Disney’s Efforts to Save Rare Toads from Extinction on World Frog Day
Surviving in the wild isn’t always a smooth journey, as exemplified by the struggles faced by the Puerto Rican Crested Toad. Since the 1920s, this unique species has grappled with population decline attributed to invasive marine toads, environmental pollution, habitat loss, and ongoing development on the island.
Regarded as an “indicator” species, Puerto Rican Crested Toads play a crucial role in signaling the health of endangered ecosystems. They also offer medical benefits to humans through substances that combat microbes and viruses, underscoring their significance in ecological balance and potential medical discoveries.
This critically endangered toad species became the first amphibian placed on a Species Survival Plan (SSP) by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in 1984. Animal experts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, alongside other AZA-accredited facilities, collaborate to operate a successful specialized breeding program aimed at conserving endangered and threatened species.
Since 2011, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been actively involved in breeding Puerto Rican Crested Toads and facilitating the transportation of thousands of tiny tadpoles back to the island. Breeding efforts are typically concentrated in May, coinciding with the onset of the rainy season when toads can lay up to 15,000 eggs.
The management of this program has transitioned to the Puerto Rican Crested Toad Conservancy, working in tandem with experts nationwide, including dedicated keepers like Tayler at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Tayler highlights the exceptional care provided to invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians by the ectotherm team, emphasizing the rewarding experience of witnessing tadpoles reintroduced into the wild in Puerto Rico.
This introduction initiative is just one facet of Disney’s commitment to conservation, aiming to safeguard vulnerable species and inspire future generations to embrace conservation practices. By showcasing the resilience and unique characteristics of the Puerto Rican Crested Toad, Disney and its animal programs instill hope for a sustainable future.
In closing, while all toads are classified as frogs, the Puerto Rican Crested Toad stands out for its distinctive head crest, habitat preferences in dry forests, and notable size differences between genders. This remarkable species serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate beauty and importance of biodiversity in our ecosystems.
To learn more about Puerto Rican crested toads be sure to hop on over to Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or visit www.disney.com/conservation.
Video: Disney Shares First Look at its Innovative AI-Powered Star Wars BD Robots
During Nvidia’s GTC Artificial Intelligence event in San Jose, Disney’s AI-driven Star Wars robots stole the spotlight as featured guests during Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote speech.
Crafted by Disney Research and Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development, WDI’s mobile robotic figures are fueled by Nvidia Jetson robotics computers, boasting impressive stability and incredibly emotive movements.
Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s CEO, disclosed that Disney’s Star Wars AI robots mastered walking in NVIDIA Isaac Sim, a robotics simulation platform empowering designers to create, evaluate, and educate AI-equipped robots.
Although the timeline for Disney’s integration of its latest robot technology into theme parks remains uncertain, Disneyland visitors were treated to a trial run in October 2023 at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.
This technology fulfills the potential and promise guests expected from the immersive land when Disney revealed a Star Wars-themed area of theme parks. Free-roaming droids will certainly add to the authenticity of the experience and bring guests one step closer to living their Star Wars fantasy at Disney Parks.
Celebrating Springs at Disney Parks around the Globe
Spring at Disney is in full bloom across the Disney Parks all over the world! From exciting festivals and parades to special character meetings and new delicious, sweet treats, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy during Springtime at Disney!
Let’s take a trip around the world to discover some of the incredible new offerings at Disney Parks! First up…Shanghai! You can sing along and dance with your favorite Disney Characters at the Disney Color-Fest: A Street Party! Join many of the characters you know and love, including a new appearance by Mushu, Stitch, and CookieAnn in their new Color Fest-themed outfits, beginning on March 6th! Sounds like a lively and colorful celebration!
Also at Shanghai Disney Resort, you’ll find characters wearing never-before seen spring outfits. Mickey and Friends have gone into skater mode this season with sporty hoodies, checkered patterns and cool accessories. While Duffy and Friends are appearing in cottage-style outfits with cute woodland-inspired accessories like leather tulips and wooden buttons. It’s always fun to see the characters in new and unique outfits for the season!
Next up on our trip around the world…Hong Kong and Tokyo! This spring, Duffy and Friends fun is blooming over at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort! Now through June 30, you can join in the fun at “Duffy and Friends Play Days, a delightful celebration of friendship and sharing! From the sweet spring outfits of Duffy and Friends to the new show “The Joy of Sharing” and the “Sharing is Sweet” surprise moment with CookieAnn, it’s sure to be a magical experience for visitors. And of course, trying out the tasty new treats and goodies adds to the fun.
Did you know you can spot some early blooming Cherry Blossoms at Tokyo Disney Resort? What better way to celebrate the spring season in Japan than heading over to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea for a peek at the beautiful flowers. Also in Tokyo, the “Duffy & Friends Come Find Spring” event is happening, with new delectable menu items, and new merchandise including earphone cases, rings, and an adorable headband featuring springtime colors.
Jetting over to Paris, a gorgeous floral Minnie is on display at Disneyland Paris right outside Disneyland Hotel before entering Disneyland Park. More than 6,600 flowers and succulents make up this beautiful Minnie Mouse display. Ooh la la! Also in Paris, you can find larger-than-life chocolate eggs on display at various restaurants, including PYM Kitchen in Avengers Campus. Crack open the eggs at Plaza Gardens Restaurant, the resort’s hotels, and Disney Village to find chocolate surprises inside! How egg-citing!
Let’s jump across the pond to Disneyworld Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort California! For Springtime in Walt Disneyworld, Mickey Mouse’s floral smile is waiting to greet you in front of the Magic Kingdom Park. Taking in his colorful features before walking into the Park will be sure to add magic to your day!
At Epcot, the Flower & Garden Festival is in full bloom to enjoy with so many beautiful topiaries to see, new amazing food and drink offerings to try, and amazing merchandise throughout the park. Walt Disneyworld is also featuring spring themed photo pass opportunities for a limited time during Easter weekend! Capture your springtime moment March 28-31 throughout the park. Also, don’t forget to check out the incredible Easter Egg displays located throughout Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
And finally, lets take a look at some of the exciting Spring offerings Disneyland California has to offer! Floral Minnie’s display at the Disneyland Railroad – Main Street, U.S.A station for Women’s History Month sounds absolutely stunning! The combination of Argyranthemum and Alyssum creating her bow and face adds a colorful and symbolic touch to welcome guests into the park. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate Women’s History Month.
The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, going on now through April 22nd, sounds like a delightful way to celebrate spring! The limited-time food and beverages, entertainment options like “Confection Purrfection with the SuperKitties” and “Cookin’ with the Jammin’ Chefs,” and family-friendly fun make it a fantastic event for visitors of all ages. The Sip and Savor Pass options also provide a great way to sample multiple festival menu items.
You can also celebrate spring with the return of Eggstravaganza – a special “egg” search taking place throughout the Disneyland Resort through April 9! Here, guests can search for characters painted on eggs throughout Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park, and Downtown Disney District.
Beginning March 28 through May 12, guests can enjoy a bountiful springtime breakfast, brunch, or dinner buffet with Goofy at Goofy’s Kitchen in Disneyland Hotel. Chef Goofy and his pals will be dressed in new springtime outfits, and the restaurant will be decorated to celebrate the season, offering a limited-time special experience. Be on the lookout for Clarabelle, as she is set to make her first appearance at a Disneyland restaurant!
There are so many incredible ways to enjoy this beautiful time of year at Disney! How will you be spending the Spring Season at Disney?
Get ready for an unforgettable weekend at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! The park’s Food & Wine Festival is in full swing, and this weekend, March 23rd-24th, promises an exciting lineup of musical performances, delicious food, and inspired drinks. All the concerts are included with park admission, making it the perfect weekend outing for music and food lovers alike.
On Friday, March 23rd, prepare to rock with Taking Back Sunday, known for their passionate vocals and anthems like “Make Damn Sure.” The energy continues on Saturday, March 24th, as the iconic American country band Sawyer Brown takes the stage. With hits like “Some Girls Do” and “Step That Step,” you’re sure to have a toe-tapping good time.
For those looking to make the most of their visit, being a Pass Holder offers unlimited visits with unbeatable benefits, including exclusive events, savings on food and merchandise, free parking, and free tickets for friends and family. For a limited time, guests can save up to 30% on Passes and Fun Cards, perfect for enjoying spring break and the rest of 2024. Additionally, from March 21st to April 14th, guests can experience two days at their choice of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Adventure Island Tampa Bay, Sea World Florida, or Aquatica Orlando for only $99.00.
Another great option is the 2024 Fun Card, which offers unlimited visits through the end of 2024. For a limited time, guests can purchase a Fun Card for as low as $139.99 and enjoy unlimited park admission to both Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, Tampa Bay’s premier water park.
The Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival takes place Saturdays and Sundays through May 19th at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Florida. It’s the ultimate family adventure, offering thrilling rides, an accredited zoo, and exciting seasonal events all year round. Don’t miss this weekend’s lineup featuring Sawyer Brown and more at the Food & Wine Festival. It’s sure to be a weekend filled with fun, food, and fantastic music!
For showtimes and to purchase reserved seating, VIP packages, and sampler lanyards, visit BuschGardensTampa.com.
Hiya Pals! We’ve got some fantastic news to share with you from Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The lovable duo from Disney/Pixar’s Up, Dug and Russell, are back and ready to meet all of you at the Wilderness Explorers Clubhouse in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and the Chip and Co. we were able to recently meet up with our favorite Wilderness Explorers.
The meet and greets with Dug and Russell were paused recently, but now they’re back in action, and we couldn’t be happier. When you visit the Wilderness Explorers Clubhouse, you’ll get a chance to meet Dug and Russell separately. We met Dug first, who was as adorable and friendly as ever, and then we went back to meet Russell once they swapped places. It was so much fun getting to see both of them!
Kevin even made an appearance as she was making her way around the park, and she was SO happy to run into her good buddy Russell (who, sadly, did not have any chocolate on hand).
Meeting Dug, Russell, and Kevin is a great way to add some extra magic to your day at Animal Kingdom. Whether you’re a big fan of Up or just love meeting Disney characters, this is an experience you won’t want to miss. So grab your Wilderness Explorer badges and head on over to the Wilderness Explorers Clubhouse for a memorable meet and greet with these iconic characters!
Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!
The Chip and Co team recently set out on a scrumptious adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to taste the newest addition to the park’s snack lineup – the Matcha Expedition Everest Cupcake. Released earlier this month and found at Pizzafari, this cupcake is a sweet tribute to the legendary forbidden mountain. Is it worth stopping to try? We have our review ready for you!
Priced at $6.29, this unique cupcake is made with a matcha cake base, filled with milk chocolate mousse, and topped with chocolate buttercream. The decoration is completed with crispy pearls and a white chocolate image of the famous Yeti, making it a true work of art.
We found that the matcha flavor in the cake is very subtle, almost giving it a taste more like a vanilla cupcake than a matcha one. The chocolate buttercream on top is light and not too overwhelming, making it a perfect balance of flavors. Overall, we think this cupcake is a tasty treat that’s fun to look at and even more fun to eat!
Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!
First Trailer Released for ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ Coming to Disney+
Yesterday, Disney+ debuted the first trailer for Lucasfilm’s new, original series “Star Wars: The Acolyte.” The thrilling, live-action series launches on Tuesday, June 4th, with the first two episodes, exclusively on Disney+.
In “Star Wars: The Acolyte,” an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems….
The series stars Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, and Carrie-Anne Moss.
Leslye Headland created the series, based on Star Wars by George Lucas, and serves as an executive producer along with Kathleen Kennedy, Simon Emanuel, Jeff F. King and Jason Micallef. Charmaine DeGraté and Kor Adana are the co-executive producers. Rayne Roberts, Damian Anderson, Eileen Shim and Rob Bredow are the producers.
Headland also directed the premiere episodes (Eps. 101 & 102). Directors Kogonada (Eps. 103 & 107), Alex Garcia Lopez (Eps. 104 & 105) and Hanelle Culpepper (Eps. 106 & 108) round out the directing duties on the series.
Sports Business Journal names Orlando the Best Sports Business City for Attracting Events during a press conference at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. Vice President of ESPN Wide World of Sports Adam Ball welcomed guests to AdventHealth Arena for the announcement. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Greater Orlando Sports Commission President and CEO Jason Siegel accepted the award on behalf of the city. (Olga Thompson, photographer)
(Olga Thompson, photographer)
Orlando Earns Title of Best Sports Business City for Event Attraction
The Sports Business Journal (SBJ) has released its highly anticipated 2024 Best Sports Business Cities (BSBC) rankings, offering an in-depth analysis of U.S. cities that have excelled in attracting and hosting a diverse range of sporting events. This year’s rankings reflect the thriving sports travel and tourism sector, marked by significant investments, increased bids for sporting events, and a surge in municipal funding dedicated to event attraction.
The announcement took place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, one of over 35 sports venues located in the expansive Orlando area. The 2024 BSBC list underscores cities’ prowess in event hosting, and after meticulous research, Orlando has emerged as SBJ’s top choice for Best Sports Business City for Attracting Events. The rankings showcase Orlando’s remarkable achievements and its unique landscape, highlighting the city’s pivotal role in the dynamic sports business industry’s growth.
“Orlando’s elevation to the top spot in this year’s rankings is a testament to the vibrant collaboration between world-class venues, dedicated sports commissions, and the enthusiastic community that makes Orlando a standout destination for sports business,” said Abe Madkour, publisher and executive editor at SBJ. “Congratulations to Orlando and all the cities on the list who are making such a positive business impact in their local markets and nationwide.”
These rankings are the result of an extensive database, including 1,500 events that took place or were awarded from January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2023, while considering cities with their own convention space, sports venues, and dedicated sports commission/CVB staff as stand-alone markets.
Orlando’s ascent to the top position is due to the concerted and strategic effort to create a premier destination for sports events. The Greater Orlando Sports Commission has played a pivotal role, working to attract and host myriad events, from NCAA competition in various sports to major league championships and industry conferences.
(Olga Thompson, photographer)
“Thanks to the power of partnerships, we’ve worked to make Orlando the nation’s premier sports event destination. We recognize that sports have the power to bring residents together, provide memorable experiences, showcase our city’s hospitality and vibrancy and drive economic growth by helping welcome more visitors to our region,” said City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “This recognition from the Sports Business Journal highlights the important role that sports plays in our community and is something that all of Orlando can be proud of.”
“I am thrilled and honored that Orlando has been recognized as the #1 Best Sports Business City for Attracting and Hosting Events in the nation. This is a testament to our world-class venues, our diverse and talented workforce, and our vibrant and resilient community,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings. “Orlando is not only the ultimate destination for visitors, but also a premier location for sports events, teams, and businesses. We will continue to invest in our infrastructure, our people, and our partnerships to ensure that Orlando and Orange County remain the leaders in sports business for years to come.”
(Olga Thompson, photographer)
“On behalf of the Chairman of our Board, Sharon Line Clary, the 119 board members at the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, and our partners at the City of Orlando and Lake, Seminole, Orange and Osceola Counties, thank you to Abe and the leadership team at Sports Business Journal for recognizing our inclusive and collaborate sports tourism community,” said Jason Siegel, President and CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “Being at the forefront of event hosting is not just an honor for us; it’s a reflection of our dedication to providing athletes, fans, and stakeholders with exceptional experiences and world-class hospitality.”
Rounding out the top five cities are Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Indianapolis. Each of these markets has a dynamic mix of events that serve sports industry.
The full list and the methodology behind their rankings can be found in the March 18, 2024, edition of Sports Business Journal.
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event Will Be More Expansive and More Immersive Than Ever
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event (AKA D23 Expo) is returning this fall! From August 9–11, 2024, Disney fans can celebrate all things Disney during a one-of-a-kind experience.
In a special Q&A session, Michael Vargo, Head of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, explains why this year’s celebration is set to be bigger and more immersive than ever, providing fans with unprecedented access to their favorite aspects of Disney, all at an incredible value.
What inspired you to reimagine D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event?
“It’s interesting, because this event has morphed over the years. The last one we did, in 2022, was the kickoff to the 100-year celebration. How do we top that? How do we go bigger? We really listened to the fans, so we’re going to give them more of what they want.”
This year’s event will be so big, in fact, that it’s taking place at both the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center! What’s the benefit of having two locations?
“We wanted to allow more fans to experience their favorite things about the event, so we needed to expand some of the presentation venues. For example, Hall D23, which was at the Anaheim Convention Center, was the marquee stage for all of our tentpole programing throughout the weekend—but not everyone got to experience that.
So, we needed to take it to a different location so more fans can now experience it. We needed to make it more epic and more spectacular than what it was before and move it over to the Honda Center, which allows more fans to experience it, to maximize their time at the Anaheim Convention Center, and to also take advantage of all the other fun stuff we have throughout the week.”
Approximately how many different business segments are participating this year?
“All the fan-favorites will be returning. On the show floor, specifically, there will be everything from Pixar Animation Studios to Disney+. Lucasfilm will have a very cool experience this year. We’re actually bringing out the technology behind StageCraft for fans to experience. The Disney Experiences pavilion is going to be pretty epic, too, with a look behind the magic behind Walt Disney Imagineering. Lightstorm Entertainment is also coming this year—for the first time—on the show floor. There are more to be announced. We’re having representation from so many different business segments across the company.”
What are the advantages of offering fans a range of ticketing options?
“It’s really to offer maximum flexibility so that everyone has the opportunity to experience whatever they want. We’ve put together a ticket package is very value-driven; it’s the same price as what they paid in 2022, but it gives them access to the Anaheim Convention Center and also seats at the Honda Center to experience Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night. Those are all single-day tickets, but for the same price, they have the opportunity to experience both locations.
The ticket packages are really great. If you don’t want to go to the Honda Center—if you don’t feel like Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night are part of your agenda for the weekend—you can certainly just purchase a ticket for the Anaheim Convention Center, which is a lot less than what it was in previous years. It’s a great value.”
What can you tease about D23 Day at Disneyland Resort?
“It’s the first time we’ve ever done something at Disneyland Resort, which is exciting. From rope drop to late-night, it’s really going to be a takeover of both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure theme parks. We’re going to have a custom cavalcade, and there’s going to be an energetic dance party, as well as a lot of photo opportunities at both parks. On Thursday, Disney Junior is going to host a lively, fun-filled celebration for preschoolers and families at Disney California Adventure park, which will continue through Sunday.
D23 will also be “taking over” the Downtown Disney District for an entire week. From August 4 through August 11, fans can experience all kinds of cool stuff at Downtown Disney with D23, like special offerings, benefits, and discounts from some of the retailers and merchants. There will be photo ops and a D23 overlay to the Downtown Disney District.”
How did D23 Day at Angel Stadium come about, and what will it entail?
“It was like, “We’re already here in Anaheim, we’re in multiple venues… why not add one more? Angel Stadium is right there.” So, we went to Anaheim and met with the team, and they could not be more excited to partner with us to have a D23 Day at the stadium. It’s going to be a fun game, with lots of trivia and different things happening throughout the game that we haven’t yet announced. We did share that the first 23,000 fans through the gates will receive a Mickey Mouse bobblehead. It’s a pretty cool D23 commemorative gift.”
What’s the reason for spreading out the three marquee showcases over three nights?
“Historically, the marquee shows that we hosted in Hall D23 were in high demand. The fans really love everything about them, so we asked ourselves: How can we make them bigger and better? We decided everything should have its own night at the Honda Center. Friday night is going to be all about Disney Entertainment. There will be a lot of celebrities, a lot of surprises, and some conversations with filmmakers—all kinds of great stuff. Saturday night is all going to be about Disney Experiences. Fans will get to hear a lot about the theme parks, cruise ships, and resorts around the world—and gaming will also be a big part of it. Josh D’Amaro [Chairman of Disney Experiences] always gives a great look into everything that’s in the works for Disney Experiences, and this year will be no different. On Sunday, we’re excited honor 14 new Disney Legends in a fun, reimagined awards ceremony.”
How exactly are you evolving the Disney Legends awards ceremony?
“This is such a high honor for the recipients, so we really want to celebrate them in a big way—put it on a big stage, bring out some great entertainment, and create a more robust show. We’re really elevating the whole experience, just like we’re doing with everything throughout the whole week and the whole weekend. It will be an Oscar® caliber experience at the Honda Center; that’s the awards presentation that these folks deserve. We’re upping our production value—and in doing so, making this more of an entertainment spectacular.”
What new and returning presentations are you most excited to share with fans?
“The show floor is always awesome. Just to experience everything from all the different partners around the company is pretty epic. I love navigating around the show floor and seeing what’s new and what’s creative. We’re not really announcing a lot of the programing yet, with the exception of a few things that will be coming to the Archives stage—including a look back at the 1964 World’s Fair, because this year is the anniversary of that. The Archives will have some really cool stuff to share, given Disney’s history at the World’s Fair.
We’re also bringing back another fan-favorite: the Mousequerade costume contest! Fans pour their hearts and souls into the costumes that they design and develop, and it’s a great venue for them to showcase their creativity. Mousequerade is going to be on a bigger stage and it’s ever been before. We’re putting it on the Premiere Stage, which is at the arena where Walt’s plane was located in 2022, if you remember; that arena has over 3,000 seats!
And, in the months ahead, we’ll be announcing a whole slate of other things.”
Talk about the expanded shopping experience.
“It goes back to the idea of making everything bigger and better. For the first time, we’re actually using the entire show floor at Anaheim Convention Center in the main building; Halls A–D will be show floor pavilions, which meant we ran out of room for shopping. So, we actually had to move the shopping experience over to the North Hall, right across the sidewalk from the main building. It’s going to be called World of Disney: The Product Experience. It’s the shopping destination.
The D23 Marketplace will be there, along with Disney Publishing, Disney Store, and many other Disney brands and partners, as well as the new The Walt Disney Company Store. We’re also bringing back the virtual queue for shopping, which is always popular with fans who want to maximize their time at the event.”
Are you looking forward to attending the D23 Expo this year? If you’d like help planning your trip, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are FREE!
2025 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Nostalgic Themes have been Announced
The themes for the 2024 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend have been released! The runDisney event will be a nostalgic celebration with Mickey Mouse & Friends.
Lace up those sneakers and prepare to tug on the threads of vintage athletics with a nostalgic Disney twist during the runDisney 2025 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, taking place January 8-12, 2025. Join Mickey Mouse and his pals as we continue the decades-long tradition of discovering magic in every mile. With thoughtful touches reminiscent of a classic Disney era, you’ll find yourself inspired by Character favorites just as whimsical as when you first met them, musical entertainment and more.
This year’s race weekend will be a little extra ‘goofy’ as we celebrating the 20th anniversary of Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge.
Get ready to get your adrenaline pumping and experience excitement and delight with an old-school flair on your way to that euphoric moment of crossing the finish line. Take a look at the individual event themes coming to the 2025 race weekend:
Walt Disney World 5K | Pluto
Walt Disney World 10K | Chip ‘N Dale
Walt Disney World Half Marathon | Donald Duck & Daisy Duck
Walt Disney World Marathon | Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse
20th Anniversary Goofy’s Race & a Half Challenge | Goofy
Dopey Challenge | Dopey
Wanting to join for the 2025 event? EARmark your calendar for the following registration dates and times:
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort
Club runDisney Gold & Platinum Member Registration | April 2, 2024
General Registration | April 9, 2024
2025 dates are already open for booking your Disney World trip! Contact me today to get it on the books. I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are FREE!
“Can this be true? Tell me, can this be real?! How can I put into words what I feel?!!” If you’re anything like me, a HUGE NSYNC loving girl since the very first song the band came out with, I Want You Back, the amazing reunion of NSYNC on stage this past Thursday in Los Angeles was nothing short of a dream come true!
Justin Timberlake’s free show at The Wiltern, which was part of a series of shows he did across the country ahead of his album release, featured quite a nostalgic surprise for us longtime fans! During the performance, Timberlake reunited with his former *NSYNC bandmates Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, JC Chasez, and Chris Kirkpatrick on stage. Together, they performed several songs, including their iconic hits “Bye Bye Bye” and “It’s Gonna Be Me,” leaving the audience in pure excitement. This memorable reunion was everything we wanted, and more of what we hope for in the future!
Justin posted on Instagram shortly after saying-“That was fun. Let’s do it again soon. 😁.” YES, please, Justin! Do you think NSYNC will announce a reunion tour? I sure hope so!! NSYNC was the first concert I ever went to…and I’d certainly love to see them again in concert and relive those glorious days of my favorite boy band of all time! Justin Timberlake’s new album “Everything I Thought It Was,” is out now, and it’s fantastic! For more info on the album, click here!
Imagine visiting your favorite Disney Park with your friends and wearing these fun sweatshirts so each one of you can represent their favorite land! You can choose between Fantasyland, Frontierland, Adventureland or Tomorrowland with embroidered details that makes them look nostalgic and magical. So cute!
