Frank Dela Vara, director of environmental affairs & conservation, and Karen Hedges, director of horticulture & Resort enhancement, share the Disneyland Resort’s commitment to the environment. Whether through encouraging cast members to carpool or using French fry oil to fuel steam trains, the Disneyland Resort gives careful consideration to the environment. Conservation and the protection of the environment have been priorities since the park opened in 1955. The commitment started with Walt Disney, who once said, “Conservation isn’t just the business of a few people, it’s a matter that concerns all of us.” Today, the Resort continues to be focused on protecting the planet and developing innovative “green” ways of doing business.

Visit www.dlrptoday.com for news and updates from the New Generation Festival at Disneyland Paris! Watch the spectacular press launch Opening Ceremony Show of the New Generation Festival at Disneyland Paris, as the “Nouvelle Génération” of Disney and Pixar characters parachute into the huge Moteurs Action stunt arena at Walt Disney Studios Park for an enormous, one-off musical rendez-vous to open this year of new characters, new shows and new attractions! Characters from Toy Story, The Incredibles, Monsters Inc, Ratatouille, Lilo & Stitch, Finding Nemo, The Princess and the Frog and more arrive as the arena backdrop is covered in a spectacular projection of Disneyland Paris icons. Lights, sounds and artistic direction combine for an unforgettable launch to this grand new theme year. Find all the latest New Generation Festival news here www.dlrptoday.com (C) Disney

The 40th anniversary of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion was celebrated on 9/9/09. Guests attending the special event were treated to a dinner show featuring Constance the bride, George (her groom), the hitchhiking ghosts, Madame Leota, and plenty of other characters. This is the full dinner show. See our other videos for the dinnertime panel discussion featuring Walt Disney Imagineers and Legends. This was recorded in Anaheim, Calif. at Disney’s California Adventure inside the former Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? – Play It theater. Video shot/edited by Ricky Brigante.

Like several other Disneyland attractions, “It’s a Small World” originated with the 1964 New York World’s Fair (Pepsi’s pavilion.) After the fair closed, the ride was transferred to Disneyland and officially opened in 1966. The Ride was originally titled “Children of the World”. When Walt Disney demonstrated it to songwriters Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman, the ride’s soundtrack featured numerous national anthems all playing at once, which resulted in a musical cacophony. Walt said, “I need one song.”[1] In response, the brothers wrote It’s a Small World (After All).[2] It is argued that the song is the most performed and most widely translated song on earth.[1] The attraction’s whimsical design was done by Mary Blair, who was also an art director on several Disney animated features (including Cinderella and Peter Pan). Like many Disneyland and Walt Disney World attractions, scenes and characters were designed by Marc Davis, while his wife, Alice Davis, designed the costumes for the dolls. Many of the dolls were created by Joyce Carlson who is honored with a shop window along the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street USA The sign there reads “Dolls by Miss Joyce, Dollmaker for the World.” The ride was completed in nine months, the shortest amount of time it has ever taken to create a Disneyland attraction. Disneyland’s version was closed from January to November, 2008, to receive a major refurbishment.[3][4][5] The building’s structure was improved, and the attraction’s …

The Ambassador Program is a tradition that began at the Disneyland Resort in 1965 when Walt Disney realized the need for an official representative of Disneyland. Currently, each of Disney’s resort destinations around the world has an Ambassador whose full-time duties include participating in more than 200 events each year. Events include: Cast Member recognition ceremonies, grand openings, marketing events, special promotions and media interviews.

Subscribe for CONSTANT updates! Ride Space Mountain as it would have appeared before the major rehab for the 50th celebration. Ride shot with night vision. Space Mountain opened in 1977, invigorating a decade-old Tomorrowland as Disneyland’s second roller coaster. The idea for Anaheim’s ride originated in the mid 1960s, during Walt Disney’s lifetime, as a way to energize the aging Tomorrowland. The project was shelved until the success of Space Mountain in Florida. After two years of …

You can save even more money with special Disney World Resort discounts on a Military Package that includes room discounts up to 40% off.  This discount package is available for vacations through September 30, 2010.  You can enjoy the large as life Disney Characters at Disney’s All Star Movies Resort or upgrade to the ultimate in relaxation at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.  All of the Disney Resorts are part of this discount Military Package.

You can then save even more money, by adding one of the Disney Dining Plans.  The Basic Dining Plan is always the most popular meal plan including sit down meals that can be used at over 125 restaurants at Disney World including the Character Dining.  The Basic Dining Plan is a saving of 30% off of meals at Walt Disney World.

Active and retire military can get 75% discounts on tickets, 30% of meals, and up to 40% off Disney Resort.  Talk about discounts!  If you always wanted to visit Disney World, this is the perfect time to visit for active and retired military. You do have to hurry – this sale ends on July 31.

For more information, visit www.destinationsinflorida.com/military.