THE BEST IS YETI TO COME: Riders aboard Expedition Everest, the runaway train adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, have a close encounter of the hairy kind. Feared guardian of the mountains, the yeti roars his displeasure at trekkers invading his lofty lair. The mammoth yeti is the largest Audio-Animatronics figure […]

IDOL “GOING TO DISNEY WORLD” — Walt Disney World Resort has announced plans to create a high-energy “American Idol” attraction bringing the pop culture phenomenon to Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. Each eligible “Grand Finale” park guest who wins the daily competition will qualify for a guaranteed slot for regional

PLAYHOUSE DISNEY – LIVE ON STAGE! — Some of the world’s most popular children’s TV characters come to life as never before in the new Playhouse Disney—Live on Stage! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Children are invited to sing, dance and

Duncan Bishop (center), age 8, of Tampa, Fla., celebrates with his family in front of the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith Feb. 4, 2008, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. As part of the Disney Dreams Giveaway, Bishop had just

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Spaceship Earth, the iconic centerpiece of Epcot, relaunches in February with changes and refinements installed during more than seven months of construction and detailing. Presented by Siemens, the relaunched Spaceship Earth looks on the outside like it did when Epcot opened a quarter century ago.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Enter a wonderland of enchanting princesses and swashbuckling adventurers during Disney’s Pirate and Princess Party returning to Magic Kingdom for 13 magical nights beginning Jan. 21, 2008. A treasure map leads feisty buccaneers and pretty princesses on a trek through Magic Kingdom seeking treasures, colorful

A DREAM IS A WISH…: Comedian and actor Steve Harvey joins Mickey Mouse and 100 U.S. high school students Jan. 20, 2008 at the closing ceremony of the “Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey.” The teen-focused personal and professional enrichment event took place during Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend (Jan.

RIDING THE WAVE: Larger-than-life puppets such as Crush the sea turtle, take to the stage in “Finding Nemo — The Musical” the live musical production at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The endearing undersea environment that charmed audiences in the Disney•Pixar smash-hit film “Finding Nemo” comes to life with innovative lighting, sound,

READY, AIM…FUN!: Seated in one of the new attraction vehicles, Walt Disney Imagineers Ira Frank (left) and John Noonan (right) test the new “spring-action shooters” which Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests will use to score points when the Toy Story Mania! attraction opens summer 2008. Standing at right is Jim Jannick.

COUNTING DOWN TO FEBRUARY 14: Mickey Mouse prepares to surprise his favorite Valentine, Minnie Mouse, with a bouquet of flowers. Throughout Walt Disney World Resort, couples who’ve been bitten by the love bug don’t need a fairy godmother to find romance and storybook settings at one of the most romantic

MARATHON CHAMPION’S TRADITION: Sao Paulo’s Adriano Bastos, four-time Walt Disney World Marathon champion, receives a special green and yellow, Brazilian flag-inspired pre-race hair style Jan. 6, 2007, courtesy of Disney’s “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.” Bastos has become known through the years in the Disney Marathon for his unique and colorful hair

ENCOURAGEMENT FROM TIGGER: Runners get the unique chance to high-five favorite Disney characters during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. This year’s event, the 15th anniversary, takes place Jan. 10-13, 2008. More than 40,000 runners (a record field) are registered for the weekend’s various races.

‘MOMS HIT MAIN STREET: Members of the newly formed Walt Disney World Moms Panel enjoyed the day in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in mid-December. The on-line forum, made up of real-life moms, was created to help families better plan their vacations to Walt Disney World. The

A JOLLY ROGER ON A MAGICAL CASTLE: Guests can enjoy a world of Pirates and Princesses in a special after-hours party returning to the Magic Kingdom in 2008. Disney’s Pirate and Princess Party will be held 13 magical nights beginning Jan. 21, 2008. A treasure map leads feisty buccaneers and

ON WITH THE (EVEN BIGGER) SHOW!: Disney-MGM Studios transitions to a new name — Disney’s Hollywood Studios — effective Jan. 7, 2008. The Disney-MGM Studios theme park transitions to a new name — Disney’s Hollywood Studios — effective Jan. 7, 2008. The name change reflects the theme park’s celebration of

Walt Disney World guests can count down to midnight and ring in 2008 with a dazzling display of entertainment, parades, fireworks and extended hours throughout the Vacation Kingdom on New Year’s Eve. Throughout the final evening of the year, Downtown Disney Pleasure Island will be transformed into one big, high-energy

(DEC. 28, 2007): Emmy Award-nominated actor Christopher Meloni poses with his daughter Sophia (left), wife Sherman (center,) and son Dante (right) Dec. 27, 2007 at the “Dumbo the Flying Elephant” attraction at the Magic Kingdom theme park. Meloni, who stars in the NBC series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,”