First Lady Visits Walt Disney World, Tells Children ‘Let’s Move!’

“I want to thank Disney for all that they’ve done to support ‘Let’s Move!’ and to make sure our kids are eating right and being active,” said First Lady Michelle Obama, as she addressed nearly 1,500 children and parents at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex about the benefits of healthy eating and staying active. Obama visited Walt Disney World Resort to celebrate the second anniversary of “Let’s Move!” her initiative to help fight childhood obesity. The event also recognized Disney Magic of Healthy Living, a program designed to partner with parents in their quest to raise healthy, happy children. Read more.

Meyer Werft Delivers Disney Fantasy in Maritime Ceremony

By raising its Disney Cruise Line flag and lowering the Meyer Werft one, Disney Cruise Line took possession of its newest ship – Disney Fantasy – during a traditional maritime ceremony. This final milestone closes the book on the ship’s construction and signals her readiness to welcome Guests during a maiden voyage from Port Canaveral on March 31. Read more.

Musicians Ratify Labor Agreement with Walt Disney World

Members of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), Local 389, have voted to approve a new labor agreement with Walt Disney World Resort that extends through June 2018. The new agreement includes guaranteed pay raises for Cast Members each of the next six years and bonus pay of up to $750. “The positive working relationship between Walt Disney World and Local 389 is the centerpiece of our success,” said Mike Avila, president of AFM, Local 389. “We’re pleased we could come together on an agreement that meets the needs of both Disney and our musicians.” Read more.

Disney Spreads Cheer with Local Hospital Visits

Twice a month, children at two Central Florida hospitals meet some pretty interesting characters – from North American porcupines and barred owls to rabbits and hedgehogs. After each child has time to see and learn about the animal, the children are treated to a different kind of meet and greet. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Pluto and Donald Duck appear and then visit the rooms of young patients at the Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children and Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. “It’s really incredible,” said Gabriel Burns, a Cast Member who often accompanies the characters. “Pluto, Chip ‘n Dale and other Disney characters have the unique ability to help the kids forget what’s ailing them.” Read more.

Disney Cast Members Stitch Gifts of Love

Their handiwork creates warmth for people across Central Florida. BlanketEARs are VoluntEARS at Walt Disney World Resort who spend their free time knitting and crocheting blankets, baby caps, afghans and pet mats for various local charitable organizations. This past holiday season, the BlanketEARs delivered more than 150 caps and blankets to hospitals in the Orlando area. Alexsandra Rosello, a coordinator at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute, said, “The thought of someone personally creating items makes patients feel cared for and blessed.” Read more.

Guests Begin Casting Spells at Magic Kingdom

Once again, cutting-edge technology has found a home right here in Central Florida. Guests are already testing Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, an innovative, role-playing experience at Walt Disney World Resort, which will officially open later this month. Created by Walt Disney Imagineers, the trading card game gives Guests unprecedented interaction with animated Disney characters and leads them off the beaten path within Magic Kingdom. The new experience uses sophisticated visual recognition technology that is virtually indistinguishable from magic, and is played with collectible “spell casting” cards featuring richly drawn, original Disney character art.

Epcot Cast Share Chinese New Year Customs

For Cast Members at the China Pavilion at Epcot, the 15-day celebration of Chinese New Year, which ended Feb. 9, presented a unique opportunity to share their culture with Guests from Central Florida and around the world. “Guests ask us all the time about celebrating Chinese New Year,” said Sky Ng, a Cast Member from Macau. “I tell them it’s similar to Christmas in the United States. We celebrate the season for weeks, and during this time, our families come together.”

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MouseMail is a periodic news brief for Central Florida business, community
and government leaders, produced by Walt Disney World Co.