By Brittany Bell

The Disneyland Resort is home to Walt’s original Disneyland park; it is also home to Disney’s newest park on U.S. soil: Disney California Adventure. Although Disneyland has been used as a model for sister parks across the world, there is much to be learned from Disney California Adventure as well. The Park, inspired by the state of California itself, brings together vastly different “worlds” and seamlessly ties them together in one wonderful adventure. On the East Coast, Epcot seemingly does the same thing—tying together various countries around the world, celebrating their cultural differences, while still bringing them together through their humanity. However, this newer park in California could teach a thing or two to what has evolved out of Walt’s idea for Progress City. Join us in today's new article and let's discover how Epcot can learn from Disney California Adventure…

By Keith Mahne

Walt Disney World's gardens are special places where the talents of hundreds of Disney cast members representing dozens of disciplines combine to create living and changing scenery on a larger than life stage. Each garden throughout the Walt Disney World Resort has a theme which is established by the land or area they "plus" to create a unique atmosphere that only Disney can. Disney's imaginative design allows their gardens to tell stories of tropical jungles, deserts, ancient temples, even fun and fantasy. Join us today as we enjoy the beauty of Walt Disney World's magical gardens with these 94 beautiful photos that you have got to see...

By Keith Mahne

Marty Sklar started his career at Disneyland, one month before it opened, working as the editor of The Disneyland News, a mock newspaper that was handed out to visitors as they entered the Park. Marty went on to head up Imagineering as its vice chairman and principal creative executive and has always stood as a dedicated torchbearer of Walt Disney’s philosophy. In today's new article, read quotes from Marty as he recalls working directly with Walt Disney and learn how special Walt was to him personally...

By Keith Mahne

The Disney Institute was a resort complex that offered a completely different kind of Disney vacation experience. When the resort's doors opened on February 9, 1996, Disney introduced a brand new vacation category to Walt Disney World thanks to former CEO Michael Eisner. At the Disney Institute, guests took part in more than 80 hands-on programs encompassing a wide range of interests, from rock climbing to topiary gardening to gourmet cooking and animation. This was going to be the area of WDW that wasn't just about meeting characters or riding attractions, but about learning and growing in a fun and entertaining way. Learn the history behind this short-lived Disney resort as we remember The Disney Institute in today's new article...

By Keith Mahne

1955: Minimum wage shot up to $1.00, the electric stove made its first appearance in kitchens across the country and, of course, Disneyland opened to America and the world. The creation of Disneyland stands out as a shining moment in the history of popular culture. Walt Disney made good on his promise of a place where "parents and children could have fun together." Although six decades have blurred by since the "Happiest Place on Earth" first staked its place in the hearts of Americans, the park's history is kept alive in the memories of its creators. Those creators being Walt's original Imagineers whose collective talent helped transform an anonymous orange grove in Southern California into a true Magic Kingdom. Join us today as we hear from past Imagineers as they share their memories creating Walt's dream of Disneyland...

By Chris Snead

When staying on property at Walt Disney World between 1983 and 1995, you may remember seeing a copy of the “Walt Disney World Bus Transportation Routes” guide. These guides were included as part of the welcome pack for resort guests. The guide was a fold-out card that measured 3.5” x 6” and was printed on thick stock paper. This guide helped guests navigate from one Walt Disney World location to another by bus. In some cases, guests were required to switch buses two or more times to get to their final destination. Join us today as we take a look back at the old Walt Disney World bus transportation guides...

By Keith Mahne

Not long ago, D23 staff visited the Walt Disney Archives to examine some extremely rare photographs sourced from rolls of film found in Walt Disney’s personal camera that were captured throughout his life. The photos we are about to see show candid moments from his travels and time spent with his family and friends. Join us today for a wonderful look at 21 rare photos from the camera that Walt always carried with him...

By Keith Mahne

Although the original plans for Walt Disney World were to include a Magic Kingdom theme park, Walt Disney's entire reason for taking his next dream to Florida was EPCOT. Not the Epcot theme park we know today, but something that had never been done before. EPCOT the city, a one of kind project composed of a prototype community, an industrial park, an airport of the future, and so much more, that was going to change the way we live. Join us today for a very special, 360° virtual view of the original EPCOT City and see what it would have been like to stand in the middle of Walt Disney's latest and greatest dream...

By Genevieve Roberts

Thinking about staying at one of Disney's All-Star Resorts? You will definitely want to consider getting in the game at Walt Disney World's All-Star Sports. This resort can get overlooked in the world of fancier Disney resorts. It may not have the spa of The Grand Floridian or have a monorail that runs through it like the Contemporary, but it sure has a ton of fun to offer at a great price. Let's explore Walt Disney World's All-Star Sports Resort in today's new article by Disney Avenue contributing writer Genevieve Roberts...

By Keith Mahne

Believe it or not, every day thousands of guests aboard the ferryboat to the Magic Kingdom pass an old piece of forgotten Disney World history without ever knowing it. What exactly am I referring to you might be wondering? The infamous Walt Disney World wave machine. In today's new article, we will learn the story behind this forgotten piece of Disney World history...

By Keith Mahne

Back in 1971, the Walt Disney Company was bursting at the seams with creativity and enthusiasm, after all, this was the year of Walt Disney World. Disney's Florida project opened during the month of October, on schedule, with everything going well and running smoothly from the very first day. The Disney Company put together an absolutely beautiful annual report to inform shareholders of everything going on at that time within the company. Let's take a look back to 1971 and examine the state of Walt and Roy's beloved company with these 40 amazing scans of the 1971 Walt Disney Productions Annual Report that you have got to see...

By Rebekah Coley

As thrilling as a Walt Disney World vacation can be, it can also be downright exhausting, over-planned, and wrought with unpredictable tropical weather. Keeping these things in mind, it is imperative that you pack your suitcase accordingly to ensure the best possible vacation experience. You may be familiar with some suggestions, but check out this list of 12 must pack items that Disney Avenue contributing writer Rebekah Coley recommends you bring along on your next family vacation to the happiest place on earth...

By Keith Mahne

Just as Disney promised when they broke ground on October 1, 1979, the doors of EPCOT Center officially opened on October 1, 1982, and the dawn of a new Disney era began. EPCOT Center stood as a towering achievement of American ingenuity, productivity and technology, a monumental example of what can be done in a free enterprise system and when you allow imagination to run free. The vintage EPCOT footage you are about to see is a tribute to the talents, determination and dedication of thousands of members of the Disney organization at a time when the company was bursting at the seams with creativity...

By Keith Mahne

There is no doubting the fact that Walt Disney was a gifted and extremely creative man, but the same can be said of his brother Roy. People unfamiliar with the Walt Disney Company's history probably never even heard of Roy, and that was just fine by him. But, Roy O. Disney was so vitally important to the company that without him in the equation, there wouldn't be a Disneyland, and certainly not a Walt Disney World. Join us as we pay tribute to the keeper of the kingdom, the dream builder himself, Roy O. Disney in today's new article including 24 rarely seen photos...