Author: disneyparks.disney.go.com

During
the past four weeks, we recognized #HispanicHeritageMonth by bringing you
stories as we celebrated the cultures and contributions of Latinx individuals
both inside and outside of our company – from Disney chefs who bring their
cultura and sabor to their work to Badia
Spices, one of our
Hispanic-owned diverse suppliers. All the while, we’ve also hosted a series of special
events for our cast members. Today, we’re excited to share a glimpse into those
events with all of you.

Our employee resource groups joined together from all over the country to host digital events all month long – from Walt Disney World to our Glendale and Burbank offices to ESPN. Our cast members have been excited to participate in these special offerings, including a “Latinas in Leadership – Embracing Authenticity and Brining Value” panel and an “Afrolatinidad: The Voices between Black and Brown” panel. An important element at the heart of each of these events was culture. We pride ourselves on fostering a culture where our cast members feel a sense of belonging. We believe inclusion is a critical part of our culture because it helps us tell the best stories, be relevant and expand our audiences.

As we close out the month, we wanted to share one last performance from Mariachi Cobre, the legendary musical group from Walt Disney World whose story we shared earlier this month. Take a listen below:

During this month and
beyond, we proudly celebrate the cultures that bring us together and make up
our diverse communities.
Follow along on social media using the hashtags #HispanicHeritageMonth
and #DisneyFamilia

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort, Video, WDW

As we continue to bring Disney magic to fans and families during this time, we are excited to announce an expanded assortment of official Disney cloth face masks for the whole family. Featuring new character designs and fit, there is truly a Disney mask for every shopper and every style – now available at numerous retail locations nationwide.

Visit shopDisney.com to shop a variety of new designs for Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Stitch and more, including a “Holiday Joy” seasonal mask. The updated assortment features a new and improved style and fit, lightweight fabrication to increase breathability and elasticized ear loops to allow for greater comfort and stretch.

Guests can now find over 250 designs on MaskClub.com across a wide range of characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and Fox for both kids and adults – all handmade in the USA. Check back often as more styles are being continually added. 

Additionally, mask offerings can now be found at Amazon, GAP, Hot Topic, Box Lunch, Walmart, Kohl’s and many more both online and in-store. 

For new kid’s designs, head to Target to check out their kid’s masks which include all-new Marvel and Princess designs. Kohl’s kids offerings include Frozen, Minnie and Marvel, Walmart’s assortment features Chewbacca, Mickey Mouse, Princess and more, and don’t forget Amazon for a wide character assortment to give kids a touch of Disney magic when they leave the house.

Check back often for more mask designs and styles – including collections from Stance and Love Your Melon, coming soon – to bring a little Disney magic to your outings. 

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Uncategorized, Merchandise, shopDisney

Looming at the end of Sunset Boulevard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the infamous Hollywood Tower Hotel. From a distance, it’s one of the most picturesque scenes in any Disney park – the 20-story building stands tall and grand above a long, tree-lined street, backed on most days by a brilliantly blue Florida sky. 

As you draw closer, though … that’s when you hear the screams. 

We’re celebrating Halloween all month, and today we’re taking you inside the 5^th dimension for a special “Ride & Learn” on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. I invite you, if you dare, to click on the video below and virtually step through the door of an elevator inside the Hollywood Tower Hotel – and into a nightmare. 

You’ll discover a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind, a dimension of … lots of cool facts about one of the most iconic attractions at Walt Disney World Resort! Whether this is your first or 50^th trip into The Twilight Zone, I’m sure you’ll find something here that lies beyond the deepest, darkest corner of your imagination. 

A warm welcome back to those of you who made it. And a friendly word of warning: you can keep following us here on the Disney Parks Blog throughout October for more Halloween festivities, plus more #DisneyMagicMoments like this one!

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort, DHS, DisneyMagicMoments, Video, WDW

Are your ghosts and goblins begging for something fun to do in anticipation of Halloween? Join Sarah from Pretty Providence, and Ashley from Mom on The Monorail in creating two frightfully-fun Disney inspired Halloween DIY crafts.

No-Carve Mickey Pumpkin

The mom of two girls who love all things Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Sarah knew exactly what she wanted to create to decorate her porch this Halloween season … Mickey pumpkins! 

Sarah’s No-Carve Mickey Pumpkin is a quick and easy craft that all members of your family can enjoy making. To create this craft, you’ll need a few items, including a pumpkin and a Mickey template. 

The downloadable template and step-by-step directions can be found here.

Mickey Candy Corn Piñata

Ashton, of Mom on the Monorail, is always coming up with hauntingly creative ideas for her two little ones to make throughout the Halloween season. Today, she is sharing her adorable Mickey Candy Corn Piñata. 

Got an empty cereal box and colored tissue paper? With these and a few more items, you are on your way to making a piñata that will be the envy of the neighborhood. Download step-by-step directions here and get ready to fill your piñata with all your favorite Halloween candy.

Feeling bewitchingly inspired? Be sure to share your pumpkin or piñata and use the hashtags #DisneyMagicMoments and #DisneyHalloMoments. And follow along for more Halloween fun on our “Everything Halloween” page.

Always use caution when handling sharp objects, and arts and crafts tools. Please supervise children who are helping or nearby.

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Uncategorized, DIY

Adapting to new ways of learning is something that’s been top of mind for teachers and students this fall, and with 16,000 Central Florida students resuming face-to-face learning this week, we wanted to lend a hand in a way that mattered most to the teachers who would welcome these students back to their classrooms. 

Walt Disney World and A Gift For Teaching—a Central Florida nonprofit that provides free resources and materials to public schools—have been working together for the past two decades to help make a difference in local schools. This work took on even more importance this summer when the nonprofit needed to temporarily close its supply warehouse to visiting teachers and launch a new curbside supply pickup service, all while sourcing items not typically found on supply lists like lanyards for holding face masks and individual water bottles to replace communal drinking fountains. Thanks to the help of our merchandise teams, Walt Disney World donated thousands of lanyards, nearly 5,000 reusable shopping bags to support the new curbside pickup model and various merchandise items to spread a little magic in local classrooms.

“The feedback from teachers has been incredible,” said Jane Thompson, president at A Gift For Teaching. “They’ve been so thankful for us recognizing there was going to be a need and figuring out how we could help fill that need for them. That’s been very gratifying for us.”

The Walt Disney World Ambassadors visited A Gift For Teaching to see the new curbside pickup in action and how local teachers are still getting the many resources they need, but in a whole new way. 

Beyond supporting schools through A Gift For Teaching, Walt Disney World also recently donated more than 100,000 reusable bags, thousands of water bottles and lanyards, along with other back-to-school essentials like backpacks and incentive items to Central Florida schools and organizations. We’re thankful for everything teachers and staff do for students in our community and hope these items help position them to have a fantastic school year.

“One of the things that we’re so grateful for at this time is partnerships like we have with Disney,” Thompson added. “Disney as a partner has been there to serve and deliver and support our organization and our mission of ensuring that every student has every supply that they need.”

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Community Outreach, Walt Disney World Resort, Cast Members, WDW