Mark My Words

Just weeks after her husband's policy speech on Main Street, U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom, First Lady Michelle Obama appeared at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World on Saturday. Mrs. Obama's appearance was in conjunction with the second anniversary of her "Let's Move" campaign to inspire kids and families to lead healthier and active lifestyles. Disney has tied into that campaign with the Disney Magic of Healthy Living program.

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In a session that showed off Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs' sense of humor and comfort in his new position, the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts presentation at the D23 Expo featured more details about some of the projects that we've already heard about, but no breaking news about new projects. From New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom to Fantasy Faire at Disneyland Park, from Aulani to Shanghai Disneyland, and the massive overhaul of Disney California Adventure, Staggs, Disney Imagineers ...

A new free dining offer has been released for Walt Disney World for dates through 2012 with bookings available starting today at 7 a.m. EDT. From now through October 29, guests can book free dining packages for select arrival dates from October 2, 2011, through March 31, 2012.

There will be no exclusive period for Disney Visa cardholders for this offer, as there has been in the past.

The 2011 dates run from October 2 through December 17, with breaks for Columbus Day ...

If you're the type that travels with large parties, be aware that Walt Disney World is discontinuing its Grand Gathering Events. As of January 28, 2012, the Safari Celebration, Good Morning Breakfast, and International Dinner & Illuminations Dessert Party will no longer be offered. Grand Gatherings were introduced in late 2003, and were part of the "Magical Gatherings" promotion. It now seems that the need to promote special events designed for groups traveling together has passed, and that any ...

Late yesterday, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs announced some changes at the top of the division's leadership structure on the heels of Al Weiss' retirement announcement just two weeks ago. While speculation was that a reorganization would be coming, nobody really thought that the movement would be so swift, as Weiss' retirement isn't effective until November.

This reorganization of the Parks & Resorts division follows the November 2005 shakeup where then-Parks & ...