Did you know that 2012 is a Leap Year? Disney Parks is marking this special year by staying open for 24 hours straight on Leap Day – February 29.

Both the Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland Park will stay open for 24 hours straight as part of a bi-coastal salute called “One More Disney Day.” From 6 a.m., February 29 to 6 a.m., March 1, 2012, local time, guests can fill the extra day of leap year with a marathon of Disney magic and fun.

In addition, for 60 days straight, from yesterday January 1, 2012 to February 29, 2012, Disney will choose a winner each and every day in the “Disney Parks One More Disney Day Sweepstakes” to receive a Disney Parks vacation. One entrant each day will win a vacation for four to make memories at either Disneyland Resort in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida!

In addition to the extra time,Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California will feature a special offer:

Guests get one more day and night of memory making, free when they buy a 3-night/3-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Co. room and ticket package at select Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort hotels. The package offer is good for arrivals most nights Feb. 26 – March 10, 2012 and must be booked by Jan. 31, 2012.

For more information or to learn about this and other offers, please visit Disneyland or Walt Disney World.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside will be offering a new room choice for guests visiting the resort beginning in spring 2012, one that is sure to get the entire family excited!

This enchanted new hotel offering is fit for princes and princesses and will open their doors in just a few months.

Behind a special door is a hidden jewel – The Royal Guest Room – one that invites you into a separate area with 512 themed rooms where beds are trimmed with dazzling crystals and gold accents and “magical fireworks” swirl about. These brand new Royal Rooms are designed to not only immerse families in their favourite Disney fairytales, but will engage them with fun features, playful artwork, rich draperies and custom linens.

The rooms will sleep four and rates start at $198. Although they aren’t available quite yet, you can reserve your spot by calling 407-W/DISNEY for reservations.

That’s right! Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts began construction of their new luxury resort at Walt Disney World last week during a special groundbreaking ceremony.

The 444 room Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is expected to open in 2014, and will feature several dining venues including a rooftop restaurant with views of Magic Kingdom Park; a 14,000 square foot spa; fitness center; three pools and a “lazy river”; sports and recreational facilities; as well as meeting and event space, and a business centre.

The new hotel will be located by the Tom Fazio-designed Osprey Ridge 18-hole championship golf course, which is to be renovated and managed by Four Seasons.

Four Seasons first acquired the land from Walt Disney World in 2008 and is working closely with New York-based Silverstein Properties and Dune Real Estate Partners to develop the new resort.

Photo Credit & Renderings: Disney

Can’t get enough of the Muppets? Join Disney Cruise Line on their new cruise ship the Disney Fantasy and you’ll be able to meet the Muppets aboard in a new adventure game!

Not only are there plenty of creative and whimsical technical innovations to discover (as onboard the Disney Dream), there is plenty of new activities and features to discover.

The new Muppets Adventure Game begins as guests start to play “The Case of the Stolen Show”. Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Animal and a cast of over 20 Muppets, take cruisers along an interactive adventure quest around the ship, uncovering clues through over a dozen pieces of Enchanted Art and physical “evidence”.

Guided by a map and holding a unique game card in front of select pieces of Enchanted Art, guests unveil clues and find missing props. Elsewhere on the ship, guests may check a Muppets message board and find a Muppet-sized stateroom door to discover clues. Their mission is to identify the culprit and solve the crime before it’s time to raise the curtain and light the lights on the Muppets’ big show.

“The Case of the Stolen Show” is a self-paced adventure game designed for guests ages nine and older. It features several possible endings and multiple randomized events – so each time a guest plays, they have a different gaming experience.

In March 2012, Disney Fantasy will set sail on their maiden voyage. To book or for more information, please visit Disney Cruise Line.

FamilyFun is a magazine we’ve been subscribed to for quite some time now and if you know me, you’ll understand that in itself is a big deal. I’m not fond of magazines as I do most of my reading online, however there are 4 favourites I love and adore, ones that I subscribe to year after year and Family Fun is one of them.

I was recently approached by Disney to check out their latest magazine, a kids’ version of FamilyFun and was excited about the new addition. The original FamilyFun is filled with inspiration and ideas for parents who are looking for ideas to entertain and stimulate their kids. This one is for the kids.

I wasn’t expecting anything but a brown paper envelope with a magazine enclosed, so you can imagine my surprise when a huge box was delivered to my door – one from FamilyFun.

Not only was the magazine included, but Disney also sent over a bunch of art supplies to complete several of the crafts in the magazine. Smart no?

So far, we’ve completed a balloon project as well as this glittery snowflake. My kids were excited about the snowflake because we hadn’t had a snow fall. Funny enough, the day after we made this we had a huge snowfall. Ask and you shall receive….

Anyways, back to the magazine. Geared towards children ages 6 to 12, it is chock full of games, puzzles, crafts and food ideas that encourage your child’s creative abilities. The projects are fun, quick and easy, and most of them can be completed with items found around your house.

Another bonus – it’s ad free! There are no ads cluttering up the pages, it is 100% pure fun. Like Disney’s FamilyFun magazine, FamilyFun Kids is affordable and runs at $23.94 per year.

For a free preview or for more information on the magazine, click here.

Heading to Florida in the next couple of weeks? Why not visit Disney World for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! This Spook-Tacular event runs after-hours and is filled with entertainment.

From 7 p.m. to midnight, guests are encouraged to wear their favorite Halloween costumes and trick-or-treat around Magic Kingdom. Kids can meet up with the character – who are dressed up in their very own costume – and take part in some of the fun entertainment options.

Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade is led by the Headless Horseman and followed by the whole gang from Mickey to the Disney villains.

There is also the bewitching “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular illuminates the sky in bursts of orange and green fireworks, while Cinderella Castle is draped in eerie hues and ghostly apparitions flit along the park’s rooftops.

The Boo-to-you Parade takes place at 8:15 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. with HalloWishes Fireworks Spectacular in between at 9:30 p.m. Special lighting, music and theming effects combine to transform areas of the park into happy haunted hollows.

The Halloween Party returned to the Magic Kingdom in September and runs for 23 select nights until November 1, 2011. Remaining party dates are: October 23, 25, 27, 28, 30 and 31; and Nov. 1.

To purchase advance tickets, guests can visit disneyworld.com/halloween or call 407/W-DISNEY. Advance purchase (prior to event day) savings of $6 per ticket are available for October 23, 25 and 27; and Nov. 1.

Still stuck on a Halloween costume? According to the National Retail Federation’s yearly top costume survey, Disney Store has the most popular styles, including princesses, Spider-Man and pirate costumes. They are also one of the main picks for celebs and their kids.

During a star studded event held at the Santa Monica Disney Store last week (September 22). Molly Ringwald, Kyle Richards, Joey Lawrence, and actress Candace Cameron shopped for their favorite Halloween costumes. Even Salma Hayek’s little girl Valentina came in to join the fun!

So.. what’s hot for 2011?

Girls are sure to love the new Limited Edition Rapunzel costume (only 2,000 available). Also remember the special royal event welcoming Rapunzel into the Royal Court that was held in London last week? In celebration of that event and to celebrate Disney Princess, Disney will be offering all 10 princess costumes with their matching accessories this year. Regardless of which princess your daughter favors, she’ll find a matching costume at the Disney Store for Halloween.

For the boys Spider-Man, Captain America, Jack Sparrow, Cars 2, Buzz Lightyear are popular picks. There are also some adorable options for toddlers and infants!

Disney Store is offering 40% off all of their costumes for a limited time so head on over before they sell out! I had such a hard time finding my daughter a Rapunzel dress last year because they were all sold out by the time I went to place my order.

Yesterday was the big day for Rapunzel as she was officially welcomed as the 10th Disney Princess in a vibrant, fun and energetic celebration beginning with a procession through Kensington Gardens. Over 10,000 Disney fans lined the streets and waved flags as the Disney Princesses made their way through in horse-drawn carriages.

Nicole Richie, her husband Joel Madden and their two children Harlow and Sparrow attended the event as did other celebrities such as Peter Andre, Helen McCroy, Damian Lewis, Ticiane Pinheiro Justus and Laura Chiatti.

Rapunzel has become one of the most popular Disney Princess and it isn’t just due to her 70 feet of glowing, magical hair. Rapunzel has encouraged (and continues to encourage) girls to follow their dreams and to find their inner strength. Even though she lived her entire life locked up in a castle, this is one princess that is certainly no damsel in distress!

Photos: onEdition [David Parry/PA]

This is the weekend Disney will officially welcome Rapunzel as the 10th Disney Princess character during a special, high profile, star-studded celebration at Kensington Palace in London, England. Rapunzel flew in a little early to visit various landmarks and tour the area. On September 26th, the day of her arrival, Rapunzel was spotted visiting the Salt Tower at the Tower of London, on the 27th she made a special stop at Covent Garden (one of my favorite places in London) to see the rich cultural offerings of London’s popular marketplace and on the 28th she took a break by the Thames to admire Tower Bridge.

Yesterday and today, the Princess enjoyed the view of Trafalgar Square, posing in front of Nelson’s Column for a picture and then made her final stop to admire Big Ben before heading to Kensington Palace. In just two more days on October 2, 2011, little princesses from across the globe will watch Rapunzel be welcomed into the Disney Princess royal court by Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Snow White and Tiana. Celebrities such as Nicole Richie and her family, as well as chef Jaime Oliver will attend.

If you were wondering who won the “Princess Moment” video contest, Disney selected a U.S. family from Centreville, V.A., who won a special dream vacation to attend the event in London. Along with their mother, Laurie Senio, the three little girls, Allie (age 8), Sammie and Katie (age 3), will attend this weekend’s festivities.

If you happen to be in the area, there will be a procession of all ten Disney Princesses through Kensington Gardens, just prior to the event which everyone can attend for free and without a ticket. The procession will start at 1pm at Queen’s Gate and finish at 1:30pm at Kensington Palace.

Photo Credit: Disney

Last week marked the grand-opening of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Oahu, Hawaii!

The resort occupies over 21 acres of oceanfront property on Ko Olina which is 30 minutes from Waikiki and approximately 17 miles from the Honolulu International Airport. When all phases are complete, the resort will include 359 traditional guest rooms and 481 two bedroom Disney Vacation Club villas in two towers. Man rooms offers thrilling views of the ocean, mountains and lush surroundings.

In regards to amenities, Aulani offers a a little something for everyone. Adults will appreciate the massive 18,000-square-foot Laniwai, a Disney Spa, with 15 treatment rooms (many offering traditional Hawaiian treatments) and a fitness center. The kids are offered access to their very own kids’ club, Aunty’s Beach House, where they can explore Hawaiian culture through supervised entertainment, including interactive touch tables, wildlife and nature programs, arts and crafts, Disney movies and traditional Hawaiian games.

There is also the Waikolohe Valley, Aulani’s seven-acre water play area which mimics the flow of a watershed as it moves from the mountain to the ocean, complete with the Waikolohe Stream, the resort’s mysterious (yet fun) tube-floating watercourse. Here guests encounter bubbling water, a cloaking mist and several hundred feet of additional surprises.

There are two signature restaurants on the premises – the full-service beach side `AMA`and the buffet-style Makahiki – offering foods unique to Hawaii for breakfast, lunch and dinner (vegetarian options available).

Those thrill and adventure seekers will appreciate Tubestone Curl, the resort’s tube slide, and Volcanic Vertical, Aulani’s tunnel slide, whereas guests of all ages are sure to love the 3,800 square foot Rainbow Reef snorkel lagoon (the only one of its kind in Oahu) where guests can interact with native Hawaiian fish. Along with water activities such as whirlpool spas, wading pool and a quiet adult pool, reservations can be made to touch the gentle stingrays at the Makai Preserve conservation. A portion of the proceeds from this activity will support research and conservation efforts in Hawaii through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.

Want to discover the area? Aulani offers many excursions designed by Adventures by Disney that include exploring tropical forests, hiking local mountains, sailing aboard catamarans, swimming with dolphins, cooking with local chefs, following a ghost tour and more.

Doesn’t it sound amazing?