Walt Disney Imagineers Put Their Creativity to Work at Second Harvest Food Bank – LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Jan. 24, 2013 - When Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida opens its new distribution facility in just a few weeks, the building will feature a Disney-themed mural painted by Walt Disney Imagineers. The original design was brought to life by a group of 30 VoluntEARS from Walt Disney Imagineering who ...

Key Leadership Changes Announced at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts – BURBANK, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2013) – Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Tom Staggs today announced key leadership changes across one of the world’s leading providers of family travel and leisure experiences to better position the organization for growth.  Effective Feb. 1, Meg Crofton will fully assume her global role as president, Walt Disney ...

George A. Kalogridis – Biography – On January 9, 2013, George A. Kalogridis, a 41-year veteran of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, was named president of the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. George will oversee a workforce of more than 66,000 Cast Members at the world’s premier vacation destination. His appointment will be effective Feb. 1, 2013. ...

Disney’s Animal Programs Works with New England Aquarium to Aid Sea Turtles – LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 28, 2012— The Seas with Nemo & Friends welcomed some new swimmers recently, with the addition of eight Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles suffering from hypothermia after a recent cold snap in New England. As a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center, Walt Disney World Resort is one of several organizations working with the ...

Walt Disney World Resort Hosts Quijote Awards – LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 18, 2012— The 15th Annual Don Quijote Awards Gala, hosted by Walt Disney World at Epcot World Showplace Pavilion, welcomed more than 1,000 guests as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando and the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund of Florida (HBIF) honored individuals who demonstrate extraordinary abilities in their ...

Disney VoluntEARS Donate 35K Toys for Local Kids – LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 13, 2012 – With just 12 days until Christmas, Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney World VoluntEARS spread some holiday cheer today as they delivered more than 35,000 toys donated by Cast Members and Disney for the annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. The brand new toys, games, ...

Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund Helps Rescue Animals from Hurricane Sandy and Other Disasters – LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 5, 2012—The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF) recently provided $250,000 to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), whose animal rescue team was among the first to help save hundreds of animals after Hurricane Sandy. In addition to providing immediate supplies to help equip a disaster response trailer, the DWCF ...

Walt Disney World Resort Gives Holiday Gift to Local Groups that Help the Homeless – LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 3, 2012 – During a special performance of the Candlelight Processional at Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort shared the holiday spirit by donating $100,000 to two local organizations that provide services for people who are homeless in Central Florida. Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, United States ...

Community Leaders Sneak First Peeks of New Fantasyland – LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Nov. 14, 2012— Walt Disney World Resort offered more than 150 community leaders a glimpse at the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history today. Local executives and dignitaries toured New Fantasyland, experienced its attractions and witnessed the economic boon it has created for Central Florida. “There is no better way to ...

Central Florida Kids Get Special Sneak Peek of New Fantasyland – LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Nov. 10, 2012 – Mickey Mouse and a few of his best pals opened the gates of Magic Kingdom a little early this morning to welcome dozens of Central Florida kids to be among the first to experience New Fantasyland. During a special sneak peek organized just for them, members of ...