Disney Animal Kingdom News
SAFARI, SO GOOD: Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park has announced it is developing a new, immersive experience that will take small groups of guests on personalized, guided treks through some of the savannah areas of the popular Kilimanjaro Safaris Expedition attraction. During these excursions, guests will be able to spend more time observing wildlife on the savannah while learning about them from a Disney guide. Guests also will trek through an undeveloped forest area of the Harambe Reserve and then board a unique vehicle designed for the rest of the journey. Reservations for this specially priced tour are scheduled to begin later this year, with more details to come as Walt Disney Imagineers continue to develop the experience.B-Roll: Disney's Animal Kingdom - General Overview
B-Roll of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Features images of:
- Front entrance
- The Tree Life
- Asia
- Expedition Everest
- Maharajah Jungle Trek
- Africa
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Finding Nemo - The Musical
- Camp Minnie-Mickey Greeting Trails
- Festival of the Lion King
- Dinoland U.S.A.
- Dino-Rama!
- TriceraTop Spin
- Primeval Whirl
- The Boneyard
- DINOSAUR
- Wildlife Express Train
Download is QuickTime, H.264, 1280 x 720. Footage is for news editorial use only.
March 9, 2010 – “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” – a first-of-its-kind program of Disney Parks – reached its goal of inspiring 1 million people in 2010 to give back to their communities through volunteer service in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.
Since the program started just 10 weeks ago, on Jan. 1, a million people already have volunteered or have committed to volunteer in their communities, according to Disney Parks and HandsOn Network, the nation’s largest volunteer network and a facilitator of “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day.”
Since the program started just 10 weeks ago, on Jan. 1, a million people already have volunteered or have committed to volunteer in their communities, according to Disney Parks and HandsOn Network, the nation’s largest volunteer network and a facilitator of “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day.”
To celebrate the good deeds of these individuals, Disney Parks offered each volunteer who completed an eligible project a free one-day admission to one theme park in Walt Disney World Resort in Florida or Disneyland Resort in California. Although registration is now closed and the program has ended, those who volunteered have until Dec. 15, 2010, to redeem their free park ticket (certain block-out dates apply).
“By any measure, the ‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ program exceeded our expectations,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “These one million volunteers touched their communities with their hearts and hands. Their commitment to service is truly worth celebrating, and there’s no better place to celebrate than at Disney Parks.”
Volunteerism has been a part of the Disney culture since the beginning. Through Disney VoluntEARS, cast members have been giving back to communities for more than a quarter century. More than 5.5 million hours of volunteer service worldwide have been donated, and Disney’s commitment to volunteerism will continue even as “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” draws to a close.
Officials at HandsOn Network credited the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program for increasing volunteer activities this year.
“The innovative nature of this program has exponentially increased our capacity to both invite and excite people about volunteerism,” said Michelle Nunn, co-founder of HandsOn Network and CEO of Points of Lights Institute. “The overwhelming participation of families – and youth especially – is a testament to a growing trend. Many of these volunteers are serving for the first time, and some will develop into service leaders who help change the face of our nation.”
Encouraging that kind of commitment was one aim of the Disney program, Staggs said.
“The goal of the ‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ program was to lay the groundwork for a new spirit of volunteerism,” he said. “The need for volunteers across the country is ongoing. We look forward to more people, especially families, carrying on the momentum and giving back to their communities through volunteerism.”
“The innovative nature of this program has exponentially increased our capacity to both invite and excite people about volunteerism,” said Michelle Nunn, co-founder of HandsOn Network and CEO of Points of Lights Institute. “The overwhelming participation of families – and youth especially – is a testament to a growing trend. Many of these volunteers are serving for the first time, and some will develop into service leaders who help change the face of our nation.”
Encouraging that kind of commitment was one aim of the Disney program, Staggs said.
“The goal of the ‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ program was to lay the groundwork for a new spirit of volunteerism,” he said. “The need for volunteers across the country is ongoing. We look forward to more people, especially families, carrying on the momentum and giving back to their communities through volunteerism.”
Neighborhoods in need were the big beneficiaries of “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” – from San Juan to San Diego, Vero Beach to Vancouver.
In Puerto Rico, 500 volunteers cleaned the beaches of Vaciatalega and La Perla located in the vicinity of Old San Juan. In Oakville, Ontario, a neighborhood center got new shelving and a spruced-up mural.
In Boston, volunteers served meals to people in need, knitted and crocheted scarves and mittens for children afflicted with life-threatening illnesses and helped as caregivers at an animal adoption center. In California, San Francisco Bay-area volunteers helped with basic English lessons, painted park benches and planted flowers.
In Jacksonville, Fla., volunteers painted murals and spruced up rooms at a home for women and children, while in Pittsburgh they took on construction tasks – tiling, sanding, staining and painting – to help create affordable housing.
Although the program has ended and a free Disney theme park ticket will no longer be provided, those still interested in volunteering may search for opportunities through HandsOn Network at HandsOnNetwork.org (or in Canada, at govolunteer.ca).
In Jacksonville, Fla., volunteers painted murals and spruced up rooms at a home for women and children, while in Pittsburgh they took on construction tasks – tiling, sanding, staining and painting – to help create affordable housing.
Although the program has ended and a free Disney theme park ticket will no longer be provided, those still interested in volunteering may search for opportunities through HandsOn Network at HandsOnNetwork.org (or in Canada, at govolunteer.ca).
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NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
Walt Disney World Public Relations – 407/566-6397
Media-only news site: www.wdwnews.com
Disneyland Resort Public Relations – 714/781-4500
Media-only news site: www.disneylandnews.com
HandsOn Network (Points of Light Institute) – Meredith McPherson (mmcpherson@pointsoflight.org)
Volunteer Canada – Wendy Mitchell, 613-266-6427
Volunteer Canada – Wendy Mitchell, 613-266-6427
GDDWRAP/3-9-10 FINAL
Disney's Animal Kingdom's Flights of Wonder continues to amaze guests of all ages. Especially when it comes to one particular star, Groucho, the singing parrot.
Several years ago, he was named the World's Best Singing Parrot on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Today he is still one in a million, able to sing seven full songs which include: 'How Much is that Doggy in the Window?', 'Camptown Races', 'Yankee Doodle Dandy', 'Alouetta' and 'Jingle Bells'.
Hatched in 1986 in Kalamazoo, Michigan and raised by Theresa Barylock, Groucho's ability to articulate will simply amaze you. The animal care staff would like for us to warn you that owning a parrot does not guarantee that you will end up with a singing sensation like Groucho. For the most part, parrots chew, bite and squawk loudly. So, instead of trying to train one, your best bet is to visit or become a fan of Groucho.
Between his many words and phrases such as 'Look ma! No hands!' you will have plenty to tell your friends about your encounter with this extraordinary bird on your visit to Walt Disney World.
Several new mothers are celebrating Mother's Day at Walt Disney World a bit differently than the typical vacationing guest. For starters, they aren’t on vacation. They live at Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. And they won’t be having Sunday dinner in any of the popular Disney restaurants. But despite the things these mothers do differently – because they are an elephant, a monkey and a vulture – one thing is the same: the strong mother/baby bond as the new babies learn about their environment. Animal Operations Director, Matt Hohne, introduces the babies including Tsavo the African elephant, Zahra the Colobus monkey and two Ruppell's Griffon Vulture chicks.
Several new mothers are celebrating Mother's Day at Walt Disney World a bit differently than the typical vacationing guest. For starters, they aren’t on vacation. They live at Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. And they won’t be having Sunday dinner in any of the popular Disney restaurants. But despite the things these mothers do differently – because they are an elephant, a monkey and a vulture – one thing is the same: the strong mother/baby bond as the new babies learn about their environment. Animal Operations Director, Matt Hohne, introduces the babies including Tsavo the African elephant, Zahra the Colobus monkey and two Ruppell's Griffon Vulture chicks.
Actor/Comedian Brad Garrett ('Everybody Loves Raymond,' ''Til Death') meets puppeteers from 'Finding Nemo-The Musical' at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Garrett voiced Bloat the blowfish in Disney-Pixar’s 2003 animated film 'Finding Nemo.' Garrett vacationed at Walt Disney World in Orlando with his children during their spring break.
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