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Disney Continues to Support Diversity through Sponsorship of NAACP Convention and Scholarship

Earlier in July month thousands of delegates from around the country attended the 104th Annual NAACP Convention in Orlando, and The Walt Disney Company continued its role as a sponsor of the convention.

Unofficial Gay Day Merchandise Sold at Magic Kingdom During Annual Event

Despite its neutral stance on the annual Gay Days, Walt Disney World is selling merchandise that unofficially celebrates the event.

The items include designs incorporating rainbows, which is a symbol of the gay-pride movement. Products include red tank tops with a rainbow-colored Mickey Mouse head, a rainbow mug, a rainbow wallet, and Mickey Mouse Vinylmations in rainbow colors. These items were displayed with other rainbow items that are found year-round in the parks including pins and antenna toppers.

Walt Disney World Contributes $15K to Re-Election Campaign

Walt Disney World and politics? Who knew the two could be mentioned in the same sentence. Recently, Walt Disney World gave $15,000 to Republican State Representative Scott Plakon.

Rep. Plakon, who is a two-term incumbant running for re-election in a central Florida legislative race, was given the campaign donation by Disney last week through his "Floridians for Prosperity & Economic Liberty" fundraising committee.

Orlando Planning New Sculptures Around Its Downtown Area

If you ask anyone what structures come to mind when you mention central Florida, Cinderella's Castle or the Epcot Ball are certainly forerunners in the answer. Orlando is looking to bring some of that notoriety within its city limits with plans to add nine large, new sculptures in its downtown area, and they are also looking for ideas from artists worldwide.

Orlando Magical Dining Month Coming This Fall

Heading to the Orlando area this September? Need some dining guidance? You're in luck! Turns out, September 2012 is the 7th annual Magical Dining Month in which hungry patrons can grab a great three-course meal for just $30 at several Orlando-area restaurants - including 3 on Disney property.

Art of Animation Resort Takes Top Spot on TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor has a new number one Orlando area hotel: Disney's Art of Animation resort. The new kid on Disney's resort block recently took over the top spot on TripAdvisor's website, ousting Floridays, a hotel on south International Drive. Floridays had been at the top of the list for nearly a year.

Report Shows 16 Guests Injured at Walt Disney World

The first quarter for 2012 injury report is in, and its results show Walt Disney World had the highest number of reported guest injuries among central Florida's theme parks with sixteen.

It's worth noting, however, that this injury report includes any kind of medical-related incident that happened within the parks.

Taxi Cab Rates Increase In Orlando

Cab fare in Orlando just got a little steeper as the City Council voted this past Monday to increase rates by 9 percent. Though this isn't directly involving the happiest place on earth, there are Disney World guests that do utilize cab services when visiting central Florida.

While the fare increase applies only to the city of Orlando, Mears Transportation owns around half of the taxi cabs servicing in and around the city. A spokesperson for that company said Mears plans to adhere to the rate increase throughout the Orlando area.

Victoria & Albert's Named Best Restaurant in Orlando

That ever-popular restaurant situated in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Victoria & Albert's, has garnered yet another honor. Zagat has named the ritzy eatery to its list of top restaurants in the nation for 2012 and also has decreed it the best restaurant in Orlando.

This latest honor joins a long list that has been bestowed upon Victoria & Albert's. The restaurant has received the AAA Five-Diamond award for the past twelve years - one of only three restaurants in Florida to nab the high rating.

International Dragon Boat Festival Taking Place Today at Downtown Disney

It's billed as one of the fastest-growing water sports around, and those heading to Downtown Disney today can see what it's all about. We're talking, of course, about dragon boat racing and the upcoming Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival that will take place today at DD.

Dragon boats take their design inspiration from ancient China. The long boats feature a dragon head and tail plus twenty rowers, a drummer and a steerperson. The goal is for everyone in the boat to work together and in unison to swiftly propel the craft through the water.

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Orlando's Winter Weather

Every year thousands of northerners head south to Florida in an effort to take a break from the cold and snow. After freezing, shoveling, and slipping on the ice, they pack their bags during December, January and February trying to recapture the sun and warmth that they are missing in the cold arctic blasts. However, old man winter can be a cranky guy and the January weather in Florida has become increasingly colder.

ESPN Club is A Sports Fan's Dream Bar

If you're looking for a fun place to catch the "big game" on TV while you're at Walt Disney World, why not head on over to the ESPN Club located at Disney's Boardwalk Resort. Though Disney has closed affiliate restaurants around the country this ESPN Club continues to be a fun and happening place for sports fans in the Orlando area.

Best Disney World Guidebooks

Here's our list of some of the best and most well-reviewed Disney World guide books on the market. Which guide books have you read and enjoyed?