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Plans For Disney Hotel Near Washington, D.C., Canceled

Plans for a Disney hotel in our nation's capital have been scrapped. Disney recently announced they will not be pursuing the building of a hotel in Washington, D.C., though they spent some $11 million to acquire land for the project just three years ago.

Back in 2009, Disney bought fifteen acres of property on the outskirts of the District of Columbia in hopes of constructing a standalone, Disney-themed hotel. The move was part of a larger strategy to build such hotels and even mini theme parks at various locations throughout the country.

Free WiFi Comes to Select Disney Resorts

Recent news out of Walt Disney World has it that certain resorts are giving free WiFi a trial.

At this time, it looks like the free WiFi service isn't available at all resorts. Here is a list of those that are giving the new free service a trial run:

  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Disney's Beach Club Resort
  • Disney's BoardWalk Resort
  • Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
  • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney's Old Key West Resort

Construction on Four Seasons to Begin in December

Earlier this summer, we brought you a snippet about the Four Seasons hotel opening being delayed until 2014. Now, news out of Orlando is that the upscale hotel company has the funds in place and expects to begin construction this December.

The amount of financing Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts now has to start the long-planned project is said to be $360 million.

Disney Hotel Exec Joins Clean the World Board

Recently, a Disney hotel executive was named to an organization that helps provide hygiene products to communities in need. Vice president of lodging for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Mark Zucker was recently selected to join the board of directors for the Clean the World Foundation.

Clean the World, which is based in Orlando, aims to provide recycled soap and shampoo to poverty-stricken areas across the nation to help combat illness stemming from lack of hygiene products.

More Executive Changes for Disney Parks

There have been more recent changes going on in the executive management world of the Disney Parks. Recently, we told you about the retirement of Disney exec Al Weiss. In the wake of his departure, two other Disney executives have been promoted.

Free Night For Packers and Steelers Fans

The Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts are offering up a deal that is sure to make both Packers and Steelers fans happy: a free night. You read that right. Residents of both Wisconsin and Pennsylvania who book two nights at the regular rate are eligible for an extra night on the house. For the Super Bowl champs, a bit of extra icing on this deal cake: Packers fans qualify for a free room upgrade.

Walt Disney World’s “Art of Animation” Resort Set to Open in Summer 2012

It's hard to think of Disney and not think "animation." You may think of some of your favorite movies, Finding Nemo or the Lion King, for example. Some of Disney-Pixar's famous movies are currently being incorporated into the "Art of Animation" Resort, which is slated to open during the Summer of 2012. The Lion King, the Little Mermaid and Cars will also make an appearance. Imagine the chance to experience elements of some of your favorite Disney films first-hand!

Mickey Mouse Penthouse at Disneyland Hotel

If you're planning on visiting Disneyland, you may be interested in checking out the Mickey Mouse Penthouse, located at the Disneyland Hotel. The hotel is located just past the Downtown Disney District and has access to a nearby monorail station. The suite has everything that you would expect from one of Disney's signature suites.

Floor-to-ceiling windows afford amazing views of Disneyland Park, Disney Califronia Adventure and Downtown Disney. The suite itself is full of playful cutouts, decor and tiles that both blatantly and subtly remind us of Walt's best buddy.

Fodors Bestows Travel Awards on Disney Resorts

2010 has proved to be a good year for Disney and four of its resorts who received a "Fodors Gold Choice Award."

For families wanting the "quintessential Disney-with-your-kids" experience, Fodors feels the All-Stars Resorts are a good bet. The All-Star Movies, All-Star Music and All-Star Sports were each recognized and given the title of "Best Hotel for Kids and Families" by Fodors Travel.

Book a Disney Stay, Get a Gift Card

Planning and going to Disney World is fun; getting a gift card for booking your vacation is like icing on the cake. If you're planning a Disney trip for the fall of 2010 or early 2011, you could be eligible for a Disney gift card.

If you book a five night, five day vacation through the Walt Disney Travel Company during certain dates, then you can be set to receive a Disney gift card. If you book a stay at a Value resort, you can get a $200 gift card. A Moderate resort stay will get you a $300 gift card and a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa resort stay will nab you a $500 gift card.

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Walt Disney World 2012 Christmas by The Numbers

Disney's Enchanted Florist leads a small army of designers and florists, every year to create the miles of garland, glitter, twinkling lights and ribbon transform Walt Disney World Resort into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. Along with the larger Events Group, she and her marry elves work year round to plan on making every year even more magical then the last. Here are just a few of the details that go into making the whole property twinkle.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort Spa to Reopen December 17th

After more than a year without one the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa will once again be home to an actual Spa, and this time it's Disney owned and run. Stepping out from behind the cover of a third party contractor Disney Parks and Resorts welcomes home a lush new retreat at the Grand Floridian. "Senses," the first of several new Disney Spas across property, is opening for business on December 17th, 2012.

Walt Disney World's Bay Lake

Across the Water Bridge from the Seven Seas Lagoon and behind Disney's Contemporary Resort is the beautiful Bay Lake. A natural body of water with two small islands Bay Lake is about one mile across and 35 feet deep. When Walt Disney and his staff were searching for property in Florida to but Walt Disney World, Bay Lake was one of the reasons that they chose the spot they did. Walt believed that it was an attractive feature that would add amenities and value to his guests.

Walt Disney World's Value Resorts

If you are planning for a family traveling on a budget, or a group of theme park commandos who don't spend much time in their room during vacation, Disney's Value Resorts may be the place for you! Five fantastic bare bones hotels with whimsical Disney themes that give you all the benefits of staying "on property" without the high end price tag of a deluxe. The guest make up is diverse including young families, couples, youth sports teams, and large tour groups.

Walt Disney World's Moderate Resorts

We've taken a look at Disney's Deluxe Resort Hotels, let's head across property and check out the fantastic offerings available at the diverse Disney Moderate class hotels. Slightly more upscale than your bare bones hotel, Disney's moderate resorts offer the beautiful immersive theming of the Deluxe resorts for a less money and several have quite dedicated fan bases.

Fantasyland's Be Our Guest Restaurant to Serve Alcohol with Dinner

Yesterday Disney Parks announced some of the biggest news in dining in their 40 year history. It's a groundbreaking decision to maintain the theme of a restaurant, and serve beer and wine at dinner in the Magic Kingdom. That's right.

Disney's Deluxe Resort Hotels

For folks who love to hit the parks and don't spend much time at their hotel during vacation, Disney's Value resorts are fantastic. But what if you're looking to slow down, and take it easy? Can you even do that at Walt Disney World? I say you can, and that Disney's Deluxe Resorts are the perfect place to escape for a relaxed and luxurious grown up vacation.

Should Disney Continue with Stand Alone Hotels?

It was announced last month that The Walt Disney Company has canceled plans to build a 500 room National Harbor resort in Washington, D.C. Disney purchased the 15 acres in May of 2009 for $11 million.

Looking to build a stand-alone Disney branded hotel, they pulled out with Disney spokeswoman Kristin Nolt Wingard stating, "Given the full slate of expansion currently underway at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, the timing isn't right to proceed with another new project of this scale."

Favorite Time of Year to Visit Walt Disney World

One would think that a Disney fan's favorite time to go to Disney Parks would be the most popular time of year, but that's just not so. The heat and crowds of the popular summer season can almost send even the most dedicated fan into a tither. Many families choose to travel only when their kids are out of school, and this makes for crowds of (sometimes first time) guests struggling to get to their rides in elbow to elbow masses.

Possibilities of Disney's "Next-Gen" Technology

Walt Disney World has just turned 40 years old and they are not stopping. With the upcoming opening of the Art of Animation Resort, a new Fantasyland and the announcement of an Avatar land in the Animal Kingdom, Disney is also pumping a rumored $1 Billion in "Next-Gen" technology.