On Stage or in the Audience, ‘The American Idol Experience’ Immerses Guests in the Pop-Culture Phenomenon LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Feb. 12, 2009) – With the largest-ever gathering of  “American Idol” winners joining in the celebration, Walt Disney World Resort Thursday night raised the curtain on “The American Idol Experience,” […]

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – For many guests, the benefit of staying at a Walt Disney World owned-and-operated resort begins before arrival at the Vacation Kingdom.  And for all guests, the benefits and perks combine to make vacation magic 24 hours a day – whether at a Disney Value Resort

WHO’S HUNGRY?: Andrew Zimmern, host of the Travel Channel series “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern,” joins Chef Goofy in the Magic Kingdom Jan. 2, 2009 to enjoy two of the theme park’s giant, smoked turkey legs. Zimmern is on vacation at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista,

LET IT SNOW: Actress Brittany Snow celebrates New Year’s Eve at the Magic Kingdom with Mickey Mouse on Dec. 31, 2008. Snow, known for her roles in films like “Hairspray,” “Prom Night” and “Finding Amanda,” and for television shows including “American Dreams” and “Nip/Tuck,” is vacationing with friends at Walt

CELEBRATE TODAY: Seattle, Wash. resident Andrew DaCosta (second from left) and his family — daughter Alana (left), wife Carolyn (second from right) and daughter Kathryn (far right) — cheer Jan. 1, 2009 in front of Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Andrew DaCosta, holding two

HAPPY NEW YEAR, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!: Using an oversized park ticket created for the occasion, Seattle, Wash. resident Andrew DaCosta enters the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. on Jan. 1, 2009. DaCosta was honored this morning as the first person in the nation to receive free admission to a

TOASTING THE NEW YEAR: Walt Disney World guests can count down to midnight and ring in 2009 with a dazzling display of entertainment, parades, fireworks and extended hours throughout the Vacation Kingdom on New Year’s Eve. (Diana Zalucky, photographer)

A MARATHON WITH ‘CHARACTER’: Masanari Kamada, of Higashi-Osaka, Japan, dressed as Winnie the Pooh, high-fives Disney character “Chip” as he finishes the 2008 Walt Disney World Marathon in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Dressed as the famous bear, Kamada completed the 26.2-mile trek in 6:00:41. The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

Holiday Wishes” fireworks, the boldest and brightest pyrotechnics show at Disney, takes place at 8:30 p.m. capped with the grand finale “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks at 11:50 p.m. On Dec. 31, the park is open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME: Spring training fans at Champion Stadium at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex take in the action at the Atlanta Braves’ home-away-from-home, Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Braves pitchers and catchers report Feb. 14, marking the beginning of the 12th year the Braves have

MORE DREAMING IN 2009: Famed television and radio entertainer Steve Harvey will return to Walt Disney World for “Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey” — a motivational event for teens which will take place at Walt Disney World in Florida Feb. 12-15, 2009. (Clifton Henri, photographer)

A MARATHON WITH ‘CHARACTER’: Masanari Kamada, of Higashi-Osaka, Japan, dressed as Winnie the Pooh, high-fives Disney character “Chip” as he finishes the 2008 Walt Disney World Marathon in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Dressed as the famous bear, Kamada completed the 26.2-mile trek in 6:00:41. The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend