Pledges to lose weight or pay off debts typically find a way into conversations this time of year, as the anticipation of New Year’s resolutions approaches.  However, according to a study from Disney Parks and HandsOn Network, 2010 may see a surge of helping hands and giving hearts, as more families resolve to volunteer.  

HandsOn Network, the nation’s largest volunteer network, is working with Disney to help make 2010 the ideal year to realize those goals and make volunteering a family resolution.

Beginning on Jan 1, 2010, Disney Parks officially launches “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day,” a first-of-its-kind initiative with the help of HandsOn Network.  Through the program, Disney Parks hopes to inspire 1 million people to perform a day of volunteer service for a participating organization in 2010 by giving them a free, one-day admission ticket to a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park.  Families are encouraged to visit www.DisneyParks.com to research and sign up for a volunteer opportunity in their local community.

“Disney Parks, through HandsOn Network, is making it easy for volunteers of all ages to find an organization in need,” said Maggie Jones Patton, executive director of Youth HandsOn Network, the youth activating arm of HON.  “There has never been a better time to start a new tradition of volunteering together as Disney Parks celebrates good deeds with a free Disney theme park ticket.”

How to Get Involved
HandsOn Network has 250 on-the-ground volunteer action centers across the country and connects volunteers to more than 70,000 non-profit agencies that need help. With Americans already thinking about various volunteer opportunities as their New Year’s resolutions, 28 percent would be most interested in packaging donations at a food pantry or soup kitchen or helping out at a clothing or toy drive, the survey said.

Below are additional examples of opportunities available through HandsOn Network and its local affiliates. Families are encouraged to visit www.DisneyParks.com for additional ways to help.
 

• Plant, weed and tend a community garden
• Read to or spend time with children at a local daycare center or shelter
• Assemble backpacks or supplies for under-resourced schools
• Help spruce up a local school, library or outdoor park
• Visit nursing homes to play games, make crafts or share talents with senior residents

About Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts are where dreams come true. More than 50 years ago, Walt Disney created a new kind of entertainment families could experience together, immersed in detailed atmospheres and vibrant storytelling. His vision now includes a collection of five of the world’s leading family vacation destinations – Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, Calif.; Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.; Tokyo Disney Resort, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan; Disneyland Resort Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, France; and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, China. In addition, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts includes the world-class Disney Cruise Line; Disney Vacation Club, with nine resorts and more than 420,000 members; Adventures by Disney, a guided group vacation experience to some of the world’s most popular destinations; Disney Regional Entertainment, which operates the ESPN Zone dining and entertainment centers; the World of Disney stores; and Walt Disney Imagineering, which creates and designs all Disney parks, resorts and attractions. For more information and images, please visit www.disneyparks.com.  

About HandsOn Network
HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute, is the largest volunteer network in the nation and includes more than 250 HandsOn Action Centers that reach more than 83 percent of the nation’s population and extend to 10 countries. HandsOn includes a powerful network of more than 70,000 corporate, faith and nonprofit organizations that are answering the call to serve and creating scaled impact. In 2008, the network delivered approximately 30 million hours of volunteer service valued at $615 million. For more information, visit handsonnetwork.org.

And Remember,--A FAMILY THAT SERVES TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER!

CONTACT US NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK YOUR WALT DISNEY WORLD VACATION PACKAGE FOR 2010!

                                                    Grab an Offer that's Out Of This World!

FREE* Disney Gift Card Worth Up To $750 when you book a stay at the Walt Disney World® Resort. You can make the most out of your vacation using a FREE Disney Gift Card worth up to $750!

Offer Details:
When you purchase a 5-night/6-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels you'll get a FREE Disney Gift Card.

You can use this Disney Gift Card at participating locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort for merchandise, recreation and dining.

This Magic Your Way Package Includes:

• Accommodations for 5 nights right in the middle of the magic
• A 6-Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket, with admission to one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks for each day of  your package stay
• FREE $300 Disney Gift Card for stays at a select Disney Value Resort, OR
• FREE $500 Disney Gift Card for stays at a select Disney Moderate Resort, OR
  
• FREE $750 Disney Gift Card for stays at a select Disney Deluxe Resort or a select Disney Deluxe Villa Resort

Booking Window:
Dec. 21, 2009 – March 27, 2010

Travel Window:
Valid for stays most nights:

• Jan. 3, Jan.10-12, Jan. 18 - March 27 and April 11 - June 3, 2010 at select Disney Value Resorts
• Jan. 3, Jan.10-12, Jan. 18 – March 27 and April 11 – June 3, 2010 at select Disney Moderate Resorts
• Jan. 3-11, Jan. 19 – March 27 and April 11 – June 3, 2010 at select Disney Deluxe Resorts
• Jan. 3 – March 27 and April 11 – June 3, 2010 at select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Tickets must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. Advance reservations required. Excludes suites and campsites.

CONTACT US TO BOOK THIS OFFER!

Dining is a dream come true at Magic Kingdom® Park. Beginning Feb. 7, 2010, Fairytale Dining will be the new name for the character dining experience at Cinderella’s Royal Table. Once you enter the Castle foyer, you will have a photo opportunity with Cinderella as she welcomes you to the feast. Upstairs in the enchanted dining hall, Cinderella’s royal friends, the Disney Princesses, will mingle with you as you dine.

Reservations for this dining fairytale can be made 180 days in advance.  Book with us and we will take care of all your dining reservations.  CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Since I will be staying at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort in less than 10 days, I thought it only fitting to blog about this terrific resort.

Disney's Port Orleans Resort is made up of two "regions"-The French Quarter and The Riverside locations.  Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort offers guest rooms that can accommodate 5 guests with two double beds and a trundle bed. This is a great option and money saver for families of 5.

Southern architecture creates the setting for romance amid trees and flowers. The resort offers a step back in time into the heart and soul of the Southern region of our country.

The two themed regions are connected by a winding road and picturesque waterways to capture the mystery and romance of a trip up the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Natchez. But in Walt Disney World geography, resort guests can travel by flat-bottomed boats even farther "down river," to the shops and showplaces of Downtown Disney -- including the Marketplace, West Side and Pleasure Island.  This feature make Port Orleans stand out.  The boat trip "down the river" is beautiful and relaxing, it is a great way to get to Downtown Disney to enjoy shopping, eating and entertainment!

Southern-Styled Grace and Charm at Riverside
Disney's Port Orleans-Riverside is a 2,048-room fantasy vacation adventure depicting the lifestyle of the great Old South with wandering paths, picturesque waterways and the sounds of Cajun music. The resort includes mansion-style accommodations and rustic retreats. Most rooms sleep four, but some rooms in Alligator Bayou offer a trundle bed and accommodate five.

The cuisine is varied, with a blend of Cajun specialties and American fare at Boatwright's Dining Hall, a 208-seat family restaurant reminiscent of a wooden shipbuilding yard. The Riverside Mill food court, which seats 450, features pizza, roasted chicken, spicy fried chicken, pasta dishes and a bakery in a themed cotton-mill setting.

The focal point of Ol' Man Island is a 3.5-acre recreation complex with pools, spa, fishing hole and playground. Bicycles and boats also are available at The Marina at Riverside. The Muddy Rivers pool bar on Ol' Man Island will quench even the greatest thirst.

For a relaxing and entertaining evening, the River Roost lounge provides the perfect atmosphere. Next door is Fulton's General Store featuring a wide variety of sundries.