Born with the gift of comedic gab, Bill has turned his ability to channel stars both real and imagined into an illustrious show-business career involving a colorful array of animated characters. None are nearer or dearer to his heart than Goofy, the iconic character to whom Bill has lent his voice for decades.

As this week marks the milestone 25th anniversary of Bill’s career going Goofy, I sat down with the Disney Legend for an interview that’ll appear in a special Goofy-tribute issue of Disney Files Magazine scheduled to begin mailing to Disney Vacation Club members next month.

Here are three of my favorite Bill quotes from our visit:

On his skeptical father-in-law finally respecting Bill’s decision to quit his “real job” to focus on a career in comedy: “Well, fast forward a few years [after landing the Goofy gig], as I’m getting him backstage access to Walt Disney World Resort attractions and inviting him to private parties with celebrities, and the tide definitely turned. I’ll never forget going with him to an event at his church in Melbourne, Fla., and having him introduce me to his friends. Here’s exactly what he said: ‘I’d like you to meet my son-in-law, Bill…and his wife, Jennifer.’ I had arrived!”

On being Goofy at home: “One story that’s quintessentially Goofy unfolded when I was outside our house hanging Christmas lights. To set the scene, you had me, a bunch of tangled lights, a ladder and a pair of thorny rose bushes. Perfect setup for a Goofy moment, and you can probably see where this is going. But I didn’t just slip and fall into a rose bush. That would be too easy. I managed to snag my sweatpants on the first rose bush and fall bare-butted into the second. That, my friend, is taking your work home with you.”

On his favorite film project: “Of all the great projects I’ve been fortunate enough to take on in my career, “A Goofy Movie” has been my absolute favorite… The movie wasn’t just about Goofy’s goofiness. It was about a father struggling to connect with a son who wasn’t so little anymore. I remember taking my son, Austin, to an advance screening of the film for Disney executives in Walt’s old screening room on the lot in Burbank. Austin was pretty little at the time, and he seemed to be a bit shaken as we left the theater. I said, ‘What’s wrong, buddy?’ And he answered, ‘When you and Max were about to go over the waterfall, I thought you were going to die.’ So either we’d created a film of such emotional depth that even my own son had suspended disbelief, or my kid just couldn’t tell the difference between Dad and Goofy.”

On behalf of all Disney fans, Disney Vacation Club congratulates Bill on 25 years of the goofiest career in Hollywood.

A Goofy Milestone for Disney Legend Bill Farmer by Ryan March: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Nevertheless, when they do return to change from swimsuits to shorts and shirts for dinner or the nighttime Starlit Hui show, Aulani guests find that their rooms provide comfort, convenience and imaginative décor touches inspired by Hawaiian tradition as well as some subtly applied Disney pixie dust.

Here’s Elliot Mills, Managing Director of Aulani, to point out some creative highlights and creature comforts of Aulani guest rooms.

I love seeing Elliot point out the kapa designs on the room curtains, the work of kapa artist Dalani Tanahy, whose fine creations can be spotted throughout Aulani. But I also have to confess that, with all the Hawaiian art around the resort, I’m still especially partial to the lamp with the “surfing Mickey” image. That’s a “hidden Mickey” more hidden than most – it completely disappears when the lamp is turned off.

Aulani Rooms Provide a Comfortable Home Base for Families on Hawaiian Vacation by John McClintock: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

“If I had two hours at Walt Disney World Resort in late fall or winter, I would go to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas at the main Jambo House. I would buy some hot chocolates and take my family to the Arusha Rock fire pit and enjoy the African Storytelling held each day. It’s a simple wish, but one I would cherish forever.”

Do you love our villas? What lifelong memory have you made while staying at one of our deluxe villa accommodations? Let me know in the comments section below!

Moms Panel: If I Had Two Hours at Walt Disney World to Make a Lifelong Memory I Would… by Laura Spencer: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

This past week Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai‘i opened its doors to welcome the first guests! Over the last few weeks, we’ve featured posts on the Disney Parks Blog giving readers a look at the final stages of the resort’s construction and the special welcome guests received on opening day. Don’t you wish you were there? I know I do!

Take 5: The Opening of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa

1. Construction Wraps Up at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai‘i – Check out this video from Imagineer Joe Rohde, as he takes readers on a video tour of the resort as the finishing touches were being finalized.




2. Popular Hawaiian Singer/Songwriter Provides Soundtrack for Aulani – Listen to the music that will be featured in the Maka‘ala Lobby at the resort from one of Hawai‘i’s most popular singers and songwriters, Keali‘i Reichel, and Grammy Award-winning composer Mark Mancina.




3. Local Community Celebrates as Aulani Prepares to Welcome its First Guests – We gave readers a first look at the ways the local community celebrated and prepared for the first guests to enter the resort.




4. It’s Here! Aulani Opens its Doors to the First Guests – This past Monday, we shared images of the first guests being welcomed into Aulani.




5. Video: First Guests Arrive at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa – Check out this video to see all the excitement of Aulani’s official opening earlier this week!

Take 5: The Opening of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa by Thomas Smith: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

But of course, it wouldn’t be a Disney opening if Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse weren’t first through the doors. Since they’re vacationing in Hawai‘i, just like other Aulani guests, they were in their Hawaiian vacation outfits.

Before checking in, the Mahi family was told that they were named the First Honorary Family and that they would be able to participate in the opening ceremony for Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa. Afterward, they talked to the Disney Parks Blog about their experience at the new Disney resort. Here they are, checking in alongside Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

Even now, as the guests are enjoying the pools, water slides, kids club, restaurants and spa, we’re preparing for a special Grand Opening ceremony scheduled in September. Meanwhile, I’ll be showing you more of Aulani as it comes fully to life, helping create special Hawaiian vacation memories for its guests. Keep watching the Disney Parks Blog.

Video: First Guests Arrive at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa by John McClintock: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

There’s something for guests of every age at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. Kids, teens and entire families can play together in the pools, on the slides and along the Waikolohe Stream. They can go snorkeling in the safety of Rainbow Reef or enjoy close encounters with marine life in the Makai Preserve conservation pool. Adults may want to slip off into a beachside hot tub.

Here’s Ron Hood, whose regular gig is as Operations Manager for Typhoon Lagoon at Walt Disney World Resort, to tell you more.

Which do you prefer? Swimming? Snorkeling? The slides? The lazy river? That terrific lagoon? It’s all at Aulani.

See more from Aulani in the posts below:

• Where to Find Disney Characters and Buffet Dining at Aulani
• The Taro Patch – A Hawaiian Tradition Grows at the Entrance to Aulani
• A Look ‘Below the Surface’ at Aulani

Many Ways to Get Wet at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i by John McClintock: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Take a look at this amazing view from Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai`i. It was shot at dawn by one of our longtime Disney photographers David Roark who has spent time in Hawai`i capturing images of the resort’s construction and I wanted to share it with you. The moon was setting on the lagoon at Aulani at just the perfect time.

If this looks like paradise to you and you’d like to see more, I also have some great news to share. Today, we’re launching our new Aulani Facebook page. Check it out and let us know what you think as we countdown to opening day next year.

Some “hidden Mickeys” are more magical than others. Recently, Chris Strong, a Disneyland Resort entertainment manager working on the Aulani project, shot this photo of “Mickey in the clouds” overlooking the lagoon at Aulani in Ko Olina. This picture wasn’t photoshopped or manipulated in any way. In fact, Chris says he didn’t notice it until he was reviewing his photos. It’s fun to think this is a good omen for the Resort!

Ten years ago today, The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge welcomed its first guests. The resort continues to be popular with Disney Vacation Club members because of its great guest service and its comfortable, rustic theme. I personally think it is a special place because it captures a homespun ambiance and sense of adventure of the great American Northwest National Park lodges at the turn of the century. The 114 two-bedroom villas connect to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Is this one of your favorites? Please let us know in comments.

Did you know that Thanksgiving brunch at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort is an annual tradition for many locals? Besides the typical display of turkey and stuffing, the chefs add a little Florida to the menu with chilled seafood like snow crab, poached salmon, peel-and-eat shrimp and mussels. It’s a spread I thought a few of you would want to know about. There’s a ton of fave veggies and sides too, and even a kids menu for those fussy munchkins. It’s priced at $30.99 and $16.99 for ages 9 and under and reservations are required. Buffet is open from 11 a.m. till 9 p.m. so come hungry, and be grateful.