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Kobe celebrates Lakers NBA Championship at Disneyland

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Celebrating the best in basketball, the Disneyland Resort saluted the 2009 World Champion Los Angeles Lakers today with a victory parade down Main Street U.S.A, for Kobe Bryant, MVP of the recent NBA Finals. Kobe smiled and waved to fans as he rode on a float with Mickey Mouse and other characters.

“It’s like a dream come true to be here and celebrate at Disneyland, coming down Main Street U.S.A. with all the fans cheering,” Bryant said after the parade. “It’s a tremendous honor to represent my team.”

As part of the ‘Fairytale Series’ the presidents of the two Resorts, Ed Grier at Disneyland and Meg Crofton at Walt Disney World, made a friendly wager on the NBA Finals. On Thursday, Meg Crofton fulfilled her pledge by donning a pair of Lakers’ purple and gold Mickey Mouse ears and walking down Main Street, U.S.A., in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. I’m hoping a photo of that will turn up somewhere.

Each of the Resorts also turned the lights of their respective castles to the team colors of the Lakers and the Magic, in celebration of the historic pairing. Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland park was glowing with Lakers purple and gold during the NBA Finals and will stay that way through Thursday night.

“I heard there was a little competition with Disneyland and Disney World and we won,” Kobe Bryant said, “so our colors are staying up a little bit longer.”

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Two of the many Lakers fans at Disneyland on Thursday were selected to ride the Matterhorn Bobsleds with Bryant after the parade. David Guerrero and his son Jonathan, 4, of Pomona, are Annual Passport holders and they came to Disneyland in their team jerseys to celebrate the Lakers’ World Championship.

“They just picked us out of the crowd and said, ‘Do you want to ride the Matterhorn with Kobe?’ I’m shaking, this is so exciting,” David Guerrero said as Jonathan jumped up and down. “In Southern California, being a Disney fan and a Lakers fan, it just goes together and that’s why we wanted to be here today.”

A short video of Kobe Bryant at Disneyland is below the cut:

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This Weekend, Play Golf All Day at Disney

For all you Central Florida golfers who dream of literally playing golf all day Disney can make that dream come true this Memorial Day Weekend. Walt Disney World is offering golf enthusiasts the opportunity to play until their hearts are content through a special new… Read More »This Weekend, Play Golf All Day at Disney

Princess Half Marathon a hit for Walt Disney World

It looks like Walt Disney World Sports has a hit on their hands with the new Princess Half Marathon Weekend. Congratulations to Liza Galvan of San Antonio for winning the inaugural event. The weekend featured other runs and events which attracted more than 11,000 runners making it one of the largest endurance race weekends geared towards women.

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Above participants in the Royal Family 5K pose with Beauty and the Beast prior to race during Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World. Thousands of women from every U.S. state and 17 other countries took part in the inaugural event that is part of a three-day celebration of women’s health and fitness.  (Todd Anderson, photographer)

The full press release is below the cut:
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New York Yankees pitchers C.C. Sabathia and Joba Chamberlain experience three dimensions of fun on Toy Story Midway Mania!

click for larger version New York Yankees pitchers C.C. Sabathia (left) and Joba Chamberlain (right) experience the “Toy Story Midway Mania!” 3-D attraction March 1, 2009 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The two hurlers were at Walt Disney World Resort for “ESPN The Weekend,” a special… Read More »New York Yankees pitchers C.C. Sabathia and Joba Chamberlain experience three dimensions of fun on Toy Story Midway Mania!

Dancing With The Stars cast member Shawn Johnson, Olympic Gold Medalist, at EPSN The Weekend

DANCE FEVER: Shawn Johnson, Gold Medal-winning gymnast and “Dancing with the Stars” contestant, appears at ESPN The Weekend 2009 2008 Olympic Gold Medal-winning gymnast Shawn Johnson strikes a dance pose with Mickey Mouse Feb. 27, 2009 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Johnson, 17, is the youngest… Read More »Dancing With The Stars cast member Shawn Johnson, Olympic Gold Medalist, at EPSN The Weekend

Where Disney is spending its money

Many Disney theme park fans have been wondering where Disney is spending it’s money these days. Sure there is the $800 million or so Disney is spending to fix the mistake that is Disneyland’s former parking lot, aka California Adventure, but there doesn’t appear to… Read More »Where Disney is spending its money

ESPN The Weekend 2009, More Details

Disney has released more details about ESPN The Weekend a one-of-a-kind sports-themed special event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park Feb. 27-March 1. Surprisingly, there doesn’t appear to be one person announced as the host this year. ESPN personalities John Anderson, Colin Cowherd, Jay Crawford,… Read More »ESPN The Weekend 2009, More Details

Disney Marathon and ESPN The Weekend Details released

Disney Marathon Weekend is coming up on January 8-10. This year the event is bigger than ever this year. With 550 Brazilians, free seminars with fitness & nutrition experts, running coaches, and former Olympians there’s going to be a lot going on. In all, more than 45,000 people from all 50 U.S. states and more than 60 countries are registered for everything from the famous Diaper Dash for crawlers (12 months and under) to the new Mickey’s Mile (ages 13-under) to the distance road-running events.

Check below the cut for details on the race weekend.

Sports fans who want to leap into planning for the sixth edition of ESPN The Weekend presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods Feb. 27-March 1, 2009, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can visit ESPNTheWeekend.com for the latest information about the upcoming event as well as sign up for email updates.

The weekend will feature a lineup of athletes and top ESPN personalities such as Mike & Mike as Disney’s Hollywood Studios hosts a full slate of live telecasts including “NFL Live” and “Baseball Tonight.” There also will be unique sports experiences such as the Interactive Zone. All the fun is included with regular theme park admission.

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