After a 16-year absence, Captain EO is returning to the screen at Disney World. The groundbreaking 17-minute 3D film starring Michael Jackson was a popular attraction at Disney World from 1986 to 1994. It will be shown at Epcot beginning July 2, 2010.

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Thelma, the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin who makes her home at Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida, became a momma this week to a brand new baby dolphin. There have been 22 dolphins born at Discovery Cove since its opening in 2000. No name yet on the sex or name of the baby, but both mom and baby are doing fine.

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando will be celebrating Earth Day on April 22 with a variety of activities.

The “Party for the Planet” celebration will enable guests to learn more about how they can celebrate and save the planet in their own daily lives.
Longtime favorite Jiminy Cricket will have a meet and greet with guests at the entrance of the park from 9 am to 1 pm. Kid-favorite folk singer Gi-Tar Dan will be performing songs about wildlife at various spots during the day as well.

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Universal Florida has announced the date the Wizarding World of Harry Potter area and attractions will open: The magic officially begins on June 18!

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Central Florida is known for its gators and theme parks, but did you know there’s a theme park devoted entirely to gators here?

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Disney parks have long been famous for the world-class flora and fauna that graces their grounds. The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival kicked off at the beginning of this month and will continue until May 16. Guests during this time will have a chance to see Disney-themed topiaries, to hear Disney horticulturists discuss their craft, and learn about the newest advances in gardening.

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Today is the Disney Princess Half-Marathon—a great chance for girls to learn that even princesses can kick butt in sports and competition. The race takes participants through a 13.1-mile course through Walt Disney World Resort.

Participants also received several goodies including a goody bag, a running shirt, refreshments during and after the race, and entertainment during and after the race. Finishers also received a special princess medal.

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Orlando attracts families with small children like moths to a porch light, but all those admission fees, which usually start at age three, can end up costing a bundle.

Busch Gardens in Tampa has raised the bar and is offering free admission to kids 5 and under through 2010. Busch Gardens is home to the new Sesame Street Safari playland, which makes this an even sweeter deal for families with young children.

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As Disney kicks off its “Give a Day, Get a Day” promotion, volunteers were honored with a ceremony at Disney World’s Epcot Center on February 11. Along with the ceremony, a Guinness World Record was set for the “largest canned goods structure” in the world. A Disney/volunteer-themed structure was made from 115,527 cans. Volunteers then packed up the cans of food, which will be given to food banks in Orlando, Miami, and Atlanta.

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The Orlando Science Center unveils a new touring exhibit today, Frogs. This large, interactive exhibit will feature over eighty live toads and frogs representing twenty species from around the world. They are displayed in habitats painstakingly recreated to match their own natural habitats.
The exhibit feature eight distinct areas, each devoted to different categories of frogs. Here, you’ll find:

• Terrestrial frogs—they live on land
• Burrowing frogs—they like to spend at least part of their time underground
• Frogs that live in trees—also called arboreal

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