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Disney World Donates Green and Greens to Second Harvest

The winter holidays are typically the toughest times for food banks and this year the demand is higher than ever. So it’s great to see Walt Disney World and its cast step up to make a big donation and a pledge of continued support to one of the great food banks here in Central Florida. Yesterday, Minnie Mouse joined Disney VoluntEARS to deliver bushels of green to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida in the form of a $500,000 gift for the organization’s expansion. Disney also pledged 20,000 pounds of fresh produce during the next year as part of the commitment.

The gift was part of Disney’s efforts to support organizations and programs that make a positive impact on children in the local community and will fund Second Harvest’s “Building Solutions to Hunger” capital campaign. The cash contribution will help the organization build a larger facility so it can accept and distribute significantly more food and reach more Central Floridians in need.

“We’re confident the new facility will help Second Harvest reach even more neighbors in need,” said Nancy Gidusko, director of community relations for Walt Disney World Resort. “Our goal is to help bring an end to hunger in this community, and we are proud to join with other generous donors to bring this new facility to life,”

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New Disneyland Holiday Commercial Brings Tidings of Small World

The newest commercial for Disneyland’s Holiday season features children of the world flying in a Peter Pan style ship as they experience the Joy of It’s A Small World on the way to Disneyland. Or something like that. Fairly high concept for a theme park… Read More »New Disneyland Holiday Commercial Brings Tidings of Small World

Walt Disney World Sends 2011 out with a Party and a Bang

It’s time to start thinking about your plans for New Year’s Eve. As usually, Walt Disney World presents one of the biggest fireworks evenings of the year, but there are also other events to enjoy. Here’s the list so far: Magic Kingdom presents a double helping… Read More »Walt Disney World Sends 2011 out with a Party and a Bang

Universal Orlando Permanently Changes Dragon Challenge Roller Coaster After Injuries

Universal Orlando has permanently changed the nature of one of its most popular attractions after a pair of guest injuries on the roller coaster. Dragon Challenge, formerly Dueling Dragons, will never duel again. Instead it will become a chase with cars being dispatched so that… Read More »Universal Orlando Permanently Changes Dragon Challenge Roller Coaster After Injuries

Group Targets Disney’s Theme Parks for Potential Lead Poisoning

I’m not going to pretend to know much about California or Florida consumer safety laws, especially when it comes to safe lead levels in paint and other materials. However, the group known as the Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation claims they do know and that Disney’s… Read More »Group Targets Disney’s Theme Parks for Potential Lead Poisoning

Preview of Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree at DCA

As an Orange County native, I am one of the few who is very attached to the beloved California Adventure theme park. I remember visiting Disneyland while it was under construction during my youth and wondering what was behind the temporary walls. I remember being… Read More »Preview of Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree at DCA

Hong Kong Disneyland Expansion Video – Changes Are Clear

We’ve been watching the Hong Kong Disneyland Expansion with great interest. Three new lands mark the park’s growth into something resembling the size of a real Magic Kingdom park. Another great video update showed up on YouTube user Michael20183’s account this weekend. In it, you… Read More »Hong Kong Disneyland Expansion Video – Changes Are Clear

Walt Disney World Cast Members Share Opening Day Memories


(left to right) Charles Ridgway, Forrest Bahruth, Heather Will-Browne, Darlene Kennedy, Kevin Myers.

On October 1st, 2011 I had the immense privilege to interview four Magic Kingdom opening day cast members. Each brings their own interesting stories and passion for making the magic.

Author Charles Ridgway, former Director of Walt Disney World Public Relations and Disney Legend for four decades of service to “the Mouse” (Hometown: Chicago) – Before moving from California to head the Walt Disney World publicity staff, Charlie Ridgway worked for Walt Disney himself at Disneyland in Anaheim, where he hosted media interviews and set up photo shoots with Walt and Mickey. When the Magic Kingdom first opened, Ridgway says, there was still some tweaking and problem solving to do. The parking lot trams “didn’t have enough power to go up the hill to the Ticket and Transportation Center arrival area,” he recalls. “There was lots of construction yet to go, wires hanging, walls not finished.” And he remembers the Flag Retreat ceremony brought to the Magic Kingdom from Disneyland: each evening a flock of pigeons flew in a white cloud from Town Square to Cinderella Castle and back. “Walt liked to say at Disneyland, ‘If you have pigeons and balloons, you can’t go wrong.’ Park officials eventually ended the tradition out of concern for the birds and the environment.

Three more below the jump:

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