest buyout firm, agreed to buy Anheuser-Busch InBev NV’s amusement park business for as much as $2.7 billion in the largest private-equity deal this year.
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Spending Christmas at Disney World
Date: 07 October 2009 By David Snyder
Christmas is Christmas, and it doesn't matter where you spend yours as long as you spend it with your loved ones. However, some places do add a special flavor to the Christmas spirit. The moods of such places infect you and the joys of Christmas are multiplied by just being in those places. One such place is Disney in Orlando, Florida.
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Disney gets on board with fast-train proposal
Date: 02 October 2009 By Dan Tracy - Sentinel Staff Writer
Florida has received a last-minute boost from Walt Disney World in its bid for $2.5 billion of federal money to build a high-speed train linking Orlando and Tampa.
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Walt Disney World parking rates rise to $14 per day
Date: 02 October 2009 Walt Disney World Recreation Examiner - Peggy Macdonald
The daily parking rate at the Walt Disney World theme parks will rise to $14 this weekend, according to Orlando Sentinel reporter Jason Garcia. The new rate will go into effect this Sunday, up from the current rate of $12 for automobiles.
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DISNEY TO REPLACE JOHNNY DEPP
Date: 29 September 2009 By Reginald Cunningham III
LOS ANGELES, CA – Disney has announced that they will soon begin filming a Pirates of the Caribbean
: On Stranger Tides, the fourth installment of their franchise. With Johnny Depp refusing to reprise the lead role, Disney executives have confirmed they plan on replacing him with an animatronic puppet. Executives promise, “You’ll never notice the difference!”
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Cypress Gardens theme park in Fla. closes doors
Date: 24 September 2009 Bureau News
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Cypress Gardens, which reigned as Florida’s grandest theme park in the days before Disney, has shut down while its owners try to sell the attraction.
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SeaWorld execs tell employees they won't discuss sale 'rumors'
Date: 23 September 2009 Jason Garcia - Sentinel Staff Writer
A SeaWorld Orlando staff meeting ended this morning without any major announcements from executives, despite speculation that they might address new ownership of SeaWorld, Aquatica, Discovery Cove and other Busch Entertainment Corp. parks. SeaWorld chief calls the chatter "rumors."
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Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Date: 18 September 2009 Walt Disney World Recreation Examiner - Peggy Macdonald
The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival officially kicks off Friday, September 25. Those who cannot wait to get the party started are welcome to attend a special Walt Disney World cast member preview on Thursday, September 24.
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Theme Park Expansions Will Help Hotels
Date: 18 September 2009 By Carl Cronan
ORLANDO-Planned expansions at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando theme parks should benefit area hotels for years to come, a local industry executive says. The anticipated result of longer stays by millions of tourists equate to additional room nights, occupancy and revenue.
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Universal's Harry Potter park to include Hogwarts
Date: 15 September 2009 By Barbara Liston
ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - Creators of the highly anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando revealed some details of three major Potter-themed attractions on Tuesday, including a "Forbidden Journey" ride set in the iconic Hogwart's Castle.
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.World premiere of Disney's A Christmas Carol to kick off festive season
Date: 13 September 2009 13 September, 2009 | By Screen staff
London will host the world premiere of Disney’s A Christmas Carol across three screens simultaneously, in what it is claimed will be the biggest UK 3D screening to date.
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Rendering of the new Fantasyland at Walt Disney World
Date: 13 September 2009 Orlando Sentinel
A bird's-eye view of the vastly-expanded Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World which will offer Guests a new land of enchantment in a magical fairy tale forest just beyond the castle walls. The expanded Fantasyland was announced at the D23 Expo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009 by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo.
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It's Not a Small World After All
Date: 13 September 2009 By CARLOS MILLER
Walt Disney World set for largest expansion in its history
While most companies are cutting back during this recession, Walt Disney plans on expanding. Big time. An expansion that will nearly double the size of Fantasyland.
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Check out the Trailer for Walt Disney’s STAR TOURS II
Date: 13 September 2009 by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub
Years ago I heard rumors Disneyland and Disneyworld were going to update the Star Tours ride. After all, the ride was exactly the same since it launched back in 1987 and it definitely needed a paint job. But the prequels came and went, and the ride stayed the same. Until now.
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Disney to expand Fantasyland at Walt Disney World
Date: 12 September 2009 By: Reuters | 12 Sep 2009 | 07:34 PM ET
ANAHEIM, California (Reuters) - Mickey Mouse's house and his Toon Town world will make way next year for a vastly larger Fantasyland, in the biggest-ever expansion of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida, Walt Disney Co said on Saturday.
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Saving Time at Walt Disney World: 5 Fastpass Tips
Date: 08 September 2009 By Kim Wright Wiley - Author, Walt Disney World with Kids
If there's any justice in the world, the genius who created Fastpass is relaxing somewhere on his yacht. Because Fastpass helps Walt Disney World theme-park guests drastically cut down on the amount of time spent waiting in line. Which means more rides, and fewer tantrums.
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Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland Skyway station demolition underway
Date: 04 September 2009 Walt Disney World Recreation Examiner - Peggy Macdonald
The Magic Kingdom's defunct Skyway stations in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland rested undisturbed for years after the Skyway's closure in 1999, following a fatal accident. Now demolition is underway at the Tomorrowland Skyway station at Walt Disney World.
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Magical Moments at Walt Disney World Resorts are still out there, if you know where to look
Date: 04 September 2009 Walt Disney World Travel Examiner - Heather Leigh Carroll-Landon
Though not as popular as they were in the “Year of a Million Dreams,” Magical Moments are still around at the Walt Disney World Resorts. If you have not been offered a Magical Moment, then you are just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Here are some of the most recent Magical Moments I have witnessed at the Walt Disney World Resorts and Theme Parks.
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Top five reasons to visit Disney World at the holidays #1: Candlelight Processional at Epcot
Date: 04 September 2009 Walt Disney World Recreation Examiner - Peggy Macdonald
The number one reason to visit Walt Disney World at the holidays is Epcot's Candlelight Processional, which follows a tradition first established at Disneyland in 1958.
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Invisibility cloak may soon lift on Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Date: 03 September 2009 By Jason Garcia - Sentinel Staff Writer
Universal Orlando is preparing to pull back the curtain a bit on its hugely anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
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Officials say man rescued by Disney cruise ship jumped off another ship
Date: 03 September 2009 Walter Pacheco - Sentinel Staff Writer
Officials say man rescued by Disney cruise ship jumped off another ship
The Disney Wonder cruise ship rescued a man who was found swimming in the Atlantic Ocean this morning.
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Universal can keep its Marvel attractions but may soon have Disney looking over its shoulder
Date: 02 September 2009 By Jason Garcia Sentinel Staff Writer
While the Walt Disney Co.'s $4 billion acquisition of Marvel Entertainment Inc. does not pose a near-term threat to the future of Universal Orlando's popular Marvel-themed attractions, it could still create headaches for the resort.
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Walt Disney Company Purchases Marvel Entertainment
Date: 31 August 2009 by Josh Wigler in Marvel, News
If you thought Michael Jackson's almost-purchase of Marvel Comics was bizarre, then wait until you hear who Marvel's newest owner is: none other than Mickey Mouse himself.
Announced this morning via a press release, the Walt Disney Company has purchased Marvel Entertainment in a $4 billion stock and cash transaction.
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Michael Jackson's Captain EO returns to Disneyland: Will Epcot be the next to honor the King of Pop?
Date: 30 August 2009 Walt Disney World Recreation Examiner - Peggy Macdonald
In the wake of Michael Jackson's untimely death, fans flooded Disneyland's corporate offices with petitions to bring back Captain EO. Apparently their efforts did not go unnoticed. Unconfirmed reports reveal that Disneyland is expected to announce at its upcoming D23 Expo that Captain EO will return to Disneyland in 2010.
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Disney 101: What is the best age for young children to visit Walt Disney World?
Date: 28 August 2009 Walt Disney World Recreation Examiner - Peggy Macdonald
Q: What is the best age for young children to visit Walt Disney World?
A: It depends upon the comfort level of each individual child, but families visit Disney with kids of all ages.
Although some people advocate waiting for that first magical trip to Walt Disney World, taking younger children has many benefits.
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Prepare for earlier closing times at Walt Disney World theme parks this fall
Date: 27 August 2009 Walt Disney World Recreation Examiner - Peggy Macdonald
As summer slips away, most Walt Disney World theme parks start to close earlier. The Magic Kingdom, which often remains open until 11 p.m. or later on busy summer nights, closes as early as 7 p.m. on select nights from September through November. Wishes, the Magic Kingdom's nightly fireworks show, will not be performed on the nights when the park closes at 7 p.m. Instead, a special holiday-themed fireworks show will take place later in the evening for guests at the Magic Kingdom's holiday parties.
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Photo Update: Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal
Date: 25 August 2009 Author: Matt
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal’s Islands of Adventure seems to be moving along well. It’s set to open in 2010, although Universal officials haven’t said if that means spring, summer or fall.
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Train ride to Walt Disney World: Getting there is half the fun.
Date: 25 August 2009 Walt Disney World Recreation Examiner - Peggy Macdonald
Although the majority of travelers to Walt Disney World arrive by plane or automobile, many families have discovered that an old-fashioned train ride makes the journey to Disney almost as fun as arriving there.
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Disney World suffers 3rd worker death this summer
Date: 18 August 2009 By MIKE SCHNEIDER (AP)
ORLANDO, Fla. — Walt Disney World canceled a stunt show Tuesday after an employee died during practice, the theme park's third worker killed on the job this summer.
Disney said the deaths weren't related, and federal investigators were treating them as separate accidents.
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Fantasyland Expansion Plans Leaked
Date: 25 July 2009 thebibb.co.uk
Disney has leaked what appears to be very real blueprints laying out all the new ‘attractions’ planned for an expanded Fantasyland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
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The best American villas
Date: 20 July 2009 The Sunday Times
Windsor Palms, Orlando Florida (sleeps 4-12)
Holiday homes in Orlando are big business — and with so many families jetting in to enjoy the theme parks, it's not hard to see why. The best options are those that offer the privacy of a private home with the facilities of a resort, and Windsor Palms is a fine example. Accommodation ranges from two-bedroom apartments to five-bed villas with private pools, and whichever you choose you'll have access to a huge community pool, children's playground, and tennis, basketball and volleyball courts. Walt Disney World is 2.5 miles away.
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Remembering Walter Cronkite in Spaceship Earth at Walt Disney World
Date: 20 July 2009 Jeff Titelius
Did you know that Walter Cronkite was the narrator for the Spaceship Earth attraction at Epcot from 1986 through 1994 and it seemed only fitting that the man with boyish enthusiasm for the space program as evidenced by his reporting during the Apollo missions, be the most memorable host for this "space-age" attraction. Actually, his was the first voice I heard when I visited Spaceship Earth for the first time in 1993.
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USF football player injured in fall from Busch Gardens' Skyride.
Date: 19 July 2009 By Robbyn Mitchell, Times Staff Writer
TAMPA — A University of South Florida football player was injured when he fell 35 feet from a ride while working at Busch Gardens on Saturday, according to team officials.
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Disney World bus crash hurts 12 at Fla. theme park
Date: 18 July 2009 (AP) – 1 day ago
ORLANDO, Fla. — Officials say two buses have collided at Walt Disney World, leaving a dozen visitors with minor injuries.
A Florida Highway Patrol report says one Disney bus rear-ended another Thursday afternoon. About 50 people were on both buses. The 12 injured passengers were taken to four nearby hospitals for treatment.
The accident comes 11 days after 21-year-old monorail pilot Austin Wuennenberg died when another train accidentally backed into his train at the sprawling Orlando resort.
The park's vast transit system shuttles thousands of visitors around the attraction each day.
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Harry Potter theme park to open next year
Date: 16 July 2009 By Adrian Lennox
A new themed attractions venue based around the popular Harry Potter franchise has been earmarked for a spring 2010 opening at Universal Studios Orlando, US.
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Disney sports broadcaster and Setanta replacement ESPN signs to Sky
Date: 08 July 2009 Mirror.co.uk - Clinton Manning
After Michael Owen's shock move to Man United, Disney's sports broadcaster ESPN signed up Sky.
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Walt Disney World monorail crash kills employee
Date: 05 July 2009 WA today
Two monorail trains crashed in the Magic Kingdom section of Walt Disney World, killing one train's operator. Disney said it was the first fatal crash in the
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Walt Disney World News and Rumor Mill for the week of June 22, 2009
Date: 22 June 2009 Walt Disney News
Let’s start on one of the ones that has really gained great deal of interest lately, as possible leaks about it becoming reality continue to surface around the internet. And yes, I’m talking about Star Tours
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Walt Disney World Rumor Mill for the week of June 15, 2009
Date: 15 June 2009 Walt Disney News
It's going to be a long summer for those that enjoy and miss Space Mountain, as it is closed for refurb, but rumors of what ay be coming may just make it worth the wait. Rumors have circulated for some time even before it went down for refurb earlier this year that ranged from removing the top of the mountain to replace the entire track system to upgrading the cars and soundtrack to become more like Disneyland Space Mountain
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Suspects Involved in Numerous Burglaries Arrested
Date: 04 December 2008
Tourist Policing Unit Arrest 2 Suspects Involved in Numerous Burglaries
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Windsor Hills security guard, teens charged in car burglaries
Date: 22 August 2008 Osceola News-Gazette
A 22-year-old security guard is charged with contributing to the delinquency of minors after he and three teenagers were arrested for several car burglaries along U.S. Highway 192 in west Osceola County.
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