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Exciting Projects Crisscross Resort

"What's New"

Where Dreams Come True
“The Year of a Million Dreams” (Oct. 1, 2006-Dec. 31, 2008) -- The celebration continues throughout 2008 as more than one million very special dreams are again being awarded to guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. “The Year of a Million Dreams” celebrates the dreams of Disney Park guests the world over. Dreams to surprise and delight guests and unique experiences are hallmarks of “The Year of a Million Dreams.”

• As part of the celebration, extra-special dreams are being awarded through a random process as part of the unique Disney Dreams Giveaway. Traveling around the world as a parade grand marshal at each Disney theme park, a private day at Castaway Cay, a flight of fancy in a hot air balloon above a Disney theme park, sporting exclusive pins and Mouse ears, and Dream FASTPASS badges are among Disney Dreams Giveaways. Guests again chosen randomly are also selected to spend an enchanted night in the first-ever royal suite inside Cinderella Castle.
  
• Disney cast members renowned for guest service also are creating an unprecedented number of Magical Moments for guests. These include guests being tapped to help with the pixie-dusted opening of Magic Kingdom, getting the star treatment at a celebrity-style handprint ceremony at Disney's Hollywood Studios or being Official Wildlife Spotter at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
  
• Guests are also treated to a whole lineup of immersive entertainment that puts them right in the action, including living the cowboy or buccaneer life, “getting royal” with a Disney prince or princess or joining in the dancing and singing at a “High School Musical” pep rally.

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Disney’s Magical Express
Disney’s Magical Express (May 5, 2005) -- The innovative service offers airport shuttle, luggage delivery and airline check-in for Disney hotel guests. Guests of 23 Disney owned-and-operated hotels at Walt Disney World Resort using Disney’s Magical Express service can check their bags at their hometown airport, bypass baggage claim at Orlando International Airport (OIA) and board state-of-the-art motor coaches to the Vacation Kingdom, where their bags “magically” appear in their room upon check-in. The complimentary service is designed to give Disney hotel guests the stress-free vacation they want. With the service, a family of four can save more than $80 (based on round-trip taxi transportation, plus tip, between OIA and Walt Disney World Resort).

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"Magic Your Way”
“Magic Your Way” (January 2005) -- “Magic Your Way” ticketing and packages allow guests to create their own magical Walt Disney World vacation. Ticket-holders can customize their Walt Disney World theme park visits by adding components to the base ticket such as park-hopping or building on water parks or other vacation fun. The savings grow the longer a guest stays -- a one-park ticket, for instance, averages $31.29 per day for seven days of theme park visits. A family of four on a “Magic Your Way” vacation can enjoy a full week of magic, including lodging and theme park tickets, starting at $1,600.

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Magical Beginnings
Magical Beginnings (launched April 2006) -- Aimed at reducing the hassles and increasing the magic for parents when vacationing with toddlers and preschoolers, Magical Beginnings offers targeted planning tools and a host of services and amenities both at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.

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Magical Gatherings
Magical Gatherings (launched October 2003) -- Magical Gatherings makes it easier than ever to plan group vacations to Walt Disney World Resort. Among the services and offerings are a Vacation Planning Kit, complete with DVD and step-by-step information on how to plan a Magical Gathering, plus the My Disney Vacation Web-based planning tool, offering tips and reminders and full-color customized park maps. Guests who are part of a Grand Gathering of eight or more people can choose from four special experiences: “Magical Fireworks Voyage,” “Safari Celebration Dinner,” “Good Morning Character Breakfast” and “International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception.”

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Disney's FASTPASS
Disney's FASTPASS (launched in July 1999) -- Disney's antidote to line-standing is offered at a selection of popular attractions in all four theme parks. Guests who choose to get a FASTPASS receive a ticket with a designated one-hour-long window of time when they can return and skip the regular line. Guests don't have to choose FASTPASS: there's a standby line at all attractions. Disney's FASTPASS costs theme park guests nothing extra. Since its debut, more than 100 million FASTPASS tickets have been issued.

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Pal Mickey
Pal Mickey (May 2003) -- Pal Mickey is a talking Mickey Mouse toy that entertains and assists guests in the four Walt Disney World theme parks. Each Pal Mickey shares stories and fun facts, offers reminders about parades and show times and tells guests where to locate Disney characters. The 10½-inch interactive toy keeps the whole family entertained with jokes and games guests can initiate, whether waiting in line at the theme parks or relaxing in a hotel room -- even back at home.

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Disney’s PhotoPass
Disney’s PhotoPass (December 2004) -- Using the latest digital equipment and Disney-engineered technology, photographers take photos of guests throughout the theme parks. Instead of receiving a paper claim ticket, guests receive a Disney’s PhotoPass card that links all of their vacation photos taken by Disney photographers together into one online account. Guests can go online to disneyphotopass.com to easily view, share and order their photos, order a CD of all their Disney’s PhotoPass images, and more.

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Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line -- The Disney Wonder has three age-specific areas that appeal to the varied interests of teenagers and adults -- Aloft (teen club), Cove Cafe (coffee bar) and Diversions (sports pub). With original Disney musicals, unique dining experiences, age-specific areas and activities and private island Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line fits the unique vacation needs of every member of the family. The Disney Magic sails seven-night cruise vacations, while the Disney Wonder sails three- and four-night cruises that can be seamlessly combined with three or four nights at Walt Disney World Resort.

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Water Parks
Crush 'n' Gusher (March 2005) -- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park features a water-coaster attraction that combines steep drops with gravity-defying, coaster-like inclines by utilizing screaming jets of water that propel riders back uphill. Guests have three different spillways to choose from -- Banana Blaster, Coconut Crusher and Pineapple Plunger -- each ranging between 410 to 420 feet in length with varying degrees of slopes and turns.

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Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex
Hess Sports Fields (August 2004) -- The Hess Sports Fields addition is the first major venue expansion since Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex opened in March 1997. The Hess Sports Fields addition includes 20 acres and offers competition space for four full-size football/soccer playing fields and four baseball-softball diamonds.

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Disney's Animal Kingdom
Yak & Yeti Restaurant (December 2007) -- Reminiscent of the western Himalayan foothills in India and Nepal, this Asian-fusion establishment offers table-service dining and a full-service bar, as well as quick-service food and beer garden options, along with retail offerings from Pan Asia ranging from silk purses, incense and saris to fine teapots. It seats 250 inside for table-service dining and 350 in the quick-service courtyard.
“Finding Nemo-The Musical” (January 2007) -- The undersea world that charmed audiences around the world in the Disney•Pixar film “Finding Nemo” comes to life in an all-new live musical stage show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom featuring original songs by Tony Award-winning “Avenue Q” co-composer-creator Robert Lopez and a cappella musical “Along the Way” co-creator Kristen Anderson-Lopez. The show immerses guests of all ages in the story of Marlin and Nemo, an overprotective clownfish father and his curious son, through a dazzling production that combines puppets, dancers, acrobats and animated backdrops. The 30-minute show represents the first time Disney has taken a non-musical animated feature and transformed it into an original musical production.
Expedition Everest (April 2006) -- The legend of the yeti comes to life in Expedition Everest. A high-speed train bound for Mount Everest takes trekkers on a daring adventure through rugged terrain, along icy mountain ledges and inside dark snowy caves in the forbidden mountain. The mammoth attraction is located in the Asia section.
"Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Expedition" (October 2001) -- The daily parade is a traveling, interactive island street party that features Disney characters "on expedition" and a tribute to their animal friends. As the procession winds through the park, a menagerie of abstract animals comes to life in handcrafted theatrical designs.

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Magic Kingdom
"Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor" (April 2007) -- Guests find the power of laughter in an engaging and interactive new adventure inspired by Disney•Pixar's “Monsters, Inc.” as they match wits with the one-eyed hero Mike Wazowski and his friends. As Monster-of-Ceremonies, Mike recruits two comedian wanna-bes whose humor will delight audiences at a 400-seat theater in Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom.
Cinderella Castle Suite (January 2007) -- A grand new, fit-for-royalty suite inside Cinderella Castle features rich fabrics and fittings, and a fireplace bedchamber. An enchanted overnight stay in the suite is awarded to guests chosen at random as part of “The Year of a Million Dreams.”
“Dream Along with Mickey” (October 2006) -- It’s a dreams-inspired party and Mickey Mouse and the gang have invited everyone to join in the music and dancing. The power of everyone’s dreams even thwarts the evil Maleficent from spoiling the fun. Performed live several times daily on the Cinderella Castle stage.
Pirates of the Caribbean (July 2006) -- The classic Disney theme park adventure, brought to the big screen in “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” has added characters and features from the blockbuster film franchise. Woven into some of the attraction’s most memorable scenes, Captain Jack Sparrow and his nemesis Barbossa are seen interacting with the familiar Audio-Animatronics buccaneers.
"Wishes" (October 2003) -- The power of a wish combines with magical moments from cherished Disney films and dazzling pyrotechnic effects to create a thrilling story-in-the-sky fireworks spectacular at Magic Kingdom. Narrated by Jiminy Cricket, the show tells a heart-tugging story about making wishes come true, accompanied by brilliant bursts of color and light above -- and around -- Cinderella Castle.
"Mickey's PhilharMagic" (October 2003) -- Disney magic meets Disney music in a 3-D film spectacular starring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and other favorite Disney characters animated in a way they've never been seen before. Set in the PhilharMagic Concert Hall in Fantasyland, the eye-popping 3-D experience unfolds on one of the largest screens ever created for a 3-D film, a 150-foot-wide canvas.

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Epcot
Spaceship Earth Relaunch (January 2008) -- Spaceship Earth has relaunched with changes and refinements installed in 2007 and early 2008. Presented by Siemens, Spaceship Earth has undergone changes that treat guests to an innovative “interactive” attraction with many new scenes, new costumes and set decorations, new lighting and special effects, a new musical score and narration, and a totally re-themed interactive post-show.
“The Seas with Nemo & Friends” (December 2006) -- Featuring technology that for all appearances has the stars of the Disney•Pixar film “Finding Nemo” swimming amid the marine life of the huge aquarium in The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion at Epcot. The whimsical and visually stunning attraction picks up where the motion picture left off. Riding aboard “clamobiles” in a colorful coral reef setting, guests meet Mr. Ray and his class on a field trip and soon learn that Nemo has wandered off. The journey to find Nemo continues as familiar characters such as Dory, Bruce, Marlin, Squirt and Crush help with the search. These deep-sea friends inhabit a variety of vibrant vignettes, including the huge aquarium which contains more than 65 species of marine life. Their search leads to a happily musical finale.
"Soarin' (May 2005) -- Guests can take flight aboard Soarin', an exhilarating hang-gliding journey over the magnificent landscapes of California. Appropriately enough, this incredible aerial tour of the Golden State comes to Epcot from Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim.

“Turtle Talk With Crush” (November 2004) -- Crush (from Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Nemo”) has made a different kind of screen debut in The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion -- as a chatting, joking quipster who engages guests in conversation from his movie-screen undersea environment. The interactive show is a breakthrough experience into real-time animation using digital projection and sophisticated, voice-activated animation.
Mission: SPACE (August 2003) -- Presented by HP, Mission: SPACE launches Epcot guests on a simulated space adventure. During this one-of-a-kind "astronaut-like" adventure in Future World, guests experience everything from a pulse-racing liftoff to weightlessness in the deep reaches of outer space.
Innoventions (continual updates) -- Discover tomorrow's technology today at this hands-on exposition of the world's newest products and inventions. Guests visit the house of the future, explore cyberspace, test the latest developments in computers and discover the latest breakthroughs in virtual reality and communications. Guests to Epcot can experience a Segway™ Human Transporter (HT) for themselves, firsthand, at World Showcase before the area opens for other park guests.

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Disney's Hollywood Studios
Toy Story Mania! (May 2008) -- Celebrating Disney•Pixar classics “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2,” this new ride-game experience coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios late May 2008 will combine delightful film characters with personality-matching games guests can play. Donning 3-D glasses, guests shrink to the size of a toy and hop fanciful ride vehicles following a midway-themed route. At each game booth, they aim for animated targets using their own special on-board spring-action shooter. Guests of all ages from beginner to serious gamer will delight in Toy Story Mania! (also coming to Disneyland Resort late June 2008).
American Film Institute Showcase (May 2008) -- Costumes, props and set pieces anchor this ever-changing exhibit at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Currently on view is “Villains: Movie Characters You Love to Hate” offering up actual props and costumes from decades of the scariest movies and TV shows.
“Block Party Bash” (March 2008) -- Play, party and dance as the most interactive traveling show in Disney history performs at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests are invited to rock to retro tunes, be dazzled by high-flying acrobatics and join in the fun as more than 20 partying Disney•Pixar characters fill the theme park streets. This immersive rolling spectacle features favorite characters from “The Incredibles,” “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “A Bug’s Life.”
“Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!” (February 2008) -- A whole new cast of friends from Playhouse Disney fills the popular Playhouse Disney stage. Children will be on their feet singing, clapping and dancing to performing stars from “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Little Einsteins,” “Handy Manny” and more.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios (January 2008) -- Renamed from Disney-MGM Studios, Disney’s Hollywood Studios better reflects not only the Golden Age of Tinseltown but all that today’s Hollywood has to offer -- in movies, music, theater and television.
Jedi Training Academy (October 2007) -- Taking a cue from the popular Star Wars Saga, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine for an original and intergalactic entertainment experience. Young Jedi hopefuls learn lightsaber moves before facing off against the evil Darth Vader. Jedi Training Academy is presented multiple times daily, adjacent to the Star Tours attraction.
Handy Manny Meet and Greet (October 2007) -- What would a Disney theme park be without characters, and Disney's Hollywood Studios is center stage for character meet and greets. Disney Channel stars JoJo and Goliath, the Little Einsteins and Handy Manny welcome guests in the Animation Courtyard next to “Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!”
“High School Musical 2: School’s Out!” (September 2007) -- With new songs and a rollicking new spirit, the Disney Channel Original Movie “High School Musical 2” comes to life on the streets of Disney's Hollywood Studios. It is interactive fun as high-energy performers on a traveling stage invite all ages to catch Wildcat fever by singing and dancing.
"Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" (May 2005) -- This fast-paced show spotlights the high-octane best of the movie industry’s stunt masters. Inspired by the blockbuster show from Disneyland Resort Paris, this action extravaganza sends cars, motorcycles and watercraft careening and jumping across an enormous Mediterranean village set.

The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror (January 2003) -- Five simple words, one chilling thought: The tower is in control. The thrills are multiplied inside the 13-story haunted hotel by technology that actually places the attraction in control of each ride experience. Random ride and drop sequences make the attraction faster with more drops than ever before. In addition, visual, audio and olfactory special effects make Tower of Terror one of the most advanced multi-sensory attractions anywhere in the world. Ghostly apparitions, rocketing ascents, more “air time” and cannon blasts of chilling air are just a few of the surprises in store for brave Walt Disney World guests.

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Downtown Disney
World of Disney (March 2006) -- The world’s largest Disney character store offers a constantly changing selection of unique merchandise, including adult and children’s clothing, jewelry, CDs, videos, DVDs, software, toys, collectibles, candy, housewares and much more among more than 50,000 square feet of themed shopping areas. A kids makeover salon, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, transforms little girls into princesses or pop star sensation Hannah Montana.
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant (October 2005) -- Irish hospitality and a bit of blarney come to Downtown Disney in Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant. The pub delivers an experience immersed in genuine Irish atmosphere -- from food and drink to music and entertainment. Traditional and contemporary Irish music, storytelling and dance create a lively social ambience, and the restaurant’s menu features Irish fare with a modern flair.
Earl of Sandwich (March 2004) -- The Downtown Disney Marketplace eatery features a variety of hot, freshly prepared sandwiches served on warm fresh bread, and original sauces and spreads. The Butler’s Pantry features “grab 'n go” cold sandwiches, salads, side items and desserts.

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Resorts
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground Segway Experience (November 2007) -- A new “off-road” Segway experience takes guests along the Fort Wilderness backwoods trails aboard the Segway X2 personal transporter featuring deeply treaded tires and higher ground clearance to provide a smooth, stable ride through trail-like terrain.
The Villas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (July 2007) -- The 43-unit property (part of the Disney Vacation Club family) offers studio, one- and three-bedroom vacation villas. Accommodations feature intricate African-inspired details and home-like amenities, and most offer sweeping views of an expanded savannah inhabited by a variety of African animals. All phases are scheduled for completion in spring 2008, bringing the total number of units to 216.
Disney’s All-Star Resort Family Suites (November 2006) -- More than 400 guestrooms have been transformed into 215 family suites at the value-priced Disney’s All-Star Music Resort. Featuring two bathrooms and sleeping up to six people, each suite includes a generously sized kitchenette with counter space, sink, microwave, coffee maker and under-counter refrigerator. Other amenities include a private master bedroom, two 27" flat-screen TVs and custom furniture.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa (May 2004) -- Disney Vacation Club expanded its timeshare resort presence with its newest location at the former Disney Institute at Walt Disney World Resort. The themed resort occupies a 65-acre site overlooking the lakefront district at Downtown Disney and Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. This is the largest Disney Vacation Club resort to date at 828 units, comprised of studio, one- and two-bedroom villas and Grand Villa units that sleep up to 12 guests.
Disney's Pop Century Resort (December 2003) -- A 2,880-room resort sends guests on a trip back through American popular culture with oversized icons representing the 1950s through the 1990s such as a giant jukebox for the '50s and larger-than-life yo-yos for the '60s. The hotel joins the family of Disney's All-Star value resorts.

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"What's Next"

T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover (2008) -- At Downtown Disney, guests will be able to dine face-to-face with a dinosaur at T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover, which will combine table-service dining and retail in an interactive prehistoric environment built around water, fire and ice. T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure will be operated by Landry’s Restaurants, which operates the Rainforest Cafes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney.
Journey into Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008) -- Guests meet Prince Caspian himself as they enter the fascinating world of “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.” Exploring deep inside Aslan’s Stone Table Chamber, guests experience a look at the epic story through behind-the-scenes footage plus original costumes and props from the movie. Opening early summer 2008 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Jostens Center (2008) -- Jostens Center represents the latest expansion project for Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex (220 acres), which is widely regarded as the leading sports venue for amateur and professional sports in the nation. The new multi-sport facility will include 45,000 square feet of competition space that will accommodate six basketball courts or 12 volleyball courts or two roller hockey rinks, as well as locker rooms and meeting rooms. The new facility, set to open in summer 2008, will allow Disney the ability to double the number of indoor sports events that it can accommodate.
“American Idol” Attraction (2009) -- Starry-eyed Disney guests will get a taste of TV’s pop culture phenomenon -- up close and personal -- when Disney’s Hollywood Studios unwraps an “American Idol” attraction January 2009. It’s another immersive opportunity as guests will be able to experience the challenge of auditioning, the rush of performing on stage in competition or the thrill of judging the performances in a live interactive setting modeled after the “American Idol” set. There will be several show times daily. Guests advancing through the screening process have the chance, in the nightly final competition, to win a guaranteed reservation for a regional audition for the “American Idol” TV show.
Four Seasons to Anchor New Disney Luxury Resort (2010) -- Announced as part of a Walt Disney World expansion for the next decade: a 900-acre luxury resort anchored by the prestigious Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. The development, along the northeast border of the property, will include a luxury hotel (projected opening: 2010), 18-hole championship golf course, single- and multi-family vacation homes and fractional ownership vacation homes.
Disney Cruise Line Announces New Ships (2011, 2012) -- The Walt Disney Company plans to expand its successful cruise vacation business by adding two new 122,000-ton ocean liners. Two decks taller than the existing Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the new 1,250-passenger liners will more than double the passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line. Disney signed a letter of intent with Germany-based Meyer Werft shipyard. Specific design plans and itineraries are still in development.
Shopping, Dining and Lodging District (phased construction across 8-10 years) -- Also announced as part of the Walt Disney World expansion is a 450-acre mixed-use tourist commercial district just outside Disney’s western gateway (Western Way at Western Beltway). Early plans include 4,000-5,000 value-priced lodging units and a pedestrian-friendly dining/retail village.

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Annual Events

Walt Disney World Marathon (January) -- This annual 26.2-mile adventure races through all four Disney theme parks -- Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom. A half marathon, two-day health expo and 5K round out the weekend's agenda.
Atlanta Braves Spring Training (February-March) -- The Atlanta Braves return to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex for spring training.
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (March-June) -- Future World and World Showcase are blooming with more than 30 million colorful blossoms, interactive garden activities for kids and workshops with national gardening experts during this annual spring festival at Epcot.
Star Wars Weekends (May-June) -- For several weekends each summer, Disney's Hollywood Studios turns into a giant Star Wars fan-fest with up-close meet-and-greets for guests with their favorite characters and actors from the film series as well as interactive games, parades, music and fun for the whole family.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training (July-August) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers conduct their NFL training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.
Night of Joy (September) -- Top contemporary Christian music performers headline this annual celebration throughout Disney's Hollywood Studios. The long-running series has played to a combined audience in excess of a million.
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (September-October) -- A family-friendly fright-fest in Magic Kingdom featuring a children's parade, trick-or-treating throughout the park, face painting and more.
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (October-November) -- Savor fine wines and delectable cuisine during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. This month-plus-long festival features live entertainment, guest chefs, culinary demonstrations, seminars and winemaker dinners.
Children's Miracle Network Classic presented by Wal-Mart (November) -- Annual PGA tournament held at Disney's Magnolia and Palm golf courses features top players.
ABC Super Soap Weekend (November) -- Favorite stars from the ABC Daytime lineup meet with fans during this popular weekend event at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Festival of the Masters (November) -- More than 200 award-winning artists from across the country showcase their wares throughout Downtown Disney. The three-day festival features chalk artists, House of Blues folk artists, a jazz festival, culinary delights and family activities.
The Osborne Family's Spectacle of Dancing Lights (November-January) -- This holiday light display on the Disney's Hollywood Studios backlot features millions of sparkling holiday bulbs designed by Arkansas businessman and philanthropist Jennings Osborne as a gift to his daughter and the guests of Walt Disney World Resort.
Holiday Splendor (November-January) -- Walt Disney World Resort is all aglitter during the holiday season with dazzling lights, spirited song and even snow flurries. Here's what's in store: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom; Candlelight Processional at Epcot; plus caroling, tree lighting ceremonies and visits by Santa.

traipsing down the happy side of the street
Ahnalira