Best Friends Pet Resort Opens August 27th

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (June 24, 2010) – Pet lovers visiting Walt Disney World Resort can now plan to board the family pet in fun, luxurious new accommodations. Reservations are being accepted for pet boarding stays beginning Aug. 27, 2010, for the new Best Friends Pet Care Resort.

The one-of-a-kind resort comprises more than 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, including 17,000 square feet of air-conditioned indoor space, 10,000 square feet of covered outdoor runs and play areas, and an expansive private dog park exclusively for the use of pet resort clients and their dogs.

The facility will accommodate up to 270 dogs and 30 cats for both daytime and overnight boarding. A wide selection of suite choices for dogs includes air-conditioned indoor rooms, 48-square-foot indoor-outdoor suites, and four expansive VIP (very important pet) suites with television, raised bedding and private outdoor yards.

Feline guests will spend their visit in the separate “Kitty City” pavilion – away from the dogs – in two- and four-room condos. All suites and condos are designed to provide comfort and privacy and will be cleaned daily with hospital-grade disinfectants.

“Best Friends has long been the industry leader for boarding, and this will be our crown jewel. We’ve taken the ‘best of breed’ in every category to create the perfect environment for pets,”said Dennis Dolan, president and CEO of Best Friends Pet Care. “Our goal is to ensure that pets staying with us have a fun, action-packed vacation – just like their families vacationing at Walt Disney World.”

The resort’s exclusive dog park features a fenced walking trail bordering the natural wetlands around the park. Inside the trail, guests can choose from a variety of different play areas, including a 3,300-square-foot area covered in artificial turf, a 4,500-square-foot area with shade trees and a 1,300-square-foot “canines only” water park. There are several large areas for owners to sit, relax and watch their dogs play. The entire park is secured from outsiders and is illuminated for use after dark.

Other features of the resort include: a grooming salon, which will provide go-home-fresh baths and haircuts for pets; two 1,100-square-foot “camp rooms” for play group and doggy day camp, each opening onto an outdoor play-yard; and a special facility for the boarding of “pocket pets,” such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and ferrets.

Pet parents can choose from a wide range of a la carte activities for pet guests from one-on-one playtimes and social playgroup with other doggy guests, to cuddle time and bedtime stories with staff. Additional amenities and upgrades include Ice Cream Treats, Bottled Water and Premium/Orthopedic Bedding. Feline guests can also enjoy private playtimes, activity toys in their suites and treats such as Cookies and Milk or Tuna on a Ritz.

The pet resort is located across from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort at 2510 Bonnet Creek Parkway in Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. Pricing and other details are available at wdw.bestfriendspetcare.com or by calling 877/4-WDW-PETS.

New Hotel Tour Announced

With The Disneyland Hotel going through some many changes right now, this may be your last chance to see some of the hotel’s biggest landmarks.

From The Disney Parks Blog:

Disneyland Hotel
If you have a passion for Disney history, then you will definitely want to take the “The Happiest Hotel on Earth” Tour at the Disneyland Hotel.

Did you know that the Dreams Tower (formally named the Sierra Tower) was Orange County’s first high-rise when it opened in 1960? Or that the Disneyland Hotel, built in 1955, was owned by the Wrather Corporation until it was officially acquired by the Walt Disney Company in 1988?

This tour will give you a glimpse of the history and magic of the Disneyland Hotel and how it all began nearly 55 years ago.

If would like more information or want to sign up for this complimentary tour, visit the Guest Services Desk at either hotel.

Captain EO Passholder Preview Announced

From an email sent out to Walt Disney World Annual Passholders:

Captain EO returns to Epcot®, and Passholders can attend a special preview of the film at the Imagination! Pavilion on July 1 from 3 – 9 p.m. The legendary film starring Michael Jackson is something Passholders don’t want to miss. Registration is limited so sign up today to see Captain EO save the universe like never before!

Want To “Live” at WDW? Here’s Your Chance!

It was announced a few years ago as part of the expansion project incorporating the new Four Seasons resort at WDW, but the Disney Parks Blog unveiled the Golden Oak luxury resort community:

Today, we’re unveiling something very different – an unprecedented opportunity to buy a home at the Walt Disney World Resort. You read right. Golden Oak is a new one-of-a-kind, luxury residential resort community that Disney Imagineers helped design. So, of course, it’ll have a unique Disney touch.

Golden Oak Luxury Residential Resort Community

Take a look at our first released artist rendering of a Tuscan village courtyard home – it’s one of several architectural styles that’ll be featured at Golden Oak. Parks, pedestrian pathways and a private clubhouse are also planned for the community designed especially for resort living.

Golden Oak, named after Walt’s Golden Oak Ranch in California, will offer single-family, custom homes priced between approximately $1.5 million and $8 million, with fewer than 30 home sites available for sale this year. Residents will also have access to select amenities at the planned Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, including the full service spa, restaurants, golf course and event space.

We’ll have more on this in future Disney Parks Blog posts. But if you’d like to know more right now, please visitwww.disneygoldenoak.com.

The Golden Oak website has a lot more details than the parks blog, including special benefits, details about the three “neighborhoods”, and a gallery of concept art and actual photographs of the property.

Upcoming Events at the Disneyland Resort

Here are some upcoming events at The Disneyland Resort that are worth taking a look at…

Fairies and the Quest for Never Land Book Release & Signing

Newbery Honor Winning Author Gail Carson Levine and Illustrator, David Christiana return to the Disneyland® Resort on another “Quest!”  Gail and David will be on hand for two very special signings as we celebrate the release of their new book, Fairies and the Quest for Never Land. In this new book, we are once again bound to find ourselves immersed in the magical world of our Fairy friends as they join forces and go to battle in an effort to stop an evil dragon named Kyto.

**Signing Locations & Times**

Saturday, June 26, 2010
1 pm to 3 pm
The Disney Gallery, Main Street, U.S.A., Disneyland® park

Sunday, June 27, 2010
2pm to 4pm
Brisa Courtyard, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa
(located adjacent to the World of Disney
Store)

Infused with magic and feeling, and bursting with excitement, this thrilling tale is sure to mesmerize you. Fairies and the Quest for Never Land book will be available for $18.99, plus tax at shop opening on the day of the event.

Allstar Weekend Autograph Session
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
1:45 p.m. to 3:45 pm
Studio Disney 365, Downtown Disney® District
Disneyland® Resort

Allstar Weekend will be on hand for a special performance in front of Studio Disney 365 in the Downtown Disney® District beginning at 1 pm.
(Performance will take place prior to the autograph session).

Allstar Weekend CD’s will be available to purchase at Studio Disney 365 prior to the performance and autograph session. Wristbands for the autograph session will be distributed at shop opening at Studio Disney 365.

Here are some upcoming artist signings, trunk shows and events taking place at D Street.

June 26 ACME Animation Art Show
Special Guest Artist Steven J. Daily
Click Here For Event Details
5pm – 8pm
July 11 Vinylmation™ Signing
Disney Design Group Artists Dan Howard,
Monty Maldovan, Randy Noble
5pm – 7 pm
July 25 Vinylmation™ Signing
Disney Design Group Artists Thomas Scott,
Eric Caszatt, Lin Shih
1pm – 4 pm
August 7 “Tail Gate Party” Trunk Show 12 pm – 3 pm
August 14 Vinylmation™ Signing
Special Guest – Noah
2pm – 5pm
August 21 Vinylmation™ Signing TBD
September 11 Vinylmation™ Signing
Disney Design Group Artist Casey Jones
11 am – 2pm

Walt Disney World’s July 4, 2010 Plans

If you’ll be spending the very busy July 4th holiday at Walt Disney World, you may want to take note of the following:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Guests celebrating the Fourth of July at Walt Disney World Resort will have a choice of fireworks shows as Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios present special pyrotechnics, and Epcot adds a patriotic “tag” to its famous “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” spectacular. Here’s what’s in store (entertainment and park hours are subject to change without notice):

Magic Kingdom – “Celebrate America Fireworks” will fill the sky at 9 p.m. July 4 (guests who’d like to begin the celebratory weekend a day early can enjoy the special fireworks on July 3 at 9 p.m.). After the fireworks, guests can enjoy Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” of lights, music and magic at 10 p.m. and midnight on July 4 (on July 3, the parade will be at 10:30 p.m.). Park hours on July 4 are 8 a.m.-1 a.m.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Special fireworks set to a rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack will be presented at 9:50 p.m. on July 4, providing guests with a bonus nighttime entertainment extravaganza to complement “Fantasmic!” (which will be at 9 and 10:30 p.m.). Park hours on July 4 are 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

Epcot – “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” which features dazzling special effects, colorful lasers, brilliant fireworks, and fiery torches all choreographed to a musical score, becomes even more dynamic on July 4 as the normal show is supplemented with a patriotic finale. The performance begins at 10 p.m. Earlier in the day, guests will be treated to the Voices of Liberty 4th of July Concert – featuring an expanded cast of singers plus the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps and Disney characters – at 12:30, 1:45 and 3 p.m. on the America Gardens Theatre stage. Park hours on July 4 are 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Guests can enjoy all the regular attractions and shows on July 4 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.