2026 Celebrating Women in Sports Award Winners Announced
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) has announced the five award winners that will be honored during the 2026 Celebrating Women in Sports Luncheon & Auction presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute. The 8th annual event will be hosted at UCF’s Addition Financial Arena on Wednesday, September 16 at 11:00am. The luncheon will recognize the honorees across three categories: Damu Cherry-Mitchell of Star Athletics LLC, Pennie Parker of Rollins College Athletics, and Audra Romao
A Message from Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle
Community friends, As I begin my retirement, I want to thank you for your support over the years. Walt Disney World and Central Florida go hand in hand, and I feel we have truly been partners in building a strong community. Having the opportunity to work alongside so many of you as we celebrated accomplishments, marked important milestones and navigated the issues that matter most to our community has been a real privilege. As a lifelong resident of Central Florida, I have seen firsthand the
WBCA Announces Teams For 2026 WBCA Showcase, A College Women's Basketball Event At Walt Disney World
Alabama, Florida A&M, Florida State, North Carolina, Purdue, Texas Tech, UCF and USF will compete in the third annual WBCA Showcase on Nov. 19, 21 and 22, 2026, at Walt Disney World Resort, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced today. All games will be played in the State Farm Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which has a storied history of hosting elite men’s and women’s college basketball events including the ESPN Events Invitational that has been held there since
Pediatric Patients Treated To Special Screening Of ‘Toy Story 5’ At AdventHealth For Children
AdventHealth for Children, Walt Disney World Resort and Starlight Children’s Foundation turned an ordinary day at the hospital into an unforgettable experience, giving young patients and their families the chance to watch the new “Toy Story 5” movie while it’s still in theaters. “I was 10 when the first ‘Toy Story’ came out, and now my son is 12, and watching him enjoy the ‘Toy Story’ movies just as I did as a kid is really special,” said Jessie McCracken, who said she’s felt a special connection to
Disney World Invests $1.3 Million in Education, Brings Cool KIDS’ SUMMER to Five Central Florida Schools
As the school year comes to a close, Walt Disney World celebrated Central Florida students and educators by investing $1.3 million in education programs and bringing a playful preview of Cool KIDS’ SUMMER to elementary schools across the region, surprising educators with complimentary Disney theme park tickets. A Goofy Surprise During the visits, students enjoyed a playful preview of some of the kid-friendly fun families can experience during Cool KIDS’ SUMMER at Walt Disney World. Goofy and the
Walt Disney World Rededicates Reimagined Wish Lounge with Make-A-Wish Family
As part of Disney Week of Wishes, Walt Disney World rededicated its newly reimagined Wish Lounge, a dedicated space created exclusively for wish families during their visit. There to rededicate the space was 6-year-old Paxton, whose wish brought him to Walt Disney World. A Full-Circle Moment Also at the heart of the rededication was Abigail, who visited the Wish Lounge in 2011 with her family on her own wish trip. Now a Disney cast member, Abigail helps kids meet their favorite characters and creates
From Vision to Reality: Orlando Honors Walt Disney World Announcement Site
A new commemorative plaque now marks the spot in Orlando where Walt and Roy O. Disney first announced their initial vision for Walt Disney World. Today, Disney welcomes millions of guests to Florida each year, fueling the state’s economy, creating jobs and driving tourism. Where is the new commemorative plaque? In Nov. 1965, Walt and Roy O. Disney revealed the “Florida Project” in what is now the Thornton Park District of Downtown Orlando. Today, a new plaque commemorates the very building where
Disney and Starlight Bring Princess Celebration to AdventHealth for Children's Patients
Disney magic made its way to AdventHealth for Children in Orlando, where Rapunzel surprised patients with a princess party full of joy and imagination. The visit was made possible by Disney in collaboration with AdventHealth for Children and Starlight Children’s Foundation as part of our efforts to create meaningful moments for families facing some of life’s toughest challenges. What happened at this fairytale celebration? Patients were treated like royalty from arrival. Through the Starlight
Hope, Healing & Magic in Every Mile: Disney Supports Blood Cancer United
At the 2026 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, Disney cast member and blood cancer survivor Nikki celebrated her recovery while her mom ran her first-ever runDisney 10K in support of her daughter and Blood Cancer United. Disney's Commitment to Cast and Workplace Wellness Nikki was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and underwent intensive chemotherapy followed by a full stem cell transplant. Now two years in remission, she is living her dream: creating magic as a Walt Disney World cast
Walt Disney World Creates Holiday Magic for Florida
Walt Disney World is creating happiness for Florida kids and families this holiday season. Here's what we've been up to 25,000 Toys Delivered to Central Florida Kids & Families Cast and guests came together for the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive, donating more than 25,000 toys to families in need across Central Florida. Stitch even joined in and helped Disney VoluntEARS sort through donations for the Marine Toys for Tots Program … he’s hoping this will get him on Santa’s “nice list.” "We would not
Disney World Delivers 1,000 Thanksgiving Meals to Individuals and Families in Need
For more than 25 years now, the Disney Culinary team has prepared holiday dinners for members of our community facing houselessness and hardship. They craft each dish in Disney kitchens, and Disney VoluntEARS personally serve them at Coalition for the Homeless and Harbor House of Central Florida on Thanksgiving Day. “The impact is huge,” said Brad Butterstein, President and CEO of Coalition for the Homeless. “Each year, Disney World comes in for Thanksgiving and provides these nutritious meals to our
Disney Donates 500,000 School Supplies to Florida Teachers
As part of our annual Back-to-School Supply Drive, cast members donated more than 135,000 school supplies to A Gift For Teaching, a Central Florida nonprofit that provides free supplies to teachers and students in need. On top of the school supplies donated by cast members, Disney is making an extra monetary donation to A Gift For Teaching that equates to about 360,000 school supplies. This joins the $500,000 donation made earlier this summer to help fund local education programs. A Personal
Inside Tour de Turtles at Disney's Vero Beach Resort
Disney teamed up with the Sea Turtle Conservancy for its 18th Tour de Turtles at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, sending two turtles back to the big blue after nesting along the shore. What is Tour de Turtles? Tour de Turtles is an annual event that brings together researchers from the Sea Turtle Conservancy and Disney at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort to track two female turtles as they return to the ocean after laying their eggs. This year’s turtles – named Ariel and Moana after the iconic Disney
