Walt Disney World might be the most popular spot to bring kids on vacation, but starting this week there is one place in the resort that will not be open to children. The Victoria & Albert's restaurant in the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the theme park's only restaurant with an AAA five-diamond rating, is banning children under 10. The decision came after surveys showed that diners were looking for a more adult restaurant experience. Of course, Disney has 97 other full-service restaurants to choose from, but this is the one with the highest prices and the most elegant atmosphere. Prices start at $125 a person.

You wouldn't peg Disney World as the place to find the latest hot cigar bar but Fuego by Sosa Cigars opened last month on Disney's Pleasure Island. Cigar Aficionado reports that the cigar bar has a cool bar that looks like a slab of melting ice and a full menu of alcoholic beverages. There is also outdoor seating, Custom wooden humidors offer a variety of cigars include the Fuente Fuente Opus X as well as the house brand Sosa cigars. Smoking is prohibited throughout much of Walt Disney World and is limited to designated smoking areas. The cigar bar is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Animated movies always have products associated with them but the latest Pixar movie has produced merchandise that goes far beyond the usual fast-food restaurant tie-ins and themed bedroom sets. The movie, about a Parisian rat with culinary aspirations, has spawned a who line of cooking accessories for kids sold through Sur La Table. Even more interesting is the Ratatouille wine. The wine will be carried by Costco and is a 2004 white Burgundy from the Mâcon's Château de Messey. You can buy it starting on August 1 at Costco stores in 18 states for around $13. This may just be the first wine your kids encourage you to buy.

Ferrari is developing what may be the new "end all, be all" of automotive adventure -- the Ferrari Theme Park, scheduled to open in 2009 on Yas Island, just a 30-minute drive from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The $40 million project promises to offer up everything from roller coasters to a pit-lane team experience, go-karts, virtual reality racing simulators, a racing school, and a g-force simulator that helps laypeople experience the forces felt by race car drivers. An interactive museum will also be at hand, particularly useful for cooling off and waiting for your raging endorphins to ebb.

In addition to the park being a sweet tourist destination for gearheads, the economic benefit will be a great perk for Abu Dhabi, which is currently trying to lessen its economic dependence upon the oil business.

[Source: The New York Times via Newsvine]

They say that every little girl wants to be a princess when she grows up, and whether that is true or not, there is one industry that is practically based around the theory: the bridal industry. Disney has long been part of making dreams come true for kids and kids at heart and already does a booming wedding trade by holding receptions (2,000 or so a year) at their parks, but the company responsible for the creation of some of the ultimate fairy tale princesses, has decided to branch out even further. The will be releasing a line of Disney princess-inspired wedding dresses this year.

It would be hard not to feel like a princess in a Vera Wang gown, but if you want to look like Cinderella at the ball, now you can. Perhaps Scarlett Johanssen will lend you the glass slippers from Annie Leibovitz's latest Disney shoot for the occasion.

Annie Leibovitz is shooting Disney's new ads for the company's Year of a Million Dreams campaign. The ads are far more like high fashion than mass market, despite the use of well known Disney characters. Instead of opting for cartoons, Annie has turned her famous lens onto celebrities that are dressed in character - as Disney stars. Scarlett Johanssen, accessorized with a $325,000 Harry Winston Tiara and Steuben custom glass slippers, stars as Cinderella and David Beckham plays Sleeping Beauty's dragon-slaying Prince Charming. Only a few shots have been done so far, but 10 or 12 (including Peter Pan and the Little Mermaid) are in development. The photos will run as a series in magazines including Vogue, Vanity Fair, W, GQ, Conde Nast Traveller, Cookie and The New Yorker. And, with luck, they'll be available as prints, too.

Every little seven-year-old girl would love to stay in Cinderella's Castle, and now some very lucky guests can. Unused space in Walt Disney World's Cinderella Castle has been turned in to the "Suite of a Million Dreams." Here's how it works: at some random place at one of the Disney properties at some random time, a winner will be selected to spend that night in the suite. Though it's said to be random, I'm sure there are some very wealthy fathers out there who would do anything for their daughter to crash in the castle, and Disney would probably welcome these suggestions. But, if you read the press release, notice that the estimated value of the one night stay is only $587. Some more pictures after the jump, including the most uncomfortable looking toilet ever.

Many thanks to reader John for the tip!

Disney fans take note: the house that was the inspiration behind the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland is up for sale. The Harry Packer Mansion was built in 1874 and is in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, a town that is known for its appreciation of Victorian architecture. Despite appearances (and the fact that it is currently used to host Murder Mystery Weekends), the current owners assure prospective buyers that the interior "is anything but spooky," with high ceilings, Tiffany stained glass windows, marble fireplaces, period antiques and fabrics. The mansion is about 4,500-sq. ft. and is priced at $1.75 million.

[the disney blog via boing boing]

Disney has just announced the introduction of two collections of luxury children's apparel, aimed at infants and toddlers, due in department stores like Bloomingdales and Nordstrom this fall, as well as at some boutiques. The lines, Classic Disney and Walt Disney Signature, will "offer cashmere blankets, hooded robes and mittens, bibs and burp cloths, organic cotton tees, cardigans, and casual separates." While they will make use of the well-known Disney characters and artwork, their use will be subtle and understated.

The Classic Disney collection will focus on the classic films, including Bambi, Pinocchio and Lady and the Tramp, and their characters. Bambi will be the first character to launch, with baby blankets and burp clothes to be followed by the organic cotton tees and pajamas. The Walt Disney Signature collection will be "vintage-inspired, eclectic and of the finest quality," with pastel colors and cashmere, silk and linen fabrics adorned with sketchbook artwork and appliques.

The ultimate collectible for a Disney fan is now on sale. Celebration Mickey stands 24-inches high and is made from 1,500 troy ounces of 24K gold. Despite his small size, Mickey weighs over 100-lbs. The sculpture is the largest gold piece ever commissioned by Disney, possibly in the whole United States, and was cast 2001 to commemorate Disney's 100th anniversary. The specific design used for it was done by Marc Delle, based on the original design by Walt Disney himself. Mickey's price tag, based on his original appraisal after casting, is $4 million.

[via Born Rich]