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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter -- Official Opening Date!

Get ready, muggles and magic folk alike -- Universal Resort Orlando has finally announced the official opening date for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The big day is June 18, 2010. That's right! Just in time for the big summer travel season, Universal will open the doors to their highly-anticipated new Island, based entirely on the works and world of J. K. Rowling.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter shares Island space with The Lost Continent but is an entirely new creation. Visitors will walk the streets of Hogsmeade Village, enjoy a butterbeer (already reputed to be delicious!) at The Three Broomsticks or The Hog's Head, grab some pumpkin pasties and chocolate frogs at Honeydukes Sweets Shop, and more. Check out all the magical ephemera in Dumbledore's office. Take a wander through the Griffindor common room. Find your wand at Ollivander's. The attention to detail is said to be extreme and exquisite, with much of it having been designed with input from Rowling herself.

Hogwarts Castle stands tall over the Wizarding World, drawing you to the park's centerpiece -- a magical flight with Ron, Hermione and Harry himself. The ride combines state-of-the-art animatronics and robotics with 360-degree immerse filming technology so you can experience the full effect of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. And they say waiting in line for the ride is half the fun, thanks to a whole lot of that detail I mentioned earlier. The queue takes you through some of the most iconic locations from the beloved book series, including Dumbledore's office, the Griffindor Common Room, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, even the castle dungeons. There are also two outdoor coasters -- Dragon Encounter (for your chance at the TriWizard Cup) and Flight of the Hippogriff (right by Hagrid's hut). This will be THE summer experience for book lovers, theme park-goers, and ride aficionados alike. There is nothing like it anywhere else and the level of detail and layered experience all but guarantees plenty of return visits. This is a definite for any Orlando vacation but if you want to hit it on or close to opening day, book now -- Universal's special packages are already selling out fast!

The Orlando You Don't Know: Spend a day in Old Florida

A mere 45 minutes from the parks awaits a lush paradise that is an unexpected surprise. Wekiva Springs State park is a different kind of Florida, the closest you can come to what things were like centuries ago, long before theme parks and interstates and Starbucks. Wekiva is part of the Florida State Park system and it prides itself on being " a glimpse of what Central Florida looked like when Timucuan Indians fished and hunted these lands."

Wekiva is a wonderful break from the ordinary, often hectic rush of an Orlando theme park vacation. Wekiva has acres and acres for you to explore at your leisure. There are trails for hiking, walking, bicycling, and horseback riding. You can take a kayak or canoe (rentals available at the park) ride on the often crystal clear water for glimpses of wildlife both on land and beneath the shimmering surface -- animals like Alligators, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Limpkins, Little Blue Herons, Tricolored Herons, Woodpeckers, Swallow-tailed Kites, Florida Black Bears, White-tailed Deer, River Otters, and Fox are just some of what you may see. Swimming and snorkeling is available year-round as well, since the spring maintain a natural temperature of 72 degrees no matter what the air temp is--that's refreshing in the hottest Florida summer and still comfortable during cool Orlando winters. Just remember this is a State Park, not a theme park -- all animals are wild animals and you always swim/snorkel at your own risk. I'd stick with the kayaks, myself, but the more adventurous out there might think differently.

Wekiva is one of my favorite places in the Orlando area. It's a peaceful, beautiful haven, the perfect place to relax and get away from all stresses, even the ones vacations sometimes bring. And at $5 a carload, it's a real bargain. This is a day trip well worth making time for, especially with the new Nature Center where you can learn about Florida history as well as local flora and fauna. There are even live wildlife specimens if you're not brave enough to hit the trails on your own. You can bring your own food to Wekiva too, so grab a picnic basket or a loaded backpack; there are also a few concession stands serving snacks and basics.

If you go to Wekiva, be sure to pack plenty of sunblock, bottled water and insect repellent; the Florida sun is strong and the bugs can be plentiful. A small first aid kit isn't a bad idea either, especially for inexperienced hikers. In my opinion, the best way to spend time at Wekiva is relaxing near the big spring swimming hole, stretched out on a blanket with a good book, with perhaps the occasional walk along the 18-mile boardwalk to try to spy some lurking wildlife. Bring your camera, bring a blanket, bring the family. This is the Orlando area at its most unexpected. Make time for it if you can.

Wekiwa Springs State Park\
1800 Wekiwa Circle
Apopka, Florida 32712
(407) 884-2008

Wekiwa Springs State Park

*Photographs credit of The Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Just in time for spring and summer heat, a new water slide at Aquatica

Aquatica is getting ready for the spring and summer seasons with a new, thrilling water slide -- Omaka Rocka. This brand new family slide features high-speed tubes and half-pipe funnels. That means you'll be splashing and dashing while sliding every possible way -- forward, backward and even up the walls! Once you reach the bottom, you'll literally skim and skip across the water before the drenching splashdown. I've sent my Orlando spies to go check out the new water action, so expect a first-hand report very soon.

After the splashdown, if you're up for splashing out, you can look into renting a private cabana. Aquatica offers several levels for those who want a guaranteed places to relax and aren't concerned about paying extra for it. There is a wide range of prices as well as amenities, starting from $99/day for up to four guests (extra guests for an additional $15/person) all the way to the Ultimate Cabana at a whopping $600/day. Cabanas feature upgraded furniture, lockers and more; some even include complimentary drinks and ceiling fans. But Cabana rentals do not include park admission--these rentals are all extras but during high capacity times, they're worth budgeting for, provided you make your reservations early.

But it's not all luxury extras--Aquatica has a new way to save money, as well. Check out the after 2pm pass, which allows entrance to the park after 2pm for the rest of 2010. That's NINE MONTHS of entry, with NO blackout dates, for $49.99 -- a whopping $2 more than a standard one day adult pass. That's a fantastic deal, especially if you know anything about Orlando summer weather, where daily morning and early afternoon thunderstorms are the norm. By 2pm, that weather will generally have passed and the parks will likely be less crowded, with the weather having chased away the morning crowds. Take advantage of this deal for sure.

April Fools Day

Happy April Fool’s Day! No practical jokes here, just a Disney way of looking at the day. Disney animated films have a long and proud history of fools and foolish characters, the ones we love to laugh at and who antics make us smile. How many of them do you have fond memories of? Here’s a list to get you started.

Goofy

Dopey (Snow White)

Scuttle (Little Mermaid)

La Fou (Beauty and the Beast)

Gus Gus (Cinderella)

Horace & Jasper (101 Dalmatians)

Snoops (The Rescuers)

The Mad Hatter, Tweedle Dee & Teedle Dum (Alice in Wonderland)

Sir Hiss (Robin Hood)

Mater (Cars)

Mike Wazowski (Monsters, Inc.)

Clopin (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)

Meeko (Pocahontas)

Kronk (The Emperor's New Groove)

Mr. Smee (Peter Pan)

Uncle Albert (Mary Poppins)

Iago (Aladdin)

Timon and Pumba (The Lion King)

Captain Jack (Pirates of the Caribbean)

Pain and Panic (Hercules)

Mushu (Mulan)

Who are your favorite fools and tricksters? Tell us all about it in the comments!

Orlando Travel with Kids, Part 2 of 2

Meredith Bailin-Hull has always been a Disney fan. "When I was a child, we went to WDW every holiday break without fail. We’d stop for a few nights on our way to visit my grandparents in Miami. This was when there was only the Magic Kingdom, and then for a few years after EPCOT opened, however, so 2 days was more than enough to get in all of the things we wanted to do. As I got older the trips became less frequent, much to my disappointment."

When she married and had a child of her own, she was ready to share that love. "I managed to convince my husband, who is not quite the Disneyphile I am, to spend part of our honeymoon at the Parks. Every time we go back I relive pieces of my childhood. The anticipation before the trip and the pure joy of being there have not dwindled a bit. I may as well be 6 again. My daughter is 2 ½ and has only been to the parks once, when she was just a year old. We went with friends who have a little girl 2 years older than ours and the two of them had a blast. We are planning a trip back this fall, when our daughter will be 3 and have already started to prepare her. She can’t wait to visit the 'princess castle' (as she calls it) and to meet all of her favorite characters."

Traveling with a little girl has changed the way Meredith experiences the parks, but it has not diminished her love for it. And she's determined that it never will! Here are her best tips for not losing your theme park love, while trying to pass it along to the next generation.

Tip #1 -- Plan as much as you can.
We learned early on that a relaxing Disney vacation with children requires advanced prep and scheduling. You have to work for the relaxation! We make all meal reservations as far in advance as we can, and try to hit on all of the spots we think we may want to eat. We may book two different restaurants for the same meal and decide between them at the last minute. The key is to have that schedule set so that you aren’t turned away at meal time, and so you don’t waste valuable ride/show time deciding where to eat. This mean you will have to decide ahead of time which park you will be at each day, but it is well worth it! I get the kid excited by playing Disney videos and the Sing-Along Song DVDs that are filmed in the parks.
I am not an organized person by nature, so I have to force myself to be as proactive as possible. I make a list of all of the items I believe we will need while on vacation (including during travel). I break the list up between things that I have to pack and things that I can get upon arrival. GardenGrocer.com delivers grocery items to WDW hotels (and off-site, too), so I start my order with them as soon as I can (you can edit it up to a day before, I believe). Things like shampoo, baby formula, diapers, a case of water, sunblock, breakfast bars, etc. can all be delivered to your resort at a fraction of what it would cost to buy these things on-site.

Tip #2 -- Then plan to be flexible
Have a plan. Decide which parks you are going to on which days and have a basic outline of which rides/shows are the “must haves”. Do NOT be afraid of deviating from your plan. Flexibility is just as important as having an itinerary in the first place. If you have a little one, have a stroller, period. They don’t have to be in tit all of the time, but the option should be available. Use the Parent Swap (also called Baby Swap) option. Wait on line with everyone and then ask for a Baby/Parent swap ticket when you get to the front of the line. One person stays out with the kid(s), the rest ride. The ticket you have will now be good for 3 people any time during that day – just take the ticket to the Fast Pass line and go on in. This is a great way to let older kids ride more often! Another tip: these don’t work like Fast Pass. You can have more than one in your hot little hand at a time. Use the bajeezus out of this!

Tip #3 -- Have plenty of the basics
Repeat after me and make this your mantra: Water & Sunblock. Bring it with you everywhere. Refill your water at water fountains so you don’t pay the high prices for the bottled water.


Tip #4 -- Staying on-site can save time and money
We like the ease of staying on-site, plus the access to Extra Magic Hours and the Disney Meal Plan. If you are traveling on a budget, the All-Star and Pop-Century resorts are very affordable and much MUCH nicer than anything you’ll get for that price off-site. Chances are that you won’t spend that much time in the room, anyway. Ask for a fridge in your room if one isn't already supplied. Staying on-site can mean skipping the cost of a rental car, especially if you only plan to hit the major parks.
If you are staying on-site, nothing beats the mal plans. We have used the Deluxe Meal Plan in the past and it was very well worth it. You have enough meal points that you don’t have to feel guilty going placed that deduct 2 meals (like the HoopDeDoo Revue). The big bonus: if you love the annual Food & Wine Festival at Epcot (like we do) and want to try absolutely everything (like we do), you can use snack points to purchase the food items at the festival’s pavilions and save yourself quite a bit of money.

Tip#5 -- Share the joy
Don’t do it alone if you can help it. Go with another family or meet another family there. It makes it easier on everyone, including the kids.

Orlando Travel with Kids, Part 1 of 2

Marcy Palino was a late bloomer, as far as Disney is concerned. "My first trip to WDW was in 2004. My husband surprised me with a week long trip there for our first anniversary. I was immediately hooked! We've made seven more tips since then." Now that she and her husband have added two beautiful daughters to their family, Disney trips are truly a magical occasion for everyone. But traveling with two girls under the age of five is never easy. Marcy shares her tips on how to manage it successfully.

Tip #1 -- Preparation!
For every visit, we've used a website www.tourguidemike.com to help us plan. There are a lot of websites devoted to Disney trip planning. Disney has a Moms Panel made up of moms who have a lot of experience and are committed to answering questions from those who have been there, done that. I plan to check them out before our next trip. http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/

Tip #2 -- Consider your hotel needs
We've stayed both on site [at WDW] and off. I prefer on site to take advantage of Disney's Magical Express, eliminating the need for a rental car and parking. Disney has buses, monorails and watercraft to take her every where you need to go. I've stayed in all three levels of Disney resorts. The different levels have different amenities. For our family, we simply need a place to shower and sleep, so we've decided that the Value resorts are right for us.

Tip #3 -- Consider the parks one at a time.
I want to enjoy myself and go where the crowds aren't. I recommend checking websites that specialize in trip planning. At the very least, find out what attractions are going to be closed for refurbishment, lest you have a disappointed fan! Call guest services for each park a day before you travel so you can plan with the most up to date information.


We've traveled with an infant more than once. Find out where the Baby Care centers are on the map. They are quiet, cool and a great place to take a break and beat the heat while taking care of your wee one. They have changing areas, large family bathrooms, high chairs, baby food and supplies, bottle warmers, etc. There is also a quiet nursing area (although Florida state law does allow moms to breastfeed anywhere they are otherwise authorized to be).

You can take a baby on any ride that does not have a height requirement. A good start is a ride like It's a Small World. It's not very quiet, and you'll be able to see what your child can handle. Our one year old went on every ride she was allowed and loved the lights and colors. She's a big Haunted Mansion fan now!

Tip #4 - Be early birds
I recommend starting early. Get up, get to breakfast and get to the park as close to opening as possible. Kids are usually chomping at the bit to get there, and you'll get a jump on the late sleepers. If you are staying on site, check for Extra Magic Hours--this can save you loads of time and get you ahead of the crowds, especially during high capacity seasons.

Tip #5 -- Known when to throw away your plan
More than anything, and I can't stress this enough, is to be flexible. Let your vacation happen. Let your kids enjoy themselves. If you've got other plans, like an advanced dining reservation, but aren't going to make it, don't stress out, (but do use your cell to call 40-WDW-DINE or stop by Guest Services to let them know so that another party can take your seat!) Remember, it's supposed to be fun!

If it's the hot and steamy season (which is most of the year in Florida,) consider taking a break midday. Go back to the hotel and enjoy the pool. Encourage a nap unless you know that your children are old enough for a marathon day.

Tip #6 -- Take advantage of food and drink options
Disney allows you to bring water into the parks. We usually contact a local grocery that does delivery to bring us a case of bottled water. This is also a great chance to get snacks and breakfast items delivered, as well as heavy/bulky items like formula, nursery water and diapers that take up a lot of room in your luggage. Now that airlines are charging per bag, this is an especially good idea.

Eat early. Eat before the crowds! An ADR only gets you the next available table, so we try to get there early during the mealtime hours. We eat lunch at 11am and dinner at 5pm. The great thing about WDW is that everyone expects that there will be children dining there, so it's a lot less stress than eating in finer establishments in your home town. Disney Dining does not pay lip service to being child friendly. They have a wide selection of child pleasing favorites, as well as some more adventurous items. They have also ensured that there are healthy options available. We do not have any food allergy issues in our family, but I have heard that the chefs are very accommodating to these issues. If you don't see what you are looking for, just ask!

The only exception to the child rule is Victoria and Albert's, which now has an age requirement.

Tip #7 -- Be prepared for an emergency
If you experience an illness, there are services that will provide house calls, as well as a pharmacy that delivers. There are also minor emergency clinics nearby that provide transportation to and from their clinic from area resorts.

Tip #8--Don't forget, it's your vacation too!
We usually go for a week, typically around our anniversary. We use Kids Night Out to provide in room babysitting for our baby. They are the preferred WDW childcare provider (they can be there any time, day or night.) We have used them several times since 2006 and have always been pleased. We go out for a romantic dinner, and a friendly, qualified care provider cares for our child. When our kids get older, we'll check out the kids clubs that Disney has at several of the resorts. If you aren't comfortable with that idea, you can try to go with another family and swap kids for an evening so that everyone can have some quiet time.

I can personally recommend the spa at the Grand Floridian. Go get a massage!

Part 2 of this article to follow in a couple of days...

The kids keep coming to WDW's Animal Kingdom

And not just the human ones either! Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom celebrated the birth of a gorilla on February 19, 2010. The western lowland gorilla was born to first-time momma Kashata and daddy Gino, and share the family group with two other females, "Aunties" Benga and Hope.The gender of the baby is still unknown but visitors to Animal Kingdom's Paganini Forest Exploration Trail can get a glimpse of the now month-old baby, though Kashata keeps the wee one close, as you can see from the picture. That's the reason Disney's primate team members haven't been able to determine the baby's gender, but it's actually best that way, since it means Kashata is picking up on motherhood very easily! Gorilla moms can have a hard time with first babies, but that hasn't been the case here. Kashata's maternal instincts seem to have been spot-on from the very first. “Kashata has been a model mother from the moment the baby was born," said Matt Hohne, animal operations director for Disney’s Animal Programs. “She immediately knew how to properly hold the baby and her nursing skills have been exemplary.”

Lowland gorilla mothers hold their babies close for the first few months of life, so it might be a while before the primate team can get a close look at the baby. Plan your visit to Animal Kingdom and check out the gorillas at Paganini. If you get a glimpse of the baby, let us know! We'd love to see your pics too.

Springtime Travel Advice from an Industry Expert

Maureen Russell has been a travel industry expert for almost two decades, sending her clients and their families all over the world by plane, train and automobile. With Spring Break and Summer travel seasons getting ready to take off, airports can be the most crowded and confusing places to be. Many travelers get frustrated and feel like they are wasting valuable time. With a little planning and some inside advice, however, you can make your air travel experience easier, so you can spend more time concentrating on the fun!

What are the three traveling mistakes and how can they be avoided?

a) Not being on time. This is the worst thing a traveler can do. No the airline will not hold the plane for you, this is not your mother's travel industry anymore. The airline will start giving away your seat 1/2hr before the flight departs if you are not checked in.

b) Don't assume. Ask questions. Do you need a passport, visa, shots. A recent story came out that a couple booked their honeymoon to Russia on Orbitz, they were never advised that they needed a visa to visit Russia and were de-boarded in Germany.

c) Take the time to reconfirm your flights and check in online. It saves on headaches and avoids many issues.


What, if anything, can or should someone do in the event of a long flight delay or a cancellation?

It depends on if it is a weather or airline issue such as 'mechanical difficulties'. Each airline varies, you can ask for a meal voucher and or hotel voucher. If you know that there will be issues such as a major storm heading your way and you are flexible call your airline, they often love it when you are proactive and will change your flights with no fee and possibly an upgrade.

Don't ever be afraid to ask for a voucher or an upgrade. Also, utilize the Internet, go to the airline website, see what their policies are and then ask the gate agent or the agent on the phone 'What can you do for me?'.

While you are on that long line at the airport, check via your iPhone what the next flight is on any carrier. Often an airline can get you on another carrier if their next flight is oversold they just don't want to do the voucher.


What about tips on packing and planning?

Do you really need 4 pairs of shoes? No. Then don't pack them. Remember you're paying for this now, the weight limit per bag checked is 50lbs. Check your bag online and pay less. I always use the sky caps rather than traipse through an airport alone dragging a bag behind me, and you don't have to wait on those long lines. (on my last trip my bag was too heavy, instead of charging me the sky cap said 'oh honey, just reach in there and pull out something to make it light') Oh and yes, you should always tip the sky cap -- it's worth the service!

What about advice for carry-on bags?

For women carry on luggage is the hardest decisions to make. The airlines allow one carry on and one 'purse or laptop bag' If you can leave your coat behind do so! It just takes up space and that is a valuable commodity. Medicines should be clearly labeled and in a separate clear baggie. Don't over stuff your carry on, you will want to get that book that fell to the bottom of the bag!

My mother told me that once I was dressed and ready to go out to look at myself in a mirror and take one thing off. That is how you should pack.

Check with your individual airlines for their carry-on policy too and make sure you adhere to those restrictions. Also, remember to always check TSA guidelines for what can and can't be carried on; www.tsa.gov is your best course of information.


What about when you arrive at your destination? Any hotel advice?

At the hotel, ASK, always. Is there an upgrade available? The worst thing they can say is no. Always be firm and friendly. Remember the person behind that hotel counter may be at the end of a 12hr shift.

In this electronic age utilize the web. Sign up for all the hotel and airline frequent flyer programs. Find out who their partners are. Did you know that you can link some [grocery store rewards] cards with your Continental miles? Check out your credit cards [and reward memberships] to see where you can accumulate miles and perks.

In this economy everyone is looking for and giving out a bargain. It's just a matter of doing your homework!


What are your best travel tips and tricks? Be sure to leave a comment and share them!

Up, Up and Oscar! Disney and Pixar Strike Again!

Congratulations to Disney and Pixar for their big Oscar win on Sunday, March 7, 2010 -- Up took home the golden statuette for Best Animated Film. But this was hardly the Mouse's first Academy Award. In fact, Walt himself holds the record for most Oscar nominations and the most awards. In his lifetime, he receved 59 nominations and took home 26, including four special awards -- 1932 Honorary Award for the creation of Mickey Mouse, 1939 honorary award for "significant screen innovation' of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 1941 Honorary Award for "outstanding contribution to the advancement of the use of sound in motion pictures through the production of Fantasia," and the Irving J. Thalberg Memorial Award.

Needless to say, the Disney Corporation has been the Academy Awards king when it comes to animated films. For a fun way to celebrate those achievements during your visit to Orlando and the Walt Disney World Resort, try a family scavengar hunt using the list of nominations and wins below--the first person to find something from all the movies on the list wins! It can be a picture, a character, a toy, a ride, whatever you decide counts as a find. Here's the complete list--be sure to comment in the blog when you have your hunt and tell us how everyone did!

Scavenger Hunt Movie List


1940: Pinocchio -- Winner, Best Original Score and Best Song "When You Wish Upon a Star"
1941: Dumbo -- Winner, Best Original Score; Nominated, Best Song "Baby Mine"
1942: Bambi -- Nominated, Best Song "Love Is A Song"
1943: Saludos Amigos -- Nominated, Best Original Score, Best Song, and Best Sound
1947: Song of the South -- Winner, Best Song "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah"
1950: Cinderella -- Nominated for Best Sound, Original Music Score and Best Song "Bibbi Bobbidi Boo".
1964: Mary Poppins -- the most nomiated film in Disney's history! 13 nominations and 5 wins. Winner for Best Actress, Best Film Editing, Best Original Music Score, Best Visual Effects, and Best Song "Chim Chim Cher-ee"
1967: The Jungle Book -- Nominated, Best Song "The Bare Necessities"
1971: Bedknobs and Broomsticks -- Nominated, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Original Music Score and Best Song (The Age of Not Believing0; Winner, Best Visual Effects
1973: Robin Hood -- Nominated, Best Song "Love"
1977: The Rescuers -- Nominated, Best Song "Someone's Waiting for You"
Pete's Dragon -- Nominated, Original Song Score and Best Song "Candle on the Water"
1989: The Little Mermaid -- Nominated, Original Music Score and Best Song "Kiss the Girl"; Winner, Best Song "Under the Sea" (that's right -- the songs competed against each other!
1991: Beauty and the Beast -- Nominated, Best Sound, Best Picture (the first animated film ever to compete in this category), Best Song "Belle"; Best Song "Be Our Guest"; Winner, Best Music and Best Song "Beauty and the Beast" (again, Disney competed against itself for best song, this time with three songs)
1992: Aladdin -- Nominated, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound, Best Song "Friend Like Me"; Winner, Best Song "A Whole New World"
1994: The Lion King -- Nominated, Best Song "Circle of Life" and "Hakuna Matata"; Winner, Best Original Score and Best Song, "Can You Feel The Love Tonight"
1995: Pocahontas -- Winner, Best Original Score and Best Song "Colors of the Wind"
Toy Story -- Nominated, Best Original Score, Best Screenplay, Best Song "You'ev Got A Friend"; Winner, Special Achievement (for being the first full-length computer-animated film)
1997: Hercules -- Nominated, Best Song "Go the Distance"
1999: Tarzan -- Winner, Best Song "You'll Be In My Heart"
2000: Toy Story 2 -- Nominated, Best Song "When She Loved Me"
The Emperor's New Groove -- Nominated, Best Song "My Funny Friend and Me"
2001: Monsters, Inc. -- Nominated, Best Animated Feature, Best Sound Editing, Best Original Score; Winner, Best Song "If I Didn't Have You"
2002: Lilo and Stitch -- Nominated, Best Animated Feature
Treasure Planet -- Nominated, Best Animated Feature
2003: Brother Bear -- Nominated, Best Animated Film
Finding Nemo -- Nominated, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing, Best Original Screenplay; Winner, Best Animated Feature
2004: The Incredibles -- Nominated, Best Sound Mixing and Best Original Screenplay; Winner, Best Sound Editing and Best Animated Feature
2006: Cars -- Nominated Best Animated Feature and Best Song "Our Town"
2007: Ratatouille -- Nominated, Best Original Score, Best Original Screenplay, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing; Winner, Best Animated Feature
Enchanted -- Nominated, Best Song "Happy Workign Song," "So Close," and "That's How You Know"
2008: Bolt -- Nominated, Best Animated Feature
Wall-E: Nominated, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Song "Down To Earth", Winner, Best Animated Feature
2009: The Princess and the Frog -- Nominated, Best Animated Feature, Best Song "Almost There" and "Down in New Orleans"
Up -- Nominated, Best Picture, Best Sound Editing, Best Original Screenplay; Winner, Best Original Score and Best Animated Feature