Walt Disney World is planning to shut down its high-end California Grill restaurant for six months or more, to allow for an extensive renovation of the restaurant atop the resort's Contemporary Resort hotel.

Disney said last week that the restaurant will close Jan. 6 and reopen in "late summer 2013."

The company provided few details of what the renovation will entail, though it said it will be "tweaking" the menu, which features ...

I’m amazed how certain smells can trigger a flood of memories. For me, I love walking in Epcot just after it has rained, as I’m reminded of a family trip in 1988. Disney Parks attractions use scents to enhance experiences (I’m looking at you, burning embers from Spaceship Earth); and I know I’m not the only one who enjoys standing outside the bakery on Main Street, U.S.A. I’ve discussed before how Disney Theme Park Merchandise ...

I hope that you, your friends and your family had a fantastic and restful Fourth of July. I was at my favorite Independence Day spot – Magic Kingdom Park here at Walt Disney World Resort! Is there any better way to celebrate our nation’s birthday than watching “Disney’s Celebrate America! – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky”?

Another favorite place of mine is Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawai’i. I’ve been fortunate ...

Summer is in full swing here at Epcot, and it is definitely a Summer to Remember! With the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series, Disney Phineas & Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure and more, guests at Epcot don’t ever have to look far for fun ways to fill up their day. These posts offer an introduction to some of the excitement:

Take 5: Summer Fun at Epcot

Mountain climbers have returned to the icy slopes of the majestic Matterhorn at Disneyland park this summer, continuing a tradition begun in the earliest days of the attraction. Our experienced team of climbers makes safety a top priority, and they’re able to have a little fun up there, too. In this video, Technical Director Mike Layman and the climbers themselves give us a unique perspective on this only-in-Disneyland experience.

The video ...