Arnold Palmer Management to Operate Walt Disney World Golf Courses; Course Enhancements Planned
Walt Disney World Resort and Arnold Palmer Golf Management have signed a 20-year strategic alliance to create even more magic for Disney golfers. Beginning Sept. 25, Arnold Palmer Golf Management will operate, manage, maintain and help promote all five Disney courses including Disney’s Palm and Magnolia, Lake Buena Vista, Osprey Ridge and Oak Trail golf courses.
As part of this long-term alliance agreement, golf legend Arnold Palmer and his golf course design team will be actively engaged in implementing strategic and innovative design features to several of the golf courses. Future enhancements include plans for a full renovation of Disney’s Palm under his direction to become an Arnold Palmer designed course.
“After 40 years as a golf course architect, I’m looking forward to this opportunity to contribute to Disney’s rich and storied golf legacy,” said Arnold Palmer. “I’ve enjoyed a lifetime of memories playing golf and it will be a great reward to pass that on to those who share a passion both for Disney and the game of golf.”
With an extensive following of serious golf enthusiasts, Arnold Palmer Golf Management is known for its excellent course conditions, pace of play, service standards and player development. In addition to course operation, the company also manages “Palmer Advantage,” a reciprocal club and concierge service program, that provides members with unique travel benefits and access to more than 250 private clubs, resorts and golf courses around the world.
“Drawing on Arnold Palmer Golf Management’s expertise and experience enables us to build on our mutual strengths and extend our appeal both among leisure players and avid golfers,” said Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Disney Sports Enterprises. “We’re excited about this new collaboration, which will benefit Disney guests and Palmer Advantage club members wanting a destination golf experience.”
The agreement gives Arnold Palmer Golf Management an opportunity to add a uniquely Disney, family-friendly golf destination to its portfolio of more than 70 private clubs and championship golf courses. Disney Golf will be promoted within the Palmer Advantage network of golf devotees, through a dedicated website and featured within the exclusive publication, “Kingdom Magazine,” which celebrates Mr. Palmer’s contributions to the game of golf and extensive philanthropic ambassadorship.
“With a reputation for service excellence and exceptional family entertainment, Walt Disney World is an ideal complement to our member offerings,” said Jim Hinckley, president of Arnold Palmer Golf Management. “This collaboration will give our members both a superior golf experience and a one-of-a-kind family golf vacation.”
Since Walt Disney World opened with two 18-hole courses in 1971, golf has been a key component of the resort. Over the past four decades, Disney World has hosted professional and amateur golf tournaments, including one of the longest-running events in PGA Tour history – the PGA Tour’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. Disney has also hosted the LPGA Tour, NCAA golf championships and dozens of celebrity golf tournaments.
Walt Disney World Resort is one of the largest golf resorts in the country with a total of 81 holes on four 18-hole championship courses and a 9-hole family-play course. All five courses are certified by Audubon International as cooperative wildlife sanctuaries. The resort includes:
- Disney’s Magnolia course – Named for its 1500 magnolia trees, this course is one of the two original golf courses that opened with Walt Disney World Resort forty years ago. Designed by Joe Lee, the course has hosted final round play for PGA Tour events since 1971.
- Disney’s Palm course –Designed to accentuate the natural beauty of the land, the course opened in 1971 near Magic Kingdom. Recognized as one of America’s premier resort courses, Disney’s Palm will be renovated to earn the designation of an Arnold Palmer designed course.
- Lake Buena Vista course – Built in 1972, the course adjacent to Downtown Disney and Saratoga Springs Resort stretches to 6,829 yards from the championship tees. As a past host for PGA, LPGA and USGA tour stops, the beautifully conditioned course is a challenge for pros and amateurs alike.
- Osprey Ridge course – Designed by Tom Fazio in 1992, the course will transition to Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort as part of their new luxury resort anticipated to open in 2013-14.
- Oak Trail course – one of Disney’s most popular courses, this nine hole walking course is ideal for golfers of all ages and skill levels.
Categories: Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Golf, Sponsorships, Sports
Chiquita to Sponsor ‘Living with the Land,’ ‘Crush’n'Gusher’ at Walt Disney World
Chiquita Brands International (NYSE: CQB) and Walt Disney World Resort announced an agreement today that will bring premium, healthy fresh Chiquita® and Fresh Express® products to a number of retail points at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. and the Disney Cruise Line. This new strategic alliance represents the commitment of both companies to provide consumers with healthy food options.
“We are pleased to work with Disney to offer healthy, nutritious Chiquita and Fresh Express products to the millions of guests who visit Walt Disney World Resort as well as the Disney Cruise Line each year,” said Fernando Aguirre, Chiquita chairman and chief executive officer. “This alliance joins two companies with the shared commitment of providing quality experiences to consumers. This is yet another step in Chiquita’s efforts to improve world nutrition by extending distribution of our healthy fresh products, now to include the world’s favorite vacation destinations.”
Throughout Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line, Chiquita and Fresh Express products will receive brand exclusivity within their respective categories and enjoy significant exposure to important consumer segments. The new agreement continues Chiquita’s expansion into distribution points beyond traditional channels as well as providing an opportunity for Chiquita to educate consumers about the benefits of proper nutrition.
“This alliance complements our company’s commitment to providing guests with high-quality, healthy food options,” said George Aguel, senior vice president, Corporate Alliances for The Walt Disney Company.
As part of the agreement, Chiquita will serve as the sponsor of both the “Crush ‘n’ Gusher” at Typhoon Lagoon, themed around a tropical fruit processing center, and the “Living with the Land” attraction, where Chiquita will join forces with Disney to help teach guests about nutrition. In another joint effort, Chiquita will also participate in the “runDisney” marathon series to help promote healthy living and active lifestyles. Beginning with the upcoming Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend in September, Chiquita will share with guests and participants how its fresh and convenient products can help improve personal nutrition.
Chiquita and Fresh Express products add to Disney’s existing portfolio of nutritious snack items as well as its ongoing effort to promote healthy lifestyles and nutrition for kids and families. Chiquita bananas and Fresh Express salad items will be featured throughout Walt Disney Resort and offer visitors convenient low calorie snacks.
The Walt Disney Company first pioneered groundbreaking nutritional guidelines in 2006 aimed at giving parents and children healthier eating options. Disney Magic of Healthy Living, a comprehensive initiative launched in 2010, builds on that commitment by inspiring kids and families to explore simple and fun ways to eat right and be active. Today, more than 85 percent of Disney’s licensed food portfolio consists of healthier options, including produce and low-fat dairy.
Categories: Business, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Chiquita, Sponsorships
Ocean Spray Announces Partnership with Disney Parks; Parks to Offer Disney-Branded Craisins and other Cranberry Products
Ocean Spray announced today a partnership with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts that will bring the Ocean Spray cranberry to a number of retail points at Disney parks, including a new presence at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., and Disney Cruise Line.
Disney will now offer Craisins® Dried Cranberries at various retail locations, including theme parks, cruise ships, meeting rooms and hotels. The product will also be highlighted in new signature salads and Cranberry muffins and sold in fruit cart stands and kiosks inside the theme parks. The companies are also joining together to launch a special, co-branded version of Craisins® Dried Cranberries packaging featuring Chip ‘n Dale that will be used on Ocean Spray products sold on Disney properties.
“Ocean Spray is proud to form one of the largest partnerships of its kind in our history, with such a world-class organization as Disney that shares our wholesome, good-for-you focus,” said Randy Papadellis, CEO of Ocean Spray. “We look forward to working with Disney, and we’re pleased that Disney guests will now be able to enjoy the cranberry’s great taste and health benefits and also learn about its unique American heritage.”
As a part of Ocean Spray’s ongoing commitment to educate consumers about the taste, health and heritage of the cranberry, the company will build cranberry bog displays during Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival, held April 29 to June 12, 2011, and the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival in fall 2011. Third-, fourth- and fifth-generation cranberry growers will travel with 2,000 pounds of fresh cranberries from rural areas around the country to share their passion and personal farming histories while recreating the wonders of the harvest for families visiting the parks.
The events will provide the backdrop to showcase the versatility of the cranberry, and the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival will be part of Ocean Spray’s Fifth Annual Ultimate Cranberry Recipe Contest for executive chefs.
“Ocean Spray shares our company’s commitment to providing guests who visit our theme parks with high-quality, well-balanced snack options,” said George Aguel, senior vice president, Corporate Alliances and Operating Participants, the Walt Disney Company. “This agreement will provide Ocean Spray with opportunities to share its story with millions of guests from around the world in a memorable way and provide our guests with additional healthy options.”
The inclusion of Ocean Spray products adds to Disney’s existing portfolio of nutritious snack items as well as its ongoing effort to promote healthy lifestyles and nutrition for kids and families. Ocean Spray Craisins® Dried Cranberries are made from real fruit, are naturally fat-free, cholesterol-free and a good source of fiber. Just 1/3 cup of Craisins® Dried Cranberries provides one full serving of fruit.
The announcement comes after Disney first pioneered groundbreaking nutritional guidelines in 2006 aimed at giving parents and children healthier eating options. Today, more than 85 percent of Disney’s licensed food portfolio consists of healthier options, including produce and low-fat dairy with more than one billion servings of fruits, vegetables and dairy sold in 2009 alone.
Categories: Business, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland Resort, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Ocean Spray, Sponsorships
New Commercial Shows How Rayovac Powers the Magic at Disney Parks
We were sent this sneak peek at a new television commercial for Rayovac, the preferred battery at both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts and thought we’d pass it, its catchy tune and its novel approach on how to handle a younger brother along.
The ad will make its national television debut during ABC’s Good Morning America on Monday, December 21.
For more information on Rayovac including a special discount available only to fans, visit its official Facebook page.
Categories: Uncategorized Tags: Commercials, Rayovac, Sponsors, Sponsorships
Sylvania to Sponsor Disneyland’s ‘it’s a small world;’ New Marquee in Early 2010
“We are thrilled to be associated with such an icon of the Disney experience. At SYLVANIA, we are creating ways to see the world in a new light. Our association with ‘it’s a small world’ is a perfect fit for our own vision,” said Rick Leaman, president and CEO of the Siemens lighting unit, OSRAM SYLVANIA.
“‘it’s a small world’ is a celebration of the hope we all share for peace on Earth,” said Walt Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter, who is the creative lead for Disneyland. “It’s an illuminating global message, so it’s fitting that this classic attraction should be sponsored by a company that literally helps illuminate the world.”
A new illuminated marquee, the only change to the attraction, will brighten the overall experience for guests and is slated for installation in early 2010. The design is a visual celebration of what the attraction represents, the happy spirit of children everywhere.
This sponsorship is part of a 12-year agreement between The Walt Disney Company and Siemens. The agreement includes marketing and promotional rights, attraction sponsorships and a promotional presence that features Siemens products and services at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. Siemens also is the sponsor of the Epcot icon, SpaceShip Earth.
“it’s a small world” originally was created for the 1964 New York World’s Fair as an exhibit that would benefit UNICEF, which is dedicated to the welfare of children all over the world. The attraction moved to its Anaheim home in 1966.
Considered a quintessential Disney theme park experience, “it’s a small world” contains more than 300 Audio-Animatronics® figures, representing children around the globe. It also features more than 250 toys and 80 animated props. After a full year of work, an enhanced version of the attraction opened in February 2009, including stylized dolls and toys dressed as several classic Disney characters seamlessly integrated and geographically located in the lands where their stories take place.
Categories: Disneyland, Disneyland Resort, Theme Parks Tags: Attractions, fantasyland, IASW, it's a small world, Siemens, Sponsorships

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