Ross Lynch and Laura Marano (“Austin & Ally”) Serve as Inaugural Ambassadors

$750,000 in Grants Awarded as Part of Program Launch

BURBANK, Calif., June 18, 2012 – Disney Friends for Change, a global initiative that inspires kids and families to take action and make a difference in their communities, today announced that Disney Channel stars Debby Ryan (“Jessie”), Bella Thorne and Zendaya (“Shake It Up”), and Ross Lynch and Laura Marano (“Austin & Ally”) will serve as Friends for Change Ambassadors, encouraging kids and families to make a lasting, positive change by helping people, communities, and the planet.

In collaboration with select non-profit organizations, Disney Friends for Change Ambassadors will lead campaigns to engage millions of kids to take action and volunteer. Each nonprofit will receive a Disney Friends for Change grant to further the reach and impact of the themed campaign.  In total, $750,000 will be awarded to the following three efforts:

• “Helping Communities – Volunteer,” led by Debby Ryan and in collaboration with Free The Children (from June 29  – August 16)
• “Helping People – Be a Leader,” featuring Bella Thorne and Zendaya, and in collaboration with Free The Children (from August 17 – September 27)
• “Helping the Planet – Green Your Scene,” championed by Ross Lynch and Laura Marano, and in collaboration with TreePeople (from September 28 – November 30)

“We are so excited about the real difference kids are making every day using our action kits and volunteering in their communities,” said Leslie Goodman, senior vice president for Corporate Citizenship and Philanthropy at The Walt Disney Company. “Through the leadership and encouragement of our Disney Friends for Change Ambassadors, we hope to inspire millions of more kids to take action and change their worlds.”

Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, said, “The bond our viewers have with our talent is deep and powerful.  As ambassadors of Friends for Change, our talent can serve as a megaphone for the importance of pro-active community involvement, motivating kids and their families to discover the many rewarding ways we can all make our world a better place to live.”  He continued, “I often talk to my team about extending our value as a company beyond the TV screen, and this initiative does an exemplary job of that –  and for this, I could not be prouder.”

As part of the program, Disney Channel will debut a series of interstitial messages, featuring the Disney Friends for Change Ambassadors beginning MONDAY, JUNE 18. Disney Channel, Radio Disney, and Disney.com will chronicle the Ambassadors throughout the summer as they volunteer and inspire kids of all ages to lead. Also part of the interstitial series and debuting FRIDAY, JUNE 29, Debby Ryan will share her personal experience volunteering in India through Disney Friends for Change with Free The Children, where she helped build a new school for a local village. Inspired by the stories and efforts of Disney Friends for Change kids, Debby helped to start the Ambassadors program.

To coincide with the on-air interstitials, Friends for Change will offer tools and resources at www.disney.com/friends where kids and families can discover additional ideas on how to make a difference. Site visitors are able to download action kits, learn more about the Ambassadors’ campaigns, and participate in the new Shout Out Module, an online forum that allows kids and families to motivate each other and exchange tips on actions to help their schools and neighborhoods. Families can also vote online to further support each Ambassador’s campaign and help thousands of more kids as a result.

The post Disney Friends For Change Launches Ambassadors Program To Inspire Millions Of Kids And Families To Make A Difference In Their Communities appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

On Sunday April 15th, Navy Pier and Radio Disney hosted a meet and greet with Disney Channel star Zendaya from “Shake It Up”! The meet and greet was to be held between 1-3pm!  I found out about this from a link on Chicago parent on my Facebook feed. I had been wondering when and if the stars from this popular Disney Channel show would ever come to Chicago for a meet and greet since the show is indeed set in Chicago! I was soo happy then when I read the blog post! My 5 year old daughter Kayla is a HUGE fan of this show and I knew I had to take her to this!

I told my Mom about it and told her to keep it a secret because it was still about 5 days away. It was actually hard for me to keep it a secret! We managed to get through the days though and the morning finally came. We woke up about 6:30am and started to get ready. Kayla asked if we were doing anything special, since we usually don’t get ready so early in the day unless it is a school day. I told her I wasn’t sure yet what we were going to do. She doesn’t like not knowing what is going on but I told her just to relax and not to worry but we would have fun!

We left our house at 8:35am and headed into downtown Chicago, about a 25-30 minute drive. It was nice since not too many people were out. We got into the garage at Navy Pier right after 9am. We parked at a great spot right by one of the main entrances! We headed inside into the Family Pavilion where I had read they were to begin giving out wristbands at 10am! Hence, why we were there soo early, after our last experience with the Lemonade Mouth meet I wasn’t taking any chances! I was surprised then when we walked around the corner there was no line or wait, but the Radio Disney road crew were already handing out the wristbands! We received ours for the 2pm time! I had told them that Kayla had no idea what we were doing, so they didn’t mention Zendaya’s name! It was a good time we were told since it was right in the middle so we would definatly be guaranteed to meet her! I thanked them, and we were given a printed map of where the meet would take place. We decided to take a walk down the Pier and find the place so we wouldn’t be lost at our time!

Navy Pier is about a mile long from the main entrance to the end. The meet and greet area was near the end of the pier and about a 10 minute walk from the Family Pavilion area! We found it and chatted with the Radio Disney CM for a few minutes. She had been at the Lemonade Mouth greet and was happy to see us again! I thought it was kinda cool she remembered us!

At this time it was about 9:45am, and we had until about 1:30pm to wait! We decided we would check out the Children’s Museum back in the Family Pavilion area for a while, and then at 11am there was a WTTW event going on that we were meeting Kayla’s best friend and her mom (who is one of my BFFs) for! After the WTTW event, we went into Build a Bear and the girls each got a new animal! Then we went into McDonald’s and got some lunch and sat outside! The girls ate and played for a little while. Then about 1:15pm, we decided to part ways, as they were not doing the meet and greet!

We found a sign on our way and Kayla noticed the “Shake It Up” icon and asked if we were going to the show. I said…maybe, we will see. I was surprised that she had not figured out what was going on yet, especially with soo many girls walking around with “Shake It Up” shirts on, even one girl asked her if she was going to the Zendaya meet!

We walked down and joined the crowd outside who were lining up and listening to the Radio Disney crew who were playing music and dancing with the kids! My mom got in line and I took Kayla over to check out Radio Disney. We noticed a group of people near the window and I figured that was probably where Zendaya was at. So, of course, I took Kay over there, thinking this would be a great way to surprise her! I told her to go to the window and see who was in there! She was hesitant at first but then went over and looked through. For a moment I could tell she couldn’t tell what she was looking for. But then…she saw her! I saw her smile spread across her face and she did that cute excited bounce and turned around and yelled at me, “Mommy, it’s Rocky!!” and ran over to me! I told her “Yes it is!”. She asked, “Am I going to meet her?” “Yes Kayla!” “Oh my gosh! Thank you Mommy!” ((big hugs!)) and she ran back to the window and looked for a few minutes. Of course I had to snap a few pictures of her looking!

We then hung out by Radio Disney for about 25 minutes until it was almost our time to line up to go inside! About 15 minutes before we lined up, Zendaya had came outside, escorted by security to take a quick break. I have never seen sooo many little girls and tweens scream and be soo excited and followed her down the pier! Security and the Radio Disney crew were yelling at people to stay back stay back, which you would think people would be considerate to her, it was just a crazy couple minutes. It was neat though to see her walk by 5 feet away, Kayla was so excited! Within 10 minutes we were inside the building and waiting for our turn to meet Zendaya! Radio Disney was inside also, playing music and asking trivia questions from “Shake It Up”. The line moved quickly and soon we were next up to meet Zendaya! The family in front of us left and Kayla went up to her and said hi! I was trying to get a picture but of course was told to move to the side for pictures. I asked if the CM would take a picture of me and Kay with my cell phone, and my mom had my camera and we got both those pics.

Then my Mom wanted a pic with Kay so we took that one. I should of asked for one with all 3 of us together but they were limiting pictures to 1 or 2 per party. It was nice though how she did her meet, she was posing with each person for pictures and had already pre-signed her pictures that were given afterwards!! I really enjoyed that and appreciated that, made it more personable! Kayla was nervous I could tell, I don’t think she gave her a hug like she wanted to but she did say hi and that she loves her!

We were given our autographed pictures and before we exited the area, they had to cut Kay’s wristband off. I asked if we could keep part of it for her scrapbook and they were kind enough and let me! So I have it to put together in a frame with the pictures!

I asked Kayla what she thought of my surprise of meeting Zendaya! She said it was cool and neat! She wished that Cece had been there too, so I told her next time maybe! (That was strange though since usually Zendaya and Bella Thorne do meets together!) She said it was the best day ever too! Proud Mommy moment! Proud Disney Mommy moment!! I love seeing my beautiful princess soo happy and I am so lucky that I can take her to these great events where she can meet her favorite Disney Channel stars! I wish we wouldn’t get soo tongue tied that we forget to talk to the stars, even though I am sure they are used it it, but I know this will be a great memory that Kayla will keep with her forever!!

Thank you again to the Chicago Radio Disney crew for sponsoring this meet and greet event, as always it was great!! Also, a HUGE Thank you to Zendaya for visiting Chicago!!

Follow Jamie at her blog at www.mydreamingcorner.blogspot.com and follow her on Twitter @jrobbins79

The post Shake It Up! Disney Event in Chicago appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show – your Walt Disney World Information Station. Thank you for tuning in once again. This is show #72 for the week of June 22, 2008. I am your host Lou Mongello, and I am admittedly VERY excited about this week’s show

I won’t have any news or rumors this week, but will have an announcement before getting to my first guest.

And part of the reason why I’m so excited about this week’s show is because of whom my first guest is. Disney Channel fans may remember a series from the mid-90′s called Walt Disney World Inside Out, which took you literally behind the scenes of the parks every week. This week, I am joined by the one of the hosts of what was probably my favorite show on television, JD Roth. We’ll talk not only about his career and experiences on the show, but what he’s been doing ever since. You may now know that he is one of Hollywood’s hottest producers, with not only many popular reality and game shows to his credit, but he’s also going to be the host of a new show coming to ABC later this year unlike any other that’s been done in the past. And best of all, he’ll tell you how you and your family can be a part of it! And you don’t have to go to Hollywood – JD and the show will come to you!

Continuing in my 7 Wonders of Walt Disney World series, where we explore some of the things that truly make Walt Disney World such a magical place, this week we’ll take a detailed look back at the overwhelming choice of almost everyone who cast a vote. We’ll explore the history, story and technological marvels that make Spaceship Earth more than just an icon for a theme park. It’s a classic attraction that gives us all a sense of our collective past, and acts as a symbol of our hopes for the future.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show.

ABC-TV IS NOW CASTING OUTGOING FAMILIES WITH KIDS AND TEENAGERS FOR A NEW GAME SHOW, “OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS” !

Are you an outgoing and fun family with teenagers or kids — ages 7 to 21?

Would you love to finally pay off that debt, buy that flat screen TV, new refrigerator, car or even a new bedroom set for the kids’ rooms?

If so, ABC — the network that brought you “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and “Oprah’s Big Give” has a new family-oriented game show where families could walk away with a huge cash prize.

Casting is looking for close-knit families with a lot of personality. “It’s family game night with real stakes and prizes!” said casting producer Allison Kaz. “We are hoping to bring the neighborhood together and reinvent family game night altogether.”

This is a fun new trivia based game show where the game is brought to your house. The entire family will contribute answering questions for a chance to win money and amazing prizes.

You may submit a photo and bio of your family to the address below:

familygameshowcasting@gmail.com

PLEASE SEND ASAP – Submission deadline isJuly 3rd 2008

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL

3BALL PRODUCTIONS.

310.727.3337

CODEWORD: GAMESHOW CASTING

Mention you heard about it on the WDWRadio Show!

The View from the Top of Spaceship Earth!

Spaceship Earth Trivia at DisneyWorldTrivia.com

Mouse Business 102: Disney, Siemens and Spaceship Earth

Imagineer George McGinnis interview

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Our friends at MouseFanTravel are dedicated to giving back to the community and this month they have selected my Dream Team Project!
Just book a vacation package or cruise through June 30, 2008 and they
will make a donation to this wonderful cause! THANK YOU!!!

If you’re planning on visiting Orlando, Florida take advantage of this special for WDW Radio Show listeneres and Disney World Trivia readers !

Receive a FREE Rental Car and $50.00 Gas Card with your 7 Night Stay in a 3, 4 or 5 Star Vacation Home! Search for the perfect vacation home or call All Star Vacation Homes today to find out how you can save on your Disney World Vacation!

Just mention WDWTRIVIA when you reserve your vacation home!

Note: Not valid during peak/holiday seasons or with any other discount or special.

The post Show #72 – June 22, 2008 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.