In 1997, before it was even open to the public, Disney’s Animal Kingdom welcomed its first gorilla birth. In 1999, they welcomed their second. This week, Animal Kingdom was proud to announce the birth of their third and newest member – a critically endangered western lowland gorilla.

Even more exciting? You can now see the newborn at the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.

Reports say that the newborn gorilla is doing wonderfully and has already been accepted into the gorilla family group which includes mother, Kashata, father Gino and two other female gorillas. Kashata, a first time mother is reported to be holding the infant so close to her to body that caregivers at Animal Kingdom have not yet been able to determine the baby’s gender.

Welcome!!

(Photo courtesy of Gene Duncan)

Today, Disney announced that one of its most beloved shows, the Main Street Electrical Parade, will be returning to the Magic Kingdom this summer.  The classic attraction, which will debut in early June 2010,  will feature new LED lights and audio technology and is expected to be better than ever.

The parade will be lead by Tinker Bell waving from the basket of a magical balloon aboard a newly designed float.  The return of the Main Street Electrical Parade's is just part of the exciting new lineup Disney has in store as part of its Summer Nightastic!  Additionally, guests can also expect new lighting effects and a new addition to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, as well as a special summer fireworks spectacular at the Magic Kingdom.

 

The post-Super Bowl celebratory cry of “I’M GOING TO DISNEYLAND!” is almost as recognizable as “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” or “Houston, we have a problem.”

But have you ever wondered where the phrase originated? Or who the first person to make the now- famous exclamation was? I mean, why not, “I’M GOING TO UNIVERSAL!” or “I’M GOING TO RED LOBSTER!”

I must admit, this “Disney Secret” had me guessing as well, so I did a bit of research.

Apparently, as the story goes, in the winter of 1986 pilots Dick Routan and Jeana Yaaeger were having dinner with then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner after having just set a new world record for round-the-world-aviation. During the course of the conversation, Eisner asked them their plans, to which they laughingly replied, “Well, we’re going to Disneyland.” Eisner laughed, but his wife immediately smelled a catchphrase. So, with Super Bowl XXI only a few weeks away, an on-field crew was assigned to Giants quarterback Phil Simms, who delivered the line with such accuracy and enthusiasm that Disney has used it, with the exception of 2005, every year since.

Hoping to capitalize on an economic stimulus funding for high-speed rail in Florida, Walt Disney World has pledged to devote 50 acres of its resort property to a train station. This is a departure from its earlier reaction to a previous plan to bring high-speed rail to Orlando. The former plan included a stop at the Orange County Convention Center (an area very close to Disney World's major competitor, Universal Studios) which may explain Disney's reluctance to support the plan. There is speculation though that Disney's recent purchase of Marvel Entertainment (whose prior contracts with Universal Studios will now benefit Disney financially) has softened its concern about the train stop.

The Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail system would reduce traffic along sections of I-4, shorten travel times between Central Florida's major metropolitan areas, and provide an environmentally friendly alternative to driving. Additionally, tourists wishing to combine travel to Disney World and Florida's Gulf Coast beaches would be able to do so without renting a car.