The Disney Traveler

If you like Top Chef on Bravo and you’ll be at Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival in Walt Disney World this fall, then you’re in luck!  A Top Chef-esque competition will take place during the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot where top chefs from across the United States will compete to become members of the creme de la creme culinary team that will compete at the all important Bocuse d’Or World Cuisine Competition in Lyon, France in January 2009.
The Bocuse d’Or World Cuisine Competition is held every two years and is often referred to as the “Culinary …read more

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Please forgive me for doing a bit of self promotion today on The Disney Traveler.  Today, my new book, Harry Potter: The Story of a Global Business Phenomenon, debuts in U.S. bookstores (it’s been available in the U.K. since June).
The book reveals how Harry Potter became so popular and what steps other brands need to take to reach similar success.  It’s an interesting read for business people and anyone interested in learning how a children’s fantasy book became such a huge phenomenon.
You can learn more by reading the interview that Mary Emma Allen of b5media’s HomeBizNotes blog conducted with …read more

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The new rumor from The Independent says Disneyland Paris chief financial officer, Ignace Lahoud, stated that new hotels are being planned for Disneyland Paris.  There might be some truth to that rumor considering in a press release from Disney dated August 12, 2008, it was announced that Disneyland Paris welcomed its 200 millionth visitor making it the most popular tourist destination in Europe.

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The Hong Kong Disneyland website got a much needed facelift.  The new site includes all the flash elements you’d expect from a Disney website bringing with it the slow loading fans have come to unfortunately expect from Disney websites, but it also adds a wealth of features and information that were missing from the previous version.
Visitors can learn about the various attractions, hotels, rates, special events and more.  There is even a great interactive park map!
You can also book your vacation through the website.  There are actually some good deals going on right now.  If you stay for one …read more

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Here’s a fun trivia question I found in the most recent issue of Disney Insider that I have to share with The Disney Traveler readers because it’s new info to me!
What actor and comedian’s first after-school job was selling guidebooks at Disneyland and later working at Merlin’s Magic Shop on Main Street?
Leave a comment with your answer.  If the correct answer isn’t given within the next several days, I’ll publish a follow up post with the answer.
Image: Flickr
Technorati Tags: disneyland,disney trivia,disneyland trivia,disney celebrities,disney cast members,famous disney cast members

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Next time you’re at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, don’t forget to try the remote control boats located outside of the Jungle Cruise.  They’re fun for kids and adults of all ages.

While the boats are a bit challenging to maneuver, small children still enjoy simply spinning the wheel.  As the boats move through the various features and hazards, various elements are set off such as bubbling water, spraying water, sounds, a volcano and more.

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Disney announced that new 2008 Star Wars Big Figs are coming.  These will be limited edition collector’s figures of Mickey Mouse as Anakin Skywalker, Minnie Mouse as Queen Amidala, Donald Duck as Darth Maul and Goofy as Jar Jar Binks. 
Each figure is numbered and part of a limited edition of 600 pieces.   500 of each will be available at Walt Disney World and 100 of each will be available at Disneyland.
The new 2008 Star Wars Big Figs will be available in Fall 2008, but you can order one now through the online order form.  Each figure is …read more

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DisneyShopping.com and the Disney Store are sponsoring an instant win contest and sweepstakes as part of Disney’s Year of a Million Dreams celebration.  Simply follow the Disney sweepstakes link to enter.  You’ll have to register for a Disney online account if you don’t already have one.  Then you’ll be given a chance to win a prize instantly.  If you’re not an instant winner, you’ll still get a discount code to use at DisneyShopping.com for 10% off your purchase.
You can return once per day to try to win an instant prize.  Each time you try to win an instant prize, …read more

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Can you guess where the picture below was taken in Walt Disney World?  Leave a comment with your answer.  When the right answer is given, I’ll post even more pictures of this location along with a review!

Image: Susan Gunelius
Technorati Tags: Walt Disney World,Disney trivia,Disney photos,Disney world pictures

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I’ve written about Walt Disney World’s certified green hotels on The Disney Traveler before, so I was excited when Liz Lewis of b5media’s Traveling the Green Way blog offered to write a guest post that highlights some of the green efforts at Disneyland.  Without further ado, here is Liz’s guest post…. 
It’s always been known as the magical kingdom.
But can it also be called the green kingdom?
According to Frank Dela Vara, technical directory of Disneyland Environmental Affairs, it’s something that they are definitely working on.
These days, the cars of Main Street run on compressed natural gas, the train runs on soybean oil, and there …read more

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